Chamba admin opens Chamera lake for recreational angling
Kishtwar: Land of Sapphire and Saffron
Historical Settlements of Jammu Lalit Gupta lalitguptajammu@gmail.com Known as the Land of Sapphire and Saffron, Kishtwar lies beyond the ramparts of the Pir Panjal, to the east-south-east of Kashmir, bounded by Ladakh to the north, Padar and Chamba to the east, and Bhadarwah to the south. Nearly 230 km north-east of Jammu, the ancient town rises upon a back-of-the-whale-like plateau, spread across about 20 square kilometres, poised between longitude 754330 and 754700 E and latitude 331730 and 332215 N. Encircled [] The post Kishtwar: Land of Sapphire and Saffron appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
655 roads closed in Himachal due to heavy snowfall; state to receive another spell from Jan 31
Shimla, Jan 29: As many as 655 roads, including three national highways still remain blocked for traffic in Himachal Pradesh as a result of the recent spell of heavy snowfall, affecting road connectivity at hundreds of places in the state. As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, 287 roads including NH 03 (Leh-Manali) and NH 505 (Kaza-Gramphu) remain blocked in Lahaul and Spiti, 135 in Shimla, 81 including NH 305 (Aut-Luhri-Sainj) in Kullu, 77 in Mandi, 40 in Chamba, 27 [] The post 655 roads closed in Himachal due to heavy snowfall; state to receive another spell from Jan 31 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
A mothers gift of a smartphone intended for vlogging ended in heartbreak when cousins Viksit (19) and Piyush (13) perished in a Chamba blizzard while aiming to filming reels. Their loyal pitbull, Jonu, remained gaunt and bone-chilled as he guarded their bodies for four days in sub-zero temperatures until an IAF rescue team reached the summit on Monday.
Himachal Pradesh to witness heavy snowfall, rain: Met office
Himachal Pradesh's higher reaches are bracing for heavy snowfall and rain, with an orange warning issued for Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Light snowfall has already been recorded in several areas, with Gondla village in Lahaul and Spiti receiving the highest accumulation of 22 cm. Tabo village recorded the state's lowest temperature at minus 8.9 degrees Celsius.
Himachal Pradesh weather: At a time when tourists are stranded in Manali and Shimla, the IMD has warned of more snowfall in the state for the next few days. Shimla may see a cold day today and a yellow alert has been issued. Manali may also see snowfall today and mercury may plunge to -1 degrees Celsius tomorrow. An orange alert has been issued for Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti districts.
IMD issues orange alert for heavy rain, snowfall in Himachal Pradesh from January 26
According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, isolated spells of heavy rainfall and snowfall are very likely on January 27, particularly in the high-altitude districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.
Army pays tribute to 10 soldiers killed in road accident
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 23: A wreath-laying ceremony was held today to pay tribute to 10 soldiers who lost their lives in a road accident along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The ceremony was led by General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps Lieutenant General P K Mishra and was attended by Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), BSF, CRPF, police and civil administration officers at technical airport, the officials said. They said [] The post Army pays tribute to 10 soldiers killed in road accident appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Army Pays Tributes To 10 Soldiers Killed In Road Accident In Jammu
Jammu, Jan 23: A wreath-laying ceremony was on Friday held here to pay tributes to 10 soldiers who lost their lives in a road accident along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The ceremony was led by General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps Lieutenant General P K Mishra and was attended by Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), BSF, CRPF, police and civil administration officers at technical airport, the officials said. They said [] The post Army Pays Tributes To 10 Soldiers Killed In Road Accident In Jammu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Indian Army extends solidarity to families of bravehearts killed in Doda road accident
Ten Indian Army personnel died and ten were injured in a tragic road accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, due to snow on the Bhaderwah-Chamba road. The Army and top officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, Prime Minister, and President, have expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved families.
10 soldiers killed as Army vehicle plunges into gorge in J&K's Doda
At least 10 Army soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when an armoured vehicle carrying troops for an anti-terror operation skidded off the BhaderwahChamba interstate road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Himachal Pradesh snowfall: Heavy rain and snowfall has been predicted for Himachal Pradesh today by the IMD. Manali may freeze at 0 degrees today with the weather office predicting rainfall and snowfall for the day. An orange alert has been sounded for Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti with forecast of heavy snowfall along with rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Shimla might see heavy rain along with hail, cold day, thunderstorms and lightning today.
Heading To The Hills This Long Weekend? MeT Issues Heavy Snowfall Alert Across Himachal
Higher reaches including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu are likely to receive snowfall, while a yellow alert has been issued for Mandi and other mid-hill regions
Army Vehicle Carrying Troops For Anti-Terror Operation Plunges Into Gorge In J&Ks Doda; 10 Killed
Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jan 22: An armoured vehicle of the Army carrying troops for an anti-terror operation plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said. The accident took place at the 9000-foot-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around noon when the driver of the bulletproof vehicle, Casspir, lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge. The Casspir, also known as Casper, is a Mine-Resistant [] The post Army Vehicle Carrying Troops For Anti-Terror Operation Plunges Into Gorge In J&Ks Doda; 10 Killed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
10 soldiers killed, 11 injured as Army vehicle plunges into gorge in J-K's Doda
Ten soldiers died and eleven were injured when an Army vehicle fell into a gorge in Doda district. The accident occurred on the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road. A joint rescue operation was launched immediately. Injured soldiers were airlifted for specialized treatment. Officials confirmed the fatalities and injuries. Leaders expressed grief and condolences to the families.
Tragic Road Accident Claims 10 Indian Army Lives in J&Ks Doda
The accident occurred at Khanni Top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, a challenging mountainous route often used for accessing high-altitude military posts between J&K and Himachal Pradesh
4 Soldiers Dead, Several Injured As Army Vehicle Plunges Into Deep Gorge In J&K's Doda
The Army Casper was moving on the Bhaderwah Chamba Road in Doda when the accident took place.
