Drug smuggler wanted in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana escapes from Dahisar to US

Two years after being sentenced to 10-year imprisonment, accused moved to Mumbai with kin after jumping parole

Union HM Shah inaugurates Maharaja Agrasen's statue in Haryana; praises Modi for India's improved health sector

CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday stated that the Modi government, over the past decade, has improved the country's health infrastructure from primary to tertiary level by taking a holistic approach. Addressing a gathering after unveiling a statue of Maharaja Agrasen at the Maharaja Agrasen Medical College campus in Agroha of Hisar, Haryana, Shah emphasised the many initiatives taken by the Modi government to improve India's medical infrastructure. In 2013-14, the Union Government allocated a budget of Rs 37,000 crore for the health sector. In 2025-26, the budget will be Rs 1.37 lakh crore, he said. Shah said that when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister there were seven All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country, out of which, six were established during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. He added that now there are 23 AIIMS in the country. He also asserted that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 766. He added that the number of MBBS seats has risen from fifty-one thousand to 1.15 lakh, with an additional 85,000 seats set to be added in the next five years. On the occasion, he also inaugurated the newly built ICU and laid the foundation stone for the postgraduate hostel. He said that 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty during the Modi government's tenure. 40 million houses have been built for the poor, providing shelter to 200 million people. He also discussed the Central government's provision of free food grains to over 810 million beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and the provision of toilets to every household under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Until 2014, 120 million families in this country did not have toilets. Imagine the plight of girls in households without toilets, Shah said. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, state BJP Chief Mohan Lal Badoli, state health minister Arti Singh Rao, minister Ranbir Singh Gangwa, BJP MP from Kurukshetra Naveen Jindal, Chairperson Emeritus of the Jindal Group, Independent MLA from Hisar Savitri Jindal, former Rajya Sabha MP D P Vats and others were present on the occasion.

Modi govt uplifted India`s health infrastructure, says Amit Shah in Hisar

He also mentioned that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 766, and the number of MBBS seats has risen from 51,000 to 1.15 lakh. He added that 85,000 more seats will be added in the next five years

Modi Government uplifted India's health infrastructure, says Amit Shah in Hisar

Amit Shah highlights Modi governments achievements in health infrastructure, including poverty reduction, housing, and medical college expansion

Modi govt uplifted Indias health infra, says Amit Shah in Hisar

Hisar, Mar 31: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the Narendra Modi government, over the past decade, has uplifted Indias health infrastructure by taking a holistic approach to improve the health sector across the entire country. Shah stated that the health infrastructure has been improved from the primary to tertiary level. He [] The post Modi govt uplifted Indias health infra, says Amit Shah in Hisar appeared first on Northlines .

Rs 64,000 crore spent on creating public and community health centres: Amit Shah at Hisar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Modi government's achievements in the health sector, including lifting 25 crore people out of poverty and constructing 4 crore houses. Significant investments were made in medical infrastructure, with Rs 64,000 crores spent on Public Health Centres and increasing the number of AIIMS hospitals to 23.

Hisar varsitys students to conduct research on advanced tech for Indian Army

Chandigarh cops foil honour killing, 6 from Hisar held with pistols from Sec 22

Ahead of inauguration, ATR aircraft successfully lands at Hisar airport

PM Modi to inaugurate air travel services from Hisar airport on April 14

Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate air travel services from the Hisar airport on April 14.

Mumbai Metro Line-9 On Fast Track: Phase 1 From Dahisar East To Kashigaon Set For Year-End Launch

Boxer Saweety Boora assaults husband Deepak Hooda at Hisar police station in viral video; WATCH

In a video from the police station that has since gone viral, Saweety can be seen aggressively approaching Deepak and hitting him. Family members present there soon intervened and stopped the altercation.

PM Modi To Inaugurate Hisar Airport On April 14

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini informed reporters that PM Modi will be the chief guest at a state-level function commemorating Dr BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary on the same day.

PM Modi to inaugurate Hisar airport, new power unit in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on April 14 to inaugurate air services from Maharaja Agrasen International Airport in Hisar and lay the foundation stone for an 800 MW unit at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar. These projects aim to enhance regional connectivity and strengthen the states power infrastructure. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on April 14 and will gift two major projects to the people of the state. These include the foundation stone laying of a new 800 MW unit at the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar, built at a cost of Rs 7,272.06 crore, and the inauguration of air services from Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar. Saini stated that an Integrated Aviation Hub is being developed over 7,200 acres in Hisar, with 4,200 acres allocated for the airport and 3,000 acres for an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster. The airports development is divided into three phases, with the first phase already completed at a cost of Rs 50 crore, including a terminal building. In the second phase, a 3,000-metre-long runway has been constructed, enabling Airbus aircraft with up to 180 passengers to operate. On June 13, 2024, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with Alliance Air to start air services to five cities: Ayodhya, Jammu, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh, Saini said. He further added that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) applied for a licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on January 23 this year, and on March 13, the DGCA issued the licence to the AAI. The chief minister also reaffirmed in his budget speech on March 17 that flights from Hisar to Ayodhya, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Jammu would soon begin. Regarding the power project, Saini said, The Union Ministry of Power has granted approval to Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) for setting up this third unit at the Yamunanagar-based thermal power plant. This project is an expansion of the existing 2300 MW units at the facility. The project has a completion deadline of 52 months, with commercial operations expected to commence within 48 months. He added that with the addition of the 800 MW unit, Haryanas domestic power generation capacity will increase to 3,382 MW. Currently, the state has an installed power capacity of approximately 14,000 MW, of which 2,582 MW is generated by HPGCL. The project has already received clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, along with approval from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board. Saini further announced that a state-level event will be held to mark the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The Prime Ministers presence as the chief guest of the programme will serve as an inspiration for the younger generation and boost morale across the state, he said. Dr B.R. Ambedkar dedicated his life to uplifting the underprivileged and backward communities, providing society with a unifying path through the Indian Constitution. To ensure that his life and contributions continue to inspire future generations, this event is being organised, he added.

BMC notice to extend coastal road till Dahisar

Rs 6.5L cheque issued by him bounces, Hisar doc gets 3-month jail

Haryana CM Saini presents Rs 2.05 lakh crore budget with aim to make State 'future capable'

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini presented the budget for the financial year 2025-26 envisaging an outlay of Rs 2.05 lakh crore to make the state 'future capable.' A new department named 'Department of Future' will be created and a new authority 'Substance Abuse Narcotics Knowledge Awareness and Liberation Program' (SANKALP) will be set up to tackle the spread of drugs in the state. Besides, the government will also establish the Haryana AI (Artificial Intelligence) Mission to establish Haryana AI to which the World Bank has assured to provide assistance of Rs 474 crore. The AI mission will also help creating hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula. In his maiden budget address, the CM Saini who holds the finance portfolio said that the government had received 11,000 suggestions regarding budget expectations and out of the 217 manifesto promises, 19 have already been fulfilled. He also informed that the establishment of the 'Department of Future' will focus on exploring future technologies and their potential benefits and their utilisation to make Haryana 'future capable'. Saini said that the budget envisages an outlay of Rs 2,05,017.29 crore for 2025-26, up 13.70 per cent from revised estimates of 2024-25. He said that in the last 10 years, the Haryana government laid great emphasis on e-governance. Saini also proposed that the setting up of 'Substance Abuse and Narcotics Knowledge Awareness and Liberation Programme Authority' will save people from drug abuse. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the authority. To promote startups, the Haryana government will also encourage private investors to create a 'fund of funds' of Rs 2,000 crore. Also, Rs 5,000 crore has been proposed for Rs 2,100 monthly assistance to women under 'Lado Lakshmi Yojana' for the financial year 2025-26. Saini also proposed to set up a Horticulture Research Centre in Palwal and flower market in Gurugram. He highlighted education and health as two crucial sectors for the state's development. In response to public demand, he also announced the establishment of model Sanskriti schools every 10 kilometres. He also proposed the launch of the Kalpana Chawla scholarship to support students. He also announced an air cargo facility for horticulture produce at Hisar airport and to set-up new cow sanctuaries in every district of the state. Under 'Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana', subsidy for giving up paddy cultivation is to be hiked from Rs 7,000 per acre to Rs 8,000 per acre he said. He added that the Horticulture policy is to be brought in for farmer producer organisations (FPO) registered as cooperative societies. The state will launch 'Mission 2026 Olympics Medals' with Rs 20 crore allocated for preparation. Saini said that in 2014-15 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state was Rs 4,37,145 crore, while the projected GDP for 2024-25 is Rs 12,13,951 crore. While the per capita Income of Haryana in 2014-15 was Rs 1,47,382, it is estimated to reach Rs 3,53,182 crore in 2024-25. The state's GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 10.8 per cent, while the Per Capita Income has increased at an average annual rate of 9.1 per cent. Saini said that as per the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, no state governments fiscal deficit should exceed 3 per cent of the GDP in any given year. He highlighted that the reduction from 2.88 per cent in 2014-15 to 2.68 per cent in 2024-25 demonstrates efficient financial management. Looking ahead of 2025-26, the government aims to further reduce the fiscal deficit, targeting a decrease to 2.67 per cent of the state's GDP. He said that it is a universally accepted economic principle that the government should not borrow for revenue expenditure. However, he emphasised that borrowing for capital expenditure, within reasonable limits, is acceptable and should, in fact, be encouraged. Saini's wife, Suman Saini, Haryana BJP in-charge Satish Punia, state party chief Mohan Lal Badoli and other senior leaders were present in the speakers gallery to hear Sains maiden budget address.

