After fire, norms changed at Kumbh
LUCKNOW: After Sundays fire, safety measures have been spruced up by the Maha Kumbh administration. It has been decided to set up a fire station for every 800 square metre of the mela area where over 1.6 lakh tents have been put up. On Tuesday, teams of police and fire services personnel started an awareness and checking drive to ensure that there were no illegal cylinders kept in any of the camps. An emergency meeting of the food and civil supplies department, fire safety officials and LPG distributors was also held. Besides, the fire safety department issued dos and donts for the devotees staying in the mela area. It was decided during the meeting that strict action would be taken against those found misusing domestic LPG or selling unauthorised cylinders. In all, 53 fire stations and 20 fire posts have been set up to deal with fire. More than 1,300 firemen and 300 fire-tenders are ready to deal with any eventuality, said a senior official of the fire safety department. Prayagraj and Lucknow have nine and 11 fire stations, while the mela area 53. This was the reason we could control the Sunday fire incident. Our set up is such that a fire tender will not take more than three-four minutes to reach any site in the mela area, the official says. More 4,300 fire hydrants have been strategically deployed to handle any emergency. The fire department was allocated a budget of `66.75 crore, while the overall budget for fire safety equipment and vehicles is `131.48 crore. Each akharas tents have also been equipped with fire safety gear. In preparation for the event, dozens of mock drills have been organised in collaboration with NDRF and SDRF, ensuring that all personnel were prepared to respond to emergencies. Special flights to be parked at 11 airports in 4 states In view of the massive air traffic expected for Mauni Amavasya on January 29 in the Maha Kumbh, arrangements have been made to park chartered and special flights at 11 airports spread across four states. These airports are situated within 600 km from Prayagraj. The Prayagraj airport is expected to handle more than 200 flights on January 29, when 8-10 crore devotees are expected to visit Maha Kumbh. The Airport Authority of India has already sought assistance from these airports situated in UP, Bihar, MP and Jharkhand. The airports which have been contacted for providing parking facilities are Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Gaya, Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Deoghar and Chitrakoot. The Chitrakoot airport will be reserved for emergency parking. The Prayagraj airport is already handling an unprecedented number of flights and passengers. Approximately 40,000 have either landed at or taken off from the airport which is an all-time record. Expecting a large number of international passengers, the airport has set up customs and 2 booked for spreading fake news at Mela Two persons have been booked for allegedly spreading fake news about the Maha Kumbh through social media. According to police, the two have uploaded a video of a runaway minor girl chatting with a sadhu and called it inappropriate. A complaint has been lodged. But the matter has turned out to be fake. PM to visit Maha Kumbh on Feb 5, Prez on Feb 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Maha Kumbh on February 5, according to sources. Union Home Minister Amit Shah may attend the mela on January 27, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on February 1 and the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is expected to part of the celebrations on February 10.
PM Modi Reviews 6 Metro Projects, Tells Cities To Learn From Each Other | Exclusive
PM Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of Delhi metro (phase IV), Patna metro (phase I), Bhopal metro, Indore metro, Agra metro and Kanpur metro
Madhya Pradesh High Court Madhya Pradesh High Court Bhopal: Actor Saif Ali Khans family faces the prospect of losing the inheritance claim over the properties of the last Nawab of Bhopal, designated earlier as enemy property by the government. The actor has failed to file an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal to claim over the historical properties extending from Kohefiza to Chiklod in Bhopal, valued at around Rs 15,000 crore in the current real estate value during the stipulated period allowed by the Madhya Pradesh high court, paving the way for the state government to take possession of them as enemy property. The Madhya Pradesh high court had earlier dismissed a petition by the actor against the notice issued by the government designating the property of the Pataudi family (Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi) as enemy property in its order on December 13, 2024. The court however allowed the actor and his family to file an appeal in the Appellate Tribunal, but neither the actor nor his family has taken any action so far. Trouble started for the actor in 2014 when the Custodian of Enemy Property Department issued a notice declaring the properties of the Pataudi family as enemy property. An ordinance was issued by the government in 2016 clarifying that the heir would have no right over the properties of the Pataudi family. A property of a person who had moved to Pakistan during partition and taken citizenship of that country is designated as enemy property by the government. The Pataudi familys properties fall under this category since Abida Sultan, daughter of Bhopal Nawab Hamidullah Khan, had moved to Pakistan during partition and took citizenship there.
Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed Saif Ali Khan's petition filed against the government notice designating the property of the Pataudi family in Bhopal as 'enemy property'.
Flyrobe Expands to Bilaspur: Your Ultimate Destination for Rental Fashion
About Flyrobe Flyrobe is India's largest and most trusted fashion rental platform, pioneering the rental fashion market since 2015. With a commitment to sustainability and affordability, Flyrobe provides an omni-channel experience, allowing customers to rent high-end ethnic wear at a fraction of the cost. Serving over 30 cities online, Flyrobe boasts a growing network of 20+ retail stores across India, including locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bhopal, Agra, Nagpur, and now Bilaspur.
33 cranes die of bird flu in Rajasthan
33 cranes die of bird flu in Rajasthan Jaipur: A total of 33 cranes have succumbed to bird flu in Rajasthan till January 20 evening, confirmed officials here on Tuesday. On January 17, around 14 cranes died from bird flu in Jaisalmer, collapsing mid-flight in a field near Bankalsar village. A report from the Bhopal-based [] The post 33 cranes die of bird flu in Rajasthan appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Kuno NP to Rewild Cheetah Cub in Major Conservation Milestone
Bhopal: After implementing the pioneering cheetah introduction project, authorities of the Kuno National Park (NP) in Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh are on road to achieve another milestone in the conservation of the big cat by rewilding a cheetah cub, reared in the captivity after being abandoned by its mother in its infancy in the NP. The cub, the only survivor among its three siblings, born in the first litter of female cheetah Jwala in Kuno NP in May 2023, is set to undergo the rewilding process after being released in the wild, a senior forest officer said on Monday. The cheetah, which is around 22 months old now, has been left in a separate enclosure to live in isolation. The rewilding of the feline will start when it will be released into the wild in the NP, field director of the Kuno NP Uttam Kumar Sharma told this newspaper. Once the cheetah is released into the wild, the forest officials will closely monitor its behaviour such as if it is able to hunt and also protect itself as well as its kill from the top predators while in the wild, Mr Sharma said. Jwala abandoned the cub when three other cubs died of dehydration in the NP in May 2023. There is no exclusive facility for rewilding the cheetahs in India like the tiger rewilding Centre in Gorela in Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh forest department has been credited to have pioneered the rewilding of the tigers in the world in the 1980s. But, rewilding cheetahs is a whole new ball game. It is very challenging since a cheetah needs to protect itself and its food from top predators such as tigers and leopards when it is in the wild. The tiger however faces no such threats, the forest officer said. Successful rewilding of cheetahs has been done in Africa. Two of the 24 cheetahs in Kuno NP were released into the wild on December four, 2024. The remaining cheetahs will be released into the wild in phases. Eight cheetahs were moved from Namibia to Kuno NP in September 2022 in the first ever intercontinental translocation of carnivores under a cheetah introduction project. Six months later, 12 more cheetahs were brought to Kuno NP from South Africa. After the death of some cheetahs and the birth of cubs, there are now 24 cheetahs including 12 cubs in Kuno NP.
Two cops from Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur suspended for celebrating birthday with habitual offender
BHOPAL:Two cops in Mandsaur district of western Madhya Pradesh have been suspended for being part of birthday celebrations featuring a habitual offender, who is reportedly accused in multiple cases of the NDPS Act. The two cops, identified as Jagdish Thakur and Sunil Tomar, are both assistant sub inspectors of police (ASIs) who were posted at the Nai Abadi police station of Mandsaur district. The two ASIs were suspended by the Mandsaur district police superintendent Abhishek Anand, after the viral video of the birthday celebrations went viral over some social media groups on Sunday afternoon. In the 51 second viral video, two men, including ASI Sunil Tomar and the habitual offender Pappu Daima are seen wearing floral garlands at a birthday party and offering pieces from birthday cake to each other amid the resonance of Happy Birthday to you songs. The other ASI Jagdish Thakur too is then offered a piece of cake from Daima, who is reportedly accused in multiple criminal cases, including NDPS Act cases. The same video also shows a bearded man identified as Arjun Gurjar (a native of adjoining Neemuch district) offering a piece of the birthday cake garlanded ASI Sunil Tomar. As per sources Arjun is accused in the case pertaining to the killing of a tantric. According to informed sources in Mandsaur district, the viral video dates back to December 2024, when a common birthday party was organized to celebrate birthdays of ASI Sunil Tomar and the habitual offender Pappu Daima, somewhere in Mandsaur district. Acting on the matter, the SP of Mandsaur district, Abhishek Anand, ordered the suspension of both the ASIs (who are seen in the viral video) just a few hours after the video surfaced on the social media on Sunday. Primary examination of the viral video and associated information prima facie suggests misconduct by the two police personnel, due to which both of them are being suspended with immediate effect, the order issued by the SP-Mandsaur read. Importantly, the western MPs Mandsaur and Neemuch districts which border Rajasthan are among the two districts of the central Indian state, which regularly report bulk of the poppy smuggling related cases. Back in October 2024, an alleged synthetic MD drugs factory was busted on the outskirts of Bhopal in a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS, MP Police and the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) with the seizure of raw and finished MD drugs reportedly worth around Rs 1814 crores. Subsequent investigations into the case had led to the arrest of two politically influential drug smugglers from Mandsaur district, identified as Harish Anjana and Prem Sukh Patidar. The arrested duo along with some other drug smugglers in neighbouring Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan emerged as the key part of the supply chain of the busted MD factory.
AIR to help mitigate man-animal conflicts in MP
BHOPAL: Countrys public radio broadcaster, the All India Radio (AIR-Akashvani) has a new role to play in Madhya Pradesh alerting people about movement of wild animals, including elephants, tigers and leopards to prevent human-animal conflicts and related casualties. The AIR-Shahdol has started alerting and educating the villagers in Shahdol, Umaria and Anuppur districts, not just about movement of elephants, tigers and leopards, but also on the dos and donts on encountering them. Such alerts and audio clips developed with the state forest departments help are being interspersed with popular programs, particularly music and farmers-oriented programs. This development is inspired by similar AIR services in adjoining Chhattisgarh about the movement of elephants. The Chhattisgarh initiative that has drastically reduced human-elephant conflicts had been applauded by the PM Narendra Modi also. According to forest department sources, the alerts through the AIR is just one component of a detailed wild elephants and their habitat management plan, which is being formulated for monitoring the elephant movements and measures to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. The AIR alerts started following a workshop on human-animal conflicts at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in December 2024. Efforts are now on to make it a regular feature of Akashvani programs in other districts as well, such as Sidhi, Singrauli, Satna and Maihar, whose forest areas and villages located close to these areas fall on the route through which the elephants have been travelling in MP, after entering from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh. The AIR-Ambikapur, along with the radio service in Raipur, Raigarh and Bilaspur, have been successfully broadcasting the special bulletins about jumbo herd movements in Chhattisgarh since past many years, programming head of AIR-Shahdol centre Avinash Diwakar told this newspaper on Sunday. According to chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Shahdol Circle Ajay Kumar Pandey, Though the initiative is new, it would start delivering results on the ground, once it becomes a formal daily feature in the near future. We already have WhatsApp groups at Range and village levels, where all stakeholders of various departments and villages, including the Hathi Mitras are already being alerted about elephant and other wild animal movements.
RSS leader praises Jijamata for Shivajis upbringing, cites PMs love for his mother
BHOPAL, Jan 19: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday underlined the strong bond between mothers and their children in Indian culture by recalling Jijamata and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and citing Prime Minister Narendra Modis immense love for his mother. The RSS general secretary said it was Jijamatas efforts that ensured the legendary warrior king scripted a string of victories and created an empire. Hosabale was addressing the Jijamata Saman Samaroh organised by RSS Kreeda Bharati, during which mothers [] The post RSS leader praises Jijamata for Shivajis upbringing, cites PMs love for his mother appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BHOPAL: The countrys public radio broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR-Akashvani), has taken on a new role in Madhya Pradesh: alerting people about the movement of wild animals, including elephants, tigers, and leopards, to prevent human-animal conflicts and related casualties. The AIR-Shahdol has recently started alerting and educating the villagers in Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur districts of the Shahdol division of MP, not just about the movement of elephants, tigers, and leopards, but also about the dos and donts when encountering these animals. Such short alerts and educative audio clips, developed with the help of the state forest department, are being interspersed with popular programs, particularly entertainment, music, and farmer-oriented programs. The alerts particularly broadcast information about the actual locations of the wild elephants' herds, tigers, and leopards, along with the villages that need to be alert and the dos and donts if faced with any of the mentioned wild animals. This novel development is inspired by similar AIR services in the form of special bulletins alerting the villagers in adjoining Chhattisgarh about the movement of elephants. The initiative, which has helped Chhattisgarh drastically cut incidents of human-elephant conflicts, has been applauded by PM Narendra Modi. According to forest department sources in Bhopal, the special alerts and bulletins through AIR are just one component of a detailed wild elephant and their habitat management plan, which is being formulated to monitor elephant movements and mitigate human-elephant conflicts. The AIR alerts/bulletins have been started following a workshop on human-animal conflicts held at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) towards the end of December 2024, and efforts are now underway to make it a regular feature of Akashvani programs, not just in Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur districts, but also in other districts of eastern MP, including Sidhi, Singrauli, Satna, and Maihar. These areas, located close to the elephant migration routes from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, are often affected by elephant movements. The AIR-Ambikapur, along with the radio service in Raipur, Raigarh, and Bilaspur, has been successfully broadcasting special bulletins/alerts about jumbo herd movements in Chhattisgarh for many years. Now, were in the process of replicating the same service in MP to alert villagers, not just about elephant movements, but also tigers and leopards. A formal agreement with the state forest department in Shahdol to make the service a routine feature is in the offing, said Avinash Diwakar, programming head of AIR-Shahdol, on Sunday. Importantly, during his posting in Chhattisgarh in the past, Diwakar was associated with similar programs (bulletins and alerts) there. According to the chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Shahdol Circle, Ajay Kumar Pandey, Though the initiative is new, it will start delivering results on the ground once it becomes a formal daily feature in the near future. We already have WhatsApp groups at the range and village levels, where all stakeholders of various departments and villages, including the Hathi Mitras, are already being alerted about elephant and other wild animal movements. But the AIR-Shahdol initiative will go a long way in delivering the desired results, as its still one of the strongest mass media mediums, even in the remotest villages. Importantly, the elephants and their habitat management plan formulation has been necessitated by the death of ten elephants in the jungles of BTR in October-November 2024, followed by the death of two villagers from an elephant herd in Umaria district in November 2024. Further, in the same month, another elephant, possibly strayed from its herd, died after coming into contact with a very low-hanging wireline in the Maihar district of eastern MP. Forest officials from eastern MP (areas where elephant movements are prevalent) have visited Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh to study the best practices of those states in successfully managing wild elephant herds and habitats, besides minimizing elephant-human conflicts and casualties. It was the meeting in Chhattisgarh in December that laid the groundwork for the Akashvani alerts/bulletins. Next in line could be a dedicated app, similar to Chhattisgarhs, which will further help the state forest department in meticulously monitoring elephant movements and timely alerting villagers. Currently, there are around 100 elephants moving in various jungles of eastern MP, including around 60 in BTR (which has become their home since 2018), around 20 in the Sanjay Tiger Reserve, an 18-strong herd in the Beohari forest area of Shahdol district, and 2-3 tuskers in Anuppur district, a state forest department official said.