J&K: 4 Soldiers Killed as Army Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge in Doda
Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jan 22: Four Army personnel were killed and nine others injured on Thursday after a bullet-proof Army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The accident occurred at Khanni Top along the BhaderwahChamba interstate road while the vehicle was en route [] The post J&K: 4 Soldiers Killed as Army Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge in Doda appeared first on Northlines .
Army Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge In J&Ks Doda, Four Personnel Killed
Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jan 22: Four Army personnel were killed and nine others injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said. The accident took place at Khanni top along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road. Officials said the bullet-proof Army vehicle, carrying a total of 17 personnel, was heading towards a high altitude post when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge. A [] The post Army Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge In J&Ks Doda, Four Personnel Killed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Casualties Feared As Army Vehicle Meets With Accident On Bhaderwah-Chamba Doda
Doda, Jan 22: Casualties are feared after an Army vehicle met witha an accident in the Khannitop area along the Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state road on Thursday. Official sources said that the Army vehicle skidded off the road under unknown circumstances. Soon after the incident, rescue and response teams rushed to the spot and initiated relief operations. Casualties are feared in the incident, sources added. The exact number of casualties, is yet to be ascertained. (KNC) The post Casualties Feared As Army Vehicle Meets With Accident On Bhaderwah-Chamba Doda appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Soldier Critically Injured After Army Vehicle Accident On Bhaderwah-Chamba Road
Doda, Jan 22: An Army soldier was critically injured after army vehicle met with an accident in the Khannitop area on the Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state road on Thursday. An official said that the vehicle skidded off the road under unknown circumstances. Soon after the incident, rescue and response teams were rushed to the spot. The injured soldier was evacuated from the accident site and shifted to a nearby medical facility, where his condition is stated to be critical. Further details about [] The post Soldier Critically Injured After Army Vehicle Accident On Bhaderwah-Chamba Road appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MP: Scindia outlines bullet train, Atal & Chambal expressways to boost industrial growth in region
Army trains VDGs against terrorists in Chenab valley
Jammu Tawi, Dec 30 : Amid an intensive counter-terrorist operation in the higher reaches of Chenab valley, the Army has also stepped up efforts to strengthen grassroots security by imparting training to Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Doda district, officials said on Tuesday. Around 150 VDGs from 17 remote villages along the Doda-Chamba border, including [] The post Army trains VDGs against terrorists in Chenab valley appeared first on Northlines .
Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&Ks Doda As Anti-Terror Ops Continue In Chenab Valley
Bhaderwah/Jammu, Dec 30: Amid an intensive counter-terrorist operation in the higher reaches of Chenab valley, the Army has also stepped up efforts to strengthen grassroots security by imparting training to Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Doda district, officials said on Tuesday. Around 150 VDGs from 17 remote villages along the Doda-Chamba border, including women volunteers, are undergoing intensive training in handling automatic rifles, minor tactics, self-defence, bunker construction and repelling enemy attacks, they said. The villages are located near the [] The post Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&Ks Doda As Anti-Terror Ops Continue In Chenab Valley appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
UP boy who saved dad from crocodile wants to protect nation
A nine-year-old boy, Ajay Raj Nishad, received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for his bravery after saving his father from a crocodile attack in the Chambal river. Armed with a stick, Ajay struck the predator's eye, forcing it to release his father. Inspired by the award ceremony, Ajay aspires to join the defence forces.
Supreme Court ruling on Aravalli definition triggers huge protests in Rajasthan
JAIPUR: The Supreme Courts recent acceptance of the Union Environment Ministrys definition of the Aravalli hills -- restricting the range to landforms with an elevation of more than 100 metres -- has triggered widespread protests across Rajasthan. Political leaders, environmental activists, social media influencers and citizens have expressed strong opposition and warned that the move will entail serious ecological and economic consequences. Under the revised definition, nearly 90 per cent of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan, consisting of hills lower than 100 metres, will no longer be classified as part of the protected range. According to available data, only 1,048 out of nearly 1.6 lakh hillocks in the state meet the 100-metre criterion, effectively excluding the vast majority from regulatory safeguards. SC ruling on Aravalli definition sparks opposition in Rajasthan, former CM Gehlot warns of ecological disaster Laxmikant Sharma, professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, said the governments stance that only hills above 100 metres qualify as Aravalli would automatically exclude most of the range. In Rajasthan, the Aravalli hills are largely between 30 and 80 metres in height. This means nearly 90 per cent of the range is directly under threat, he said. Though the Supreme Court order states that new mining is not permitted, critics argue that illegal mining continues unabated. A 2018 report by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) revealed that around 25 per cent of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan had already been destroyed. Against this backdrop, the Aravalli Heritage Peoples Campaign was launched a few days ago from Vinoba Gyan Mandir in Bapu Nagar in Jaipur. Kavita Srivastava, national president of the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), urged the government to repeal the uniform definition of the Aravalli proposed by a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, calling it a threat to Indias ecological and cultural heritage. SC ruling on