Severe groundwater contamination detected in over 30,000 rural wards in Bihar: Report

PATNA: Bihar is grappling with severe groundwater contamination, with 30,207 rural wards exposed to unsafe drinking water that poses serious health risks, according to a new report. The report, which was recently tabled in the assembly as part of the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25), highlighted the presence of arsenic in groundwater in 4,709 such wards, fluoride in 3,789 wards and iron in 21,709 wards. Around 26 per cent of the rural wards in 31 districts, out of a total of 38, have groundwater sources affected by arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination beyond permissible limits, the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) said in the study. The affected wards are located in Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Lakhisarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagara, Munger, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Banka, Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria and Kishanganj districts. We are aware of the fact. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the state government has decided to make rural Bihar 'hand pump-free' and provide safe drinking water to people in the rural areas under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED Minister Niraj Kumar Singh told PTI. The government is also implementing multi-village schemes (MVS) to improve water quality in the state, he said. Under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED is providing safe drinking water to 83.76 lakh families in rural areas, he said, adding, potable water is also being made available to families in the 30,207 rural wards where the contamination is high. The state government is already working on a plan to use river water for drinking purposes. In September 2024, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of a Rs 1,347-crore project for the supply of water from Sone river for drinking purposes in Aurangabad, Dehri and Sasaram cities after necessary treatment, the minister said. The scheme will use the water of Son river, ending the dependence of these cities on groundwater, he said. The project is likely to be completed in two years. In 2023, the CM dedicated the ambitious Ganga Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) or the 'Ganga Jal Apoorti Yojana' to the people of Gaya, Rajgir and Nawada. Under the scheme, people in these districts are provided an uninterrupted supply of clean and safe drinking water, Singh said. Dr Manoj Kumar, a leading gastroenterologist in Bihar, told PTI, The high level of chemical contamination in groundwater is certainly a matter of concern. The authorities must identify the source of contamination and take appropriate steps. Besides, camps should also be organised in the affected wards on a regular basis to make people aware of the adverse effects of consumption of contaminated groundwater. The authorities should come out with standardisation and classification of the quality of water used for drinking purposes. Kumar said drinking water quality standards should describe the quality parameters. Water may contain many harmful constituents, yet there are no recognised and accepted standards for drinking water in the country. The type of contaminant and its health effects vary depending on the water source, he said. The health impacts of water contamination can vary from a bout of stomach infection to terminal illnesses like cancer, Kumar said. The methods of purification depend on specific contaminants in a person's water source. Therefore, detailed water quality standards must be introduced by the authorities concerned, he added.

BJP sweeps Haryana civic polls, big setback for Cong

The BJP registered emphatic victories in seven municipal corporations in Haryana, while its nominees were leading in two other civic bodies in the recently held elections. The Congress, which was hoping to improve its electoral fortunes after a defeat in the 2024 Assembly polls, suffered another setback. The BJP candidates won with large margins in Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, Sonipat, and Ambala. The BJP was also leading in Yamunanagar and Panipat. In Manesar, an Independent candidate, Inderjeet Yadav, won the mayoral election. The results are seen as a major setback for the Congress, which has been facing internal turmoil and factionalism.

BJP set to sweep Haryana civic polls, its eight mayoral candidates in the lead

CHANDIGARH: The mayoral candidate of the BJP won the Ambala municipal corporation and its nominees were leading in eight other civic bodies in Haryana, as the counting of votes for the recently held elections went underway on Wednesday. The Congress, which was hoping to make a comeback after suffering a defeat in the 2024 Assembly polls, was trailing. Elections for the posts of mayor and ward members in the municipal corporations of Manesar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Panipat, Ambala and Sonipat were held earlier this month. Bypolls for the post of mayor in the municipal corporations of Ambala and Sonipat were also held. In Ambala, Shailja Sachdeva, the BJP candidate for the mayor's post, defeated her nearest Congress rival Amisha Chawla by a margin of 20,487 votes. In Faridabad, the ruling party's mayoral candidate Parveen Joshi was leading over Congress' Lata Rani, while Raj Rani of BJP was leading over Seema Pahuja from Gurugram. In Manesar, however, BJP candidate Sunder Lal was trailing Independent candidate Inderjeet Yadav. Praveen Popli of the BJP was leading from Hisar over the Congress' Krishan Singla. In Karnal, the BJP's Renu Bala Gupta was ahead of the Congress' Manoj Wadhwa. In Panipat, the BJP's Komal Saini was leading over Congress' Savita Garg while Ram Avtar of the Safron outfit was leading over Surajmal Kiloi in Rohtak. Senior BJP leader Rajiv Jain was leading over Congress' Komal Dewan in Sonipat. In Yamunanagar, Suman of the BJP was ahead of Congress' Kirna Devi. Extensive arrangements have been made by the Haryana State Election Commission in coordination with the district administrations concerned to ensure smooth conduct of the counting process, officials said.

Hisar woman arrested for beating mother over property dispute in a viral video

The suspect, identified as Rita, was charged with criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful confinement and uttering obscene words

Abhisarga 2025 showcases talent of IIIT-S students in emerging tech areas

Themed as Mystery and Magic, the event symbolises the fusion of technology and creativity, says the Registrar

Polling underway for municipal elections in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Polling was underway for election of mayors and all ward members in seven municipal corporations and some other municipalities of Haryana on Sunday, officials said. Voting is being held for the election of mayors and all ward members in seven municipal corporations of Gurugram, Manesar, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, and Yamunanagar. Additionally, by-elections for the post of mayor in Ambala and Sonipat municipal corporations, are also taking place. The voting is being held from 8 am to 6 pm. Similarly, elections are being conducted for the president and all ward members of four municipal councils of Ambala Sadar, Pataudi Jatoli Mandi, Thanesar, and Sirsa. Bye-election is also being held for the post of president in municipal council Sohna, district Gurugram. VIDEO | Haryana: Security deployed outside a polling booth in Karnal as municipal election is underway. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/fvV2N54EzC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2025 Voting is also taking place for the election of presidents and all ward members in 21 municipal committees. Bye-elections for the post of president in Assandh (Karnal district) and Ismailabad (Kurukshetra district) municipal committee is also taking place. Among the early voters included Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who cast his vote at a polling booth in Karnal. Khattar appealed to voters to come out and cast their vote. Casting vote is our democratic right and it is also our duty to exercise our franchise, he said. VIDEO | Haryana Municipal Elections: Union Minister and Former CM of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar ( @mlkhattar ) is in Karnal to cast his vote. Here's what he said: The local government is an important part in democracy. The BJP got successes in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha pic.twitter.com/P8rmJHFlep Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2025 Haryana State Election Commissioner Dhanpat Singh said extensive arrangements, including those pertaining to security, have been made for the free, fair and transparent elections of the urban local bodies. Singh said that 39 candidates are contesting for the posts of mayor in nine municipal corporations. Similarly, 27 candidates are in the fray for the posts of president in five municipal councils. A total of 151 candidates are contesting for the posts of president in 23 municipal committees. In some wards, only one candidate has filed a nomination, leading to their unopposed election. The polls are being conducted through EVMs. Polling for the Panipat municipal corporation will take place on March 9. After the completion of the election process, vote counting will begin at 8 AM on March 12, and results will be declared on the same day. Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini exuded confidence that the BJP will win the civic polls and said that after the formation of the riple-engine government, work will be done three times faster. The Congress has appealed to the electorate for a full majority for the party. Congress worker's body found stuffed in suitcase in Haryana's Rohtak, party demands high-level probe

This Is Fun, I Will Drink Your Blood: Hisar Woman Brutally Beats Her Mother For Property

In the video, the woman is seen sitting on a bed with her mother in the video. She then hits her mother and says, This is fun, I will drink your blood.

This Is Fun, I Will Drink Your Blood: Woman Bites, Beats Mother In Haryana

A heart-breaking video is being widely shared on social media in which a woman from Haryana's Hisar bites her mother, says she will drink her blood, pulls her hair and slaps and beats her.

