Man, 2 sons held in Bhagalpur village for drug peddling
She completed her schooling at Ishan International Public School, Patna, and later earned a degree in Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering from Bhagalpur Engineering College.
Modi to visit Bihar for 4th time this year on June 20
PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be back in Bihar on June 20, the fourth time this year and his seventh visit to the state after he took oath for the third term in June 2024. This time around, Modi will visit Siwan, considered a stronghold of main opposition RJD, where he is scheduled to address a mega political rally. A team of senior BJP leaders on Monday visited Siwan to take stock of preparations for the Modi rally. During the RJD regime, then RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin was said to call the shots in Siwan; merely his name spelt terror across Bihar, observers say. The don-turned-politicians family is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad to this day. On June 30, PM Modi had addressed a rally at Bikramganj in Rohtas district, a part of Shahabad region where NDA performed poorly both in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2020 assembly elections. Earlier, he visited Bhagalpur and Madhubani. From an administrative point of view, entire state has been divided into nine major regions. Shahabad region comprises Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas and Kaimur districts where Oppositions Grand Alliance won 15 out of 22 seats in 2020 assembly polls. In Magadh region, which comprises Gaya Ji, Aurangabad, Nawada and Jehanabad, the opposition bloc secured win on 16 out of 25 seats. A senior BJP leader said the PMs rally has been finalised in areas where the Opposition bloc performed better than the NDA in previous assembly elections. PM will announce several development projects for the region ahead of polls to woo voters. For NDA Shahabad region and adjoining Magadh region may prove to be a challenging battleground as it could win only 18 out of 49 seats in the two regions in the last election. Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi besides former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha have been roped in to improve NDAs performance in Shahabad and Magadh regions. Kushwaha told the press on Monday that the NDA could pull a spectacular performance in Shahabad and Magadh regions if all its constituents BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM and RLM contest the election in complete coordination. A message should go across all sections of the society that NDA is fully united and contesting elections without any misgiving to improve its seat tally in both regions, he said. Oppn tally in 2020 assembly Shahabad: 15 of 22 seats Magadh: 16 of 25 seats Patna: 10 out of 21 seats Kosi: 6 out of 11 seats Mithilanchal: 18 of 47 seats Tirhut: 11 of 42 seats Saran, which includes Siwan: 15 out of 24 seats
Chirag Paswan seeks to steal Nitish Kumars thunder in Bihar Assembly polls
BJP leadership might have a role in making Chief Ministers position uneasy By Tirthankar Mitra Bihar seems to have a penchant for being in the news be it owing to JPs call of total revolution or the Bhagalpur blindings or the fodder scam. The state finds itself in the news again as a new [] The post Chirag Paswan seeks to steal Nitish Kumars thunder in Bihar Assembly polls appeared first on Northlines .
Dalit woman dragged by hair during police raid in Bihar
A Dalit woman was dragged by her hair during a police raid with no woman officers present in the Nathnagar Pasi Tola area of Bhagalpur district, Bihar. The incident has triggered massive outrage among local residents. The incident reportedly took place on May 18. The 52-year-old Dalit woman, Jyothi Bharti, was attending to her ailing 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 .
JD(U) rules out possibility of domicile policy being introduced in Bihar
PATNA: Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the ruling NDA, has ruled out introducing a domicile policy in Bihar a long-standing demand by opposition parties aimed at curbing migration and creating more jobs for local youth. Manish Kumar Verma, general secretary of JD(U), at an event in Bihars Bhagalpur, said that implementation of domicile policy in the state would be against provisions of the Indian Constitution. The Opposition is creating a confusion among people about it, he said. Former bureaucrat-turned-politician said that reserved seats were meant for local residents only, and they were entitled to get benefits from the reservation policy. However, unreserved seats were open to all, he said, adding that people from across the country worked in Bihar. Similarly, people from Bihar worked in various states. If anybody has any confusion about domicile policy, he/she should immediately talk to judicial officers of high court and the Supreme Court. The judicial officials will clear their confusion about domicile policy, JD(U) leader said. Verma, considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said that any citizen of India is entitled to apply for government jobs within the country on unreserved seats. These unreserved seats are open to all. Eligible candidates can apply and get jobs after being selected, he clarified. JD(U) leader said that if domicile policy is implemented in Bihar, those Biharis who were working in other states would be forced to leave the places and return to their home state. What will be the seen if all migrant workers from Bihar return to the home state, he added. He, however, admitted that the ratio of job creation in the state was less than the number of educated youths. This has led to a large-scale migration from Bihars Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnea, Katihar and other districts to other states. Verma said that Constitution of India provided right to its legitimate citizens to work in any state for their livelihood. We cant discriminate with people hailing from other states in the name of domicile policy in Bihar, he remarked. Without taking the name of Bihars Opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, JD(U) general secretary said that some people were misleading people in the name of domicile policy. We have no confusion about the matter, he told the media. All opposition leaders, including RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, have been raising the issue of domicile policy in their public meetings. Kishor alleged that Bihar government was playing with the future of its youths by not implementing domicile policy. Opposition leaders underlined the need of implementing domicile policy in the state to accommodate more educated youths in government jobs. The issue assumed significance in the wake of agitation earlier launched by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examinees to press for re-examination of prelims. Political parties, including RJD, extended support to agitation launched by BPSC examinees.