Aravalli definition sparks opposition in Rajasthan, former CM Gehlot warns of ecological disaster 'Road to hell is paved with good intentions': Congress slams government over new Aravalli definition Activists have demanded that the Aravalli rangespread across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhibe declared an Ecologically Critical Area and that the use of raw stone mined from the hills be stopped. Neelam Ahluwalia, founding member of People for Aravalli, said the recent court decision would leave more than 90 per cent of the range unprotected and vulnerable to mining. The situation is particularly alarming in Alwar district, where 31 of the 128 identified hills have reportedly been completely flattened due to mining. Environmental experts warn that excluding large parts of the Aravalli range from protection could further embolden mining mafias. Experts have also cautioned that extensive degradation of the Aravallis could alter regional rainfall patterns. Some warn that if the range is destroyed, monsoon moisture could shift westwards towards Pakistan, adversely affecting rainfall in Rajasthan. Nearly 80 per cent of the 700-kilometre-long Aravalli range passes through 27 districts of Rajasthan, forming the ecological backbone of eastern Rajasthan. Agriculture and farmers livelihoods in these regions depend heavily on the hills, as several seasonal riversincluding the Chambal, Banas, Sahibi, Sota, Katli, Kasavati, Gambhiri and Moreloriginate from the Aravallis. Modi government has 'nearly signed death warrant' for Aravalli hills: Sonia Gandhi Rainwater stored in the hills flows through streams and underground channels, sustaining these rivers and supporting small-scale farming and animal husbandry throughout the year. The Aravallis are also home to diverse plant species and vegetation. As the worlds oldest mountain range, their rock formations have a strong water-holding capacity, allowing groundwater to be stored for long periods. Rajasthan has around 32 major potable water reservoirs, many of which depend on the Aravalli system. In a desert state like Rajasthan, environmentalists point out that nearly 22 per cent of the Aravalli hills have already been destroyed due to excessive mining. According to studies, the unique structure of the Aravallis helps recharge nearly two million litres of groundwater per hectare annually, making the range the largest source of water in the region. As protests intensify, environmental groups have demanded an immediate review of the definition, warning that Rajasthans ecology, water security and rural economy are at serious risk. It remains to be seen how the agitation unfolds in the coming days. On International Mountain Day, campaign launched to save India's oldest mountain range Aravalli
Genetic researchers probe nuclear genome to explain exceptionally high TB burden among MPs Sahariyas
BHOPAL: Genetic science researchers from across the country have turned their focus to genomic factors that may underlie the abnormally high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) among the Sahariyas, one of the three Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Madhya Pradesh. The Sahariya population is largely concentrated in the GwaliorChambal region of Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Sheopur, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Gwalior, Morena and Bhind districts, with some presence in adjoining parts of Bundelkhand. Reported TB prevalence among the community ranges between 1,518 and 3,294 cases per 100,000 population, at least eight times higher than the national average of 187 per lakh. According to the World Health Organizations Global TB Report 2025 , India, despite remaining among high-burden countries, has recorded a 21 per cent decline in new TB cases, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024. Against this backdrop, the Sahariyas stand out as an extreme outlier. The ongoing research is being led by Prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey, a noted geneticist and biological anthropologist at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, in collaboration with researchers from several institutions, including the University of Calcutta and the Forensic Science Laboratory, Jabalpur. The team has already made a significant breakthrough by linking rare maternal mitochondrial haplogroups, N5 and X2, to heightened TB susceptibility among the Sahariyas. A haplogroup refers to a group of people who share a common ancestor, identified through specific mutations in mitochondrial DNA (inherited from the mother) or Y-chromosome DNA (inherited from the father). The findings, published in the international journal Mitochondrion in August 2025, were based on the analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes from 729 individuals, including 140 Sahariyas. The study revealed that the rare N5 and X2 haplogroups, absent in neighbouring populations, likely entered the Sahariya gene pool through ancient gene flow from western India during the early Iron Age. A subsequent founder effect may have compromised mitochondrial function, weakening immune responses to TB. Researchers noted that this genetic vulnerability, compounded by chronic malnutrition, poverty and limited access to healthcare, offers a compelling explanation for the tribes extraordinarily high TB burden. Building on these mitochondrial findings, the research team has now initiated whole-genome sequencing of Sahariya individuals to investigate the contribution of the nuclear genome to TB susceptibility. This phase aims to identify risk alleles or genetic variants in nuclear DNA that may act independently or in concert with mitochondrial factors to heighten disease vulnerability. The study is also examining long-standing patterns of endogamy within the community. High levels of marriage within the group, combined with a historically small effective population size, may have amplified harmful genetic variants through genetic drift and inbreeding. Preliminary analyses suggest that this demographic history could further intensify TB risk by concentrating deleterious alleles. Expanding from mitochondrial insights to nuclear genomics will give us a far more comprehensive understanding of genetic susceptibility among the Sahariyas, said Debasruti Das, the studys first author. This knowledge is crucial for designing targeted interventions for communities bearing the heaviest TB burden. Senior author Prof Prashant Suravajhala added that the ongoing work would also assess how genetic predisposition interacts with environmental and cultural factors. Such integrated insights can pave the way for personalised public health strategies and more effective TB control among tribal populations, he said.