World Champion boxer Saweety Boora accuses husband kabaddi player Deepak Hooda of torture, dowry demand: 'Rs 1 cr and Fortuner...'

Police in Haryana's Hisar have lodged a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to a husband or relatives of the husband subjecting a woman to cruelty.

Union Minister Khattar calls Indian deportees 'criminals', says 'no sympathy' should be shown towards them

CHANDIGARH: Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday referred to the Indian immigrants deported from the US as criminals and said o sympathy should be shown towards them. Those who have entered a country illegally are criminals. There should be no sympathy towards them. Our people undertake these journeys despite being advised against it. They should not take this route. It is as bad as drug addiction. Why should we show sympathy towards them? the minister said when asked about the inhumane conditions the deportees were subjected to. He also raised concern regarding how to rehabilitate the returned immigrants. Whichever way they have been sent back, it is now our worry as to how we have to rehabilitate them, Khattar said. Khattar's statement comes amid growing criticism against the BJP-led Union Government for its refusal to intervene in the issue of the inhumane treatment of Indian immigrants deported from the US. As many as 333 illegal immigrants were brought back to India on three US military aircrafts, handcuffed and shackled. The deportees were also subjected to human rights violations prompting criticism from the opposition parties regarding the Centre's inaction. Speaking of increasing migrations from the country, Khattar cited the example of the Dabri village in Haryana's Karnal, from where over 300 youth had reportedly travelled abroad via the 'Dunky Route'. Khattar said that during the parliamentary elections last year, he had visited the village and was shocked to find out that there was only one person in the whole village who was a government employee. Khattar emphasised that travelling via such methods is illegal as there is no surety if the person who goes abroad will be able to return or not. This route is very risky, he said. Khattar's statement comes just a few days ahead of the voting for municipality election which is scheduled to be held on March 2. The 113 illegal immigrants from the state who have been deported back are mostly from Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal and Hisar. These deportees had paid travel agents between Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh and a family of four from Kurukshetra including two minors paid Rs 1.20 crore to reach the US. The Haryana Police has registered about 20 criminal cases across the state against the travel agents and a few accused have also been arrested.

No sympathy towards deportees as they went abroad illegally through 'dunky route': Manohar Lal Khattar

Union Power and Urban Development Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that there should be no sympathy towards deportees as they went abroad illegally through the dunky route. He spoke about the village in Haryana where over 300 youth have settled abroad and mostly went via the 'Dunky Route'. This comes amid the United States deported as many as 333 illegal immigrants back to India on three flights and 12 from Panama. Khattar said this just a few days ahead of the voting for municipality election which is scheduled to be held on March 2. Citing an example of the village Dabri in Karnal, Khattar said that during the parliamentary elections last year, he had visited the village and was shocked to find out that there was only one person in the whole village who was a government employee. He was told that over 300 villagers have settled abroad and most of them have gone through dunki route. Khattar said that this is illegal and there is no surety if the person who goes abroad through this method will be able to return or not. This route is very risky, he added. In a reply to another question about the illegal immigrants who were deported back from the US and were handcuffed, Khattar said that every country has its own law and regulations and one cannot argue about that. Those who have entered a country illegally are criminals. There should be no sympathy towards them. Our people undertake these journeys despite being advised against it. They should not take this route. It is as bad as drug addiction. Why should we show sympathy towards them? He further added, Whichever way they have been sent back, it is now our worry as to how we have to rehabilitate them. The 113 illegal immigrants from the state who have been deported back are mostly from Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal and Hisar. These deportees had paid travel agents between Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh and a family of four from Kurukshetra including two minors paid Rs 1.20 crore to reach the US. The Haryana Police has registered about 20 criminal cases across the state against the travel agents and a few accused have also been arrested.

Meet man who failed 35 exams, cracked UPSC exam and became IPS officer then quit due to...

IAS Vijay Vardhan hails from the Sirsa district of Haryana. After completing his studies in Electronics Engineering from Hisar, he moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exam.

Crypto fraud crackdown: CBI raids 11 places in Delhi, Haryana; seizes Rs 1.08 crore

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it has conducted raids at 11 locations across Delhi and Haryana on Friday as part of its investigation into a crypto fraud case leading to the seizure of Rs 1.08 crore in cash, foreign currency and gold. According to a senior CBI official the agency raided nine locations in Delhi and two at Hisar in Haryana, as part of the investigation into a two-year-old case. The agencys search operations formed part of a larger effort to counter cybercrime, particularly those cases involving cryptocurrency fraud, he said. The accused individuals were allegedly involved in a complex scheme, impersonating government officials to deceive people. These criminals engaged in fraudulent activities, including offering fake technical support consultations, to trick victims into transferring money via cryptocurrency, the official said. The investigation revealed that the perpetrators were targeting both Indian and international victims, coercing them into transferring funds in cryptocurrency, the official said, adding that the money was then routed through several crypto wallets before being converted into cash. During the searches, the CBI sleuths found several pieces of digital evidence, including six laptops, eight mobile phones, and one iPad. The investigators also discovered that the suspects had used computer programmess for making VoIP-based calls and accessing the darknet, he said. In addition to the cash, the CBI seized foreign currency worth USD 1,000 and 252 grams of gold. The CBI has already filed a charge sheet in the case against three accused persons under Sections 120B read with 420 and 384 IPC, along with Section 66D of the IT Act, 2000, the official said.

Haryana government faces backlash over decision to allow shooting of Nilgais

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government's recent approval of the new Wildlife (Protection) Rules, allowing the shooting of male Nilgais (blue bulls), has sparked widespread protests and condemnation from environmentalists and the Bishnoi community. Activists have urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to revoke the decision and explore alternative measures for human-wildlife conflict management. People for Aravallis, an environmental group, has sent a representation to the Chief Minister, expressing distress over the governments decision. Neelam Ahluwalia, founder member of People for Aravallis, said, Shooting Nilgais to solve the problem of these animals entering farmers fields and destroying crops is neither an ethical nor a sustainable solution. Many farmers who are part of our group from different areas in Haryana, along with other rural stakeholders we consulted over the last few days, have highlighted that stray cattle pose a far more serious threat to agricultural crops than Nilgais. We urge the government to revoke the rule permitting the shooting of male Nilgais and implement an appropriate management plan for human-wildlife conflict after consulting conservationists, ecologists, retired foresters, wildlife experts, farmer groups, and other rural stakeholders, he said Retired Conservator of Forests, South Circle Haryana, R.P. Balwan, criticised the decision, stating, Nilgais are an integral part of Haryanas natural ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. Legally allowing them to be killed not only disrupts this delicate balance but also sets a dangerous precedent for human-wildlife conflict management. This move contradicts the spirit of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The representation to the Chief Minister proposed that if certain areas in Haryana have an overpopulation of Nilgais, the animals could be translocated to other similar habitats in Haryana or Rajasthan, where their natural predators can help restore ecological balance. It also highlighted conservation efforts in Fatehabad district, led by Vinod Karwasra, State President of Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha Haryana. These efforts include removing invasive species like Surajmukhi grass and Parthenium, while planting native trees, grasses, and shrubs essential for local wildlife, including Blackbucks and Nilgais. Activists urged that similar conservation practices be replicated across Haryana. Rakesh Ahlawat, a wildlife researcher and conservationist from Rohtak, suggested, Banis in villages across Haryana, where they still exist, should be legally designated as community reserves and used as a refuge for Nilgais and other wildlife. These areas should be fenced to keep the animals inside, and rural communities should be encouraged to develop banis in every village using Shamlat Deh, Panchayat, and Gaucharan land. Ajay Yadav, a farmer from Mahendergarh district, recommended alternative solutions to prevent crop damage, saying, Rural communities can use fencing techniques like Chara Bandhi, where 5-6 feet jhaads are planted along the edges of fields to act as physical barriers, and Samuhik Taarbandhi, where communities collectively set up fencing to keep animals out. If crops are still damaged, farmers should be supported through insurance schemes and timely compensation. Tannuja Chauhan, a member of People for Aravallis, suggested employing local guards to protect crops, saying, When our team spoke to rural stakeholders across different districts, they suggested that a few villagers be appointed as guards carrying Gandhak Potash, a non-bullet device that makes a loud noise to scare away Nilgais, stray cattle, and other animals. This activity could be included under MGNREGA to ensure payment for the guards. Meanwhile, the All India Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha has also protested against the state governments decision. Members of the Bishnoi community gathered at the Bishnoi temple in Hisar and Fatehabad, submitting a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister. Chandra Singh Saharan, president of the Bishnoi Sabha, demanded that the government reconsider its decision.

