Albania In Chaos; Violent Youth Protests Target Rama Over Trump Son-In-Laws Resort Plan
A political rebellion is gathering force in Albania as a 25-year-old lawmaker once hand-picked by Prime Minister Edi Rama joins protesters demanding his resignation. Marjana Koceku has broken ranks as student-led demonstrations in Tirana spiral into violent clashes, with youths hurling rocks at police and riot squads unleashing tear gas and water cannons. The unrest is fuelled by allegations of government corruption, demands for education reform and fury over a luxury coastal resort project linked to Jared Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law. The growing revolt is putting Ramas government under mounting pressure.
Abhijeet Dipke Granted Conditional Bail Day After Arrest in Delhi, Ordered to Maintain Peace
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail on Saturday, a day after being detained while heading toward Connaught Place and subsequently arrested. Dipke was released by the Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg subject to a conditional bail bond. As part of the primary bail conditions, Dipke must ensure [] The post Abhijeet Dipke Granted Conditional Bail Day After Arrest in Delhi, Ordered to Maintain Peace appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Left student outfits to take out march to Lok Bhavan in Keralam on October 23
The march, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, will be inaugurated by Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan; leaders of the Communist Party of India and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) will also participate in the protest
Jammu Kashmir Mahila Congress Workers Stage Protest Against IAS Officer in Srinagar
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Mahila Congress workers staged a protest in Srinagar on Saturday, demanding action against senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, opposing alleged voter deletions and seeking justice in the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand. Scores of women activists gathered at the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters on MA []
Will understand sugarcane farmers concerns, see if we can provide assistance: DK Shivakumar
Amid the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers in Karnataka demanding an increase in Minimum Selling Price (MSP), Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he would visit Belagavi to meet farmers, understand their concerns and explore the possibility of assisting. Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said sugarcane farmers were working hard and facing several challenges, adding that the issue was not confined to Karnataka but was a matter of national concern.
Opposition Criticizes Central Government Over Voter Rights and Protest Restrictions
Opposition leaders accuse the government of undermining voter rights and stifling protests, demanding accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner. Opposition Criticizes Central Government Over Voter Rights and Protest Restrictions
The protesters gathered near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and marched towards the headquarters to submit a memorandum demanding accountability for alleged sexualised and gendered violence against demonstrators
J-K Mahila Congress workers stage protest against IAS officer, CEC
Srinagar, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Mahila Congress workers on Saturday held a protest here on several issues, including an IAS officer's use of abusive language against a junior colleague, vote chori and the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Scores of women activists assembled at the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Srinagar and took out a protest march, shouting slogans against senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, who landed in a controversy over his alleged use of abusive language against a female JKAS officer during a review meeting on Wednesday. The protesters demanded action against Ranjan and raised slogans in support of the JKAS officer, Beenish Wani. They also protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged mass deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, accusing him of vote chori. The protesters burnt Kumar's effigy and demanded his resignation. They also demanded action against those involved in the killing of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old employee at a resort in Uttarakhand, who was murdered in 2022. Bhandari's parents held a sit-in protest at India Gate in Delhi on Wednesday, demanding justice. The Mahila Congress workers tried to take the protest outside their office on M A Road, but were stopped by police.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha Announces October 23 Delhi March Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Farmers organisations plan nationwide demonstrations alongside a Delhi march, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision.
Bhopal Murder: Crowd Demands Justice For Slain Girl
An angry crowd attempted to storm a police station in Bhopal on Saturday, demanding justice after a 12-year-old girl was found murdered in an abandoned building on Friday. Police have arrested a 23-year-old suspect and are awaiting the postmortem report to determine further details, including potential sexual assault.
Gyanesh Kumar must be removede: DMK passes resolution demanding CEC's ouster, backs student protests
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Parliamentary Party on Saturday adopted a resolution demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from office and an inquiry into his conduct, accusing him of spearheading the systematic disenfranchisement of legitimate voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The resolution was among four adopted at a meeting of DMK Members of Parliament held at the Murasoli Maran Meeting Hall at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, under the leadership of DMK President and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. According to the resolution, when reports emerged that large numbers of voters were being systematically deleted from electoral rolls in Bihar, the first state where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was introduced, DMK President M.K. Stalin raised his voice in protest in July 2025, even before the Assembly elections. Stalin also participated in the Voter Adhikar Yatra organised in Bihar...