Two from Chamba among 3 killed in Doda mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 12: Three persons lost their lives while two others were seriously injured in two different road accidents in the mountainous Doda district today. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The first accident took place this morning on Bhaderwah-Chamba road in Thanhala village when a van with four persons onboard plunged into a gorge leaving one of the travellers dead on spot and three others injured. Immediately after the accident locals along with cops under the [] The post Two from Chamba among 3 killed in Doda mishaps appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MP CM hails naxal cadre elimination as top achievement ahead of two-year government milestone
BHOPAL: A day before his government completes two years in power, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav termed the end of naxal cadres through the elimination and surrenders policy as the biggest achievement of his government so far. The naxal menace is as old as 37-38 years. Various naxal dalams had been formed way back in 1988-89. In 1995, an entire bus carrying 17 police personnel was blown into pieces. Four years later, a minister in the then Congress government (transport minister Likhiram Kanware) was brutally hacked to death by the outlaws. Despite Congress governments ruling the centre and states for decades since independence, the naxal problem wasnt adequately addressed, Yadav told journalists in Bhopal on Friday. In the three naxal-affected districts of MP, Dindori, Mandla and Balaghat, eliminating the naxals was a cumbersome task. Searching for and acting against 35-40 outlaws in the vast forests was difficult. They ran parallel courts, police stations, and councils of ministers. The fear of the Laal Salam extremist ideology among forest dwellers made anti-naxal operations even more difficult, Yadav added. But the situation dramatically changed when Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a March 2026 deadline for eliminating the naxal menace. I was initially sceptical about whether it was achievable, but he was confident, and the results are for all to see. The numbers in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Zone dropped to zero on Thursday the biggest and most historic development. Ten hardcore naxals were gunned down in 2025, the maximum in any year. First Dindori, then Mandla were freed from left-wing extremism (LWE), and on Thursday, Balaghat also recorded zero listed naxal cadres, Yadav said while congratulating the police forces involved in the operations. All credit for eliminating naxal cadres through the surrender or get killed policy goes to our brave cops. For the first time, IPS officers volunteered for postings in naxal-infested areas and set targets to uproot naxalism. Our IG in Balaghat Range, Sanjay Kumar, moved on a motorcycle like a regular jawan such was the commitment and dedication of our police force. We also pay rich tribute to all cops who sacrificed their lives, including young Inspector Ashish Sharma. The 42 surrenders in 42 days wouldnt have been possible without the proactive approach of our brave cops. Salute to their efforts, he added. They once ran a parallel regime in the jungles and terrorized villagers. Now, the same outlaws were competing among themselves to surrender first to save their lives. Mobile phone conversations between them reveal their urgency. With naxal cadre numbers now down to zero in Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori, we will now ensure a proper framework and system to prevent naxalism from reviving, Yadav said. The MP CM also highlighted inter-state river linking projects like Ken-Betwa, Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal, and the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project as other major achievements of his two-year tenure. The river linking projects, once implemented, will enhance irrigated land from 52 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares in five years, he maintained. While reiterating his governments commitment to ending drug abuse in MP, Yadav said, We have begun by banning liquor in 19 religious towns and cities. With cooperation from society and social organisations, we are confident of eliminating the drug menace completely within the next three years.
J&K: One Dead, Three Injured in Kishtwar Road Accident
JAMMU, Dec 12: One person was killed and three others were injured after an Alcazar vehicle met with a fatal accident at Jhinhini Nala near Thanalla Naka in Kishtwar district on Friday morning. Officials said the crash occurred near Thanalla, resulting in the death of Rinku Ram, son of Nandu Ram, a resident of Chamba. [] The post J&K: One Dead, Three Injured in Kishtwar Road Accident appeared first on Northlines .
1 Killed, Three Others Injured In J&Ks Kishtwar Road Accident
JAMMU, Dec 12: At least one person was killed and three others were injured in a road accident at Jhinhini Nala near Thanalla Naka in Kishtwar district on Friday morning. Officials said that an Alcazar vehicle was involved in a fatal accident near Thanalla this morning, leaving one person killed and three others injured. The deceased has been identified as Rinku Ram son of Nandu Ram resident of Chamba and injured have been identified as Kalash Kumar(41) resident of Pota [] The post 1 Killed, Three Others Injured In J&Ks Kishtwar Road Accident appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
MP records higher stubble burning than 5 states
BHOPAL: As the country grapples with worsening air quality, it has been revealed that Madhya Pradeshthe home state of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhanis contributing the maximum to stubble burning. According to the recent statistics pertaining to monitoring paddy residue burning in the country via satellite remote sensing, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) detected as many as 33,028 active burning events in six study states. The six study states are: Punjab, Haryana, UP, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. As per the recent report, out of the 33,028 active fire events detected across the six states, a maximum 17,067 or 52% events was detected in MP. Importantly, these 17,067 active burning events detected in MP, between September 15 and November 30, 2025, were more than the collective 15,961 similar active events reported in the same period in the five other states. Among the five other states, 5,114 burning events were detected in Punjab, 662 in Haryana, 7290 in UP, just 5 in Delhi and 2,890 in Rajasthan. Similar picture was revealed when it came to 292 crop residue active burning events detected in the six study states on November 30. MP again attained the top position with 160 burning events, which was more than the total 132 burning events in the 5 other states. Burning events detected in the 5 other states on November 30, included 2 in Punjab, 3 in Punjab, 125 in UP, nil in Delhi, and just 2 in Rajasthan. Further analysis of the crop residue burning events detected through the satellite remote sensing technology recently revealed that the Gwalior-Chambal region contributed the maximum to stubble burning in the forest-rich central Indian state. Out of the 17,067 active burning events between September 15 and November 30, a maximum 2,643 were reported in Sheopur district, which borders Rajasthan. As many as 1,930 events were detected in Gwalior district, followed by 1,797 events in the adjoining Datia. Other districts of the same region where significant active burning events were detected included Ashoknagar (506) and 64 in Morena. Raging menace Using satellite remote sensing, ICAR detected 33,028 paddy residue burning events across six states between Sept 15 and November 20, 2025 The six states are Punjab, Haryana , Uttar Pradesh ,Delhi , Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh MPs 17,067 incidents exceeded the combined 15,961 fires reported by the other five states The other states reported Punjab - 5,114 Haryana - 662 Uttar Pradesh - 7,290 Delhi - 5 Rajasthan - 2,890 Burning events in the five states on Nov 30: Punjab 2, Haryana 3, UP 125 Delhi 0, Rajasthan 2.