Momentum Gathers For BuxarBhagalpur Expressway: DPR Tender Floated For Key Bihar Corridor
Civil servants should act like craftsmen towards India's development: PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the country is beginning to build a strong foundation for a developed India. Addressing civil servants on the occasion of Civil Services Day, PM Modi said that since India has now become the most populous country in the world, achieving saturation of basic amenities must be our top priority. The Prime Minister remarked, Today, we are in a world that is changing at a fast pace. Our bureaucracy and policy-making cannot operate on outdated systems. That is why, since 2014, systemic change has been actively pursued. We are transforming ourselves at great speed. Elaborating on the policies being implemented by his government, PM Modi said, The policies we are working on today, the decisions we are making, are going to shape the future of the next thousand years. Cautioning against complacency amid global developments and emerging challenges, the Prime Minister stated, In rapid changing times, we have to keep a close watch on global challenges. You are seeing that Food, Water and Energy Security still remains a big challenge. This is a huge crisis, especially for Global South. Speaking about Indias domestic programmes, he noted, Indias aspirational society be it the youth, farmers, or women holds unprecedented dreams and ambitions. To fulfil these aspirations, we need an equally unprecedented pace of progress. A strong focus on last-mile delivery is essential. As the needs and aspirations of citizens evolve rapidly, civil services must also adapt to contemporary challenges. He claimed that India has undergone transformative changes in the past ten years. We are no longer just focused on growth, but on setting benchmarks in governance, transparency, and innovation. Our G20 Presidency is a strong example of this, he asserted, adding that over 200 meetings were held across more than 60 cities, creating an inclusive footprint never before seen in the history of the G20. This reflects our truly holistic approach. Touching upon the success of development initiatives, PM Modi said, We have often discussed aspirational districts, but the success of aspirational blocks is equally important. This programme was launched in January 2023, and within just two years, unprecedented changes have been seen in key indicatorshealth, social development, and basic infrastructure. Citing specific examples, he stated, In the Peeplu block of Tonk, Rajasthan, just two years ago, the measurement efficiency of children was around 20 percent at Anganwadi Centres. Today, it has risen to over 99 percent, he said, also mentioning Bihars Bhagalpur district, Jagdishpur block, which saw a significant improvementpregnant women registration rose from just 25 percent in the first quarter to over 90 percent. Similarly, in Jammu & Kashmirs Marwah block, institutional deliveries, which were previously at 30 percent, have now risen to 100 percent, the Prime Minister said. Discussing governance quality, he noted, I believe quality in governance is not achieved merely by launching schemes, but by ensuring how deeply they impact the citizens of India. Its about understanding the real, on-ground effect. He added that this impact has been observed across various districts from increased school attendance to the adoption of solar power. Many districts have fulfilled their commitments, and several have been recognised for their efforts, he said. The Prime Minister also emphasised the launch of Mission Manufacturing and attributed much of its success to MSMEs. Today, MSMEs, startups and young entrepreneurs have unprecedented opportunities. Therefore, ensuring competitiveness in the global supply chain is crucial. Their competition is not just with small entrepreneurs but with the entire world, he remarked. Describing civil servants as the architects of the nations future, PM Modi said, You are not just Civil Servant, you are the craftsman of a new India. To fulfil the responsibility of craftsman, we should enable ourselves, we should dedicate time to the goal. You see, you will be able to see developed India in front of your eyes. Prime Minister Modi also presented the PM Awards for Excellence in Public Administration to various civil servants for their outstanding performance in implementing schemes for holistic development on the ground. He also released an e-book featuring success stories and best practices in governance, and viewed a film made on the government's flagship schemes.