MADHYA PRADESH: Meet the social media-savvy cops of Madhya Pradesh, who are harnessing the power of digital platforms to educate, empower, and safeguard citizens, while setting a new standard for community policing. At a time when police forces across India are increasingly zeroing in on the virtual world to curb its misuse, a small but effectively-communicating group of cops in Madhya Pradesh have emerged as social media icons on a mission to usher in positive changes in society. These cops resemble a band of superheroes who are not only stopping crimes and mishaps but, through their social media handles, are also empowering thousands of people with information about traffic safety and cybercrime, among others. Some of them are already famous, like Rajesh Dandotiya, additional DCP (crime) Indore Police, and Prashant Choubey, an additional SP in Vidisha district. But, there are others too, who are making a mark. Posted in eastern MPs Shahdol district and promoted just a few months back as head constable, 35-year-old traffic cop Vivekanand Tiwari is on a mission to educate people on the ABCD of traffic safety and all related aspects. He has 76 lakh YouTube subscribers, 31 lakh followers on Facebook and 12 lakh on Instagram. Before and after his eight hours of official duty at the designated road traffic point daily, Tiwari, along with a cameraman, spends a couple hours at various routes and mingles freely with commoners, particularly youths, for whom he is a big attraction. Spanning from young children riding their bicycles and youngsters on bikes and scooters to farmers on tractors and truckers on heavy vehicles, Tiwari stops them with a smile on his face and educates them with key lessons of road traffic rules, which are important not just for safe transport but also to save their kitty from avoidable traffic challans. Rajni Chauhan His love for teaching the commoners about road traffic and safety rules has not just saved people from unnecessary challans but also helped them save money plausibly while getting the prized high-security registration number plates. Dont be surprised if the head constable hailing from Rewa district meets you while you are driving or walking the streets and lanes of tribal-dominated Shahdol district. His latest videos include tips for all those purchasing second-hand vehicles. His commitment to road safety has not just been a hit in Shahdol and other districts of MP but even saved a youngsters life in Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency around a year ago. It was to my pleasant surprise that I got a call on my phone from Varanasi, who told me that my safe driving tips from one of the videos helped his son save his life from a sudden speeding truck, Tiwari recalled. Out of the plethora of educational and interactive videos/reels shot by Tiwari, more than 150 have attracted one crore views each, with one of them getting the maximum of 24 crore views. Six hundred kilometres away at Pohri police station in Shivpuri district, inspector in-charge Rajni Chauhan, too, is a social media icon who is focused on promoting issues such as women empowerment, child education and informing people about the ill effects of child marriage and cyber crimes like digital arrest. Enjoying a large follower/subscriber base of 464k Facebook followers, 609K on Instagram and 7K on YouTube, the 34-year-old police inspector is not alone in her mission to usher a positive change in society but is joined in the interactive videos by her 5-year-old kindergarten student daughter Shivaya. Its a very satisfying experience when, at the end of the day, its clear that these efforts of mingling with the commonest of people, particularly with women and girls in their own rustic lingo, is helping people, particularly kids, shed the sense of fear for cops, Chauhan says proudly. Ravindra Singh Chauhan, however, is not just arousing the proactive interests of people, particularly Generation Y, in issues of women empowerment and child education but has used her trusted follower base in the same district to bust a nework of drug peddlers.During my previous posting at Physical Police Station in Shivpuri district, it was someone among the social media follower base who came forward with specific and reliable inputs which helped us in busting a ring of drug peddlers. In the state capital, Bhopal, meanwhile, sub-inspector in-charge of Hamidia Chowki, Ravindra Singh, is using the power of social media to help youngsters prepare for physical tests of various government recruitment tests and stay fit overall. In his videos/reels, Singh makes it a point to narrate how he transformed from a lean boy into a brawny youth with a disciplined life and utmost dedication. With a large base of 376K followers on Instagram, Singh is also educating citizens against the rising cases of cyber crime, especially digital arrest. On lines of Singh, constable Sandip Yadav in CM Dr Mohan Yadavs home district, Ujjains Birlagram police station, is on a mission to prevent people from cyber fraud, particularly digital arrest, and save teenagers from taking any extreme step after failing in the examinations. Having over 81K followers on Instagram, his videos have been used by many others in Ujjain to educate parents not to put unnecessary pressure of results on the psyche of school-going children. My videos against digital arrest fraud saved a Bhajan Mandali musician from losing hard-earned money due to digital arrest some weeks back. When he came and hugged me with tearful eyes, it was like winning a trophy, remembered Yadav. Social media-savvy cop empowers women rajni chauhan is focused on promoting issues such as women empowerment, child education and informing people about the ill effects of child marriage and cyber crimes like digital arrest. its a very satisfying experience when, at the end of the day, its clear that these efforts of mingling with the commonest of people, particularly with women and girls in their own rustic lingo, is helping people, particularly kids, shed the sense of fear for cops, chauhan says proudly.
BJP, Congress to clash with Constitution-Ambedkar rallies, campaigns over next few days in MP
BHOPAL, Jan 18: Top leaders of the BJP and Congress will take part in several programmes in Madhya Pradesh related to the Constitution over the next few days as both parties continue their acrimonious political fight over the apex document and its chief architect Babasaheb Ambedkar. For the ruling BJP, Union ministers Amit Shah, JP []
MP: Sharad Jaiswal willing to appear for investigation in disproportionate assets case, claims his advocate Bhopal: Sharad Jaiswal, one of the key associates of ex-RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, is willing to appear before the agencies investigating the disproportionate assets case, his advocate Suryakant told the media persons here in Bhopal on Saturday. Advocate Suryakant [] The post MP: Sharad Jaiswal willing to appear for investigation in disproportionate assets case, claims his advocate appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Eicher Trucks & Buses launches Pro X range of electric vehicles in small commercial vehicle segment
Eicher Trucks and Buses introduces the Pro X electric vehicle range in the small commercial vehicles segment at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Targeting the growing 2-3.5 tonne segment, Pro X is designed for e-commerce and logistics, featuring enhanced energy efficiency and driver-centric features. These vehicles are manufactured in Eicher's Bhopal plant.
High court notice to MP minister on plea that alleged he faked SC certificate
Gautam Tetwal was first elected from the reserved seat of Sarangpur in 2008 and was fielded again by the BJP in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh elections
BHOPAL: In the tiger state of Madhya Pradesh, the menace of Benami transactions has extended to the territory of the big cat. At least three Benami transactions have been detected by the Benami Prohibition Unit (BPU) of the Income Tax Department in the Pench Tiger Reserve, famously known as the Land of Jungle Books Mowgli. Two of the transactions involve land housing two prominent resorts, while the third relates to a piece of land on which a resort was planned to be built. Importantly, in accordance with Section 165 of the Code of Land Revenue in Scheduled Tribe areas of Madhya Pradesh, there is a complete ban on selling tribal land to non-tribals in notified scheduled areas. Even district collectors do not have the authority to allow such transactions. However, tribals can lease land to non-tribals in notified scheduled areas and non-notified rural areas without the district collectors permission. As a result, the beneficial owners in all three cases of Benami transactions ultimately leading to the attachment of the three properties by the IT Department purchased land owned by tribals through tribal proxies. These proxies then leased the land back to the beneficial owners to build resorts on at least two of the properties. The third land was also intended for the construction of a resort, but the IT Departments BPU detected the Benami transaction in time. Consequently, all three Benami properties, including the two resorts, were attached by the IT Department under the provisions of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act 2016. The three Benami properties that were detected and attached in 2021-22, with a collective value of around Rs 4 crore, cover a combined area of about ten hectares, informed sources told this newspaper. Investigations revealed that the three beneficial ownersnone of whom were tribals used tribals as proxies (Benamidars) to purchase the land from the original tribal owners in tribal areas, circumventing the ban on selling land to non-tribals in the notified scheduled areas of the state. Under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act 2016, a Benamidar is a person who holds property in their name for the benefit of another person, while the person who actually pays for the property is the Beneficial Owner. These three Benami property attachments within tiger territory (located within a radius of one to four km from the Turia Gate of the Pench Tiger Reserve) may be the first of their kind in any tiger reserve in the country, but more could follow in the future. According to informed sources, after the three attachments made in 2021-22, several other resorts are now on the IT Departments radar due to suspicions that they were developed on land obtained through Benami transactions, particularly as most of the eight tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are located in tribal-dominated areas of the state, which houses the largest tribal population in the country. Interestingly, it was a tax evasion petition (TEP) that led to the first attachment. During the investigation, the IT Department's BPU stumbled upon two more similar properties, resulting in their attachment as well. In terms of the total number of Benami properties attached across the country under the amended Benami law of 2016, Madhya Pradeshs BPU has attached the most, with over 1,400 Benami properties. The total value of these attached properties is estimated between Rs 900 crore and Rs 950 crore. Out of the 1,400 attached properties, ten were seized in 2024-25, including shares worth approximately Rs 350 crore held by promoters of a listed company in the names of their employees. Another major attachment included 150 khasras (land holdings in revenue records) held by the owners of a stone crushing plant in the name of their henchmen in Sidhi district, eastern MP, which borders Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In a recent development, two Benami properties (land) held by a prominent and influential builder, whose premises were recently raided in Bhopal by the IT Department, were also attached.
Mahakumbh 2025: Indian Railways Introduces 137 Special Trains for Devotees
Indian Railways has launched 137 special trains to accommodate the huge influx of devotees attending the fourth day of the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. These special services complement the 349 regular trains already serving the city. In the first two days, over 15.6 lakh passengers arrived at various Prayagraj stations. The special trains include long-distance options and ring rail services connecting nearby pilgrimage towns like Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Varanasi. During the 46-day Mahakumbh, Indian Railways plans to operate over 13,100 trains, including more than 10,000 regular services and around 3,100 special trains. This is a significant increase, with the number of special trains being 4.5 times higher than in the previous Kumbh Mela. Of these, 1,800 trains are for short-distance routes, while 700 cater to long-distance travel. Additionally, 560 services are running on four designated ring rail routes connecting Prayagraj with other cities. These routes include Prayagraj-Sangam Prayag-Jaunpur-Prayag-Prayagraj, Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj, Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Chitrakoot-Govindpuri, and Jhansi-Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Manikpur-Chitrakoot-Jhansi. Over 3.5 crore devotees visited the Mahakumbh on the second day, with people traveling from across India and abroad. To manage the increasing footfall, additional train services are being arranged, with the Bhopal division preparing to introduce 15 more pairs of trains in the coming days. To handle the rush, nine railway stations around the Mahakumbh area have been upgraded. Major stations like Prayagraj, Phaphamau, Rambagh, and Jhunsi have been remodeled to manage more train operations. Subedarganj station has been developed as a satellite station to support Prayagraj Junction, which handled 45% of the crowd during the 2019 Kumbh. The Prayagraj region now boasts 48 platforms, following the addition of seven new ones. Passenger facilities have been improved, with the introduction of 17 new permanent Yatri Ashrayas, increasing the total accommodation capacity from 21,000 to over 1.1 lakh. Stations now feature a systematic color-coding scheme to guide passengers through waiting areas. Enhanced amenities such as upgraded toilets, improved waiting rooms, drinking water facilities, and food arrangements have been put in place. Additionally, Yatri Suvidha Kendras at Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki offer services like wheelchairs, luggage trolleys, hotel and taxi bookings, baby milk, and medicines. Security has also been intensified. Approximately 5,900 personnel, including 3,200 Railway Protection Force (RPF) members, have been deployed across the nine stations in Prayagraj. Surveillance has been bolstered with 1,186 CCTV cameras, 116 of which are equipped with Face Recognition Systems. For the first time, drone cameras are being used to monitor tracks and crowds on approach roads to stations.