Amid the anti CEC protest in Delhi and multiple detentions, Actor Prakash Raj has voiced support for the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and its protest demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a video message, the actor questioned the
Six Arrested In Bengaluru Spa Extortion Case
Bengaluru police arrested six individuals, including four women, for allegedly extorting Rs 1 lakh from a spa owner. The accused posed as members of an organisation and media representatives, threatening to publicise alleged illegal activities before assaulting staff and demanding money.
Women's groups in New Delhi organized a protest at the Delhi Police Headquarters on Saturday. They demanded accountability for police personnel accused of sexually assaulting protesters during recent demonstrations. The protestors highlighted numerous incidents of harassment, alleging misconduct against women, transgender, and non-binary individuals. In addition, they called for action against officials responsible for these abuses and sought to ensure safety in public life.
Protesters allege assault in custody, abuse in Tihar after demanding FIR against Delhi Police ACP
Langur Mela Draws Hanuman Devotees
Glimpses of the annual Langur Mela at Bada Hanuman Mandir in Amritsar, where children dressed as Lord Hanuman and his langur sena offer prayers.
DMK Head MK Stalin Who Hounded And Jailed His Critics Comes In Support Of Anarchist Cockroaches
DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has come out in support of cockroach Abhijeet Dipke and commie Neha Bora, who were reportedly detained by Delhi Police amid protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, political analyst Kishore K Swamy hit back at Stalin, reminding him of his [] The post DMK Head MK Stalin Who Hounded And Jailed His Critics Comes In Support Of Anarchist Cockroaches appeared first on The Commune .
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Delhi Police on Saturday registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) over violations of prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and other parts of New Delhi on Friday. Officials said action would be taken against repeat offenders. According to police sources, the FIRs have been registered for violations of orders issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Police said announcements were made asking people to disperse, but a crowd gathered around Connaught Place despite the restrictions. The action comes after protesters held a Tiranga rally outside Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday amid heightened security in the national Capital. Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was arrested in connection with the party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' rally at Central Park. He is scheduled to be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on Saturday. Abhijeet is arrested and will be produced before the SEM court. His location is still unknown, and lawyers haven't met him, CJP's head of legal affairs, Ratna Singh, said in a post on X. All India Students' Association (AISA) leader Neha Bora was also detained near Mandi House as police tightened security across central Delhi. She was subsequently released, according to reports. The detentions came amid tensions following the arrest and judicial remand of two CJP co-convenors, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. They were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar and unfurling the National Flag on October 13, a day after the designated protest site was de-notified. This was the second time in a week that Dipke had been detained by Delhi Police. He was earlier taken into custody shortly after arriving in the national Capital from Mumbai to participate in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Ahead of Friday's proposed rally, police had served Dipke a notice stating that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site and that the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had not granted permission for the proposed Tiranga Yatra. The notice, issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, warned that organising the march or assembling a crowd would violate the prohibitory orders in force in the area. During an interaction with police personnel at his residence, Dipke questioned the grounds for his detention, asking, What kind of accusation have you levelled against me? When told that he could not travel to New Delhi and was being detained, he questioned which law he had violated. Police clarified that waving the National Flag was not prohibited. However, they said organising an unauthorised procession or gathering a crowd in violation of restrictions could invite legal action. Dipke was also reminded of the provisions of the Flag Code concerning the respectful display of the Tricolour.
Cockroach Janta Party activist Abhijeet Dipke to appear before magistrate at Mandir Marg
The News Mill
CJP's Abhijeet Dipke to be produced before Magistrate at Mandir Marg Police Station today
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained by the Delhi Police ahead of the planned
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday accused the Centre of acting arbitrarily on the proposed delimitation exercise, questioning its reluctance to convene an all-party meeting on the issue. His remarks came after Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an all-party meeting to discuss the delimitation proposals. Wadettiwar said matters of national importance should be discussed with both the ruling alliance and the Opposition, irrespective of the latter's strength. Criticising the Centre over its approach to delimitation and the demand for an all-party meeting, Wadettiwar said, Modi Govt is acting arbitrarily. They did not even get the majority; they formed the Govt with support of other parties. Opposition is strong. But irrespective of the Opposition being strong or small, such matters should be discussed by both sides...Why is the Govt scared? Because they have done wrong. So, they won'...
Neha Bora released after being detained from the protest march in Mandi House
Addressing her overnight detention from Mandi House until dawn, Neha Bora questioned police procedures against demonstrators, asking, Which law allows this kind of detention? Bora stated that authorities are carrying out repeated detentions without following standard legal protocol. She demanded the immediate release of all detained demonstrators, including Abhijeet Dipke, and sought an end to curfew-like curbs across Central Delhi.