SC dismisses plea by Bihar DSP seeking to quash FIR against him in rape case
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Saturday dismissed a plea filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Somesh Kumar Mishra, who sought the quashing of an FIR registered against him nearly a decade after the alleged crime, and at a location different from where the offence occurred. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan refused to quash the FIR and dismissed Mishras plea. We are dismissing your (Mishras) petition on the ground of delay, not on the ground of merit, the court stated in its order. Mishra, a former trainee DSP and currently posted in Gopalganj, Bihar, had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the top court challenging the Patna High Courts 2022 decision, which had also refused to quash the FIR. Following the apex court's decision, Mishra will now face trial in Bhagalpur. He has been chargesheeted by the investigating agency under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the prosecution, Mishra is accused of raping the victim at gunpoint between 2009 and 2012. According to Mishra's lawyer, Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the case against him was initiated without the due process of law. The case has been initiated without the lodging of an FIR, which is contrary to legal requirements. And also there is no content prescribed in the FIR. The proceedings are not in accordance with the law. The FIR indicates that the distance from the place of occurrence to the police station is 2 kilometres. However, it has been alleged that the incident took place in Delhi, Tripathy alleged. Furthermore, there are no allegations pertaining to Bhagalpur in the entire report. Thepolice, without any jurisdiction, conducted an arbitrary investigation and then filed a charge sheet in the Sessions Court, Bhagalpur, he said. Mishra in his plea, stated that the police inquiry against him was conducted without following the due process of law. According to Mishra's plea, instead of approaching a police station and filing a complaint, the victim had sent an email to the Bihar police academy Rajgir in 2019, which was forwarded by the DIG to the additional DGP and Deputy Director of Bihar Police. Following this, the additional DGP ordered the DIG to submit an inquiry report within a week. As part of the inquiry, the victim was asked by the police to come to the police academy in Rajgir. On January 25, 2020, the victim along with her husband, appeared before the sexual harassment committee at Bihar police academy and informed that the said incident had happened a decade ago. The plea stated that following this, instead of lodging the FIR in Delhi, where the offense occurred, the police registered a case at Bihar's Bhagalpur on March 20, 2020. Mishrawas arrested in November 2020, and was granted bail the next month. Claiming that the allegations against him are baseless and fabricated with an intent to ruin his life and career, Mishra alleged that he had been targeted at a time when he was trying to settle in life with his dream job and thinking of starting a family life. The FIR is based on false and fabricated facts, as such, the same is liable to be quashed. There was a substantial delay (about a decade) in lodging the FIR and no plausible explanation regarding this has been given. Delay in lodging the FIR, itself shows that it is done after much thought and consultation, due to mala-fide intention, he alleged.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to adjudicate on April 17, a plea filed by asenior police officer seeking to quash a rape case filed against him after the delay of ten years. The FIR was allegedly registered at a different place, away from where the crime had taken place. The accused, Somesh Kumar Mishra, a former trainee DSP presently working as DSP in Bihar's Gopalganj, has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the top court seeking to quash the FIR against him. Mishra moved SC after the Patna High Court in 2022 refused to quash the FIR against him. According to the prosecution, Mishra is accused of sexually assaulting the victim at gunpoint between the years 2009 and 2012. According to Mishra's lawyer Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the case against him was initiated without the due process of law. The case has been initiated without the lodging of an FIR, which is contrary to legal requirements. And also there is no content prescribed in the FIR. The proceedings are not in accordance with the law. The FIR indicates that the distance from the place of occurrence to the police station is 2 kilometers. However, it has been alleged that the incident took place in Delhi, Tripathy alleged. Furthermore, there are no allegations pertaining to Bhagalpur in the entire report. Thepolice, without any jurisdiction, conducted an arbitrary investigation and then filed a charge sheet in the Sessions Court, Bhagalpur, he said. Mishra in his plea, stated that the police inquiry against him was conducted without following the due process of law. According to Mishra's plea, instead of approaching a police station and filing a complaint, the victim had sent an email to the Bihar police academy Rajgir in 2019, which was forwarded by the DIG to the additional DGP and Deputy Director of Bihar Police. Following this, the additional DGP ordered the DIG to submit an inquiry report within a week. As part of the inquiry, the victim was asked by the police to come to the police academy in Rajgir. On January 25, 2020, the victim along with her husband, appeared before the sexual harassment committee at Bihar police academy and informed that the said incident had happened a decade ago. The plea stated that following this, instead of lodging the FIR in Delhi, where the offense occurred, the police registered a case at Bihar's Bhagalpur on March 20, 2020. Mishrawas arrested in November 2020, and was granted bail the next month. Claiming that the allegations against him are baseless and fabricated with an intent to ruin his life and career, Mishra alleged that he had been targeted at a time when he was trying to settle in life with his dream job and thinking of starting a family life. The FIR is based on false and fabricated facts, as such, the same is liable to be quashed. There was a substantial delay (about a decade) in lodging the FIR and no plausible explanation regarding this has been given. Delay in lodging the FIR, itself shows that it is done after much thought and consultation, due to mala-fide intention, he alleged.