BHOPAL: Considered as the hub of cement industries in the country, Satna district in the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh is turning out to be a fertile base for mule accounts --which are being used not just to park and move money earned by cyber fraudsters, but also serving as route for transfer of funds of suspected terror financing. Mule account refers to a bank account that is used to facilitate illegal activities such as money laundering and fraudulent transactions. Focused investigations by cyber cell of the MP police based on specific inputs provided by the anti-terror squad (ATS) have led to a massive inter-state racket, which has been opening bank accounts in the name of downtrodden people after promising to credit benefits of various government schemes in those accounts. The same mule accounts whose net banking control particularly is in the hands of the fraudsters (who got the accounts opened by posing as representatives of banks) are then being sold to cyber fraudsters across the country to park and route the proceeds of cyber-crime. Detailed investigations have also brought to the fore a strong possibility of the same mule accounts also being used for suspected terror financing through overseas connections. Around 400-500 such mule accounts have so far been traced, majority of which were opened by fraudsters in the name of low-income people residing in Satna district and neighbouring Jabalpur district. Ongoing probe suggests that a monstrous sum of more than Rs 1500 crores has been routed by cyber fraudsters as well as suspected terror financers (having overseas connections) through the mule accounts opened in the name of people of Satna district of Vindhya region and Jabalpur district of adjoining Mahakoshal region of MP. The 16 security guards of one prominent cement factory: In December 2024, the MP ATS got the whiff of the mule accounts-aided cyber fraud and suspected terror funding racket, when 16 private security personnel (all from economically weak families) working at a prominent cement factory in Satna district, approached the local police. The MP ATS shared with the cyber cell, inputs about possible presence of a massive racket, engaged in opening mule accounts in the name of people from lower socio-economic strata in Satna, Jabalpur and adjoining districts with the promise of crediting in those accounts, the monetary benefits under various government schemes, like Kisan Samman Nidhi, Old Age Pension Scheme, Sambal Scheme and Unemployment Allowance scheme. One of the security guards, whose bank account was opened by the fraudsters checked with the concerned banks kiosk about his newly opened bank accounts details. He remained shocked to find that transactions worth lakhs of rupees had been done through the account opened in his name. Similar money trail was detected in the accounts opened in the name of the other security guards of the same cement unit in Satna district. Investigations brought to the fore that some local men from Satna district as well as some youngsters from Jabalpur district met the 16 security guards of the cement unit, while posing as representatives of banks. Subsequently, those men convinced the guards to open bank accounts which would enable the guards in getting benefits under various government schemes. Probe also revealed that while the accounts were opened in the banks using details of the security guards, the fraudsters who posed as bank employees/representatives got their own phone numbers entered in KYC documents to ensure that net banking access of those accounts (mule accounts) stayed with them only. Subsequently, those accounts were sold to cyber fraudsters in various states of India to park and rotate money earned through various modes of cyber frauds, a cyber cell officer forming part of the ongoing probe told this newspaper. Acting in the matter, the state police have arrested at least 23 men forming part of the mule account racket, which has its key players operating from MP, Delhi, Haryana and Telangana. Most of the arrested men, including prime players Mohd Mashooq, Sajid Khan and Chanchal Vishwakarma hail from Satna district only. Ongoing probe after the early morning MP police raid at a flat in a multi-storied building in Gurugram on January 7, had helped the unearthing of fake call center. As many as 14 laptops, 85 debit cards, five QR codes and one tablet were seized, which suggested that the mastermind Mohd Mashooq was running a call center there to dupe people. A simultaneous probe by the MP ATS has thrown up strong possibility of the same mule accounts (which are being used by cyber fraud rackets to park and rotate the proceeds of their fraud) being used to route huge sums for terror financing. While investigations suggest that over Rs 1500 crore have been parked and routed through the mule accounts opened in the name of poor and low economic strata people, well worked inputs with the state police strongly points that major part of that sum could be actually destined for suspected terror funding with overseas connections, a highly placed MP police officer told this newspaper on Wednesday. MPs Satna districts bond with mule accounts-cyber fraud and suspected terror financing dates back to 2017. In February 2017, the MP ATS busted a Chinese SIMBOX enabled illegal phone exchange-aided ISI spying ring. Probe revealed that Pakistans ISI handlers were using Chinese SIMBOX enabled parallel phone exchanges at multiple dozen locations spread across India, including Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Satna districts of MP to dupe people via online and lottery fraud. The money earned by the callers operating from Pakistan (whose identities were masked as calls converted into local GSM cell-phone calls by parallel exchanges) by duping people particularly in South and East India was parked in 200-odd accounts in 25-plus nationalised and private banks in Satna and Rewa districts of MPs Vindhya region. All these bank accounts were managed by Satna-based Balram Singh (an ex-Bajrang Dal man) using the ATM cards of actual account holders. Pakistani handlers parked whopping sums in 2015 and 2016 in those mule accounts via Balram in return for commissions to the account holder. The money parked in these accounts of banks in the two MP was later withdrawn by Balram and then transferred to the bank accounts managed by an old Delhi based terror financer, who subsequently routed that money to ISI spies (via a clutch of traders on both sides of the LoC) operating in bordering areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including Satwindar and Dadu, who were arrested in RS Pura sector of Jammu in 2016. Two and half years later in 2019, the MP ATS was again in action in a similar case, by busting another suspected spying funding ring which was being guided by Pakistan-based ISI handlers. Three men, including Balram Singh (who was out on bail in the 2017 case), Sunil Singh and Shubham Mishra were arrested from their native Satna district for allegedly parking phone lottery and other telephonic fraud money in multiple bank accounts before transferring the money to bank accounts in other states at the behest of ISI handlers in Pakistan. The phone fraud money which were being parked in multiple bank accounts in Madhya Pradesh and other states, including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, was possibly being used by the Pakistan-based handlers to fund spying on Indias strategic interests which in the long run could have been used to wage war and terror activities against India. The cell-phones seized from the arrested trio by the Satna district police contained at least 17 Pakistani phone numbers on which the trio was regularly making WhatsApp calls, Net calls, besides sending audio and video messages. They sent video messages to Pakistani handlers to greet the handlers of Pak Independence Day. In a departure from the 2017 case, when Balram and his aides hired bank accounts of others (particularly poor people in return for monthly rent) to park and transfer the fraud money, the trio arrested in 2019 and their aides spread across the country, particularly in Satna and adjoining districts of MP and UP used their own multiple bank accounts to park and transfer money possibly to fund spying and also terror. Knowing well that parking major money volumes in accounts would bring them under IT Department radar, Balram and aides didnt park more than Rs 50,000 in their accounts in Satna district, but instead regularly transferred money into bank accounts of other operatives of the funding racket operating in Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand, which was then possibly routed to those spying in India at behest of Pak handlers. Balram and aides got 8%-10% commission from Pak handlers on each money transaction.
MP cabinet approves Gareeb Kalyan Mission, says will eliminate poverty by 2028
Improvement in the multi-dimensional poverty index, livelihood strengthening and empowerment of existing organisations are the key components of the mission
Photos: Rehearsal for Republic Day parade
New Delhi: Security personnel rehearse for the Republic Day parade amid heavy fog on Wednesday at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Rehearsals also held in Bhopal. Also ReadSankranti, Republic Day, other bank holidays in Hyderabad New Delhi: Security personnel rehearse for the Republic Day parade amid heavy fog, at the Kartavya Path in New 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 .
BHOPAL : A ruling BJP leader was arrested for allegedly raping and blackmailing a high-profile local politician in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. The woman has also accused the ruling party leader of extorting money from her. The accused, Ajit Pal Singh Chauhan, aged around 50, who hails from a powerful political and ex-royal family, was arrested by the Sidhi police reportedly from the adjoining Rewa district on Tuesday, just a few hours after being booked for rape, extortion, criminal intimidation and obscene act. In her complaint submitted to the police a few days back, the woman politician had alleged that the BJP leader promised to get her the ruling partys ticket to contest Vidhan Sabha polls in 2023, which never happened. She alleged that he raped and blackmailed her, besides extorting money from her. After investigating the complaint, the local police lodged a case against Chauhan on Monday and arrested him on Tuesday. Meanwhile, acting on the instructions from the state BJP chief VD Sharma, the partys Sidhi district unit expelled Chauhan from the party for six years. Chauhan hails from a powerful political and ex-royal family of the Sidhi district. His family was associated with the Congress for decades. He joined the BJP three years back and is reportedly known to some big Congress and BJP leaders in MP, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.
BHOPAL: In an alleged case of honour killing, a 20-year-old girl Tanu Gurjar was shot dead by her father Mahesh Gurjar, who is a dhaba owner, along with cousin brother Rahul. The incident happened four days before her marriage, in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place at the dhaba owners house in Adarsh Nagar locality at around 9 pm on Tuesday, due to the Gurjar community girls refusal to marry Indian Air Force (IAF) staffer on January 18, due to her six-years-long love affair with an unemployed Gurjar man from Agra. According to primary investigations, the girl was shot from close range in the face and head with two separate illegal fire-arms. At least four bullets were reportedly fired. Both the accused, including the girls father and cousin brother have been arrested, Gwalior district police superintendent Dharamveer Singh told TNIE. Shockingly, just a few hours before the gruesome killing, the girl had posted a video, in which she had stated that if anything happened to her, her family would be responsible for it. In the 52-second video clip, the girl could be heard saying that she is in a relationship with a Pinhat (Agra) based man Bhikham Mavai Vicky, but her family wants to marry her to someone else. She is being tortured regularly by her family members, who are also threatening to kill her if she didnt act as wanted by them. Acting into the matter after surfacing the video, the local police counselled the girl and her father separately. However, just a few hours later, the alleged honour killing took place. Subsequently, the girl was reportedly asked by cops to shift to Nari Niketan, but she refused. Some hours later, her father and cousin took her to a room in the house on the pretext of resolving the issue and allegedly shot her dead from close range. Importantly, the girls lover and her would-be groom both belonged to the same Gurjar community, but while her lover was unemployed, the would-be groom was an IAF staffer.
Why should Centre take credit if states cover maximum amount: Singh Deo on Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Why should Centre take credit if states cover maximum amount: Singh Deo on Ayushman Bharat Yojana Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo criticised the Ayushman Bharat Yojana on Tuesday, asserting that the scheme burdens state governments financially while the Centre takes undue credit for its implementation. He emphasised that [] The post Why should Centre take credit if states cover maximum amount: Singh Deo on Ayushman Bharat Yojana appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Manish Gupta takes charge as SAIL director, technical projects and raw materials
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: State-owned SAIL on Tuesday said that Manish Gupta has taken the charge as its Director, Technical, Projects and Raw Materials. Gupta took charge on Monday. A graduate in mechanical engineering from MANIT Bhopal, Gupta began his career with SAIL in 1991 as a management trainee, technical at Durgapur steel plant, the company said in a statement. Having over three decades of expertise in the steel industry, he has worked in various plants and units of [] The post Manish Gupta takes charge as SAIL director, technical projects and raw materials appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Bhopal Diary| 11 Muslim-named villages renamed
11 villages bearing Muslim names rechristened As many as 11 villages in Shajapur district, which hitherto contained Muslim names, have been renamed with that of Hindu deities. The new names were announced by states CM Mohan Yadav at a public event in the western MP district on Sunday. Among the 11 villages Sheikhpur Bongi was renamed Awadhpuri, Khalilpur as Rampur, Dhabla Hussainpur as Dhabla Ram and Mohammadpur Machnai as Mohanpur. The CM who questioned the relevance of the old names, had earlier on January 5, renamed three villages in his home district Ujjain, also on similar lines. Row over woman DIGs tips to school girls A woman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) officer has landed in controversy after a video showing her giving tips to school girls on how to have ojaswi (bright-energetic babies) went viral. Presently posted as DIG-Shahdol Range, the woman police officer Savita Sohane is seen in the video, advising group of Class X to Class XII girl students, to avoid conceiving on Purnima (full moon night) and perform certain ritualistic prayers to Sun God for having ojaswi babies. Unaffected by the controversy generated by the viral video, the senior woman police officer clarified that the video lacked context. Young influencers aiding public to be rewarded The state government has decided to encourage and reward young social media content creators who help the government in reaching out to the needy citizens with public welfare schemes. Young content creators can play an important role in the development of the state. Every possible support will be provided by the government. The best social media content creators will be awarded in various categories by the Public Relations Department, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made the announcement while addressing the Yuva Samvad (dialogue with youngsters) in Bhopal on Sunday to mark the National Youth Day celebrations. Anuraag singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com
Vultures samples sent to Bhopal 2 weeks after it died
MP Mulls Ban on Liquor Sale in Religious Cities
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said that his government was seriously planning to ban sale of alcohol in the holy cities in the state to protect their religious sanctity. Mr Yadav said that the initiative to declare prohibition in the religious cities was being taken in view of complaints received from different quarters that the sale of alcohol in these areas have a negative impact on the religious environment in these cities. The seers and sadhus have also recommended imposition of restrictions on the sale of alcohol in the religious cities, he said. The state government is seriously considering shutting down all the alcohol outlets operating in the religious cities in Madhya Pradesh and necessary changes would be made in the excise policy to enforce the decision, Mr Yadav said. The chief minister indicated that the alcohol outlets in the religious cities would be shifted to the outskirts of these cities to make up for the revenue losses caused by the move. The state government has accorded 17 cities in Madhya Pradesh the status of religious cities between 2004-2013. They are Ujjain (for Mahakaleshwar temple), Amarkantak (for being the origin of river Narmada), Maheshwar (home to an ancient Shiva temple on the bank of Narmada), Orchha (for Ramraja temple), Omkareshwar (for Omkareshwar shrine), Mandla (for being situated on bank of Narmada), Multai (for being situated on bank of river Tapti), Datia (home to famous Peetambara Peeth), Jabalpur (for Narmada Ghat), Chitrokoot (for Ram Ghat), Maihar (for Sharda shrine), Salkanpur (for Bijasan shrine), Mandaleshwar (Narmada Ghat), Mandsaur (for Pasupatinath shrine), Barman (Narmada Ghat), and Panna (for Jugal Kishore temple). The state government has earlier banned the sale of liquor and non-vegetarian food near the temples in the state.
MP HC grants newborns custody to mother, a minor rape survivor
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh high court has granted custody of a newborn baby to his mother, a minor rape survivor, under guardianship of her parents when she prayed for it. The single-judge bench of Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh has also directed the state government to extend the necessary help to the mother and her parents as per law to ensure them to nurture the child. There is no doubt that mother of newly born baby is the best person in the world to look after the baby and if she wants to take care of her baby then it is in the interest of mother as well as newly born child. Therefore, it is directed that custody of newly born child be given to her minor mother (prosecutrix) under guardianship of her parents, the court observed. The minor rape survivor and her parents had earlier pleaded the court to grant permission to medically terminate her 32 weeks and six days old pregnancy despite the risk associated with it since she did not wish to carry the pregnancy. The court had earlier granted the permission for premature delivery/ termination of foetus of 32 weeks and six days of the minor rape victim, citing it as rare circumstances. The court had then also directed that if the child is born alive then the state government has to take care of the child and certain conditions were also imposed. The rape survivor has moved the court again after she gave birth to a male child praying for the custody of the newborn.
MP's Brahmin welfare board chief announces Rs 1 lakh for couples with four children
Bhopal: Vishnu Rajoria, the president of the states Parshuram Kalyan Board, has appealed to newly married Brahmin couples to have four children in exchange for a reward of Rs 1 Lakh. His call, which aims to save the Brahmin community and Sanatan Dharma, was made during the Sanadhya Brahmin Samaj Vivah Parichay Sammelan in Indore on Sunday. Rajoria expressed concerns over the fast-growing population of non-Hindus in India and urged the Brahmin youth present at the gathering to ensure the protection of their future generations. He specifically targeted young couples, encouraging them to opt for larger families rather than limiting their children in pursuit of career success. Those who have four children in the Sanadhya Samaj will get Rs 1 Lakh from the Board. This commitment will stand whether I remain the Boards head or not, he declared. However, just a day later on Monday, Rajoria clarified that his announcement at the gathering was made in a personal capacity and was not an official move by the Parshuram Kalyan Board. It was my individual and social statement at a community event and in no way represents any government announcement or official move. Our Brahmin and Sanatan society are capable enough of realising the appeal made by me, he explained in Bhopal. He further added, My community will also take care of the education of the children in such families and ensure they receive proper training to secure top jobs in the future. In 2023, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the Parshuram Jayanti by announcing the formation of the MP Parshuram Kalyan Board, with Rajoria as its president. The Board aims to provide government scheme benefits to the middle class, lower middle class, and poor sections of the general category. Rajorias statements, however, were met with criticism. Mukesh Nayak, head of the opposition Congress's state media wing and former MLA, called for reconsideration of Rajorias appeal. He argued, He (Rajoria) is a scholarly man and should reconsider any such appeal, as rising population is the cause of all major problems, including environmental imbalance, unemployment, rising crime, and inflation. Such a divisive mindset is bred by the unfounded phobia of Hindus being under threat from Islam. The ruling BJP distanced itself from Rajorias controversial statement. State BJP spokesperson Ajay Yadav remarked, It could be his individual and personal appeal, as the government and party dont subscribe to any such views. The government is run in accordance with established law and the Constitution. We dont have anything to do with such appeals and statements. Rajoria is not the first leader to make such an appeal. In March 2023, Hindu Rashtra supporter Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, called on Hindus to have at least four children, two of whom should serve the nation and Lord Ram. In July 2024, Mahamandaleshwar of Panchayati Niranjani Akhara, Swami Premanand Maharaj, also urged Hindu women to give birth to four sons. Even the Bhagwat (Bhagwat Purana) mentions about one man having 60,000 sons. But now, each one has one or at maximum two sons. Its time we start contemplating that if weve to turn Bharat (India) into Hindustan, then each of our mothers, each family should have at least four sons, the seer said.