Neha Bora released, Dipke to be produced in court today
AISA president Neha Bora was released early Saturday morning after preventive detention, while CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke is set to appear before the SEM court in Delhi following his arrest for breach of peace. Both were detained ahead of a protest march on Friday, with Bora criticising the detentions as illegal and demanding the release of all protesters.
Dir Agri inaugurates agricultural products sale centre at Lal Mandi
Srinagar, Oct 16: Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, on Friday inaugurated a Sale Centre for Agricultural Products at the Directorate of Agriculture, Lal Mandi, Srinagar, in the presence of Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) and other concerned officers of the department. The establishment of the Sale Centre marks an important initiative towards promoting agricultural products and strengthening their marketing through an organised platform. The centre is aimed at facilitating the availability of agricultural products to consumers while providing greater visibility and market opportunities for the produce of the agricultural sector. On the occasion, the Director Agriculture underscored the importance of strengthening marketing infrastructure and promoting agricultural products through dedicated sale outlets. He emphasised that such initiatives can play a significant role in improving market access, encouraging agricultural entrepreneurship and fostering stronger linkages between producers and consumers. He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts among departmental officers to ensure the effective functioning of the centre and to promote greater awareness about the availability and significance of agricultural products. The initiative underscores the Department of Agriculture Kashmirs continued commitment to promoting the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs, and creating better avenues for the marketing and promotion of agricultural produce. Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) and other officers present on the occasion appreciated the initiative and reiterated their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening agricultural marketing and promoting the sectors growth.
Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bohra detained on way to Lehra Do Tiranga protest
New Delhi, Oct 16: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bohra were detained by Delhi Police on Friday while on their way to Connaught Place to participate in the Lehra Do Tiranga protest in Connaught Place. While Dipke was picked up from his home in Jhandewalan, Bohra was detained in Mandi House, both in Central Delhi. There was chaos with jostling crowds, camera crews and swarms of security personnel as the two were detained. Earlier in the day, more than 20 Delhi Police personnel visited Dipkes residence in Jhandewalan and served him a notice directing him to refrain from any action that could prejudice the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, patients and others.
Director Agriculture inaugurates agricultural products sale centre at Lal Mandi
Srinagar, Oct 16:Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, today inaugurated a Sale Centre for Agricultural Products at the Directorate of Agriculture, Lal Mandi, Srinagar, in the presence of Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) and other concerned officers of the department. The establishment of the Sale Centre marks an important initiative towards promoting agricultural products and strengthening their marketing through an organised platform. The centre is aimed at facilitating the availability of agricultural products to consumers while providing greater visibility and market opportunities for the produce of the agricultural sector. On the occasion, the Director Agriculture underscored the importance of strengthening marketing infrastructure and promoting agricultural products through dedicated sale outlets. He emphasised that such initiatives can play a significant role in improving market access, encouraging agricultural entrepreneurship and fostering stronger linkages between producers and consumers. He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts among departmental officers to ensure the effective functioning of the centre and to promote greater awareness about the availability and significance of agricultural products. The initiative underscores the Department of Agriculture Kashmirs continued commitment to promoting the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs, and creating better avenues for the marketing and promotion of agricultural produce. Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) and other officers present on the occasion appreciated the initiative and reiterated their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening agricultural marketing and promoting the sectors growth.
ICC Jammu delegation meets Div Com Vikas Kundal
Jammu, Oct 16:A delegation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu chapter, led by its chairman, Rahul Sahai met Vikas Kundal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and submitted a representation highlighting priority issues concerning trade, industry and civic development across (Jammu) division. The delegation congratulated Kundal on assuming charge and conveyed ICCs commitment to constructive cooperation with the administration. Other members present included Ashish Jain, Anil Sharma, Raj Dua, Nitin Jain and Ashwani. Presenting the concerns of the business community, Sahai sought time-bound departmental clearances, effective single-window facilitation and a stipulated timeline for Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals, with a provision for deemed approval after the prescribed period. The delegation highlighted pending lease renewals in Transport Nagar, Fruit Mandi and Bahu Plaza, alongside unresolved land-use issues. It urged early resolution of the Gair Mumkin Khad issue, approval of the pending Master Plan and attention to revenue settlement matters, noting their implications for citizens, traders and economic activity. ICC also sought a review of incomplete Jammu Metropolitan Region Development Authority projects, particularly works in Transport Nagar, and consideration of a second phase of development. Reliable electricity supply, timely transformer upgrades, dedicated industrial feeders wherever feasible and prompt resolution of billing grievances were also emphasised. Raising the issue of delayed MSME payments, Sahai called for clearance of verified government dues, including payments to Amrit Pharmacy suppliers under Ayushman Bharat, through a transparent, time-bound process following First-In, First-Out principles. Wider adoption of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) was also advocated. The representation further sought better roads, drainage, street lighting, parking, warehousing and cargo facilities. The delegation requested an audit of non-functional park lighting in Trikuta Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Channi and other localities to improve public safety. Industry-linked skill development, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, improved amenities at religious destinations and stronger citizenadministrationpolice cooperation against drug abuse and theft also formed part of the discussions. Sahai proposed regular coordination meetings between the administration, ICC and concerned departments, supported by a time-bound action plan. He reiterated ICC Jammus commitment to supporting initiatives that promote investment, employment and public welfare.