Lightning, thunderstorms kill 61 in Bihar; CM Nitish Kumar announces 4 lakh ex-gratia
PATNA: At least 61 people have died due to lightning strikes and hailstorms that lashed several districts of Bihar over the past 48 hours . Nalanda district reported the highest number of fatalities, with 22 deaths on Thursday alone. Other districts also reported casualties: Patna, Bhojpur, Siwan, and Gaya recorded four deaths each; Gopalganj and Jamui reported three each; Muzaffarpur, Jehanabad, Saran, and Arwal reported two deaths each; while Begusarai, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Katihar, Munger, Madhepura, Araria, and Bhagalpur each reported one death. Nalanda District Magistrate Shashank Bhubhankar confirmed that 21 people died due to thunderstorms and one due to lightning. He added that relief and rescue operations are underway in the affected areas. Instructions have been issued to hand over the bodies to their families after postmortem examinations. Efforts are also being made to restore traffic disrupted by fallen trees. Police personnel have been deployed to clear roads by removing logs and branches. Six people died in Nagma village under the Manpur police station limits when a tree fell on a temple on Thursday. The victims had taken shelter in the temple during the hailstorm, and a wall collapse caused their deaths. Other fatalities in Nalanda district were reported from Jaitipur under Islampur block, Dekpura under Rahui block, as well as from the Silao and Giriyak blocks. The district administration has released emergency contact numbers for residents. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of 4 lakh to the families of the deceased. In a statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office, people were urged to stay indoors and go out only in cases of emergency. On Wednesday, 13 more people had died due to lightning strikes across four districts of the state. Heavy rains and hailstorms have affected at least 25 out of Bihars 38 districts in the past two days. In addition to the loss of human lives, the storms have caused extensive damage to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. A senior official from the State Disaster Management Department stated that district officials have been directed to assess the damage to property and crops. Compensation will be provided to affected individuals based on their reports.
Poster war between RJD, JD(U) erupts in Bihar ahead of assembly elections
PATNA: Poster war between the main opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Lalu Prasad and ruling Janata Dal (United) led by chief minister Nitish Kumar has begun ahead of the Bihar assembly elections due later this year. On Wednesday, posters erupted at different locations in the state capital, including Beerchand Patel Marg, where the offices of many political parties are located, drawing a parallel between two stalwarts, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. The posters claimed that the Lalu era was marked by communal clashes. At least 12 major incidents of communal violence occurred in Bihar between 1090 and 2005 in which a number of people lost their lives, and their property was damaged. Communal clashes took place at frequent intervals and fear was writ large on the face of people during Lalu era. On the other hand, there is communal peace and the rule of law prevails in the state during Nitish Kumars regime, the posters read. The posters contained the list of major communal incidents reported during the Lalu era. These include Sasaram riots in Rohtas district on March 30, 1990, communal flare-up in Sitamarhi on October 7,1992, which left 44 dead and communal riots in Bhagalpur, Araria, Samastipur and Darbhanga May 29-30, 1996. Similar incidents took place in Patna on January 1, 1997, Nalanda and Munger on October 1, 1998, Sasaram (Rohtas) and Biharsharif (Nalanda) on January 1, 2000, Nalanda on March 9, 2001, Darbhanga on January 2, 2003, Munger on January 16, 2003 and Ara (Bhojpur) on October 5, 2003, respectively. On the other hand, posters claimed that there was peace and harmony among members of different communities during Nitishs regime. Those involved in riots were brought to book and also prosecuted by the court for their offences. There is sushashan (good governance in Bihar), the posters read. Reacting to the latest posters put up on the Beerchand Patel Marg, JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said that he had no knowledge about the individual or groups that put up the posters in the state capital. But there is truth in these posters. Communal riots had become an order of the day during Lalus era, he added.