Madhya Pradesh considering liquor ban in religious cities and towns: CM Dr Mohan Yadav
BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government is considering banning liquor in religious cities and towns of the state, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced on Monday. Our government is considering amending our policy pertaining to religious cities and towns to enforce total ban on liquor there. Many seers have already recommended to prohibit liquor in such cities/towns, after which the government is seriously considering to impose such a ban within the limits of religious cities/towns through appropriate amendments in the excise policy. A decision will soon be taken about it, the CM said in Bhopal. The development happened just a day after the CM continued with his name changing spree to rename villages having Muslim names. On Sunday, the CM had announced renaming 11 villages of western MPs Shajapur district, particularly with names inspired by Hindu deities. The 11 villages of Shajapur district were renamed a week after the CM announced a similar move for three villages in his home district of Ujjain. Both Shajapur and Ujjain are adjoining districts in western MP and considered a strong base of the RSS and BJP in Malwa region. In accordance with what the CM said on Monday, once the state actually bans liquor in the religious cities and towns by making amendments in the coming excise policy, the ban will come into effect in 17 such cities and towns, which have been categorized as holy (religious) by successive governments in MP between 2004 and 2013. Such cities and towns, include the CMs home city of Ujjain, Amarkantak, Maheshwar, Orchha, Omkareshwar, Mandla, Multai, Mandla (Narmadaghat), Jabalpur, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Salkanpur, Mandaleshwar, Mandsaur, Barman and Panna. The latest development happened two days after the CM had reportedly discussed with officials about the new excise policy. Importantly, four months ago, the MP CM had directed officials to ensure that meat and liquor aren't consumed in religious towns on the banks of river Narmada in the state. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the cabinet committee on integrated development of river Narmada in September 2024. There are 430 ancient Shiva temples, two Shakti Peeths situated on the banks of the holy river that flows through 1079 km of Madhya Pradesh, after originating from Amarkantak in Anuppur district in eastern part of the state.
MP Chief minister Says 2.7 Lakh Vacant Govt Posts WillBeFilled
Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday declared his governments plan to ensure employment for 70 percent of unemployed youths in the state by 2028. Unveiling the Yuva Shakti Mission project on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, Mr Yadav further announced that the recruitment process to fill 2.7 lakh vacant posts in various state government departments has been initiated. The mission aims to make 1.5 crore youths of Madhya Pradesh self-reliant, he said. The mission aims to make the youth self-reliant by providing quality education to them, and training them in entrepreneurship for their capacity enhancement, he said. While providing employment in the government and private sectors along with working for entrepreneurship development, the youth will be made job providers, not job seekers, he said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between Global Skill Park and a private company on the occasion for skill development of youth and providing training as per industrial requirements.
Fraudsters swap QR codes at MP's Khajuraho shops to redirect digital payments
BHOPAL: A woman running a medicine shop in Khajuraho, a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh, has uncovered a cyber fraud affecting local traders. Omvati Gupta, who operates the medical shop, realised on Sunday morning that customers digital payments were not being credited to her bank account. Upon investigating, she discovered that the payments were being routed to a QR code linked to one Chotu Tiwari. I subsequently checked the CCTV footage outside the shop, which revealed that three men had replaced the QR code (digital payment code) of the shop with another QR code sticker, Gupta said. Gupta reported the incident to the local police and also alerted other traders in the area. Following her alert, several other shopkeepers reported similar incidents of fraud. Since the morning, 8-10 customers had come to the shop, but their payments never reached my bank account. After learning about the QR code issue from neighbouring shops, I found that the payments were instead being routed to another account, held by Chotu Tiwari. We also reported the matter to the police, said Abid Ali, who runs a popular biryani shop in the same area. The staff at a nearby petrol pump also reported a similar situation, prompting the local police to take immediate action. Khajuraho Police Station in-charge Atul Dixit confirmed the incident. Acting on the matter, we have detained the prime accused, Chotu Tiwari, who is also seen in the video footage retrieved from outside the shops. He hails from Jhansi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and had been working in Saharanpur, western UP, for some time. We are now searching for his two accomplices, who are currently on the run. On Monday, we will ascertain how much money Tiwari has siphoned off by changing the payment QR codes at various shops, Dixit said.
Woman exposes cyber fraud in MP's Khajuraho after discovering altered QR codes
BHOPAL: A woman running a medicine shop in Khajuraho, a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh, has uncovered a cyber fraud affecting local traders. Omvati Gupta, who operates the medical shop, realised on Sunday morning that customers digital payments were not being credited to her bank account. Upon investigating, she discovered that the payments were being routed to a QR code linked to one Chotu Tiwari. I subsequently checked the CCTV footage outside the shop, which revealed that three men had replaced the QR code (digital payment code) of the shop with another QR code sticker, Gupta said. Gupta reported the incident to the local police and also alerted other traders in the area. Following her alert, several other shopkeepers reported similar incidents of fraud. Since the morning, 8-10 customers had come to the shop, but their payments never reached my bank account. After learning about the QR code issue from neighbouring shops, I found that the payments were instead being routed to another account, held by Chotu Tiwari. We also reported the matter to the police, said Abid Ali, who runs a popular biryani shop in the same area. The staff at a nearby petrol pump also reported a similar situation, prompting the local police to take immediate action. Khajuraho Police Station in-charge Atul Dixit confirmed the incident. Acting on the matter, we have detained the prime accused, Chotu Tiwari, who is also seen in the video footage retrieved from outside the shops. He hails from Jhansi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and had been working in Saharanpur, western UP, for some time. We are now searching for his two accomplices, who are currently on the run. On Monday, we will ascertain how much money Tiwari has siphoned off by changing the payment QR codes at various shops, Dixit said.
Caste-based social boycott alleged over consumption of Dalit man's prasad in Madhya Pradesh village
BHOPAL: Residents of a village in Madhya Pradeshs Chhatarpur district have claimed they have been ostracised in their own village at the behest of the village sarpanch for consuming prasad (religious offering) given by a Dalit man. Around 20 families from Atrar village, who have alleged social boycott by another section of the village, come from a mix of communities, including scheduled castes, upper castes (particularly Brahmins), and other backward castes (OBCs). The issue began when a group led by the former village sarpanch, who belongs to the scheduled caste, accused the other group, led by the current Brahmin sarpanch, of ostracising them. They claimed this exclusion happened after they consumed laddoos distributed as prasad by an Ahirwar caste man (Ahirwars belong to the scheduled caste), following the fulfilment of a long-standing wish some months ago. On the other hand, the group led by the current sarpanch has denied the allegations, approaching the Chhatarpur district police. They have asserted that the accusations against them are false and stem from long-standing differences between the two factions. Both the police and the Chhatarpur district panchayat have initiated investigations into the matter. Confirming complaints from both sides, Chhatarpur district police superintendent Agam Jain said on Sunday that investigations are underway. The group alleging ostracisation claims they have been excluded from social events, such as marriages, due to their consumption of the prasad. It is worth noting that the former village sarpanch, who leads the group alleging ostracisation, has been at odds with the current sarpanch for years. The groups have had bitter disagreements, particularly after the current sarpanch and his supporters opposed the former sarpanch for allegedly squatting on Gram Sabha land several years ago. Furthermore, an upper-caste man from the group alleging ostracisation was previously accused in a murder case, which he believes was falsely lodged against him due to the rivalry with the other group. A police officer stated, Old conflicts of interest between the two groups may be behind this alleged ostracisation. Both groups have kept their distance from each other for a long time due to these long-standing tensions. Chhatarpur district, where the village is situated, is part of the Bundelkhand region. This region, along with Gwalior-Chambal, Vindhya, and parts of Malwa, is sharply divided along caste lines and has witnessed violent rivalries in the past based on caste differences. In a related incident from eight years ago, a nine-year-old scheduled caste boy from Damoh district in Bundelkhand drowned in a well after being denied access to a hand pump at his school due to his Dalit status.
Bhopals 40-year-old past is Pithampurs paranoid future
On the morning of January 2, 12 trucks arrived in Pithampur industrial town near Indore, carrying 358 tonnes of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.Mehul Malpanireports on how people in the town, allegedly already living with ecological problems, are protesting against the waste disposal
Passport Seva Kendra to be set up in every parliamentary constituency: Scindia
Jyotiraditya Scindia said several technological changes have taken place in the post office services. The people of Guna had to go to Bhopal and Gwalior to get their passports made, but the Passport Seva Kendra will resolve their problems
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has said a Passport Seva Kendra will be opened in each of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in the country. Scindia announced this on Saturday while inaugurating a Passport Seva Kendra in Madhya Pradesh's Guna. Earlier, these people of Guna had to go to Bhopal and Gwalior to get their passports, but now the Seva Kendra will resolve their problems, he added. The Union minister also said that six new passport centres will be opened in MP this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to establish a Passport Seva Kendra in each parliamentary constituency with the aim of expanding services.The Department of Posts, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is committed to making this resolution a reality, he said. The minister also informed that 6,000 post offices have been opened across the country. We should try to revive the tradition of writing letters by hand in the country because it expresses true feelings of the heart, he added. Scindia said several technological changes have taken place in the post office services.
MP: Delay in declaring Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as tiger reserve, unnecessary: Mohan
Bhopal: In an indirect dig at his predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav has described the 17-year-delay in declaring Ratapani wildlife sanctuary, located close to Bhopal, as a tiger reserve, as unnecessary. Addressing the Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers meet here late on Friday, Mr Yadav narrated how the state government had been vacillating on the issue of declaring Ratapani sanctuary as tiger reserve for the last 17 years. What I started to understand the issue, I realized that an issue has been created unnecessarily leading to the delay in declaring Ratapani sanctuary as a tiger reserve. One paper toy had been projected as a snake to spark unknown fears (over declaring Ratapani as tiger reserve), he said. He said that even the person whose area has been affected due to the declaration of Ratapani as a tiger reserve was also scared of taking a decision in this regard. He was referring to former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Ratapani tiger reserve, notified in December last year, is spread over 825.90 sq km in the districts of Raisen and Sehore in Madhya Pradesh. Sehore is the home district of former chief minister Mr Chouhan who is currently Union agriculture minister. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had, in principle, accorded Ratapani wildlife sanctuary the status of tiger reserve in 2008. The state government had been vacillating on the issue since then till the Mohan Yadav government came out with the notification declaring Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as tiger reserve in December, 2024. Mr Yadav said that Bhopal is now the only state capital in the country which has proximity to a tiger reserve. Here (in Bhopal), people move in the day and tigers move in the night. It is a bright example of cohabitation between humans and tigers, Mr Yadav said. Ratapani tiger reserve is home to 56 tigers as per the 2022 census.
GST is of the rich, by the rich and for the rich, alleges TS Singhdeo
Bhopal: Indias GST (Goods and Services Tax), system is disproportionately benefiting the wealthy while burdening the middle and lower-income groups. The current GST which has been implemented in the name of one nation one tax in the country is of the selected rich, by the rich and for the rich. It was affecting the pockets 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 .
BHOPAL: Jitu Yadav, a corporator and mayor-in-council (MiC) member of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), was expelled by the ruling BJPs Madhya Pradesh unit for six years on Saturday over the recent attack by his aides on the house of fellow party corporator Kamlesh Kalra. The action by the ruling partys state unit came a week after armed men associated with Yadav had barged into Kalra's house in Indore, vandalising property and misbehaving with his family. The state BJPs general secretary (organization) and Bhopal South Central MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani wrote to Indore city BJP unit Gaurav Randive on Saturday, informing about the expulsion of Ward No. 24 corporator Jitendra Kumar aka Jitu Yadav from the party. Confirming the action, state BJP president VD Sharma said in Bhopal on Saturday evening, No one will be spared for such acts, whosoever it may be and at whichever level that person may be, the party will definitely take disciplinary action in any such matter. As per the information with me, he (Yadav) has also been removed from the IMC mayor-in-council following his resignation from that body. The party had a few days back issued notices to both corporators seeking an explanation from them about the recent incidents in Indore, which caused grave embarrassment to the party. According to key BJP insiders in Bhopal, Yadavs expulsion from the party for six years took place after the matter came under the scanner of the partys top leadership in Delhi. Ugly BJP vs BJP feud in Indore: Armed men barge into corporators house, strip son, misbehave with wife On January 4, a mob of armed men barged into the house of corporator Kamlesh Kalra in western Indore. Once in the house, the men claiming to be Jitu Yadavs supporters stripped Kalras teenage son, slapped Kalras wife and even threatened to strip her, all in front of Kalras 78-year-old mother. The armed men also vandalised property inside the house and filmed their entire act, which went viral. Though Yadav denied any links with the incident and instead blamed Kalra for hurting the sentiments of Yadavs and scheduled castes by misbehaving with an IMC employee Yatin Yadav, an audio clip of the telephonic conversation between the two corporators (while the attack was happening) also went viral. In the clip, Yadav was heard using abusive and threatening language against Kalra, even though the latter apologised for his conduct with the IMC employee. The incident had triggered widespread protests in Indore, particularly by the Sindhi community to which Kalra belongs. Among the two corporators, while Jitu Yadav is considered a loyalist of four-time BJP MLA from Indore-2 seat Ramesh Mendola (who is seen as MP cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiyas man), the other corporator Kamlesh Yadav is seen as the loyalist of four-time Indore-4 MLA and ex-Indore mayor Malini Gaur. Just a day after the attack by Yadavs men inside Kalras house, the Indore-4 MLA Malini Gaur had met the CM Dr Mohan Yadav in Indore along with Kalra and his family over the incident. Jitu Yadav too had met with the CM (who is also Indores guardian minister) over the same issue. So far, ten men have been arrested in connection with the January 3 incident. A case was registered on Kalras complaint under multiple IPC Sections, besides the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO 2012). The Indore police commissioner Santosh Singh has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) headed by additional DCP Anand Yadav to probe the matter.
Ujjain administration starts demolition of houses, mosque for Mahakal temple corridor project
BHOPAL : The district administration in Ujjain started removing permanent structures, including houses and a mosque in Nizamuddin colony on Sunday, to pave the way for expansion of the existing Mahakaleshwar Temple Corridor Project. The government had paid Rs 33 crore, out of the total Rs 66 crore compensation, to occupants evicted from the area prior to the demolition of over 250 permanent structures. The land will be used for expanding the vehicular parking facility and constructing a Pravachan Hall (sermon hall) as part of the ambitious preparations for the 2028 Ujjain Simhastha (Kumbh). According to official sources, on day one of the removal of structures from the locality situated close to the Mahakal Lok Temple Corridor, around 50 structures, including Takia Masjid, were removed without any major resistance. Heavy police force was deployed in the entire area to prevent any untoward incident. The local administration and police begun to publicly announce the start of the removal process Saturday morning onwards, since last evening. Out of the 257 permanent structures, barring 17-18, all (among them a religious structure) will be removed, as the land acquisition process has been duly fulfilled by making payment of Rs 33 crores to the residents there. Those structures, whose owners/occupants have got stay from the Court, however, will not be touched, Ujjain district collector Neeraj Singh told this newspaper on Saturday. The removal process, carried out with the help of bulldozers and poclain machines, was supervised by the additional district collector Anukul Jain and the additional SP Nitesh Bhargava. An area near the Shakti Path of Mahakal Corridor was marked for construction. The administration has acquired it and after that, structures are being removed. We have been deployed here to prevent any situation of law and order developing in the region due to the action, the ASP said.