Arkade Developers Eyeing Rs 1,700 Crore Via Redevelopment Project In Dahisar East

The project will offer a total saleable area of 6,76,000 square feet of residential and commercial spaces.

ICAR gets license for worlds first lumpy skin disease vaccine

Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research(ICAR) has developed the worlds first vaccine for cattles Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which received green signal from the drug controller authority. The vaccine, named BIOLUMPIVAXIN, has received approval from India's drug regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This is the first-ever Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine for LSD. The disease, which affects cattle and Asian water buffaloes, is spread by insects and causes a significant loss of milk production, leading to economic damage for farmers. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) was first detected in India in July 2019 in Odisha and later spread to 20 states by the end of 2020, putting at risk Indias 303 million cattle and buffalo population that drives the countrys milk production. Over the past two years, nearly 200,000 cattle have died, and millions more have lost their milk-producing ability due to the disease. India is the worlds largest milk producer, contributing over 22% of global milk production, followed by the EU-28 and the United States. The vaccines quality, safety, and effectiveness have been thoroughly tested at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) in Hisar and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) to ensure it meets global standards. This new indigenous live-attenuated marker vaccine was developed using the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 strain from ICAR-NRCE in collaboration with Bharat Biotechs Biovet. The CDSCO licensure for this vaccine is a significant step toward India's self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in veterinary healthcare, which avoids dependency on imported vaccines, said Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder of Biovet, a Bharat Biotech group company. He further stated that the vaccine will be commercially available soon. It will be provided in a freeze-dried form with stabilizing agents for long-term storage. A separate diluent will be supplied for reconstitution before use. The disease was first discovered in Zambia in 1929. Since then, it has spread across Africa, the Middle East, Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, and more recently, South Asia and China.

Biovet's New Vaccine to Combat Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle

Bharat Biotech's group company, Biovet, has received approval from the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) for its new vaccine, Biolumpivaxin. This vaccine is the world's first and only one that can tell the difference between cattle that are vaccinated and those that are naturally infected with lumpy skin disease (LSD). Biolumpivaxin is a breakthrough vaccine that is safe and effective for dairy cattle and buffaloes. It has been tested for quality, safety, and effectiveness at trusted research institutes like ICAR-NRCE and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). The vaccine was developed using the LSD virus strain from ICAR-NRCE in Hisar, with help from Biovet's scientists. After three years of research, the vaccine is ready for use. Dr. Krishna Ella, Biovet's founder, called the vaccine a game-changer for fighting animal diseases, helping workers know whether an animal was vaccinated or naturally infected with LSD. This new vaccine is important for Indias veterinary healthcare as it helps reduce dependence on foreign vaccines. It will also play a key role in improving the countrys livestock health and ensuring the dairy industry stays strong. Lumpy skin disease has caused major problems in India, killing around 200,000 cattle and affecting milk production. Biolumpivaxin will soon be available to help protect against this disease. Biovets plant in Karnataka can produce up to 500 million doses of the vaccine each year. The vaccine is easy to store and only needs to be given once a year to cattle and buffaloes over 3 months old. With this new vaccine, India is one step closer to eliminating LSD and protecting its livestock. History of Lumpy Skin Disease Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) was first found in Zambia, Africa, in 1929. For many years, it stayed only in Africa. Then, in 1988, it reached Egypt, and in 1989, it spread to Israel. Over time, the disease spread further, affecting parts of the Middle East, Europe, and many Asian countries, including India. India saw its first confirmed outbreak in 2019. Since then, the disease has spread quickly across different states, causing big economic losses and reducing milk production. How to Control LSD Vaccination is the best way to control LSD, especially using vaccines made specifically for this disease. When cattle and buffaloes are vaccinated, their immune systems learn to fight the virus. However, it takes about three to four weeks for the animals to build full immunity. Thats why it is important to vaccinate them in advance. This helps protect dairy animals of all ages before the disease spreads.

Lumpy skin disease vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech group firm with ICAR gets CDSCO licence

The vaccine is the result of three years of research by scientists at National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar

Mumbai Eye on lines of London Eye: BMC submits Rs 74K cr budget

MUMBAI: Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Tuesday unveiled the BMCs largest-ever Rs 74,427-crore budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which is 14.19% more than the previous years. The BMC proposes to develop the Mumbai Eye in line with the United Kingdoms iconic London Eye on a private participation model. The corporation revived the project shelved over a decade ago. It will require two to three acres of land. The BMC also plans a Tiger Monument as part of the GMLR project in collaboration with the forest and tourism departments. A suitable location within the tunnel passing underneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park will be identified. Of the budgetary allocation, Rs 43,162 crore goes to capital expenditure, mainly for developmental and city infra projects. The revenue expenditure has reduced from 75% to 42%, curbing costs in salaries and administration. Gagrani presented his first budget, the BMCs third without an elected body. With the upcoming BMC elections, the Mahayuti-controlled corporation refrained from introducing new taxes. BMC has urged the state government to classify its key projectssuch as the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) from Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), Mumbai Coastal Road (North) from Versova to Dahisar, and the Elevated Road from Link Road to Dahisar (West)--as vital urban transport projects under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1986. Largest ever budget BMCs 2025-25 annual budget: Rs 74,427.41 crore Rs 60.65 crore surplus budget Revenue income: Rs 43,159 crore Capital expenditure: Rs 31.204 crore Grant in aid compensations in lieu of octroi: Rs 14,398 crore Development Planning (DP) fees and premium: Rs 9,700 crore

BMC Budget 2025: Free Healthcare, BEST Grant, Tax On Slum Business And More 10 Key Highlights

From education-focussed welfare schemes to the proposed commercial and transportation hub in Dahisar, here are the key takeaways from Mumbai's Rs 74,400-crore budget.

Rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh out of jail on 30-day parole

Chandigarh: Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from a jail in Haryana's Rohtak on Tuesday after being granted a 30-day parole, a development which came ahead of the February 5 Delhi assembly polls. The 57-year-old Singh headed to his Sirsa-headquartered Dera in Haryana after walking out of the Sunaria jail in Rohtak, sources said. It is for the first time that Singh has visited the Dera in Sirsa ever since he was sentenced to jail in 2017 in the rape case. Earlier, he used to stay at the Dera ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat during his parole. One of the Dera chief's counsel said he has been granted 30-day parole. Singh is expected to stay at Sirsa for ten days and at the Bhagpat ashram for the remaining days. After reaching the Dera in Sirsa, Singh released a video message for his followers, asking them not to visit the Dera. A police official from Sirsa also confirmed that Singh has reached the Dera there. Singh is serving a 20-year sentence given in 2017 for raping two of his disciples. His parole comes days ahead of the polls in Delhi. Last time, Singh was granted a 20-day parole on October 1 last year. That had also come ahead of the October 5 Haryana assembly polls. In the past, some of Singh's paroles and furloughs have coincided with polls in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states. Sikhs organisations like the SGPC have in the past criticised the grant of relief to Singh. In August last year, Singh was granted a 21-day furlough. He was granted three weeks' furlough from February 7, 2022, barely two weeks before the Punjab assembly polls. In May, the high court here acquitted Singh and four others in the 2002 murder of the sect's former manager Ranjit Singh, citing ainted and sketchy investigations in the matter. A special CBI court had sentenced them to life imprisonment in the nearly 20-year-old murder case. Singh had been held guilty of hatching a criminal conspiracy with his co-accused. The Sirsa-headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda has a number of followers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and other states. In Haryana, the Dera has a sizable number of followers in many districts, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Hisar.

Haryana Khaps demand banning on live-in relationships, love marriages without consent

CHANDIGARH: The Khap Panchayats in Haryana have called for amendments to the Hindu Marriage Act to address what they describe as growing social issues in rural and urban areas. Representatives of around a dozen panchayats met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday, submitting a memorandum demanding a ban on live-in relationships, mandatory parental consent for love marriages, and restrictions on marriages within the same village, neighbouring villages (guvandh), and the same clan (gotra). They also opposed increasing the legal marriage age to 21 years and same-sex marriages. Sanjay Deswal, chief of the Akhil Bhartiya Deswal Khap, explained the concerns during a conversation with The New Indian Express. He claimed that live-in relationships are increasingly common in both villages and cities, disrupting the social fabric. Citing a recent incident in a Rohtak village, he said, A mother of three left her husband and children to live with another married man. We have come across many such cases. If anyone wishes to live in a live-in relationship, they should first legally end their previous marriage. This new concept is harmful to our societal values. Deswal also stressed the need for parental consent in love marriages, arguing that such marriages often fail when undertaken without family support. Nowadays, children come and announce they are married, but these marriages rarely last long. Parents, who have more life experience, should have a say in such decisions, he said. Regarding the legal age for marriage, Deswal opposed increasing it from 18 to 21 years, arguing that many girls are married earlier due to family circumstances. We are not against girls marrying at 21 or later if they pursue education or careers. But parents should have the discretion to decide, as 18-year-olds are already eligible to vote. If they are mature enough to vote, why not marry? he questioned. He further argued that same-sex marriages should be banned and urged the government to uphold cultural values and traditions. Marriages within the same village, neighboring villages, or the same gotra should also be prohibited. In our culture, we consider girls from the same village or sub-caste as sisters. Such marriages would destroy our social ties, Deswal said, adding that these practices are restricted in districts like Rohtak, Sonepat, Hisar, and Jind. Satish Singh, a member of the Satrol Khap and coordinator of an 11-member committee representing 102 khap panchayats, echoed similar sentiments. He argued that marriages within the same gotra should be banned, citing scientific evidence about shared DNA and its implications. Singh also emphasized the importance of banning live-in relationships, mandating parental consent for love marriages, and retaining 18 as the minimum marriageable age, citing social factors. The panchayats expressed hope that the state government would consider their demands and amend the Hindu Marriage Act to reflect local cultural values and traditions.