Modi, Rahul to firm up high-stakes Bihar battle plank with April rallies
PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Bihar on April 24 in the run-up to the state assembly polls due in October-November. He will address panchayat representatives on the occasion of the National Panchayati Raj Day in Madhubani district. Addtionally, the PM will lay foundation stone and inaugurate several development projects on the occasion. On Monday, Union minister of state for Panchayati Raj Lalan Singh, deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary and state industries minister Nitish Mishra reviewed the preparedness for the PMs visit. It will be Modis second visit to the state since January this year. Senior BJP leaders said on Monday that PM Modi will make frequent visits to the poll-bound state to boost morale of party workers ahead of the assembly elections. He will also announce several development projects for Bihar. On February 24, Modi had visited Bhagalpur to release the 19th instalment of the PM Kishan Samman Nidhi scheme; besides addressing a rally at the airport ground, the PM also interacted with farmers from neighbouring districts. BJP sources said several Union ministers are set to visit the state ahead of the assembly polls. On March 29 and 30, Union home minister visited Bihar and addressed a rally at Gopalganj, the native district of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav where he launched a scathing attack on the RJDs first family. Shah also held a meeting with top NDA leaders at Chief Minister Nitish Kumars residence where, among other issues, seat sharing was also discussed. The NDA partners reportedly submitted a list of seats from which each party wanted to contest from. All roads lead to Bihar On the other hand, the opposition INDIA bloc is also gearing up for the upcoming Bihar elections. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is set to visit the stae on April 7 to take part in the Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan in Patna. Before his visit, state Congress has launched a campaign to garner support.
Civic authorities on Monday demolished the house of Fahim Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP) who has been booked for sedition in the Nagpur violence case. At around 10.30 am on Monday, three JCB machines of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation started demolishing the house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area, amid heavy security and drone surveillance in the entire area. Civic sources claimed that the action was being taken under the MRTP Act, as the construction of the building was unauthorised. Khan who is currently lodged in jail is among the over 100 persons, mostly Muslims arrested for the violence in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on March 17. Local Muslims of the area have accused the police of arbitrary arrests and bias towards the community. The violence erupted on March 17, after members of Hindu extremist groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) allegedly burnt a 'chadar' with Quranic inscriptions during an agitation demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Kuldabad, around 490 kilometres away from Nagpur. Following the incident, some Muslim residents gathered at the site to protest and complained to the police demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the burning of the religious text. However, the police refused to pay heed to their demands and sided with the right-wing groups, alleged local Muslims. By the evening on March 17, VHP and Bajrang Dal members marched through Muslim-majority areas of Nagpur, chanting provocative slogans, which resulted in clashes with the local Muslims. 38-year-old Irfan Ansari, who was attacked by the mob while on his way to Nagpur railway station, succumbedto injuries on Saturday, marking the first death from the violence. The violence also caused massive destruction to properties in the Muslim-majority areas. According to the local residents, police refused to step in during the violence and sometimes actively participated in the destruction of property, along with the right-wing mob. Eight workers of the VHP and Bajrang Dalhad surrendered beforethe police two days after the violence, only to get bail that evening from the court. According to Cyber DCP Lohit Matani, Fahim Khan, who has been dubbed the key accused in the violence, is accused of editing and circulating the video of the protest against Aurangzeb due to which the riots spread. He is also accused of glorifying the violent videos. Meanwhile, similar to other recent incidents of communally instigated violence including that in Sambhal, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said bulldozer action will be used against the accused, wherever required. Whatever damage has happened will be recovered from the rioters. If they do not pay the money, then their property will be sold for the recovery. Wherever required, bulldozers will also be used, Fadnavis was quoted as saying by ANI . The CM also said that individuals who incited violence through social media will be treated as co-accused. Fadnavis' statement on punitive bulldozer action comes amidst a Supreme Court-ordered stay on such measures. The chilling sight of a bulldozer demolishing a building, when authorities have failed to follow the basic principles of natural justice and have acted without adhering to the principle of due process, reminds one of a lawless state of affairs, where might was right,the apex court had noted in its November 2024 order. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) Amid Nagpur violence, right-wing social media handles post cauliflower pictures evoking 1989 Bhagalpur riots