Mumbra woman loses Rs 13.5 lakh in matrimonial fraud; accused nabbed from Bhopal
The complainant stated that she had met the accused on a matrimonial website. After a brief interaction, they decided to marry. While their families were in the process of arranging the marriage, the man allegedly began demanding money on various pretexts
First anniversary celebrations of Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony begin in Ayodhya
AYODHYA: The first anniversary celebrations of the Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony at the Ram temple here started on Saturday with a large number of devotees reaching the holy city to take part in various events. Religious and cultural programmes will commence in the Ram Temple complex starting Saturday. The anniversary celebrations began with the recitation of the Yajurveda. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform the 'abhishek' of Ram Lalla. The grand 'aarti' of the deity will take place around 12:20 pm, followed by an offering of 56 dishes to the deity. The court of Ram Lalla has been decorated with flowers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the consecration ceremony on January 22 last year, greeted citizens on the occasion. Best wishes to all citizens on the first anniversary of the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This temple, built after centuries of sacrifice, penance and struggle, is a great heritage of our culture and spirituality. I am confident that this divine and magnificent Ram temple will become a great inspiration in the accomplishment of the resolution of a developed India (Viksit Bharat), he said in a post on X in Hindi. Adityanath said in a post on X, Jai Jai Shri Ram. Anup Mishra, a local resident who was at the temple to witness the anniversary celebrations, said, We were not able to come to the Ram Janmabhoomi when the Pran Pratistha was done in January 2024, but we were fortunate enough to reach the court of Ram Lalla on the first anniversary of the ceremony. Sarla Maheshwari, who has come from Bhopal, said, We reached Ayodhya two days ago to take part in the anniversary celebrations and are excited that today we will see the deity. Scheduled from January 11 to 13, the celebrations aim to include common people, who were unable to attend the historic ceremony last year, alongside 110 invited VIPs, according to the temple trust. A German hangar tent has been set up at the Angad Teela site, capable of hosting up to 5,000 people. Common people will have the opportunity to witness the grand event, which includes classical cultural performances, rituals and daily Ram Katha discourses at the pavilion and the 'yagnashala'. The trust has decided to invite common people who could not attend the consecration ceremony last year. They will be allowed to join all three days of events at the Angad Teela, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had earlier said. The trust also said that invitation letters have been distributed to guests, including the 110 VIPs, many of whom missed the original 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22, 2024. Those who were unable to attend last year would be included in this anniversary celebration, Rai had said. The trust also extended invitations to saints and devotees from across the country, with Rai urging residents and pilgrims to participate in the celebrations on at least one of the three days and experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ayodhya. The pavilion and the 'yagnashala' will serve as key venues for the festivities. An idol of the new Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024. At the event, Prime Minister Modi gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand temple's construction to build the foundation of a strong, capable and divine India of the next 1,000 years. The inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. Modi said it was the advent of a new era.
Book Review | Indiras friend, Sonias bete noire
What stands out conspicuously is that she belonged to an educated, cultured family on her fathers and mothers side Maulana Azad is her maternal grandmothers brother which settled in Bhopal, and she married into a well-off Bohra Shia family in Bombay, now Mumbai. She rightly says that her political engagement began when she worked in the slums of Golibar, Khetwadi and Jogeshwari. But then that is not how political careers are made in India. You have to belong to a political party, and work your way up the ladder. Najma Heptulla entered the Congress political circle laterally, through her friendship with Indira Gandhi, which goes back to Jawaharlal Nehru. Because she was the grandniece of Azad, Nehru took a benign interest in her academic progress. Najma was a science student with a doctorate and post-doctoral work. She took keen interest in environment, and was closely associated with the Indo-Arab Friendship Society. Perhaps because her great-grandfather and his father had lived in Mecca for years. But this cultivated interest in West Asia in a way worked as her calling card to be a valued entrant to the Indira Gandhi circle. There was also fact that her husband Akbar Ali Adamji Heptulla had friends in Bombay in the political and literary circles, including Aruna Asaf Ali. In spite of all these connections and her family background, she was not the traditional Congress politician, and she did not become one. So, the line in the title of the book, Beyond Party Lines , has a genuine ring to it. What seems to have sustained her in the Congress and her meteoric rise in the party hierarchy was her personal bonding with Indira Gandhi. Heptulla is quite unabashed about her admiration for Indira Gandhi. She writes: She had once told me why she was fond of me: I like women who are educated, independent yet feminine. Her entry into politics was at a tragic moment in Indira Gandhis life, the death of Sanjay Gandhi. Najma came to offer condolences. Najma recalls: She sat next to me and said, I would like you to go back to Bombay and get elected, so that you can work with me. That evening, I left for Bombay and was elected MP from Maharashtra to the Rajya Sabha. Thus started my active political career which inadvertently lasted, even to my surprise, close to 40 years. With Rajiv Gandhi, her relationship was interesting because she could demand what she wanted, give reasons and get it. After winning the 1984 election with a landslide majority, Rajiv did not offer a Cabinet post. She writes, he summoned me soon, and mentioned that he hadnt taken me as a minister because he wanted to give me a responsibility that I would have liked to handle. She said that she wished to take up the post of deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, as lastly, Sir, because you will have to address me as Madam. With Sonia Gandhi, Heptulla faced difficulties. When Sonia took over as party president, while she travelled and addressed large gatherings in various states, I conducted thorough research, liaised with local party functionaries, and identified issues for her to address. Yet all my support proved insufficient to convince her of my loyalty. And, too, the fact that Sonia Gandhi became the longest-serving president of the Congress Party is not a matter of pride in a democracy but rather a cause for lament. Heptullas involvement with leaders in West Asia is an interesting chapter in itself, and so are her interactions with Cubas Fidel Castro, Jordans King Hussein and Pakistans Zia-ul Haq. She does not carry any bitterness and is not overzealous in expressing her camaraderie with the BJP. She is happy with what she has done. Something only a person who is not a professional politician can be. In Pursuit of Democracy: Beyond Party Lines By Najma Heptulla Published by Rupa pp. 238; Rs 695
Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony anniversary fete begins
Ayodhya: The first anniversary celebrations of the Ram Lalla idol consecration ceremony at the Ram temple here started on Saturday with a large number of devotees reaching the holy city to take part in various events. Religious and cultural programmes will commence in the Ram Temple complex starting Saturday. The anniversary celebrations began with the recitation of the Yajurveda. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform the 'abhishek' of Ram Lalla. The grand 'aarti' of the deity will take place around 12.20 pm, followed by an offering of 56 dishes to the deity. The court of Ram Lalla has been decorated with flowers. - - , - pic.twitter.com/DfgQT1HorT Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the consecration ceremony on January 22 last year, greeted citizens on the occasion. Best wishes to all citizens on the first anniversary of the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This temple, built after centuries of sacrifice, penance and struggle, is a great heritage of our culture and spirituality. I am confident that this divine and magnificent Ram temple will become a great inspiration in the accomplishment of the resolution of a developed India (Viksit Bharat), he said in a post on X in Hindi. Adityanath said in a post on X, Jai Jai Shri Ram. Anup Mishra, a local resident who was at the temple to witness the anniversary celebrations, said, We were not able to come to the Ram Janmabhoomi when the Pran Pratistha was done in January 2024, but we were fortunate enough to reach the court of Ram Lalla on the first anniversary of the ceremony. Sarla Maheshwari, who has come from Bhopal, said, We reached Ayodhya two days ago to take part in the anniversary celebrations and are excited that today we will see the deity. Scheduled from January 11 to 13, the celebrations aim to include common people, who were unable to attend the historic ceremony last year, alongside 110 invited VIPs, according to the temple trust. A German hangar tent has been set up at the Angad Teela site, capable of hosting up to 5,000 people. Common people will have the opportunity to witness the grand event, which includes classical cultural performances, rituals and daily Ram Katha discourses at the pavilion and the 'yagnashala'. The trust has decided to invite common people who could not attend the consecration ceremony last year. They will be allowed to join all three days of events at the Angad Teela, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had earlier said. The trust also said that invitation letters have been distributed to guests, including the 110 VIPs, many of whom missed the original 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony on January 22, 2024. Those who were unable to attend last year would be included in this anniversary celebration, Rai had said. The trust also extended invitations to saints and devotees from across the country, with Rai urging residents and pilgrims to participate in the celebrations on at least one of the three days and experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ayodhya. The pavilion and the 'yagnashala' will serve as key venues for the festivities. An idol of the new Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024. At the event, Prime Minister Modi gave a clarion call to go beyond the grand temple's construction to build the foundation of a strong, capable and divine India of the next 1,000 years. The inauguration of the temple marked the culmination of a decades-long campaign, mostly under the Hindutva banner, to reclaim a disputed religious site in Ayodhya. Modi said it was the advent of a new era.
Regional Institute of Education Nellore begins operations from VR College
NELLORE: The Regional Institute of Education (RIE), a flagship educational institute of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has officially commenced operations in Nellore. The new centre aims to cater to students from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The institute is temporarily operating from the VR College buildings in Nellore, where Rs 80 lakh worth of renovations are underway to equip the facility with classrooms, laboratories, hostels, and other essential infrastructure. Full-fledged academic activities are set to begin in the next academic year. The State government has allocated land in Chavatapalem village of Venkatachalam mandal for the institutes permanent campus. However, construction has been delayed due to issues in compensating landowners. Thanks to recent discussions led by former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, compensation approvals have been secured, paving the way for future development. Officials aim to complete the Rs 500 crore permanent campus within two years. RIE Nellore is the sixth such institute in India and the second in South India, joining its counterparts in Mysuru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Ajmer, and Shillong.
Madhya Pradesh: 2 crocodiles rescued from ponds inside residence of BJP MLA in Sagar district
BHOPAL: At least two crocodiles were reportedly rescued by the state forest department from ponds in the sprawling residential premises of ex-BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore in Madhya Pradeshs Sagar district. Head of state forest force (HoFF) Aseem Srivastava, while confirming the development, told the press on Friday, that a case has been registered in the matter under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. If the crocodiles are found healthy, theyll be released (in a natural water body), but if their health isnt found satisfactory, theyll be kept in the care of the forest department. Further action in the matter will be taken in accordance with the competent courts directions, the forest officer said. The rescue was undertaken a few days after the income tax department searched the residential premises of the family, which has been associated with the ruling BJP for decades. The family, headed by ex-BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore, lives in palatial bungalows located on the outskirts of Sagar city. According to sources, the sprawling residential campus has multiple ponds, where the two crocodiles were kept. The forest department acted on the matter after the presence of crocodiles was reported during the IT searches. Recently, IT department teams had searched residential premises of two BJP-associated families in Sagar district, including the Rathore family and the Kesharwani family, which have close business connections. The families have been engaged for the longest time in the beedi (Indian cigarette) business, but forayed into the real estate sector in recent years. As per IT department sources in Bhopal, Searches at the Kesharwani and Rathore family premises have led to seizure of incriminating documents suggesting suspected tax evasion worth around `150 crore. Of this, around Rs 140 crore suspected tax evasion is linked to the Kesharwani group, while the remaining is related to the Rathore familys businesses.
MP: IT raids in ex-BJP MLAs house yields unexpected assets- 3 crocs
Bhopal: Income Tax (IT) raids in the properties of a former BJP MLA in a Madhya Pradesh city have yielded unexpected assets- three crocodiles. The IT sleuths have found the three adult crocs in a small pond in the house of ex-BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore in district headquarters of Rathore while raiding his property in the city, a forest officer said. Besides the three crocs, the IT raids, continuing since Sunday, have also yielded gold, cash and properties worth crores of rupees. The IT officials alerted the state forest department after they found three crocs in the BJP leaders house, sources said. We will release these crocodiles in the dams in the state after examining their health, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) (forest force) Aseem Srivastav said on Friday. Rathore was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly in 2013 as a BJP MLA and is currently vying for the post of district unit president of BJP in the ongoing organizational election of the party. The IT raids were conducted in the residences of Rathore and a former councilor Rajesh Keshawn in Sagar simultaneously following allegation of tax evasion of Rs 155 crore. The IT sleuths have seized gold and silver jewelries and documents showing benami properties during raids in the houses of the two political leaders. Kesharwani who runs beedi and construction businesses faces allegation of evading tax to the tune of Rs 140 crore. The seizures included 9.8 kg gold and a cash of Rs 3.98 crore, sources said.
35-yr-old woman, killed by live-in partner in March, found in fridge in MPs Dewas
Dewas SP Puneet Gehlot said Pratibha was killed in March 2024 by her live-in partner Sanjay Patidar, 41
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav has said that he is not surprised to see Congress dumping its alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, and added that the grand old party has a habit of sinking its allies. Mr Yadav predicted that the AAP would fare poorly in the Delhi polls because the Arvind Kejriwal- led party has committed the blunder of supporting the grand old party in the last Lok Sabha elections. The Congress has a history of sinking those which join with it. The party never did good to anyone. The AAP will very soon realize it, Mr Yadav said. The chief minister took potshots at both the parties saying that they were fooling the public. He said that both Congress and AAP have now separated and are now going alone in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Both the parties have indulged in mudslinging at each other ahead of the Delhi polls. Mr Yadav said that BJP was not bothered when the two parties had fought as allies in the last Lok Sabha polls and hardly cared now when the two parties have decided to go it alone in the Delhi polls. BJP was at the forefront then and now, he added. Mr Yadav also took a jibe at Congress for deciding to launch a save Constitution rally in Mhow, the birthplace of Dr B R Ambedkar, in Madhya Pradesh on January 26, wondering how could the grand old party remember the place now. The Congress has suddenly remembered Mhow as the birthplace of Ambedkar because the BJP has developed it as a religious site, he said.
MP Congress gears up for Samvidhan rally in Dr Ambedkars birthplace Mhow
MP Congress gears up for Samvidhan rally in Dr Ambedkars birthplace Mhow Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Congress has stepped up preparations for its grand Samvidhan rally, which will be held on January 26 in Mhow, the birthplace of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Nearly a dozen committees have been formed to [] The post MP Congress gears up for Samvidhan rally in Dr Ambedkars birthplace Mhow appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Custodial death of terror funding cases suspect at Gurugram hotel: Nine MP ATS cops suspended
BHOPAL: Nine officers of the Madhya Pradesh Polices Anti-Terrorism Squad (MP ATS) have been suspended following the custodial death of a suspect in a terror funding case at a hotel in Gurugram, Haryana. The deceased, 25-year-old Himanshu Kumar, reportedly fell from the third floor of the hotel on January 7 while allegedly attempting to escape custody. The suspended officers include an inspector, a head constable, and several constables. According to MP ATS sources, the incident occurred on the afternoon of January 7. Himanshu, one of six men in ATS custody, reportedly asked to use the toilet. During this time, he allegedly tried to flee but fell from the balcony when officers attempted to stop him. Himanshu sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a government hospital in Sohna, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Following the incident, a judicial inquiry has been ordered, to be conducted by a senior division judicial magistrate in Haryana. Based on a complaint by Himanshus uncle, Chandan Kumar, a murder case has been registered against the MP ATS officers at the Sohna City Police Station in Gurugram. The case includes charges of murder, wrongful confinement, and voluntarily causing hurt. Chandan, a resident of Madhepura district in Bihar, claimed that his nephew was innocent and was being wrongfully confined by the MP ATS without any warrant. My nephew had come here to prepare for army recruitment exams and had nothing to do with any criminal or terror act. They (MP cops) killed him by pushing him from the third floor, he alleged. The MP ATS team had detained six individuals for questioning in connection with a suspected hawala-based terror funding racket, which is believed to have overseas links. The ongoing investigation emerged from a cyber fraud case being probed by cybercrime officers in MP's Jabalpur district. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sohna, Abhilaksh Joshi, confirmed the details, stating, A case of murder, wrongful confinement, and voluntarily causing hurt has been registered under relevant sections against the MP ATS team based on the complaint by Himanshus uncle. The matter remains under investigation, with judicial and police inquiries ongoing.