Haryana govt identifies 370 'corrupt' patwaris, 170 middlemen; orders action within 15 days

CHANDIGARH: For the first time ever the Haryana Government has identified 370 corrupt patwaris (revenue officials) across the state as the revenue department in a confidential report has asked the deputy commissioners concerned to take action against them and report back within fifteen days. In a confidential letter dated January 14, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Anurag Rastogi, highlighted the impact of corruption by patwaris on the public and the governments reputation. The letter stated: As the common man has to go to the patwaris for their work, such corruption by the patwaris adversely affects the image of the government. Many people go to these patwaris to get work done related to their lands, and they put objections time and again to harass the public. Thus, perforce, 'bribe' has to be given to them. Rastogi also asked them to take strict action in the matter and report back to the government within fifteen days. Sources revealed that, in an unprecedented crackdown on corruption within the revenue department, the Haryana government has released a list of 370 patwaris. The list highlights allegations of these officials employing personal helpers and charging convenience fees for routine tasks. Kaithal district tops the list with 46 corrupt patwaris, followed by Sonepat with 41, Mahendragarh with 36, Gurugram with 27, and Fatehabad with 25. Other districts include Kurukshetra with 23, Jhajjar with 20, Palwal with 17, Rewari with 16, Yamunanagar with 14, and Sirsa, Hisar, and Hansi with 13 each. Bhiwani has 10 such patwaris, while Panchkula stands out with none identified. Additionally, the government has identified 170 middlemen accused of collecting bribes on behalf of the patwaris. While Kaithal district has maximum corrupt patwaris 46, followed by Sonepat 41, then Mahendragarh 36, Gurugram 27 such Patwaris, Fatehabad 25,Jahajjar 20, Kurukshetra 23, Palwal 17, Rewari 16, Yamunagar 14, Sirsa, Hisar and Hansi 13 each, Bhiwani 10 while Panchkula has zero. The government has also identified 170 middlemen who allegedly take bribes on behalf of the patwaris. Gurugram has the highest number of middlemen at 26, followed by Mahendragarh with 20. Sonepat, Palwal, and Rewari each have 15 middlemen, while Yamunanagar has 14. Sources revealed that the confidential report was compiled by the state revenue department with inputs from the state intelligence wing of the Haryana Police. The report details the modus operandi of the alleged corrupt patwaris and their duration of posting. According to the report, patwaris in Gurugram allegedly take the highest bribes in the state, charging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 for land mutations. For issuing fards, they reportedly demand between Rs 200 and Rs 500. Many of these officials are said to rely on middlemen to collect the bribes on their behalf. The report further states that Patwaris some Pawaris posted in Chakhi Dadri takes around Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for doing land mutation. And others in the district take between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2000. While Faridaba they take between Rs 500 to 700 to locate old revenue files. The letter added that a Patwari posted in Ambala from last 18 months has kept a middle men and for doing land mutation and land measurement and rectifying the record he harasses the public and another Patwari in Amabla Cantonment who has been posted the last two years and Patwari posted in Ambala city for last one year they also do the same. It is learnt that there are 1,378 patwaris in the across the state and 1,313 posts are lying vacant. As recently 2600 patwaris were recruited and they will complete their training thus now there will be no shortage of these revenue officials. The report further mentions that patwaris in Charkhi Dadri charge between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 for land mutations, with others in the district demanding Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. In Faridabad, patwaris allegedly charge Rs 500 to Rs 700 for locating old revenue files. The report also mentions a patwari in Ambala, posted for the last 18 months, who employs a middleman and harasses the public while handling tasks such as land mutations, land measurements, and record corrections. Similarly, a patwari in Ambala Cantonment, posted for two years, and another in Ambala city, posted for one year, are accused of similar practices. The state has 1,378 sanctioned patwari posts, with 1,313 currently vacant. However, the recent recruitment of 2,600 patwaris, who are undergoing training, is expected to address this shortage soon.

Driver killed as cab catches fire after being hit by truck in Mumbai

MUMBAI: A cab driver died after his vehicle was hit by a concrete mixer truck and caught fire in Mumbai in the wee hours of Thursday, police said. The incident took place near Dahisar Naka in western suburbs at 2.15 am, an official said. The cab, with the driver and a passenger onboard, was heading towards Kandivali, he said. A speeding mixer truck, going from Dahisar to Kandivali, hit the road divider after one of its tyres burst, the official said. The truck driver then lost control over the wheels, and the vehicle jumped the divider and hit the cab, he said. A spark occurred in the cab, leading to a fire which engulfed the vehicle, the official said. While the passenger got down and ran to safety, the driver, Masood Alam Shaikh, got stuck between the steering wheel and his seat and was not able to come out, he said. After being alerted, personnel from the Kasturba Marg police station reached the spot. They pulled out the driver from the cab and rushed him to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, the official said. The cab driver, resident of Marol area in Mumbai, died in the car due to serious burn injuries, the official said. The truck driver was arrested and a case was registered against him, the police added.

Bihar police foil major Naxal operation; seize huge quantity of explosives, raw materials

PATNA: Bihar police foiled a major operation of the Maoists in Bihar's Gaya district following the recovery of a large quantity of landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and raw materials during a special drive launched against the red rebels in the wake of the recent attack on security forces in Chattisgarh on Monday. At least eight security personnel and a civilian were killed in an IED blast in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. A special team of central armed police and the special task force (STF) of the state police cordoned off Tarchua locality, a part of Chhakarbandha forest in Gaya district in the early hours of Wednesday after being tipped off that the area was being used by Maoists as their safe haven. A cave-like corner of Chhakarbandha forest was being used for making IEDs and landmines. The huge stock of explosives and raw materials for manufacturing high-quality IEDs indicated that the Maoists had planned to carry out a Chhattisgarh-type operation in Bihar's Chhakrbandha forest, close to the Jharkhand border. This is for the first time when such a quantity of explosives has been seized, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Imamganj, Amit Kumar said. The seized articles include four cylinders each weighing four kg, two cylinders each weighing two kg, five pressure cookers each weighing 12 kg, steel containers weighing 10 kg, 44 pieces of tiffin bomb, 20 pieces of tin cutter and 20 pieces of hammer among others. Landmines and IEDs were also recovered from the spot. Police officials associated with the operation said that the area was being used for manufacturing illegal weapons and IEDs despite frequent raids launched by the security forces. The topography of the area which comes under the Dumaria block of the district makes the task of the security forces difficult, they revealed. In October last year, the security personnel had recovered 320 detonators and electric wire besides explosive in huge quantity during an operation in Langurahi and Pachrukhiya forests in Gaya district. The IEDs were meant for blowing up vehicles carrying security personnel during anti-Naxal operations in the district. Gaya, Aurangabad, Lakhisarai, Jamui and Munger are among the five worst Maoist-hit districts in the state.

Several Trains Rescheduled

Hyderabad : The schedule of certain trains from the city have been altered to facilitate track works between Ratangarh and Molisar on the Bikaner-Sadulapur section of North Western Railway. Train 2273 from Secunderabad to Hisar, commencing on January 28: Partially cancelled between Bikaner and Hisar. Train 07053 from Kacheguda to Bikaner, commencing January 18 and 25: Diverted via Jaipur, Phulera and Merta Road. Additional stoppages at Phulera, Makrana and Degana. Train 07054 Bikaner to Kacheguda, commencing January 21 and 28: Diverted via Merta Road, Phulera and Jaipur. Additional stoppages at Degana, Makrana and Phulera.