ICAR data: Madhya Pradesh leads parali burning with 52% of fire events among six states
BHOPAL: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans home state, Madhya Pradesh, is contributing the maximum to parali burning (paddy residue/stubble burning) in the country, data showed. As per the recent statistics pertaining to monitoring paddy residue burning in the country via satellite remote sensing, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said as many as 33,028 active burning events in six study states. The six study states included Punjab, Haryana, UP, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. As per the recent report, out of the 33,028 active fire events detected across the six states, a maximum 17,067 or 52% events were detected in MP. Importantly, these 17,067 active burning events detected in MP, between September 15 and November 30, 2025, were more than the collective 15,961 similar active events reported in the same period in the five other states. Among the five other states, 5,114 burning events were detected in Punjab, 662 in Haryana, 7,290 in UP, 2, 890 in Rajasthan and just five in Delhi. A similar picture was revealed when it came to 292 crop residue active burning events detected in the six study states on November 30. MP again attained the top position with 160 burning events, which was more than the total 132 burning events in the five other states. Burning events detected in the five other states on November 30, included two in Punjab, three in Punjab, 125 in UP, zero in Delhi and just two in Rajasthan. Further analysis of the crop residue burning events detected through the satellite remote sensing technology revealed that the Gwalior-Chambal region contributed the maximum to stubble burning in the forest-rich central Indian state. 'Incorrect to pass burden onto farmers': SC questions blaming stubble burning for Delhi pollution Out of the 17,067 active burning events between September 15 and November 30, a maximum of 2,643 were reported in Sheopur district, which borders Rajasthan. As many as 1,930 events were detected in Gwalior district of the same Gwalior-Chambal region, followed by 1,797 such events in the adjoining Datia district. The other districts of the same region where significant active burning events were detected included Ashoknagar (506) and Morena district (64). Even when it came to the 160 active burning events detected on November 30 in the state, Gwalior district contributed the maximum at 62. At least 98 or 61% of the total 160 active burning events in MP as on November 30 were detected in districts of Gwalior-Chambal region. Jabalpur district in Mahakoshal region, adjoining Hoshangabad district of central MP and Satna district in Vindhya region were close behind the districts of Gwalior-Chambal region. According to informed sources, MP having the dubious distinction of being the leader in paddy stubble burning isnt a new phenomenon, but has been happening at least since the last two years. The state government tabled figures related to cases registered against those indulging in Parali burning since April 2020 in the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. A total of 546 such cases were registered against offenders in various parts of the state in little less than five years. Out of those 546 cases, as many as 506 cases were registered between December 2023 and November 2025. According to Gwalior district collector Ruchika Chauhan, the Parali burning incidents have declined significantly this year compared to last two years, due to multi-pronged efforts by authorities, including imposing penalties ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 based on area of cultivation, use of harvesters having machines to ensure that crop residue is negligible and sustained awareness campaigns.
47% rise in child marriages since 20, Bundelkhands Damoh dist hotspot
BHOPAL: Marriages of girls aged below 18 years continue to increase in Madhya Pradesh, despite the government claims of working against it in a focussed manner, especially through public awareness campaigns. Statistics tabled by Mohan Yadav government in the Assembly on Tuesday revealed a 47% increase in such cases in 2025, compared to corresponding figures from 2020. So far, this year, 538 child marriages have been reported across the state, a big rise from 366 in 2020. There were 366 such marriages reported in 2020, which increased by 19% to 436 in 2021, 519 marriages in 2022, 528 in 2023, and 529 in 2024. While Bundelkhand, central MP, Gwalior-Chambal region, besides some tribal dominated districts have reported the maximum number of such weddings, Damoh district of Bundelkhand region has emerged as the prime hotspot with maximum 115 such marriages in 2025. With 115 marriages, Damoh contributed 21% of the total 538 such marriages so far this year. The same district had reported 69 such marriages in 2021, 64 in 2022, 39 in 2023 and 33 in 2024. The other districts which reported significant number of such marriages this year, included Rajgarh with 44 marriages, 35 in Bundelkhands Chhatarpur, 28 in Gwalior-Chambal regions Guna, 24 each in Sagar & Dewas, and 23 in Narsinghpur district. A maximum of 115 weddings in Damoh this year is the first time in five years that any district has reported in 100 or more marriages annually. Concern raised The incidence of marriages involving girls below 18 years has risen from 366 in 2020 to 538 in 2025 Damoh dist in Bundelkhand has recorded 115 child marriages this year This is the first time in five years that a dist has seen over 100 cases in a year
Child marriages continue to rise in Madhya Pradesh; 538 cases reported in 2025
Marriages of girls aged below 18 years continue to rise in Madhya Pradesh, despite the governments claims of taking focused measures, particularly through public awareness campaigns to curb the practice. Statistics tabled by Mohan Yadav government in the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday, the second day of the assemblys ongoing winter session, revealed a 47% jump in child marriages in 2025 compared to 2020. As many as 538 child marriages have been reported across the state so far this year, up from 366 cases in 2020. The number of child marriages has been steadily increasing over the years: 366 cases were reported in 2020, rising by 19% to 436 in 2021, followed by 519 in 2022, 528 in 2023, and 529 in 2024. These figures were presented in response to a question raised by former minister and three-time Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh. While districts in Bundelkhand, central Madhya Pradesh, the GwaliorChambal region, and some tribal-dominated areas reported the highest number of cases, Damoh district in Bundelkhand has emerged as the biggest hotspot, recording 115 child marriages in 2025. This accounts for 21% of all cases reported in the state this year. The district had earlier reported 69 such marriages in 2021, 64 in 2022, 39 in 2023, and 33 in 2024. Other districts reporting a significant number of child marriages this year include Rajgarh (44), Chhatarpur (35), Guna (28), Sagar (24), Dewas (24), and Narsinghpur (23). The 115 cases reported in Damoh this year mark the first instance in five years of any district crossing the three-digit mark. Before this, the highest figure was 87 cases reported in Rajgarh in 2023. Damoh had also recorded the highest number of such cases in 2021 and 2022. Sagar district, also part of Bundelkhand, continues to report a substantial number of underage marriages: 48 in 2020, 33 in 2021, 27 in 2022, 36 in 2023, and 34 in 2024. Although the figures were shared by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department in the Vidhan Sabha, the states WCD Minister Nirmala Bhuria told journalists that she had no such information. No such question was raised in the Vidhan Sabha. I dont have any such information. Ill find out from where the opposition obtained these figures, she said, despite the data being part of the House proceedings. Bhurias home district, the Bhil-dominated Jhabua, reported 68 child marriages in the last five years, while neighbouring Alirajpur, dominated by the Bhilala tribe, reported just seven cases since 2020. Reacting to the data, Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh slammed the government. In response to my question, the government claimed on Tuesday that public awareness on the issue is growing. But the continuously rising figures shared by the department itself paint a picture contrary to the governments claims, he said.