Toy drone found in Bhopal Central Jail purchased by doctor for his son
BHOPAL:A Chinese-made toy drone was reportedly found lying inside the high-security Central Jail premises in Bhopal on Wednesday afternoon. Doctor S Jain employed in a private medical college had purchased the drone for his son. He had purchased the drone from Delhi and used it on December 31st for the first time. The UAV went out of control and was lost. The doctor who lives in a locality around a km from the jail contacted the police and informed them about the incident after seeing the drones pictures in the local media on Thursday. While the city police have sent the drone for forensic examination, the police may also book the doctor for flying the drone into the high-security jail. The concerned block houses 30-plus inmates accused and convicted in terror-related cases. Shockingly, the drone was lost in the jail premises on December 31st and was spotted by the jail security personnel only eight days later on January 8, exposing the state of security in the jail. Significantly, two companies of the state polices Special Armed Forces (SAF) were deployed in the jail premises following the early morning jail break by banned Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operatives in November 2016. The absconding SIMI men were gunned down in an encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal on the same day in 2016. Since then SAF has been deployed in the jail. The SAF personnel were sent on Lok Sabha polls duty for a few months. While one SAF company returned to work in the jail, after the Lok Sabha polls duty, the other company has yet to return, reportedly. According to official sources within the Bhopal Jail administration, the jails superintendent has already requested the citys police commissioner to raise the security for more protection of the outer periphery.
Drone Lands Near Bhopal Jail Cells With 69 Terrorists, Spotted After 8 Days
A high-security jail in Bhopal finds itself in the eye of a storm after a China-made drone was discovered inside its premises.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (PCB) has decided to merge its Dhar regional office with its Indore branch. A notification in this regard was issued by the Madhya Pradesh PCB here late on Wednesday night. The development assumes significance in the wake of the recent public unrest witnessed in the industrial town of Pithampur in Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh over the planned disposal of Union Carbide waste at the local incineration facility. The Madhya Pradesh PCB, in its order, directed to merge its Dhar regional office with the Indore PCB office. The Indore PCB regional officer S N Dwivedy has been given the additional charge of Dhar region, while Dhar PCB regional officer Manon Kumar Mandrai has been shifted to the state PCB headquarters here. The shifting of 337 tons of toxic waste, stored for nearly 40 years in the premises of the abandoned Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, to Pithampur disposal facility on January two had triggered violent protests in the industrial town, in which two men had attempted self-immolation. The stir continued for two days and normalcy was restored in Pithampur on January five when chief minister Mohan Yadav declared that the disposal of the waste would be put on hold till court issues an order in this regard. The state government had then moved the Madhya Pradesh high court seeking time for waste disposal to create public awareness in Pithampur that it would do no harm either to the environment or the health of the local people. The high court had granted six weeks to the state government for the purpose. Leakage of methyl isocyanate (MIC) in the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December two-three, 1984 had led to killing of around 15,000 people and illness to around 6,00,000 people. Around 347 tons of toxic wastes were stored in the campus of the factory after the tragedy. Of them, ten tons of the wastes were incinerated in Pithampur facility on trial basis in 2015. The trial disposal of the waste had proved to be successful.
Finalise plan to digitise medical records of Bhopal gas survivors: MPhigh court
A bench of chief justice Suresh Kumar Kait and justice Vivek Jain, which issued the directions, will take up the case on January 18
China-Made Drone Found Inside High-Security Bhopal Central Jail, Probe Launched
China-made drone found in Bhopal Central Jail; probe underway
BHOPAL: A China-made drone has been found lying inside the high-security Bhopal Central Jail, prompting authorities to launch a probe into it, an official said on Thursday. A guard near B-block building inside the prison spotted the black drone, which was charged and weighed 30 to 40 gm, between 3.30 pm and 4 pm on Wednesday, jail superintendent Rakesh Kumar Bangre told PTI . No one saw the drone landing in the jail premises, he said, adding that prima facie it appears the unmanned aerial device might be of children who were playing with it near the prison. The jail, spread over 151 acres, houses 3,600 prisoners against its capacity of 2,600, another official said. These include 69 prisoners, including 32 associated with the banned outfit Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), who are lodged in a high-security zone of the jail, Bangre said. We have handed over the drone to the Gandhi Nagar police. They have launched an investigation into the recovery of the China-made drone which was charged, he said. Bhopal Commissioner of Police HC Mishra could not be contacted for more information in the matter. The Bhopal Central Jail was in the news in November 2016, when eight undertrials associated with the SIMI killed a prison guard and escaped. They were killed by police after they opened fire on the security personnel on the outskirts of Bhopal.
China-made drone found in high-security Bhopal Central Jail, probe on
China-made drone found inside high-security Bhopal Central Jail prompts probe; drone handed over to police for investigation
China-made drone found in high-security Bhopal Central Jail; probe on
Bhopal, Jan 9: A China-made drone has been found lying inside the high-security Bhopal Central Jail, prompting authorities to launch a probe into it, an official said on Thursday. A guard near B-block building inside the prison spotted the black drone, which was charged and weighed 30 to 40 gm, between 3.30 pm and 4 pm on Wednesday, jail superintendent Rakesh Kumar Bangre told PTI. No one saw the drone landing in the jail premises, he said, adding that prima [] The post China-made drone found in high-security Bhopal Central Jail; probe on appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MP CM Mohan Yadav Visits Mathura: Urges Sanatan Culture in Education Policy
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Mathura on Thursday, where he paid homage to the Yamuna River and visited the Brahmand Ghat in Gokul. He also offered his respects at the ashram of Sant Guru Sharnanand. Speaking to reporters after his prayers, CM Yadav emphasized his government's commitment to integrating Sanatan culture into Madhya Pradesh's education policy. Mathura, recognized as the sacred birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna, carries its own distinctive significance, Yadav remarked. Madhya Pradesh education system incorporates several elements of Sanatan culture, along with teachings connected to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. I came to Mathura to seek blessings from Guruji and to pay homage to the Lord, particularly before taking part in our Kumbh. Focus on Youth and Religious Infrastructure Earlier, CM Yadav chaired a Cabinet meeting in Bhopal that granted in-principle approval for the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission, set to launch on January 12, 2025, commemorating Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. The initiative aims to create a unified platform for youth-oriented activities, fostering socio-economic development among the youth of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, Yadav convened a Cabinet Committee meeting on preparations for Simhastha-2028, a grand Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain. He directed regular reviews of infrastructure progress in Ujjain and Indore divisions every 15 days. Highlighting the significance of these regions, he noted the presence of two Jyotirlingas, which will draw numerous devotees during the event. Reverence for Sanatan Values -Yadav's Mathura visit followed his participation in the Bhojpal Mahotsav Mela in December, an event dedicated to honoring Raja Bhoj. During the Mahotsav, he expressed his profound respect for Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, emphasizing his dedication to the Sanatan order. We hold no malice against anyone, he added. However, we will never compromise on matters related to Sanatan Dharma. After Lord Rama, it feels like Krishna Kanhaiya of Yamuna is calling me. CM Yadavs remarks underscored his vision of upholding traditional values while fostering modern initiatives for youth and religious infrastructure development.
HC asks Centre, MP government to digitise medical records of Bhopal gas tragedy survivors
JABALPUR: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Union health ministry secretary, state chief secretary, and Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre to finalise an action plan within a week to digitise medical records of the 1984 gas tragedy patients. The HC's order, dated January 6, was uploaded on Wednesday. A division bench of Chief Justice SK Kait and Justice Vivek Jain issued the directives while hearing a contempt petition filed by the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan on rehabilitation of survivors of the tragedy. It seems that the respondents are not serious about the work to be completed, the high court observed. Accordingly, the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradesh, along with Director, Bhopal Memorial Hospital Research Centre, shall sit together within one week and finalise the action plan so that the issue in the present petition can be executed in a timeline and expeditiously, it stated. The court also directed the respondents o file day-to-day progress report of the first meeting of the aforesaid authority and ensure the release of funds required for the purpose in question. The affidavit filed by the respondents in compliance with the court's directive of December 9, 2024, stated that he medical records prior to the year 2014 are very old, therefore, only 3,000 pages per day can be scanned. According to which, it is estimated that the work will be completed in a total of about 550 days, however, the exact timelines will be ascertainable only after the work is commenced, the affidavit stated. For establishing the cloud server under the e-hospital project, a proposal has been obtained from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which is pending financial approval of the Finance Department, for which budget is expected to be allocated in the financial year 2025-26, the affidavit said. Thereafter, the scanned record will be incorporated into the said server, it said. According to the proposal given by the NIC, the entire work would be completed in 12 months. On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, killing at least 5,479 persons and leaving thousands with serious injuries and long-lasting health issues.
HC asks Centre, MP govt to digitise medical records of Bhopal gas tragedy survivors
A Division Bench of Chief Justice S.K. Kait and Justice Vivek Jain issued the directives while hearing a contempt petition filed by the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan on the rehabilitation of survivors of the tragedy
No Religious Inherently Advocates Violence or Terror: MP HC
Madhya Pradesh High Court Madhya Pradesh High Court Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh High Court has observed that roots of religious terrorism are deep and complex, but no religion inherently advocates violence or terror. A division bench of the court comprising Justice Sashrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Anuradha Shukla, while denying bail to an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) suspect, remarked that religious terrorism is tragic and dangerous which misinterprets the true tenets of the faiths, causing immense harm to individuals and society. This court cannot express undue leniency to a person who is facing serious charges of terrorism and unlawful activities, the court said while dismissing the bail plea of the ISIS suspect Mohd. Shahid Khan. Khan was arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) during the bust of the ISIS module in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh in 2023. The court remarked that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) recovered various incriminating documents, videos, audios, and images related to ISIS from the accused. The material collected by the NIA shows that the present appellant (the accused) was the active member of conspiracy, by which, the accused persons were going to attack upon the Ordnance Factory, Jabalpur, which is an entity of defence. We find sufficient material to show that there was conspiracy to commit a terrorist act to which the appellant was the party, the court said. The court however made it clear that the findings recorded in the judgment are only for considering the prayer for bail and the learned trial court may proceed in the case without being prejudiced from any finding given by this court. The high court delivered the judgment on January 6.
Police identify 2 bank accounts in BSF officials digital arrest case
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh police on Wednesday identified at least two bank accounts allegedly used by cyber fraudsters to dupe a Border Security Force (BSF) official of Rs 71.25 lakh after he was put under digital arrest for 32 days in Gwalior. We have so far identified two bank accounts to which the BSF official transferred the money after falling victim to the cyber fraud. Probe was on to identify the holders of these bank accounts, Gwalior district senior superintendent of police (SSP) Dharamveer Singh told this newspaper on Wednesday. Sources also disclosed that two other bank accounts are under scanner of the crime branch. The identified bank accounts to which BSF inspector Avsar Ahmed, posted in BSF Training Centre in Tekanpur in Gwalior district, transferred the money have been opened in two private banks and one public sector bank (PSU) in three states, sources indicated. We cannot reveal further details at this stage as it may hamper the probe, sources said. It appears that the bank accounts have been opened based on forged documents primarily for the purpose of committing such frauds, a senior district police officer said, requesting not to be quoted. It may take some time to identify the fraudsters since multiple probe agencies are involved in the investigation, Singh said. The BSF official was put under digital arrest at 11.29 am on December 2, 2024 by cyber fraudsters who trapped him by saying that his mobile phone number was misused to make huge transactions and a money laundering case was filed against him. The fraudsters had gained confidence of the BSF official initially by returning Rs 94,000 to his account before duping him of Rs 71.25 lakh in 34 transactions, police quoting the victim said.
Suspect in Hawala-based terror funding case jumps to death from hotel in Gurugram
BHOPAL: A 25-year-old youth, one of six suspects detained by the Madhya Pradesh Police in connection with a suspected inter-state terror funding case, jumped to his death from a hotel building in Haryanas Gurugram district. Identified as Himanshu Kumar, the youth hailed from Bihars Madhepura district. He was among six suspects being interrogated by an anti-terror squad (ATS) team of the Madhya Pradesh Police when he jumped from the third floor of a hotel in the Sohna area of Gurugram on Wednesday afternoon, a senior MP ATS officer confirmed to this newspaper. As part of an ongoing investigation into a hawala-based suspected terror funding racket operating across Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana, Himanshu was detained along with five others for questioning by the MP ATS. The ATS team was staying with the suspects at a hotel in the Sohna area. Around 1:30 pm, Himanshu requested to use the restroom. However, instead of going to the restroom, he went to the balcony on the third floor and jumped. The MP ATS team immediately rushed Himanshu to the Sohna Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to sources, the body has been sent to Gurugram for an autopsy. A judicial probe has reportedly been ordered into the incident, and the local police are expected to register a case based on statements from the deceased youths family members. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
UltraTech Cement Receives Penalty Order Of Over Rs 96 Lakh From Bhopal Government
The company has stated that it is reviewing the order and will decide on further course of action.
MP govt to spend Rs 1,500 crore to double milk production in 5 years
MP govt to spend Rs 1,500 crore to double milk production in 5 years Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government will invest Rs 1,500 crore to double the size of milk production and to increase farmers income in the next five years, officials said. A proposal in this regard has been approved by the Cabinet [] The post MP govt to spend Rs 1,500 crore to double milk production in 5 years appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Woman dies by suicide in Madhya Pradesh over digital arrest menace
BHOPAL: A middle-aged woman teacher died by suicide after falling into the trap of cyber fraudsters in the Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh. The suicide is suspected to have been triggered by trauma created due to a digital arrest menace. Reportedly, she was lured by online options that promised big money through the auction of old currency notes and coins. Reshma Pandey (40) belongs to Panni village of Mauganj district. She was an Atithi Shikshak (guest teacher) at a government school. She was taken to the Sanjay Gandhi Medical College in Rewa district, after allegedly consuming poisonous substance on Sunday. Despite the efforts of doctors, she could not be saved. Subsequent police investigations have revealed that in December 2024, she was surfing through online platforms and one of the leading social media websites promised big monetary returns on the auction of old currency notes and coins. Possibly, that brought her on the radar of the cyber fraudsters, currently wreaking havoc on netizens through digital arrest. She started receiving calls from unknown phone numbers. The callers posed as police personnel claiming to be probing her involvement in a case over the purchase of objects that were sold by thieves. The callers posing as cops forced her to pay around Rs 22,000 and demanded Rs 28,000 more stating that she would be arrested if she fails to do so, DIG-Rewa Range Saket Pandey informed this newspaper. Based on the phone calls and related videos, weve sent our teams to multiple states and are close to cracking the case, Pandey added. Meanwhile, a Border Security Force (BSF) inspector posted at the central paramilitary forces Tekanpur Training Centre in Gwalior district, lost Rs 71 lakh after falling prey to the digital arrest menace. Originally hailing from eastern UPs Mau district and just a few months away from retirement, the 59-year-old inspector identified as A Ahmad was reportedly put into digital arrest for multiple weeks by fraudsters. They had posed as Mumbai Crime Branch and Enforcement Directorate sleuths officials and accused him of money laundering. He was allowed by the scamsters to go to his home states capital Lucknow and arrange money by borrowing from friends-relatives and selling the land. The matter came to light on Monday, after Ahmad, who lives alone in Gwalior, informed his son residing in Uttar Pradesh about it. His son asked him to report the matter to local police, after which the Gwalior Police Crime Branch registered a case in the matter, Gwalior district police superintendent Dharamveer Singh said.He was allowed by the scamsters to go to his home states capital Lucknow and arrange money by borrowing from friends-relatives and selling the land. The matter came to light on Monday, after Ahmad, who lives alone in Gwalior, informed his son residing in Uttar Pradesh about it. His son asked him to report the matter to local police, after which the Gwalior Police Crime Branch registered a case in the matter, Gwalior district police superintendent Dharamveer Singh said.