SCR announces two additional general class coaches to nine trains

Hyderabad: South Central Railway on Tuesday announced that two additional general class coaches would be added for nine more trains. The number of trains with additional general coaches would now reach 40. SCR, in a press release, said the augmentation of general coaches would be taken up on the following routes: Hyderabad-Mumbai CSMT; Tirupati-Hazrat Nizamuddin; Nanded-Amritsar; Hyderabad-Jaipur; Hyderabad-Visakhaptnam; Hyderabad-Tambaram; and Secunderabad-Hisar . SCR said that in July, during phase one, six pairs of trains (13 rakes) were augmented with 26 additional LHB general class coaches each. In phase two, during November-December, another 25 trains (40 rakes) were augmented with 80 additional general class coaches. With regard to the air conditioned coaches, the SCR said it was a temporary measure to suit the needs of passengers travelling in these trains.

People oppose replacing general class coaches with AC coaches

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) is facing a backlash from passengers coming from economically weaker sections for replacing general class coaches with air-conditioned (AC) coaches to address rising demand for premium travel. The SCR has released details of temporary augmentation of two trains and replacement of nine trains to address passenger demand. K. Venkatesham, who regularly travels by train, said, Railways is reducing the number of general class coaches; there must be at least five general compartments in every train. It has to increase the coaches of general and sleeper compartments. S. Shekar Reddy, who travels to Tirupati regularly, said, If they remove the general coaches the problem will increase, with no alternatives people will enter the reserved coaches. Many passengers prefer general class due to its affordability, especially during festival seasons when buses and private vehicles become expensive or unavailable. Replacing general coaches with AC coaches raises costs, making travel unaffordable for economically weaker sections, said P. Sarika. A general class coach has a capacity of 82 to 100 passengers. If two general coaches are replaced by AC coaches, around 5,000 to 6,000 passengers will be affected for each train in a month. If a person travels from Hyderabad to Tirupati in general class. the ticket price will be around `455 and in 3rd AC the price will be up to `2,195. SCR officials, however, stated that the replacement is a temporary measure because of several reasons. We have noticed the waiting list demand is high and accordingly we are replacing some coaches to accommodate the demand. There is also a huge demand for second and third AC coaches, the fares will be applied according to the replaced coach. They added that each train will definitely have mandatory two general coaches. Temporary additions/replacements in January Additions 1. Train No. 17614 and 17613 Nanded - Panvel Express: Added one 3rd AC and one sleeper 2. Train No. 17630 and 17629 Nanded - Pune Express: Added One 3rd AC and one sleeper Replacements 1. Train No. 12702 and 12701 Hyderabad to Mumbai CSMT will replace two general second class coaches with two third AC coaches. 2. Train No. 12707 and 12708 Tirupati to H.Nizamuddin will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 3. Train No. 12715 and 12716 Nanded to Amritsar will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Third AC and one Sleeper coach. 4. Train No. 12720 and 12719 Hyderabad to Jaipur will replace twp General Second Class coaches with two Third AC coaches . 5. Train No. 12728 and 12727 Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Third AC and one Sleeper coach. 6. Train No. 12760 and 12759 Hyderabad to Tambaram will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 7. Train No. 12793 and 12794 Tirupati to H. Nizamuddin, will replace two General Second Class coaches with two Sleeper coaches. 8. Train No. 22737 and 22738 Secunderabad to Hisar will replace two General Second Class coaches with one Second AC and one Sleeper coach.

Farmers call for Punjab bandh on December 30; protest garners state-wide support

CHANDIGARH: With farmers calling for Punjab Bandh on Monday, all shops across the state are expected to be closed, and road and rail services will be disrupted. Emergency services will remain operational. The farmers have called for a complete shutdown on December 30 from 7 am to 4 pm. Milk, fruits, and vegetables will not be available, as many organisations have extended their support to the protest. The offices and institutions of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will remain closed in support of the bandh. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has taken this decision in support of the farmers' struggle. Earlier, Dhami had also postponed the interim committee meeting of SGPC scheduled for December 30, to December 31. He said that the central and state governments should give up their stubborn attitude and accept the farmers' legitimate demands on a priority basis. The Kisan Wing of Congress has extended its support to the bandh. Congress MLA and president of Kisan Wing of the party Sukhpal Khaira posted on X, I extend full support to the Punjab Bandh-Bandh call by Kissan Organisations slated for tomorrow 30th December to press their legitimate demands. If the BJP government can write off 15 lakh crores debt of few hundred corporate houses why isnt it listening to the demands of crores & crores of farmers & farm labourers of India? On behalf of @INCIndia and @Kisan_Congress i extend full support to the Punjab Bandh-Bandh call by Kissan Organizations slated for tomorrow 30th December to press their legitimate demands. If the @BJP4India govt can write off 15 Lac Crores debt of few hundred corporate houses pic.twitter.com/VdDcLV6asj Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) December 29, 2024 The state roadways union also extended support to the bandh. State-run buses will be off the roads on Monday. Many traders associations have also given support to the bandh and will keep their commercial establishments closed. The decision to call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by both the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha which have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Farmers suspend Delhi march for the day as 17 injured after Haryana cops fire tear gas Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convener Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that the traders, transporters, employees unions, toll plaza workers, labour, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers' unions, social and other bodies, and some other sections have supported the bandh. The emergency services will be allowed as ambulances will be given way; and also to people going to the airport to catch international flights, candidates going to give interviews, marriages processions or anyone in a dire emergency, he said. The protesters have also announced plans to hold a Kisan Mahapanchayat at the Khanauri protest site on January 4. With Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day today farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader . Their statement comes amid the Supreme Court's strong criticism of the Punjab government for not shifting Dallewal to a hospital. The farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Centre for several demands, including a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said, We want to make it clear that the union government right from day one, has been trying to defame and suppress our agitation. as a narrative is being built that farmers are stubborn. Whereas it is the Centre that is adopting such an attitude, not listening to us and not paying any attention to farmers' demands. Our agitations have proven that, despite enduring so much due to the government's oppression, we have continued to protest in a Gandhian manner. Now, it is up to the government and constitutional bodies to decide whether they want to use force to evict Dallewal, Kohar said and added that the farmers wanted to make it clear that whatever situation arises, the responsibility will lie with the Centre and constitutional bodies. We also want to appeal to the people of the country that the agitation seeking a guarantee for MSP has reached a decisive stage. We are on the threshold of victory. We must take a strong stand. Dallewal has put his life at stake, he added. Kohar said it was up to the people of the country to decide whether to stay at home or be present in large numbers at the Khanauri Morcha in support of Dallewal. He also said Dallewal has made it clear that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of farmers in this country. Meanwhile, a Khap maha panchayat which was held at Baas village in Hisar of Haryana has extended support to the ongoing farmers stir. The resolutions made at this gathering could influence the future of the protests, as various issues including Dallewal's fast-upto-death were discussed. Farmer leaders had called on Haryana's khap panchayats to back their cause and advocate for the fulfilment of their long-standing demands.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann tells Centre to give up stubbornness, talk to farmers protesting

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to give up its stubbornness and hold talks with farmers who are protesting at the state's border over various issues , including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Farmers led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Farmer leader from Punjab Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers' demands. As his fast entered the 27th day on Sunday, doctors termed his health condition critical. Farmer leader Dallewal faints, regains consciousness after ten minutes; Haryana Khaps call for maha panchayat in Hisar In a post on X, Mann said the central government should give up its stubbornness and open the way for talks with the farmer organisations. If Modi ji can stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, then can't he talk to the farmers sitting 200 kilometres away from Delhi? What time are you waiting for? he asked. - .. ?? 200 Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) December 24, 2024 A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers attempted to march to Delhi thrice between December 6 and 14, but was stopped by security personnel in Haryana. He said it was the Centre's duty and any issue could be resolved through dialogue.