Nagpur violence: 14 more held, number of arrests reaches 105; three fresh FIRs registered
NAGPUR: At least 14 more persons have been arrested in connection with the violence in Nagpur earlier this week, taking the total number of arrests to 105, a senior police official has said. According to the police, 14 persons, including 10 juveniles, were nabbed on Friday. The official said three more FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident. Large-scale stone pelting and arson were reported in several parts of Nagpur on March 17 over rumours that a chadar with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb , which is in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. 17 accused in Nagpur violence case remanded to police custody till March 22 Fourteen accused were arrested from different parts of the city in connection with the riots. Three more FIRs have been registered related to the riots, Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singhal said. He said the decision to lift the curfew from some parts of the city would be made after a high-level review meeting. Singhal, meanwhile, held a meeting at Police Bhavan in Civil Lines here to take stock of the situation. Thirty-three police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, were injured during the violence. Key accused Fahim Khan is among those booked for sedition. Amid Nagpur violence, right-wing social media handles post cauliflower pictures evoking 1989 Bhagalpur riots 'Stones hurled, vehicles torched': Locals recount mob attack in Nagpur as prohibitory orders imposed
Amid the communal violence that ensued in Maharashtra's Nagpur, following protests by Hindu extremist groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanding the demolition of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's tomb, some right wing social media handles have been sharing images of cauliflower, symbolically referring to bloodshed as a solution. A right-wing X handle, @HPhobiaWatch , posted a picture of a woman harvesting cauliflowers with the caption, Nagpur has a solution. Commenting to the post, another user, @HitRunDFI wrote, Request to Hindus: Do not be sitting ducks this time. Have a target, have a number in mind like a minimum of 2-3 and act. Also, remember, you will be blamed by everyone even if you do nothing. So stop worrying about bad PR. Request to Hindus: Do not be sitting ducks this time. Have a target, have a number in mind like a minimum of 2-3 and act. Also, remember, you will be blamed by everyone even if you do nothing. So stop worrying about bad PR. ASPR (@HitRunDFI) March 18, 2025 Agriculture has a calming effect on violent minds. Maybe Nagpur needs more cauliflower farming, wrote another user, @Karthik0412 . What is the cauliflower reference? The reference to cauliflowers and cauliflower farming in this context is a direct evocation of the 1989 Bhagalpur violence, which saw a series of brutal massacres of more than 900 Muslims at the hands of right-wing mobs including members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Following the violence, according to multiple media reports , more than a hundred dead bodies of Muslims were recovered from the cauliflower fields of Logain. The violence, which lasted nearly two months and affected nearly 200 villages in rural Bhagalpur, killed more than a thousand people, according to official accounts. However, other sources put the death toll at 2000. According to the People's Union for Democratic Rights ( PUDR) report, 93% of the dead were Muslims. A report by the members of Bhagalpur Riots Inquiry Commission, set up by the Satyendra Narayan Sinha-led state government in December 1989, held the administration guilty of incompetence and indifference for letting the Ram Janmabhoomi procession pass through a Muslim-dominated area, raising provocative slogans. The report also found Superintendent KS Trivedi wholly responsible for the riots that occurred. Notably, the BJP and VHP had contested the disciplinary action against Trivedi, following which then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi revoked his transfer, issued by the state government. The Bhagalpur violence remains a dark blot in Indian history with multiple subsequent governments in Bihar falling short of conducting proper investigations and delivering justice to the victims.
Union Minister's Nephew Shot Dead In Family Feud Over Tap Water In Bihar
A dispute over the tap water between two nephews of Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai turned violent leading to the death of one of them in Parbatta village of Bihar's Bhagalpur district on Thursday.
Union Minister Nityanand Rais Nephew Shot Dead In Bihar, Sisters Condition Critical
Union Minister Nityanand Rai's nephew was shot dead in Bhagalpur, Bihar amid a family feud. Rai's sister was critically injured. The incident involved a gunfight between Rai's nephews.
Nityanand Rai's nephews shoot each other over 'minor dispute'; 1 dead
A gunfight between two nephews of Union state home minister Nityanand Rai in Bihar's Bhagalpur led to one death and one injury. The incident stemmed from a minor dispute that escalated, with both brothers shooting at each other. Statements are currently being recorded by the police.