BSF Official Gets Duped of Rs 71.25 Lakh After 32 Days of Digital Arrest in MP
Bhopal : What is believed to be the longest digital arrest served by a victim, a Border Security Force (BSF) official in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh had been held virtually for 32 days before his son came to his rescue, police said. The victim Absar Ahmed, posted as an inspector in the BSF Training Centre, Tekanpur, Gwalior, was under digital arrest by the cyber fraudsters from December two, 2024 to January two, police said on Tuesday. He was duped of Rs 71.25 lakh in 34 transactions during the period, police said. We have received the complaint regarding the digital arrest of a BSF official. He was put under digital arrest by the cyber fraudsters for the entire month of December. He has lodged a complaint. The crime branch has registered a case. Probe was on, Gwalior district superintendent of police (SP) Dharamveer Singh said. Mr Ahmed lodged a complaint with the local police in this regard on Monday night. According to the police, the BSF official, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, had received a WhatsApp call at 11.29 am on December two, 2024. The caller, who identified him as a Mumbai cyber and crime branch officer, told him that an arrest warrant has been issued against him and his family members in connection with a money laundering case. The BSF official was given the impression that he was being digitally interrogated and he and his family members would be arrested if he informed other people about his digital arrest. He was asked to transfer money to particular accounts as part of the probe into the purported money laundering case and the entire money would be returned to him if he was found innocent in the investigation. Mr Ahmed was so scared that he succumbed to the psychological pressure put on him by the cyber fraudsters and transferred Rs 71.25 lakhs to them in 34 transactions during the period, police said. He had to sell his flat in Delhi and exhausted all his savings to meet the demand of the fraudsters. His son rushed to Gwalior on January two after learning about it and asked him to file a police complaint after convincing him that a fraud was committed on him.
Maoists in Madhya Pradesh jungles launch pamphlets, banners backing farmers' stir
BHOPAL: While septuagenarian farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continues his fast-unto-death at the Punjab-Haryana border despite his deteriorating health, Maoists in the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh 1200 km away have called for a march to Delhi to support the ongoing farmers' stir. Security forces engaged in anti-Maoist operations in the thick jungles of eastern MPs Balaghat district (one of the three Maoist-affected districts of the state) have recovered two-page pamphlets and a red banner left by the outlaws in the Rupjhar jungles. The ongoing farmers' stir is not just the agitation of farmers from Punjab and Haryana, but is actually the movement of every farmer in the country, who has already been destroyed or is on the verge of being ruined due to the anti-farmer policies of the Modi government, read the pamphlets issued under the name of the banned CPI (Maoist) Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh Special Zonal Committee. We appeal to people, farmers and labourers, besides allied organizations, environmentalists and intellectuals in the three states (Maharashtra, MP and Chhattisgarh) to support the ongoing farmers movement in all possible ways. We appeal to one and all to stage protests, demonstrations and road jams in cities and towns, resort to relay hunger strikes and also campaign on social media actively. If possible, march to Delhi and Punjab with the slogan, Shambhu aur Kanauri border Chalo, the pamphlet read. Similar content was written on a red banner put up by the Maoists on a Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana sign board in the same Maoist infested jungles of Balaghat district. The development, which came to light on Monday, happened just a couple of days after a skirmish between a group of 10-12 armed Maoists cadres and the anti-Maoist operations force of the state police in the Lanji jungles of the same Balaghat district. A distance of around 50 km separates the two spots (place where the brief exchange of gunfire happened and the jungles where the pamphlets and banner were found) in the district, which neighbours Maoist-hit parts of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. While confirming the recovery of the pamphlets and banners in the jungles, the Balaghat-Zones Inspector General of Police Sanjay Kumar said, Entire matter is being taken very seriously and a detailed probe is underway. This isnt the first time such pamphlets have been found in Maoist-hit forests of eastern MP. Back in April 2021, the outlawed organization had supported the national farmers' stir in similar fashion, while in December 2016, the Maoists had launched pamphlets against the first Modi regimes demonetisation move in the same jungles of MP. According to sources in the state police establishment, the pamphlets by the left-wing extremists (LWEs) are part of their multi-pronged psychological-operation (psyop) strategy to make inroads into farmers and labourers particularly, besides infiltrating into the ongoing agitations across the country against the ruling establishments, which helps them stamp their national presence and impact. Currently there are at least four dalams (groups) of the CPI(Maoists) armed cadres operational in the three Maoist-hit districts of eastern MP. The four dalams include Darre Khasa, Malajkhand, Bhoramdev and Khatia Mocha dalams. In the last few days, 20-25 fresh cadres have moved into these four dalams, possibly due to pressure of increased operations by security forces in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. In November 2024, a jawan of the anti-Maoist Hawk Force of the MP police was injured critically after sustaining bullet wounds in the head in an encounter with the outlaws in the Kundal-Songuda jungles of Balaghat district.
Organisation opposing disposal of Carbide waste at Pithampur warns of fresh agitation
DHAR (MP): A local organisation opposing the disposal of the Union Carbide waste in Madhya Pradesh's Pithampur area on Tuesday said it would move the Supreme Court or launch a fresh agitation if the state government went ahead with its plan. Pithampur, a large industrial hub in Dhar district, witnessed violent protests last week after 337 tonnes of hazardous waste from the defunct factory in Bhopal was brought to Ramky Enviro unit for incineration. The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday directed the state government to take steps within six weeks for the disposal of the waste by following safety protocols. Hemant Hirole, convener of Pithampur Bachao Samiti which is leading the protests, on Tuesday claimed the high court's order was in line with the sentiments of the local people who do not want the toxic waste to be incinerated in the vicinity of the town. Notably, the high court did not give any direction as to whether the government should opt for a different site to dispose of the waste which was lying around at the defunct pesticide factory of Union Carbide in Bhopal for 40 years after the December 1984 gas leak tragedy. Hirole said the local people want that the waste be transported somewhere else by creating a green corridor for its safe and speedy movement, similar to the corridor created when it was brought to Pithampur, 220 km from Bhopal. If the government still acts arbitrarily, then we will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court and appeal for justice, or again take to the streets with full force, starting a mass movement, he told reporters. They will organise a bigger protest than that seen on January 3 but not allow the waste to be incinerated near the city, he added. On Monday, a division bench of Chief Justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain said the HC's December 3, 2024, order directing that all the waste material be taken away from the Bhopal plant for disposal was sufficient, and does not require any further directive. On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, killing at least 5,479 persons and leaving thousands with serious injuries and long-lasting health issues.
Add these 15 enchanting experiences to your bucket list in 2025, that are worth a lifetime!
Let the feeling of the New Year sink in, it is time to get on to some new experiences. Those that you shall add to your already pending bucket list, those that you will just feel like hopping on to right now. Here are some, right in India. You know the destinations, but the glory of the place is worth to be experienced at a certain point of time. Thus, we have got it prepared for you. The long weekends in 2025 shall be utilized well. Come, check it- Kumbh Mela The first event that you got to experience at the beginning of the year is to visit the Mahakumbh. After a gap of 12 years, in 2025 the Mahakumbh is going to take place at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This religious event is the largest human gathering on the planet. Take a dip on the day of the Shahi snan in the Ganges, visit the camps of various spiritual leaders and be a part of the once in 12- year experience at the Mahakumbh 2025. It will begin on Jan 13 th 2025 and will continue till Feb 26, 2025. Do not miss the event of the year! Rann Mahotsav The ongoing Rann Mahotsav will continue till March 15, 2025. Celebrate the natural bliss of the White desert with the vivid cultural heritage of Gujarat. You can enjoy a comfortable stay at the Tent city and enjoy various activities and adventures, the music and folk dance performances of the local artists, the traditional crafts of artisans, and relaxation with meditation at spa. During the Rann Mahotsav, the beauty of Kutch is a splendid experience. You should go for it now, before the festival ends! Attractive packages are available for an amazing visit. Experience Holi as a local India is on a festival spree every year. Apart from all the festivals, the Holi fervor is always on a high. Why not celebrate the best of Holi at the most known places of the country? Be one with the local community and enjoy the festival of colors like never before. You can head out for- the Bra ki Holi in Mathura, around the Banke Bihari and Gopinath temple in Vrindavan, the Barsane ki Holi near Mathura, the ultimate experience of Holi in the Pink city of Jaipur, the best eve of Holi, i.e. Holika dahan in Udaipur, on the shores of Lake Pichola in Pushkar, in the idyllic spot Varanasi and near the Golden temple of Goddess Durga in Amritsar. Plus, it is a long weekend at the time of Holi this year. So you just cannot miss at any cost. The Taj Mahal at sunrise or on full moon Its a spectacular experience to visit the Taj Mahal. But have you ever imagined the beauty of the monument at sunrise and on a full moon night? It would be one of a kind. For a breathtaking sight where the rays of the sun fall on the white marble structure, when there is no flock of visitors seen, get out early and gaze at the Taj Mahal. And if you want to see it in the moonlight, then also you have got a chance. For, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) keeps the Taj Mahal open for visitors five days a month after sunset. Go for it to witness the magical hues right in front of your eyes. Spot the Bengal tiger The big roaring cat is a sight to behold. And the Indian subcontinent has a significant number to its tiger population. Add the unique thrilling safari experience to your bucket list now. Well, the best place to spot the Bengal tiger would be the Sunderbans in West Bengal. Get on the boat safari to look out for the Bengal tiger that lives in the semi-aquatic lifestyle in the Sundarbans, the Worlds largest Mangroves. Yet you can look out for other wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves in India. These include the Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Ranthambore, Tadoba, Pench and the Jim Corbett. At the Golden temple One of the most serene places you will ever be at, the Golden temple. Visit the Golden temple to attend the Palki ceremony and be a part of the Langar for lunch. The Palki ceremony is commenced at pre-dawn when the Sikh holy book is carried in a palanquin from the Alakh takht inner chamber (where it rests at night) to the main sanctum of the temple. The devotees sing bugles and devotional songs. The practice is reversed at night. It will be the best sacred visit of your life. Every day, a langar is organized for the worshippers and pilgrims at the Golden temple. Go out to help in the kitchen preparing the meals, and in the end seat in the lines to experience the most beautiful meal for the day. Serving at the Golden temple is the ultimate human experience one can ever have. Ganga Aarti at Haridwar On the banks of the river Ganges, the evening prayer is the most blissful religious ritual to be a part of. Thousands of pilgrims assemble to witness the Ganga Aarti at the Har-ki Pauri Ghat. It is organized every morning and evening by the Ganga Sabha. Offering of Panchamrut and flowers is made to Ganga while chanting the Ganga Lahari Mantra. Lastly, a special song for Ganga can be heard in the speakers when Aarti is offered by lighting the copper diya. It can be the most overwhelming experience of your lifetime. Night Kayaking in Andaman The Bioluminescence effect of the Andaman Islands is surreal. And it is only experienced at night by Kayaking in the calm waters with dense mangroves around. The best time to go for Kayaking is during no-moon or full moon phase. It also takes place on other days, only the bioluminescence effect is reduced by 20-30% in comparison to the dark days. The luminescent plankton glows blue in the depths of the waters of Andaman sea. You can even stargaze on the Kayak, at the best adventure of your life. The best places to opt for Night Kayaking include Port Blair, Havelock, Baratang, Neil Island and the Ross Island. Get onto the Kayak to immerse yourself in the spell-bounding luminescent night! Stay in the traditional homestays Homestays are quite in trend these days, with visitors looking for that home feeling while travelling. There are many traditional homestays in various parts of India offering the most comfortable, cozy, homely experience. They serve you with the best local cuisine with a unique cultural experience. You can also look for some homestays that are reviving the rich heritage of India. The best traditional homestays of India date back to five decades and more. Ones you can experience include- Slow Garden (Ladakh), Krishnayan Heritage (Gwalior), Shahpura Bagh (Shahpura), Ranjit Svasa (Amritsar), Philipkuttys farm, Kumarakom (Kerala), Premkunj (Udaipur), Jungle Lodge (Shimla) and many more homestays that are being opened by people in their old homes for visitors. An Ayurvedic retreat The land of Rishi Patanjali, yoga and Ayurveda, India has a variety of hosts offering you the ultimate Ayurvedic wellness. There is a long list of Ayurvedic rejuvenation centers and resorts in the country. Why not try something new and go for an Ayurvedic holiday for a therapeutic experience. The experts and doctors treat you with therapies even for some acute medical conditions, with meditation and yoga and the best from Ayurveda. So, basically it will be a peaceful, healthy and healing trip. The best in India are- Ananda in Himalayas (Uttarakhand), Ashok Country Resort (New Delhi), The Leela (Udaipur), Devaaya, The Ayurvedic and Nature Cure Center (Goa), Somatheeram Ayurveda resort and Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village, both in Kerala. Explore famous food streets Well, who doesnt love the Indian street food. Say the name of the dish and everyone is up for it. You might always go down the street in your city, but have you ever experienced the delight of eating at some of the famous Indian streets? Its so deliciously amazingyou should try visiting these food streets for a real good culinary experience of your lifetime. Know the delicacies, culture and cuisine of India through its street food. Sarafa bazaar (Indore), Chowk and Aminabad (Lucknow), Old city and Majithia road (Amritsar), Paranthevali gali (Delhi), Gol Park (Kolkata), VV Puram, Mosque road, Avenue road and Church street (Bengaluru), Muhammad Ali road (Mumbai), Manek chowk (Ahmedabad) and Chartori gali (Bhopal) are some of the famous food streets of India that are a heaven for a food lover. Encounter the elusive Snow leopard In the high altitude mountains of the Himalayas, you can track down the striking beauty of the Snow leopard. It can camouflage easily in the snow, with patterned spots and thick fur, often called as mountain ghosts by the locals. An estimated 718 snow leopards are left in the Himalayan region. Watching the big cat is the most thrilling experience to have. Coming month of February is the best month to spot them, when they come out to lower regions in search of prey. Visit the Himalayan states of Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim to catch the sight of the elusive cat species. Explore the stars, sky and space Get a step ahead of star gazing, know more about the stars, the sky and the space. You will know space exploration, astronomy and associated technologies, and you will be surprised to know Indias advancement. Visit the biggest planetariums in the country, even the best in Asia for an educational and entertainment treat. Delve into one of a kind experience that you will have at- The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata (also known as Taramandal which is the largest in Asia and 2 nd largest in the world), Hyderabad and Chennai are the top most. Others include the Nehru Planetarium (Mumbai), Guwahati Planetarium (Assam) and the Ahmedabad Planetarium (Gujarat). Celebrate Cinema at the iconic Raj Mandir All things glamour and iconic at the Raj Mandir cinema of Jaipur. The Raj Mandir Cinema has become symbolic with time. It is often called as Cinema ka Mandir. The meringue shaped auditorium is in business since 1976. Movie premieres are a different feel at Raj Mandir, which is well equipped with the latest sound and technology. Designed in the art moderne style, it has art deco chandeliers and velvet drapes adding to the charm of the interiors here. Not to forget the jasmine scented air conditioning of the cinema theatre. Thus, experience the best of cinema at the Raj Mandir! Ride Kettuvallam in Kerala To those who dont know the Kettuvallam is a traditional houseboat in Kerala. It is made up of bamboo, coir and wood, that reflects Keralas authentic craftsmanship. Basically, it is now a cruise that sails in the backwaters of Kerala. With lagoons, lakes and canals forming the network of water channels in Kerala, the Kettuvallam is worth the ride. You can also watch out the sunset and enjoy a delicious supper that is rich in Kerala cuisine. Do not miss your leisurely Kettuvallam cruise in Kerala. Thus, with this you can experience the best of India in 2025, that you will remember for a lifetime. And when you are done, you can tick this off your bucket list. Happy travelling and Happy experiences!