Day temperatures drop sharply in North India; intense cold wave persists in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Day temperatures dropped sharply in several areas of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh after light rain hit parts of north India on Monday, even as intense cold wave conditions persisted in Kashmir with mercury dipping several degrees below freezing point. In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and nearby areas also witnessed light snowfall which led to the closure of 30 roads in the state. People in the national capital woke up to a drizzle and fog with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The maximum temperatures in Haryana and Punjab witnessed a sharp dip as rain lashed many parts the two states. According to the Met office, Chandigarh, which received light rain during the day, recorded a maximum temperature of 13.7 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal. In Haryana, Ambala recorded a maximum temperature of 13.2 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal while Hisar also had a cold day at a high of 14.1 degrees. High altitude areas in Uttarakhand including the famous Himalayan temples received fresh snowfall and icy winds sweeping across the state. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib in Garhwal Himalayas and Munsiyari in Kumaon region received fresh snowfall intensifying cold throughout the state. The sky remained overcast throughout the day at many places including Dehradun which also received a drizzle. Mussoorie, Dhanolti and Chakrata also received snowfall, much to the delight of tourists. Temperatures dropped sharply. People were seen sitting around bonfires along the roadside to warm themselves. VIDEO | Severe cold freezes waterfalls in Uttarakhand. Visuals from Chamoli's Niti Valley. (Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/DwE2bHFrsj Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 23, 2024 Cold weather conditions also prevailed in Karnal during the day at 13.6 degrees while Sirsa recorded a high of 14.8 degrees. However, minimum temperatures hovered above normal at many places in Haryana including Hisar (10.8 degrees), Rohtak (11.8), and Gurugram (11.4). In Punjab, Patiala braved the chill recording a high of 13 degrees Celsius, which was six notches below normal. Amritsar recorded a maximum of 16.4 degrees while Ludhiana recorded a high of 14.5 degrees. The minimum temperatures at many places in Punjab hovered close to or below normal limits, with Gurdaspur reeling under severe chill at 4 degrees. In Jammu and Kashmir, the weather office asked tourists to follow the advisory issued by the traffic police in view of the sub freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads of important higher reaches in the Kashmir valley. Snowfall in Himachal brings cheer to tourists, orange alert issued Intense cold wave conditions persisted in the valley leading to the freezing of water supply lines while a thin layer of ice covered the surface of several water bodies. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, rising by nearly four degrees from the previous night, the meteorological office said. Pahalgam, the base camp for annual Amarnath Yatra in South Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius, almost unchanged from the previous night, it said. The Met office has predicted a dip of two to three degrees in minimum temperatures over the next 48 hours. Shimla, the Himachal capital, on Monday recorded the season's second light snowfall while some other parts of the state received intermittent rain and snow. The nearby tourist spots of Kufri and Narkanda and the higher reaches of Kharapathar, Chaurdhar and Chanshal South portal of the Atal tunnel, and Samdho also received snowfall. Shimla recorded 8 cm of snowfall while Kalpa recorded 7 cm. As GRAP fails, Delhi pollution strategy looks suspect A few areas in Himachal's lower hills received light intermittent rain, the Met office said. The snow led to the closure of 30 roads, including the national highways between Attari and Leh, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur district and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti district, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. The snowfall brought cheer to tourists, locals and farmers. The Met had forecast rain and snow in the mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and Saturday. The snowfall also brought cheer to apple growers, raising hope for good yields in the upper Shimla region. Tourism stakeholders said the snowfall was also expected to boost footfall. Local hotelier Sushant Nag said occupancy was set to rise as snowfall drew tourists. However, intense cold wave persisted in the lower hills, including Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Mandi. The Met office issued an 'orange' warning for severe cold in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi till Thursday. There was a marked fall in maximum temperatures. Una recorded the day temperature at 16.8 degrees Celsius. Tabo was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Power cuts add to Jammu and Kashmir winter woes The Met office said an active western disturbance was likely to affect the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains from Friday. Light rain and snow are likely at many places on Monday and Saturday and at isolated places on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, causing a gradual fall in temperatures, it said. The high-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes continued to experience biting cold, with temperatures plummeting 14 to 18 degrees below freezing point, the Met office said. In Rajasthan, light rain, triggered by a western disturbance, hit several parts of the state over the past 24 hours, accompanied by dense fog at some places, the Met office said. Rainfall ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm was logged in several areas including Ganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Anupgarh, Pilani (Jhunjhunu), it said. Fog prevailed at many places of western Rajasthan with Alwar recording the lowest minimum temperature at 7.4 degrees Celsius. A fresh western disturbance is expected to become active on Thursday and Friday and its effect will be seen in Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer and Bharatpur divisions, the weather office said.

Bihar police vow to make state free from Naxals by 2025

PATNA: Bihar police on Monday said that the state will be made free from Naxal menace by 2025. Following Amit Shah's claim , the police announced that a detailed plan to drive out Maoists from South Bihar has been chalked out and its results will be visible in the next few months. Additional director general of police (ADGP), Operations, Amrit Raj said that Maoists have already been driven out from North Bihar and no major incident of Maoist violence has been reported from this region. We hope to make the state free from Naxal menace by 2025, as we have focused our operation in South Bihar, he said. According to police reports, eight districts including Gaya, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Jamui, Munger, Rohtas, Nawada and Lakhisarai were still occupied by Naxals. We have decided to set up five forward operating bases in the districts close to the Bihar-Jharkhand border to contain activities of the outlawed red rebels, ADGP (Operations) said. The state has witnessed a decline of 72 per cent in Maoist related incidents in the last five years. The ADGP, however, claimed that only five districts--Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui, Lakhisarai and Munger--have witnessed sporadic incidents but they were not serious. The state police have information about some hardcore Maoists taking shelter in districts close to the Jharkhand border. To weaken the sources of income of the extremists, the state police have started to confiscate their property under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Since 2012, illegal assets belonging to the Maoists worth Rs 6.75 crore have already been seized and proposals to attach property of Rs 8.97 crore have been sent to the Enforcement Directorate. The property of 10 top most Maoist leaders, including Sandip Yadav, Pradumna Sharma, Masafir Sahni, Arvind Yadav, Rambabu Rajan, Pintu Rana, Binay Yadav, Anil Ram, Dilip Sahni and Abhijeet Yadav has been seized. In addition, standing crops of Opium on 2523 acres of land were also damaged by police as part of the drive to check sources of income of the extremists. The police also seized Rs 57 lakh in cash which were collected as levy by Maoists from businessmen, contractors and other affluent people. The seized money was collected by Maoists between 2020 and 2024. The Special Task Force (STF), which has been raised to contain Naxal menace, is being revamped for the purpose. Meanwhile, the state police have launched a manhunt for the arrest of Vivek, a Maoist leader operating in Aurangabad and its adjoining districts. Suresh Koda, who is active in Lakhisarai, Munger and Jamui districts, is also on the run after the state police stepped up its operation in the region, ADGP Amrit Raj claimed.

Four children killed in brick kiln wall collapse in Hisar

A girl was critically injured in the incident

Three shot dead after attending birthday party at resort in Morni near Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: Three people, two from Delhi and one from Hisar, were shot dead in the parking lot of a resort on Morni-Thapli road in Panchkula near Chandigarh on Sunday night. Sources said the three victims - Vicky and his nephew, Vipin, both from Delhi, and a woman named Nia from Hisar - had just left the resort after celebrating a birthday when unidentified assailants opened fire on their SUV, shooting multiple rounds. The three were rushed to the civil hospital in Sector 6 of Panchkula where they were declared brought dead. Vicky, around 30 years old, has a criminal background and has faced several legal cases. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and gathering other evidence. The motive behind the killing remains unclear, though authorities have not ruled out the possibility of an old grudge being involved. According to police, three men arrived at the scene in a car, opened fire on the victims and fled from the crime scene. The police control room received information about the crime early morning.

Three shot dead in hotel parking in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Three people, including a woman, were shot dead by unidentified assailants in the parking lot of a hotel in Haryana's Panchkula, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday night. The victims were identified as Vicky and Vipin, both from Delhi, and Nia from Hisar, said Station House Officer, Pinjore, Inspector Sombir. Police said the trio was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the parking lot of the hotel. The three had come to attend a birthday party when the incident took place, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Panchkula, Arvind Kamboj told PTI over phone. Vicky, aged around 30, had a criminal background and faced some cases, he said. We are scanning CCTV footage and gathering other clues, he added. The motive behind the killing was not immediately clear. Police have not ruled out old enmity.

4 Children Dead, 3 Injured After Wall Collapses In Haryana's Hisar

A wall collapse in Budhana village, Hisar, Haryana, killed four children and injured three others late Sunday. The injured minors were receiving treatment at a hospital.