FDDI Hyderabad Hosts Three-Day Footwear Exhibition
Visitors were welcomed into a space that placed Mojari next to Jutti, Pulla near Chamba footwear, and Kolhapuri beside the Bharwadi Desi Joda and Pabu craft, there celebrating footwear as cultural memory and contemporary study.
Seven girls rescued in MP as police raid two spa centres for alleged sex rackets
BHOPAL: A surprise police raid at two spa centres in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, revealed sex rackets that were pushing young girls from Delhi and from districts in the GwaliorChambal region into prostitution. The raid, led by additional SP (ASP) Vidita Dagar, was carried out on Sunday at two spa centres located in the upmarket City Centre area of Gwalior. The operation resulted in the busting of the rackets. Total seven young girls were found at the two Spa Centres. The girls were found in objectionable situations with men hailing from Gwalior only. Objectionable material too was seized from both the Spa Centres, Dagar told TNIE on Monday. According to the police, the preliminary investigation revealed that some of the girls hailed from Delhi, while others were from Bhind district in Madhya Pradeshs GwaliorChambal region. Four to five men, including those found with the girls in objectionable positions and the operators of the two centres, have been detained for questioning. There have been specific intelligence inputs with us about some Spa Centres in the city, indulging in immoral business, after which the surprise inspection was carried out by the police at the two Spa Centres in Tulsi Vihar Colony on Sunday, Dagar added. Were now working at how the girls from Delhi and Bhind were brought here and pushed into the immoral activities at the two Spa Centres, she informed.
Labourer killed, three injured as shuttering collapses at construction site in Himachal Pradesh
SHIMLA: A labourer died and three were injured when the shuttering of an under-construction indoor stadium collapsed in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, police said on Friday. The deceased was identified as Tarkeshwar (34) from Kishanganj district in Bihar, they said. The shuttering of the stadium collapsed on the four labourers at the construction site in the Bargaha area on Thursday night. Other labourers immediately swung into action and pulled them out, but Tarkeshwar died, police said. The body will be handed over to Tarkeshwar's family after post-mortem. The injured labourers -- Lalu Kumar, Deenbandhu and Balkeshwar -- are undergoing treatment at Chamba Medical College, they said. The multi-storey indoor stadium, which is being built at a cost of Rs 11.12 crore, will include modern amenities such as a swimming pool, elevator, boxing ring, gymnasium, badminton courts, and a table tennis hall once completed.
Himachal BJP MLA Hans Raj booked under POCSO Act for alleged sexual assault on minor
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Hans Raj has been booked by the state police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a complainant accused him of assaulting her when she was a minor. The 42-year-old legislator of the saffron party from the Churah Assembly constituency in Chamba district was booked under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was lodged on Friday at the Womens Police Station. Last week, the woman went live on Facebook, leveling serious allegations of sexual exploitation and intimidation against the MLA and his aides, claiming to possess supporting evidence. She uploaded a seven-minute video alleging that the legislator had ruined her family and that she feared for her life. In response, Hans Raj released a video terming the allegations baseless and politically motivated. Subsequently, her father told the media that the MLAs aides had kidnapped them, broken their mobile phones, and threatened to burn down their house if they did not withdraw the case. A senior police officer said that a case was registered at the Womens Police Station in Chamba on Friday evening after the victim, who is in her early twenties, alleged that she was sexually abused by the MLA when she was a minor. Her statement was recorded before a magistrate, and a medical examination was conducted, he said. This development comes shortly after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Hans Raj on November 6 under Sections 140(3), 115(2), 351(2), 324(4), and 3(5) of the BNS at the Tissa Police Station for offences related to kidnapping, wrongful confinement, assault, and criminal intimidation. The complaint, filed by the victims father, accused the legislator, his personal secretary Lekh Raj, and another associate, Muniyan Khan, of forcibly taking his daughter and him to Shimla and threatening them with dire consequences if they did not change their earlier statement. In August last year, a case had also been registered against the legislator at the Womens Police Station in Chamba on the complaint of the same woman, who had alleged that the MLA was sending obscene messages, demanding nude photos, and threatening her. However, a few days later, she went live on social media and withdrew her allegations, claiming she had made them under mental duress. Responding to the renewed allegations, Hans Raj described them as a politically motivated conspiracy aimed at maligning his image. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Womens Commission Chairperson Vidya Negi has sought a report on the case from the Chamba Police. Hans Raj is the third BJP leader from the state to face sexual assault charges in the past month. On October 11, the Solan police arrested 81-year-old Ram Kumar Bindal, elder brother of Himachal Pradesh BJP President Rajiv Bindal, for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman. On October 14, a rape case was registered against Brijeshwar, son of former Shimla MP Virender Kashyap, for allegedly having physical relations with a woman on the pretext of marriage. She lodged the complaint after discovering that he was already married.