MP HC to hear other parties before disposal of Union Carbides waste
MP HC to hear other parties before disposal of Union Carbides waste Bhopal: During a court hearing in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, the court said it would hear concerns raised by the other parties as well and then provide further direction for the disposal of Union Carbides hazardous waste. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said [] The post MP HC to hear other parties before disposal of Union Carbides waste appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Act on Union Carbide waste disposal in 6 weeks: HC
The Madhya Pradesh high court in Jabalpur on Monday directed the state government to take steps within six weeks for disposal of Bhopal-based Union Carbide's 337 tonnes of hazardous waste as per safety protocols, while restraining the media from publishing any fake news on the same.
MP Govt Gets 6 Weeks to Dispose Union Carbide Waste
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court (HC) on Monday granted six weeks to the state government to dispose of the Union Carbide waste, left over from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, adhering to the safety guidelines. The courts directive comes in response to a plea by the state government seeking time to engage with the local people in Pithampur, Dhar district, in Madhya Pradesh to allay their fears triggered by the misinformation regarding the waste disposal, which led to unrest in the area. A division bench comprising Chief Justice S K Kait and Justice Vivek Jain granted six weeks to the state government to dispose of the waste and also instructed the print, audio and visual media to refrain from circulating incorrect information on the matter. Around 337 tons of toxic wastes, sealed in 12 containers, were shifted from the defunct Union Carbide factory site in Bhopal to Pithampur, nearly 250 km away, on January two for their disposal in the incineration facility there. The arrival of the waste in Pithampur caused serious anxiety among the local people in the industrial town, leading chief minister Mohan Yadav to declare to put on hold the process of disposal till the courts order. The state government also made a plea to the court seeking three days to unload the waste from the sealed containers for their safekeeping in the Pithampur disposal facility. The court has held that it is the state governments prerogative (to take a decision on the matter), provided they followed the safety guidelines. Chief minister Mohan Yadav hailed the HC directive granting six weeks for disposal of waste saying that the state government has placed its view on the matter before the court. The leakage of deadly methyl isocyanate (MIC) in the abandoned Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December two-three, 1984 led to killing of around 15,000 people and illness to around 6,00,000 others.
High Court grants 6 weeks to MP govt to act on Union Carbide waste disposal as per safety norms
The Madhya Pradesh High Court gave six weeks to the state government for the safe disposal of Union Carbide factory waste. It directed the media to avoid spreading incorrect news. The waste was moved from Bhopal to Pithampur on January 2. The state government was asked to build confidence among the public of Pithampur.
HC might take up Union Carbide waste disposal petition on Monday
Bhopal: All eyes are set on the Madhya Pradesh High Court which on Monday is expected to hear the matter concerning the Union Carbide waste sent from Bhopal to Dhar district for disposal. The move to dispose of 337 tons of Union Carbide waste at Pithampur, about 250 km from the state capital, has triggered 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 .
I-T dept raids premises of ex-BJP MLA, beedi barons in MPs Sagar
BHOPAL: After two high-profile actions in Bhopal, the Income Tax department is inspecting business interests of one of the oldest and most powerful families associated with the ruling BJP in MPs Bundelkhand region. Multiple teams conducted searches at around seven premises of three possibly inter-related businesses in Sagar district from Sunday morning. It also covered the premises of ex-BJP MLA Harvash Singh Rathore, whose family is among one of the wealthiest and powerful BJP families in Bundelkhand region. Two generations of the Rathore family, including ex-minister Late Harnam Singh Rathore and son Harvansh, have won the Banda seat of Sagar district, five times between 1985 and 2013 for the BJP. According to state BJP sources, Harnam Singh Rathores ex-MLA son Harvansh is among the frontrunners for the post of Sagar district BJP chief. The IT department also raided premises of BJPs ex-municipal corporator Rajesh Kesharwani, whose family too has stakes in a prominent beedi business and premises of LIC agent and businessman Rakesh Chhabra in Sagar city. According to sources, the three families/business entities are believed to be closely associated. The search may give evidence of tax evasion, bogus investments and suspected Benami transactions. Last month, six-days long searches at 50-plus premises of three big builders and real estate groups in Bhopal led to a suspected nexus of prominent builders and powerful people which was investing unaccounted money in village lands on Bhopals outskirts. The searches which led to around `10 crore unaccounted cash and other movable properties also resulted in attachment of properties worth `250 crore. Further, the IT department is also probing another high-profile matter since December 2024 the recovery of 52 kg unaccounted gold and Rs 11 crore cash from an MUV owned by the key aide of crorepati ex-transport department constable Saurabh Sharma. Searches at BJPs wealthiest families houses The I-T department conducted searches at the premises of ex-BJP MLA Harvash Singh Rathore, whose family is among one of the wealthiest and powerful BJP families in Bundelkhand region. Two generations of the Rathore family, including ex-minister Late Harnam Singh Rathore and son Harvansh, have won the Banda seat of Sagar district, five times between 1985 and 2013 for the BJP.
Bhopal: Chief minister Mohan Yadav has resurrected the ghost of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy to target Congress amid the attempts by the grand old party to build an agitation over the planned disposal of Union Carbide waste in Pithapuram in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. Remember during whose time the Bhopal gas tragedy happened. It was a factory of death. Many people died but they (the Congress) did not feel ashamed, Mr Yadav said. The Congress had ignored all warnings of a disaster and allowed the Union Carbide plant here to run, he added. Mr Yadav was addressing a function at Lateri in Vidisha district in Madhya Pradesh late on Saturday evening. The Congress was in power for 20 years. They did not bother to come to the rescue of the victims nor did they do anything to dispose of the toxic waste from the factory. They are soulless and ruthless people, he said. The Opposition Congress here on Sunday hit back, reminding the chief minister that BJP was in power in the state most of the time in the past two decades. The chief ministers attack on Congress came a couple of days after he threatened to expose the grand old party on the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Why no action was taken to clear the abandoned Union Carbide waste of toxic waste during the previous 18-year-rule of BJP governments headed by Uma Bharti, Babulal Gaur and Shivraj Singh Chouhan respectively, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Umang Singhar asked. The Congress launched a stir in Pithampur on January three when the Union Carbide waste was shifted to the incineration facility in the industrial town from the abandoned factory in Bhopal. Two people attempted self-immolation in protest against the planned disposal of the waste in Pithapuram facility on the day. The protest continued for the second day on Saturday. However, normalcy restored in the industrial town on Sunday with shops and commercial establishments resuming their business.
Bhopal gas tragedy waste: Officials inspect disposal site, debunk 'container missing' rumour
Protests rocked Pithampur, an industrial town some 50 kilometres from Dhar district headquarters, on Friday amid a bandh call given by a local outfit which said the disposal of such waste would harm residents
Pithampur protest gains momentum on Carbide factorys waste issue
Bhopal: Following the transfer of abandoned Union Carbide pesticide factorys hazardous waste from Bhopal for incineration to Pithampur the whole city is on the boil. The protests against the incineration in Pithampur escalated on Friday morning as two youths attempted self-immolation. Aged between 25 to 27 years, Raju Patel and Rajkumar Raghuvanshi reportedly poured petrol 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 .
Petition in NGT seeking safe carbide waste disposal
A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal's Bhopal bench, seeking an assurance from the Madhya Pradesh government that the Union Carbide waste disposal in Pithampur won't harm people in nearby areas. The petition, filed by a Jabalpur-based social organisation, has urged the NGT to direct the state's chief secretary to declare on oath about the safety of people in Pithampur in Dhar district where the waste has been transported for disposal. The petition also seeks direction to the MP government to publish a specific report regarding the disposal of this waste to allay public concerns.
Amid protests, MP CM Mohan Yadav says no action on Carbide waste till court order
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav states the govt will address public concerns over the Bhopal gas tragedy waste incineration in Pithampur, awaiting further court orders. Protests, including attempted self-immolation, erupted in response to waste transport, demanding transparent actions to ensure safety.
Protests Erupt in Pithampur Over Rumours of Union Carbide Waste Disposal
BHOPAL: Rumours over commencement of disposal of Union Carbide waste in Pithampur facility in Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday triggered fresh protests in the industrial town even as chief minister Mohan Yadav declared that the government would apprise the court of peoples sentiment in this regard. Mr Yadav further announced that the disposal of the Union Carbide waste in the Pithampur facility would be kept on hold till the court issues the order. No further action will be taken till the courts order, he asserted. Mr Yadav held an emergency meeting around midnight on Friday here to take stock of the situation. I appeal to the people not to believe in rumours. The Union Carbide waste was only dumped (in Pithampur) and not disposed of, Mr Yadav said after the meeting which was also attended by two deputy chief ministers, Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, state urban development minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, state BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, top officials from administration and police, and legal experts. The state government will protect the interest of the people at any cost. We will move the court to apprise of peoples sentiments and it has been decided to keep on hold the disposal of the Union Carbide waste till the courts order, he said. Mr Yadav said that the meeting discussed various aspects of the work related to dumping of Union Carbide waste which was shifted to Pithampur facility for incineration in the 12 GPS-enabled trucks on January three from the abandoned plant of the company here. Our government gives top priority to public interest. Therefore, we have always moved forward with public interest in mind. In compliance with the Supreme Courts instructions and the High Courts order, the Union Carbide wastes have been transported to Pithampur, he said. Mr Yadav said that the toxic waste was only transported to Pithampur while complying with the safety parameters in line with the petitions and the court orders. The court had set the deadline for the waste to be sent to the designated place by January four and the court expected its report by January six. The midnight emergency meeting came in the wake of two men attempting self-immolation while protesting the planned disposal of the waste in Pithampur facility on Friday morning. Meanwhile, rumours of the waste being unloaded from the trucks for disposal at the incineration facility in Pithampur started making rounds in the industrial town triggering fresh protests by people on Saturday. A large group of women gathered near the Pithampur waste disposal facility and started pelting stones at the policemen deployed there, leaving several vehicles damaged. However, police promptly acted and dispersed them. Rumours are being spread that the Union Carbide wastes have been unloaded from the trucks. There is no such move and the containers with the waste are in our custody. I appeal to people not to believe in such rumours and maintain peace, local tehsildar Anita Baretha said.
M.P. to seek time from HC for Bhopal waste disposal as protests get violent in Pithampur
State Chief Secretary Anurag Jain said while the earlier estimates by experts were of the presence of 337 tonnes of waste, it turned out to be 358 tonnes when packed
MP halts Bhopal toxic waste incineration after Pithampur protests; High Court hearing on January 6
BHOPAL: In the wake of protests in Pithampur industrial town of Dhar district against the planned incineration of 40-year-old 358 metric tonnes of toxic waste of Bhopals defunct Union Carbide plant, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to convey to the Court the apprehensions, concerns and sentiments of the western MP industrial town. Our government accords top priority to the public interest. The toxic waste of the Union Carbide plant has been transported to the waste disposal center in Pithampur in pursuance of the last months High Court order, directing us to shift the waste safely to the waste treatment and disposal facility in Pithampur in four weeks, before the next date of hearing on January 6. Keeping in mind the public concerns and apprehensions, weve decided to not progress any further (on incineration of waste) in the matter, till the next court order. The government will present before the court, entire concerns, sentiments and apprehensions of the local residents related to the planned disposal of waste and wait for the next court order to act any further, MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav said, after chairing a long emergency meeting of the governments top brass over the issue in Bhopal on Friday late night. The MP High Court is scheduled to hear on January 6, the 2004 petition on which it had ordered the state government on December 3, 2024 to shift the toxic waste out of Bhopal (for the planned disposal) within four weeks. Around 11 hours after the Friday late-night emergency meeting in Bhopal, however, one stray incident of stone pelting by local residents was reported on Saturday morning, outside the treatment-storage-disposal facility (TSDF) where the 358 tonnes of toxic waste is planned to be incinerated. Possibly out of some rumours about the waste transported to the TSDF in Pithampur from Bhopal on January 2 morning, more than 100 residents from the Tarpura village (where the waste treatment and disposal plant is based) pelted stones outside the plant and also tried to spray chilly powder in the eyes of the on-duty cops on Saturday morning. The police, however, chased the mob, including women and also fired tear gas shells to disperse the agitated villagers. A case will be lodged in the matter later this evening, a senior state police officer camping in Pithampur town told this newspaper. The incident happened at around 10.30 am on Saturday, even as prohibitory orders have been imposed around the TSDF in Pithampur town by the Dhar district administration. After doctors, Indore mayor opposes Union Carbide plant waste disposal Also, five FIRs have been registered by local police in connection with the public disturbance created by protestors in Pithampur town during the Pithampur Bandh call on Friday. One of the FIRs pertains to the incident in which two men attempting self-immolation during the public protest, had suffered burn injuries. The probe into that incident strongly suggests that it was a third person, who actually lit up the flame, which caught both the men (attempting self-immolation) by surprise. Further investigations are underway, the police officer said. Meanwhile, top administrative and police officials of the Indore region met with public representatives and prominent citizens of Pithampur on Saturday for around 45 minutes and conveyed the message from the MP CM, assuring them that their grievances and concerns about the planned waste incineration will be presented before the High Court on January 6. Till the next court direction, nothing will happen on disposal of waste at the TSDF. Located around 50 km from Dhar district headquarters and 30 km from Indore city, Pithampur is a prominent industrial town of MP, which houses 700 factories (most of them related to the automobile sector) and around Rs 1.75 lakh population. Ex-LS Speaker urges expert consultations before disposing of Bhopal gas tragedy toxic waste
'Don't want this toxic waste in our area'
Residents of Tarpura village near Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, are protesting against the incineration of 337 tons of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy at a local facility. They fear the process will be hazardous to health and the environment, despite government assurances. The protest comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the transfer of the waste to Pithampur within four weeks. The incident has raised concerns about the potential contamination of soil, underground water, and water sources in the area. The administration has deployed a large police force and held meetings with local residents to address their concerns.