SC asks Punjab govt to shift fasting farmer leader Dallewal to makeshift hospital

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Punjab government to shift fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital at the Khanauri border where his health can be monitored round-the-clock. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Punjab government Advocate General Gurminder Singh to file an undertaking during the course of the day about shifting the 70-year-old Dallewal to the makeshift hospital setup near the protest site at Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. Singh informed the bench that on Thursday the farmer leader has cooperated and underwent several tests, including ECG and blood tests. He said that Dallewal's health condition appears to be stable as of now. The bench said it will take up the matter again at around 2.30 pm. On Thursday, the bench referred to civil rights activist Irom Sharmila continuing her protest for more than a decade under medical supervision and asked the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo a health examination. It had pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast. Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces. The Haryana government set up the barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi National Highway in February after it was announced that the farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of MSP for their produce. Farmer leader Dallewal faints, regains consciousness after ten minutes; Haryana Khaps call for maha panchayat in Hisar

Temperatures drop in Delhi, Punjab; slight respite from cold for Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Cold weather conditions persisted in parts of north and west India on Sunday with the mercury dropping several notches in Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. Kashmir and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received some respite from the intense cold as minimum temperatures rose. The respite for Kashmir is likely to be short-lived as the meteorological department has predicted a cold wave in parts of the valley over the next three days. Delhi's minimum temperature dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches below normal, but cold wave conditions did not prevail, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The mercury settled at a low of 8 degrees Celsius in the city on Saturday. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.2 notches below normal, the IMD said. The weather department has forecast moderate fog in Delhi on Monday. The minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to settle at 5 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius respectively. Punjab and Haryana also remained in the grip of cold weather conditions with Faridkot recording the lowest temperature in the region at 1 degree Celsius, according to the meteorological department. Punjab's Gurdaspur and Bathinda recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius and 4.6 degrees Celsius respectively at night, it said. The mercury settled at a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius in Pathankot, 3.9 degrees Celsius in Amritsar, 6.8 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana and 3.8 degrees Celsius in Patiala. In Haryana, Hisar shivered at 1.7 degrees Celsius and Narnaul recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. Bhiwani recorded a low of 4 degrees Celsius, Gurugram 5.6 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 5.2 degrees Celsius and Ambala 5.7 degrees Celsius. The weather office said that Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rose by three to five notches in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh while cold wave conditions gripped the lower hills as the weather remained dry. Tabo was the coldest place in the state at night with a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius and Shimla was the warmest at 12.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 notches above normal. The adjoining resorts of Kufri and Narkanda recorded a low of 9.8 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius respectively. In the lower hills, Una recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and Sundernagar 0.6 degrees Celsius. The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' warning for cold wave at isolated places in the lower hills and plains till Thursday and predicted dry weather in the state over the next seven days. Cold wave conditions will prevail in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and parts of Kangra districts, the weather office said. There was no significant change in maximum temperatures in Himachal Pradesh. Solan was the hottest during the day at 24.7 degrees Celsius followed by Shimla at 19 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. Kashmir saw a slight respite from intense cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures rose across the valley, though they remained below the freezing point. The summer capital of Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the meteorological department said. Gulmarg, a tourist destination popular for skiing, registered a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius -- a rise of nearly four notches from the night before. Pahalgam, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, logged a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, three notches higher than the previous night. Konibal, a hamlet on the outskirts of Pampore town, was the coldest place in the valley with the mercury settling at a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, 3.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and 2.8 degrees Celsius in Kokernag. According to the meteorological office, the weather in the valley is likely to remain mainly dry till December 21. Minimum temperatures are predicted to drop and a cold wave is likely over many stations during the next three days, the weather office said. In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts and Fatehpur recorded sub-zero temperatures for the third consecutive day on Sunday. According to the meteorological department, the minimum temperature in Fatehpur settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius. Churu recorded a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius; Bhilwara 2.2 degrees Celsius; Sangaria, Pilani and Sirohi 2.6 degrees Celsius; Chittorgarh 3.2 degrees Celsius and Alwar 4 degrees Celsius. The mercury settled below 10 degrees Celsius at several other places in the state.

Haryana Womens Commission Official Sonia Aggarwal held in Bribe Case

Chandigarh: Haryana Women Commission Vice Chairperson Sonia Aggarwal and her driver Kulbir were arrested on Saturday by the states Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on charges of accepting a bribe. According to an official statement, the ACB caught Kulbir red-handed while he was accepting 1 lakh from a complainant. The complainant, a teacher married to a Haryana Police sub-inspector, approached the ACB after his wife filed an application against him before the Haryana Womens Commission on November 25. During the proceedings, Aggarwals driver, Kulbir, allegedly demanded a bribe to resolve the matter. On December 12, Aggarwal reportedly instructed the complainant to pay 1 lakh to Kulbir for settling the issue. A trap was set by the ACB, with one team deployed to Kharkhoda and another to Hisar. On December 14, Kulbir was caught accepting the bribe near Jindal Park in Hisar, while Aggarwal was arrested from Kharkhoda. The ACB is continuing its investigation into the case. The arrests have sparked attention due to the involvement of a prominent official in a corruption scandal.

Bihar teacher falls victim to 'Pakadua Vivah' or forced marriage tradition, lodges police complaint

PATNA: A 30-year school teacher was allegedly kidnapped and forced to marry a 25-year-old girl in Bihar's Katihar district on Friday, reminding people of 'Pakadua Vivah' (forced marriage) prevalent in the state for several decades. During the wedding season, the incident 'Pakadua Vivah' is a common feature in Bihar's several districts, including Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Patna, Nalanda, Samastipur, Jamui and Munger. Police have to grapple with incidents of forced marriage which at times take an ugly turn. Avnish Kumar, posted as an assistant teacher at a government school in Katihar district, was allegedly held captive by two SUV-borne people when he was going to school by an e-rickshaw. The SUVs stopped near a temple after covering a distance of about two to three kilometres. The relatives of the girl were present at the temple where Avnish was forced to perform rituals under threat. His protests and even repeated pleas to spare him didn't deter the relatives of the girl Gunjan Kumari, a native of the Lakhisarai district. The wedding was solemnized by the local priest chanting the mantras. The couple later left for Avnish's native village in Begusarai district. Avnish escaped when the vehicle stopped at a place before his native village Rajaura Sikandarpur under Mufassil police station in Begusarai district. The girl and her relatives reached Avnish's house where the family members refused to accept her as 'bahu' (daughter-in-law). As the situation took an ugly turn, the girl reached Mufassil police station and sought police intervention. Gunjan, in her complaint, alleged that she was in a 'relationship' with Avnish for over four years. She met him at her elder sister's house where Avnish used to be a tutor. Gunjan's sister and Avnish are stated to be co-residents. She told the police that Avnish started ignoring her since he was appointed as a teacher in a government school through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC TRE-2) and posted in Katihar. She claimed that she visited Katihar whenever Avnish called her and returned to her sister's house after staying three-four days with him. She alleged that Avnish established a physical relationship with her on several occasions on the pretext of marriage. Avnish's father Sudhakar Roy was summoned by the Mufassil police after the girl formally submitted a written complaint and requested that SHO Arvind Kumar Gautam to forward the matter to the Mahila Helpline for counselling. The SHO said that the matter was being verified as the place of occurrence didn't fall under his jurisdiction. The incidents of alleged abduction and marriage took place somewhere else, the SHO said. A video about alleged forced marriage also went viral on social media. Avnish later told the media that he had already informed the Katihar superintendent of police about his kidnapping and subsequent forced marriage. The marriage was solemnized against my wishes and rituals were performed under threat, he added. A case of kidnapping for marriage and physical assault has been lodged in Katihar, he revealed. However, he admitted that he came in contact with Gunjan when he used to teach students at her sister's house before his appointment as a teacher in a government school. I used to work as a teacher in a private school and teach students at their houses as well, he said. He alleged that the girl used to call him on one pretext or the other after he was selected as a teacher by the BPSC. I even blocked her mobile phones but she used to call me by changing her numbers, he added. 'Pakadua Vivah' is an old, bizarre tradition in Bihar in which the bride's family kidnaps an unmarried man and forces him to marry at gunpoint. Police sources said that incidents of kidnapping for marriage have increased manifold in recent years with raising demand of dowry in affluent families. According to police, 2024 has recorded the highest cases of 'grooms kidnapping' or forced marriage in the last 30 years. A similar case was reported in Bihar's Vaishali district where a school teacher was kidnapped and married at gunpoint at a village under Patepur police station.

Farm dialogue: Chouhan meets Haryana & Chhattisgarh farmers

NEW DELHI, Dec 10: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday met representatives of farmers organisations from Haryana and Chhattisgarh and discussed various issues facing the farm sector. Farmers representing Chhattisgarh Yuva Pragatisheel Kisan Sangh, Naugama Khap Kisan Sangathan Jind, Satrol Khap Seva Samiti Hisar, and Nandal Khap Rohtak participated in the discussions. During the meeting, the farmers appreciated the work being done by the central government in the field of agriculture and farmers welfare and gave some important [] The post Farm dialogue: Chouhan meets Haryana & Chhattisgarh farmers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

BPSC exam row: Tejashwi Yadav demands extension in exam date

Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday came in support of protesting BPSC aspirants and demanded extension in the exam date of the upcoming 70th Preliminary examination of the Commission, scheduled to be held on December 13. Talking to reporters in Lakhisarai, Yadav who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly said 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 .

Mumbai Transit Set To Improve As Rs 20,648-Crore Coastal Road And Dahisar-Bhayander Link Projects Receive Environmental Clearances

Folk Song Performed By Patna Girls In State Art Festival Win Hearts

Over 1500 individuals from 38 districts participated in the three-day art festival at Gandhi Maidan in Bihar's Lakhisarai district