NHPC Jammu wins Inter-Regional Volleyball tourney
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 6: The Volleyball Team of NHPC Regional Office, Jammu, clinched the NHPC Inter-Regional Volleyball Tournament held at Chamera-II Power Station, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Teams from various NHPC Regional Offices across the country participated with great enthusiasm. In a thrilling final match, the Jammu team defeated the NHPC Faridabad team by 3-1, securing the championship title for the first time. The victorious team presented the trophy to Ram Swaroop, Executive Director, NHPC RO Jammu, who congratulated [] The post NHPC Jammu wins Inter-Regional Volleyball tourney appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Amit Shah targets RJD and Congress at Bihar rallies, predicts massive majority for NDA
BETTIAH/MADHUBANI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday addressed election rallies in Bettiah, Motihari and Madhubani as 18 districts went to the polls in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, accusing the Opposition, RJD, of having pushed Bihar into a mess about 20 years ago. At Bettiah, Shah made a confident prediction: The counting will begin at 8:00 am on November 14 and by 11:00 am, Lalu and Rahuls party will be finished. Under the leadership of Modi ji and Nitish ji, the NDA will once again form the government in Bihar with a massive majority. Cautioning voters, Shah said, If by some mistake our government does not form and the thugbandhan (referring to the Mahagathbandhan) comes to power, then our Champaran will once again become a mini-Chambal. Do you want to bring back jungle raj? Do you want murder, kidnappings, dacoities and extortion to start again? If you do not want that, then on November 3, press the button on the lotus symbol. Shah also said that if an NDA government was formed, it would make Bihar completely free from floods within five years. Referring to the Ram temple, Shah alleged that Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Congress wanted to stop its construction. Mother Sita was born right here in our Bihar. In Bihar, both of Rams sons, Luv and Kush, were born. The first meeting of Ram and Sita took place in Bihar. It was Ram who rescued Ahalya in Bihar. Dont worry two months ago, Nitish Kumar ji and I went to Sitamarhi for the bhumi pujan. Within two years, a grand temple to Sita Mata will be built at a cost of Rs 850 crore, he said, giving the campaign an emotional touch. Shah added that along with the temple, the doubling of the railway line from Sitamarhi to Ayodhya would be completed. On the day the temples pratishtha happens, we will start a Vande Bharat train running from Ayodhya to Sitamarhi, he said. Taking up the issue of infiltration, Shah asked, Should Bangladeshi infiltrators be removed from Bihars voter lists or not? Just now Rahul Baba led a Ghuspethiya Bachao yatra; he said keep infiltrators on the voter rolls. Should Bangladeshis decide who will be Bihars Chief Minister? Infiltrators take jobs from our youth, demand a share of rations meant for the poor, and make the country insecure. From the land of Ramnagar today I say: do as many yatras and press conferences as you like, Rahul Baba the Bharatiya Janata Party from all over the country and from Bihar will identify and remove every single infiltrator. Declaring that the election was dedicated to ending infiltration, Shah said, The upcoming election is an election to make Bihar free of infiltrators. In West Champaran at Kumarbagh, we have set up a Special Economic Zone. In Chanpatia, we are developing an industrial area and a startup zone. Chanpatias textiles are reaching global markets, and we will make the Kesriya Stupa a world heritage site. He also promised an airport in West Champaran. We have also built a Toy Park in West Champaran. The Tharu community was granted Scheduled Tribe status by our Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. Modi ji has many schemes in mind for the Tharu community, but because of the election we cannot speak of them now. Once the NDA government forms, we will roll out major schemes for the Tharu community, he said. Recalling how West Champaran was once the sugar bowl of eastern India, Shah said, The chimneys of sugar mills used to billow smoke and farmers used to get paid. The sweetness of our sugar reached across the country. But under jungle raj, extortion caused these mills to shut down one after another locks were put on Champarans sugar mills too. We have restarted the sugar mill at Rega. He assured voters that the BJP and NDA would work to reopen all closed sugar mills in Bihar within the next five years. Shah also listed projects completed in West Champaran, including the PatnaBettiah four-lane road, the widening of National Highway 28 from Bagaha to Bettiah, and the four-lane road No. 139 from Digha to Bettiah. In Motihari, Shah said the Congress now wanted to rule Bihar again by sitting on Lalus shoulders. But I want to tell Rahul ji the one whose shoulders youre riding on is going to lose, and you are going to lose too. Do you want to bring back jungle raj again? Can kidnappings, murders, extortion, and dacoities ever do any good for Bihar? If the RJD candidate from here wins even by mistake, will jungle raj return or not? Only the team of Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi can stop jungle raj, he said. Lalu jis son raised the slogan, Shahabuddin amar rahe (long live Shahabuddin), and gave a ticket to his son. But I want to tell you, Lalu ji even if three generations of your family come to power, Bihar will never again see the rise of goons like Shahabuddin. In Madhubani, Shah said, A large airport is going to be built in Madhubani. In Benipatti, a medical college will be built. Recently, Rahul Baba said that we should find out how many people from each caste and each religion are in our Army. Rahul Baba, shame on you shame on you! You want to divide our Army on the basis of religion and caste. He criticised Rahul Gandhis comments about caste in the Army. In our Army, no matter which caste a brave soldier belongs to, we respect every single one of them. The PFI had spread all the way to Phulwarisharif. It was an anti-national organisation that wanted to break India into pieces. Modi ji, in just one night, banned PFI from Kerala to Phulwarisharif and put all its members behind bars. And Lalu Yadav says they should be released Lalu ji, let me tell you, they will never be released, he asserted.