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held an emergency meeting with Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena and Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar to assess the law-and-order situation in the state following a ruckus created by the Opposition in the legislative council on Monday over frequent incidents of attack on police personnel in recent past. As per official records, as many as 12 incidents of attack on police teams by mobs took place in different parts of the state during Holi celebrations between March 14 and 15. While two police officers lost their lives, 27 other police personnel suffered injuries in these attacks during the period. Police, however, maintained restraint and didnt open fire in any of these incidents. In addition, 11 incidents of clash between two rival communities were reported during the period, leaving 14 individuals injured. However, no death has been reported from anywhere. In all, 29 individuals have been arrested in connection with the incidents of clash between two rival communities. Similarly, two incidents of clash between two groups belonging to the same community were reported in which 26 people were wounded. Three accused have been detained for interrogation in connection with the incident, additional director general of police (law and order) Pankaj Kumar Darad told the media on Monday. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called the chief secretary and DGP in the state assembly soon after Opposition members voiced concern over frequent attacks on police personnel, creating a fear psychosis among common people. If police officials are not safe, what to talk about common people, Opposition members said in the assembly carrying placards in their hands. The situation turned a bit tense when Opposition members started shouting slogans and tripped into the well with posters in their hands. Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav intervened and requested the protesting members to go back to their seats and raise the issue at the appropriate time. The proceedings of the House later reassumed. The placards were, however, taken away by Marshals at the directive of Speaker Yadav. Surprisingly, when Opposition members raised the issue of attacks on policemen, especially those attached to Dial 112 (emergency services) during Zero hour, some members from the treasury bench also nodded their heads, as if they supported the Oppositions concern. Mob attacks police team in Bihar's Bhagalpur, five officers injured Expressing his grave concern over attacks on police teams, Congress MLA from Bhagalpur Ajeet Sharma said that the way police personnel were falling prey to outlaws, reflected their growing audacity and governments failure. Earlier, RJD MLA from Mahua Mukesh Raushan claimed that 22 deaths took place in the state during Holi. What is more required to wake up the government from slumber? Two police officers were killed and several others got wounded in attacks by mobs during the period. On the other hand, BJP leaders are inciting communal flare-up, he added. The NDA leaders raised the issue of Tej Pratap Yadav, RJD MLA from Hasanpur, who drove a motorbike without wearing a helmet in protected area and also forced his bodyguard to dance in police uniform. They claimed that the law and order in the state was well under control.
Another attack on Bihar Police: 5 cops injured in stone pelting by villagers in Bhagalpur
Five policemen have sustained injuries in an attack by locals under the Antichak police station area in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
Mob attacks police team in Bihar's Bhagalpur, five officers injured
PATNA: A police team was attacked by a mob in Bihars Bhagalpur district, leaving five officers, including Sub-Inspector Dhanrath Rai, seriously injured. The incident took place around 7:30 pm on Saturday in Kasri village under Antichak police station limits in the Kahalgaon sub-division. The injured policemen have been admitted to a government hospital in Kahalgaon for treatment. According to officials, the police team had gone to the village to investigate a scuffle between two families when they were attacked. A sub-inspector, three policemen, and a village chaukidar were injured as the mob pelted stones and assaulted them with bamboo sticks. The situation quickly turned violent, forcing the policemen to flee for safety. Their patrol vehicle was also damaged in the attack. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting senior police officials to order immediate action against those involved. Kahalgaon Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kalyan Anand said that the clash began after minor children argued over a trivial matter. The dispute escalated into a violent altercation between two families, leading to tensions in the village. He confirmed that five suspects had been detained for questioning and that raids were ongoing to arrest others involved in the attack. A case has been registered based on the statement of a magistrate present in the village. This is the third attack on police personnel in Bihar in the past five days. Earlier, two assistant sub-inspectors were killed in separate incidents in the Munger and Araria districts while on duty. The increasing number of attacks on police officers has raised concerns among law enforcement officials. Leader of Opposition and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav criticized the government over the incident. Sharing the video on social media, he wrote, Yet the CM is unmoved. 20 NDA , , pic.twitter.com/WP2OOHPUQH Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 15, 2025 Yadav further alleged that over 60,000 people have been killed in Bihar in the past 20 years and claimed that the highest number of police personnel deaths occurred during Chief Minister Nitish Kumars tenure. He accused the Chief Minister of failing to maintain law and order, stating, He has been holding the home department ever since he took over the reign of Bihar about two decades ago. But he is now unable to look after the department. The police have assured strict action against those responsible, and investigations are underway to identify all individuals involved in the attack.