Himachal woman alleges BJP MLA Hansraj of harassment; he says she is like my daughter
SHIMLA: A woman from Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh has accused BJP MLA Hansraj of harassing her and threatening her family, allegations the legislator has dismissed as an attempt to trigger communal tension. A purported video of the woman making the allegations has surfaced on social media. The woman had filed an FIR against the MLA last year, accusing him of sending obscene messages and demanding nude photographs. In the video, she alleged that some people were trying to defame her by claiming she had accepted money to level charges against Hansraj, who represents the Churah constituency in Chamba. She also claimed she was under pressure to withdraw her complaint. If any harm comes to my family members, I will not spare the MLA, she said tearfully in the clip. The woman further alleged that Hansrajs wife had been threatening that he would settle scores once he becomes a minister, claiming the MLA had ruined my life and that she had nothing to lose now. She said she took to social media because she had no faith in the police or other authorities, accusing them of taking no action and pressuring her to reach a compromise with the MLA. She also accused a doctor and a junior engineer of misbehaving with her father. Hansraj, a three-time MLA, later posted a video refuting the allegations, saying the woman was like my daughter and that she had made similar accusations last year as well. He claimed that the police had investigated the matter and submitted a closure report. The MLA said he was unable to understand her motive, alleging that the latest claims appeared to be a sinister move to trigger communal violence. He urged police to investigate the matter thoroughly and said he would file a defamation case to get to the root of the issue. Hansraj maintained that the allegations were an attempt to halt development work in Churah and tarnish his image as an emerging leader from Chamba.
'She Is Like My Daughter': Himachal MLA Rejects Harassment Allegations By Chamba Woman
A Chamba woman accuses BJP MLA of harassment, sharing videos and alleging police inaction, while Hans Raj denies all claims and calls it an attempt to incite communal tension.
She Is Like My Daughter: Himachal MLA Denies Allegations Of Harassment
A woman in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh has accused BJP MLA Hans Raj of harassing her and threatening her family members, even as the legislator dismissed the allegations.
Farmer brutally murdered, daughters assaulted by BJP leader in MP's Guna over land dispute
BHOPAL: In a horrific incident on Sunday, a 40-year-old farmer was brutally beaten to death, allegedly by local BJP leader Mahendra Nagar and his aides in Ganeshpura village of Madhya Pradesh's Guna district. The farmer, identified as Ramswaroop Dhakad, was first mercilessly beaten with sticks and rods and was then allegedly run over by an MUV on Sunday afternoon. The brutality, reportedly linked to a dispute over six bighas of land in the adjoining Baran district of Rajasthan, did not end there. The accused men, armed with guns, allegedly prevented anyone in the village from taking the gravely injured farmer to the hospital for nearly an hour, ensuring his death. While villagers remained silent spectators out of fear of the gun-toting men accompanying Nagar, the farmer's daughters, who rushed to save him, were also assaulted and humiliated. When I went to save my father, they pushed me down, sat on me, tore my clothes, and fired shots to scare us. My mother and father were going to the fields when Mahendra, Harish, and Gautam attacked them. Then they ran over my father with the Thar. He screamed, but no one dared to help, as the attackers were armed with guns, recounted the murdered farmers daughter. According to locals, Mahendra Nagar the BJPs local booth committee chief and a former office-bearer of the party's farmers wing in Guna district has long run a reign of terror in Ganeshpura village under the Fatehgarh police station area. He has been grabbing land for years. At least 25 farmers have sold their land at throwaway prices and left the village. Those who dared to resist were either assaulted or driven out. Ramswaroop refused to surrender to Nagars terror and held on to his ten bighas of land in Ganeshpura, while his relatives lived in the adjoining Pachlavada village in Rajasthan. That defiance finally cost him his life, a villager said on condition of anonymity. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOPBamori) Vivek Asthana confirmed the incident and said a long-running land feud between the deceased farmer and a relative of the local BJP leader was the motive behind the brutal murder. Ramswaroop Dhakad had a dispute with Kanhaiya Nagar over six bighas of land in adjoining Rajasthan. Kanhaiya, a resident of Pachlavada, is a relative of Mahendra. It was this long-running land feud that actually triggered Sundays incident. Mahendra, Kanhaiya, and 1314 others, including some women, attacked Ramswaroop. He sustained multiple fractures all over his body. His daughters, too were assaulted. All of them were taken to the Guna district hospital, but doctors could not save Ramswaroop, Asthana said. A case has been registered against 14 persons, including Mahendra Nagar, his sons Nitesh and Devendra, wife Kamlesh Bai Nagar, nephew Jitendra, and two other women from the Nagar family, under multiple BNS sections related to murder, criminal conspiracy, assault, and outraging the modesty of women. One of the accused, Hukum Singh, Mahendras elder brother, has been arrested, while raids are underway to nab the absconding accused. Meanwhile, Guna district BJP president Dharmendra Sikarwar, while confirming Nagars association with the party, has sought his immediate expulsion. Mahendra Nagar is a party worker and the local booth chief. We have written to senior party leaders seeking his immediate removal, Sikarwar said. According to informed sources, Mahendra Nagar was among the Congress workers who joined the BJP in 2020, after Jyotiraditya Scindia and 22 loyalist MLAs quit the party, toppling the Kamal Nath-led government. Guna is one of three districts in the Gwalior-Chambal region that make up the Guna Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Assam Police STF chiefs short film Ansuni Chinkhe wins Best Director Award
Ansuni Chinkhe, a moving short film written and directed by Dr Parthasarathi Mahanta, who serves as the Chief of the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police and Guwahati Police Commissioner, has once again brought acclaim to Assam, clinching the Best Director Award of Jury at the 16th Chambal International Film Festival 2025. The festival []
MP CM Mohan Yadav transfers Rs 1,541 cr under Ladli Behna scheme, announces hike to Rs 1,500
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav transferred Rs 1,541 crore to over 1.26 crore women under the Ladli Behna Yojana, announcing an increase in monthly aid to Rs 1,500. He also highlighted the benefits of the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river linking project for farmers and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 532 crore.