Severe groundwater contamination detected in over 30,000 rural wards in Bihar: Report
PATNA: Bihar is grappling with severe groundwater contamination, with 30,207 rural wards exposed to unsafe drinking water that poses serious health risks, according to a new report. The report, which was recently tabled in the assembly as part of the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25), highlighted the presence of arsenic in groundwater in 4,709 such wards, fluoride in 3,789 wards and iron in 21,709 wards. Around 26 per cent of the rural wards in 31 districts, out of a total of 38, have groundwater sources affected by arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination beyond permissible limits, the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) said in the study. The affected wards are located in Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Lakhisarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagara, Munger, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Banka, Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria and Kishanganj districts. We are aware of the fact. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the state government has decided to make rural Bihar 'hand pump-free' and provide safe drinking water to people in the rural areas under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED Minister Niraj Kumar Singh told PTI. The government is also implementing multi-village schemes (MVS) to improve water quality in the state, he said. Under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED is providing safe drinking water to 83.76 lakh families in rural areas, he said, adding, potable water is also being made available to families in the 30,207 rural wards where the contamination is high. The state government is already working on a plan to use river water for drinking purposes. In September 2024, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of a Rs 1,347-crore project for the supply of water from Sone river for drinking purposes in Aurangabad, Dehri and Sasaram cities after necessary treatment, the minister said. The scheme will use the water of Son river, ending the dependence of these cities on groundwater, he said. The project is likely to be completed in two years. In 2023, the CM dedicated the ambitious Ganga Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) or the 'Ganga Jal Apoorti Yojana' to the people of Gaya, Rajgir and Nawada. Under the scheme, people in these districts are provided an uninterrupted supply of clean and safe drinking water, Singh said. Dr Manoj Kumar, a leading gastroenterologist in Bihar, told PTI, The high level of chemical contamination in groundwater is certainly a matter of concern. The authorities must identify the source of contamination and take appropriate steps. Besides, camps should also be organised in the affected wards on a regular basis to make people aware of the adverse effects of consumption of contaminated groundwater. The authorities should come out with standardisation and classification of the quality of water used for drinking purposes. Kumar said drinking water quality standards should describe the quality parameters. Water may contain many harmful constituents, yet there are no recognised and accepted standards for drinking water in the country. The type of contaminant and its health effects vary depending on the water source, he said. The health impacts of water contamination can vary from a bout of stomach infection to terminal illnesses like cancer, Kumar said. The methods of purification depend on specific contaminants in a person's water source. Therefore, detailed water quality standards must be introduced by the authorities concerned, he added.
PATNA: Alarmed over the spread of Avian Influenza, the Bihar government has directed the officials of the education department to stop the supply of eggs served to government schools under the Mid-Day Meal scheme. Sahila, Director of Primary Education and MDM, said, We have asked the officials concerned to stop the supply of eggs with immediate effect. An alert was issued by union fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy ministry to Bihar government over increasing bird flu incidents. Sahila added that district education officers and district programme officers have also been asked to comply strictly with the order. They have been directed to supply seasonal fruits like Apples and Bananas instead of eggs. The supply of eggs will be reinstated once the situation turns normal, the director told TNIE over the phone on March 13. In addition, the government has stressed the need of an awareness campaign to check the spread of bird flu. The consumption of eggs may prove fatal for people due to infection, a senior health department official said. As per the rules, eggs are provided to students from classes I to VIII. Vegetarian students are served Bananas and Apples in MDM. The bird flu was first noticed at a poultry farm at the Indian Institute of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-Research Complex for eastern region in Patna on February 27. The samples were sent to the Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, which tested positive. Bird flu has been confirmed so far in Patna, Bhagalpur and Nawada districts. The lack of a testing lab in Bihar has left the officials of the concerned department worried. The proposal to set up a testing lab has been pending with the union government for more than four years. The lack of testing lab facility has forced us to send the sample either to Bhopal or Kolkata, rued an official from State Animal Husbandry and Fisheries department. The department had sanctioned Rs.14.92 crore in the financial year 2023-24 for setting up such a testing lab in the state. An official who preferred anonymity said that though a team from the National Dairy Development Board visited Patna a couple of months ago, no developments are in sight.
Bhagalpur firecrackers unit blast: SC junks NGT order on asking DM to compensate victims
The Bench directed the tribunal to issue notice to the Bhagalpur district magistrate and seek addresses of the kin of the dead and the injured
SC overturns NGT's Rs 20 lakh compensation order in Bhagalpur Blast Case
SC sends case back to NGT for fresh consideration after ruling that proper procedures were not followed
By Arun Srivastava Narendra Modi admiring Nitish Kumar as his Ladle (pampered child) at the pubic rally in Bhagalpur on Monday has virtually been his first step towards trimming his political status in his home state Bihar rather than projecting him as a lofty and astute politician. The rally certainly did not usher in well for Nitish. His actions and mannerism virtually strengthened the impression in the political circle and especially amongst JD(U) state leaders that Nitish has surrendered to [] The post Prime Ministers Bihar Visit appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