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Finding Khalistan: How a Fringe Separatist Fantasy Is Poisoning the Sikh Image Worldwide
Two years after pro-Khalistan radicals stormed the Sabha Mandir in Brampton, attacking devotees with The post Finding Khalistan: How a Fringe Separatist Fantasy Is Poisoning the Sikh Image Worldwide appeared first on Khalsa Vox .
Families demand justice after Pakistan school collapse
Parents are demanding accountability after a school roof collapse in Pakistan's Peshawar killed 34 children. Families demand justice after Pakistan school collapse
Israeli Settlers Attack American Journalist In West Bank; Washington Post Photographer Hospitalised
Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was injured during an attack by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villagers harvesting olives in Abu Falah in the West Bank. Reuters witnesses reported that around 80 settlers descended on the olive groves, burning trees and hurling stones. Israeli troops later arrived and fired tear gas, while gunfire was also heard. Levine was taken to hospital in Ramallah after Palestinian colleagues intervened to help her.The US Embassy in Jerusalem condemned the violence and called for investigations, arrests and convictions of those responsible. It said the Trump administration was monitoring the situation and prioritised the safety of Americans. The Washington Post also condemned the attack, saying Levine was recovering after receiving treatment and demanding a thorough investigation.
Dipke, Neha Bora among over 150 detained amid
New Delhi, Oct 16: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and AISA chief Neha Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police here on Friday while on their way to participate in the Lehra Do Tiranga protests, with Dipke headed to Connaught Place and Bora to Mandi House. While Dipke was picked up from his [] The post Dipke, Neha Bora among over 150 detained amid Lehra Do Tiranga protests first appeared on Highland Post .
DYFI blocks key stretch in Sholingur town demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumars resignation
Mumbai station tense as mob tries to free ticketless woman
A woman caught travelling ticketless at Kandivali station on Friday caused a ruckus when she tried to flee without paying a fine. The incident escalated into a confrontation involving a railway official, a fall, and a mob demanding an apology, requiring police intervention.
BREAKING: Trump DUMPS New Press Secy Katie Zacharia In Just 5 Days After WH Briefing Disaster
Donald Trump has fired White House press secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days on the job, following a shaky briefing room debut and growing questions about her experience and background. Trump had reportedly warned Zacharia to reconsider the role, telling her, Honestly, if I were you, Id reconsider. While defending her against media criticism and praising her loyalty, he admitted the demanding position might not be right for her. Zacharias first briefing saw her take just three questions, drawing scrutiny from journalists and fellow Trump aides. Her abrupt exit raises fresh questions about turmoil inside the Trump administration.
Farm forums, activists hold fast demanding protection of Auroville, Annapurna organic farm
3D pandal, special rituals await devotees at Mahavir Mandir
Man climbs tower in Pratapgarh demanding marriage with minor
Bharat Rakshaya Mancha Holds Shastra Pujan At Ram Mandir In Bhubaneswar
Youths showcase martial arts and self-defence skills; leaders stress cultural pride
Maharashtra announces Best Public Ganeshotsav Mandal Competition 2026 winners
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar presented the awards and certificates to the winning mandals at a ceremony held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi on Friday
Political Tensions Rise Over PCA Land Deal in Punjab
Punjab BJP raises concerns over a land scam linked to the PCA, demanding an investigation into alleged corruption involving AAP leaders. Political Tensions Rise Over PCA Land Deal in Punjab
Delhi police detain Neha Bora at Mandi House
Ankita Bhandari Case: Cong Seva Dal Holds Candle March, Demands Justice
Carrying candles and raising slogans demanding justice, participants emphasised that the concerns of Ankita Bhandari's family must be addressed and that every relevant allegation must be examined fairly.
Sand lorry owners protest demanding reopening of sand quarries
Seva Dal Marches For Ankita Bhandari, Seeks Impartial Probe
The Congress' Seva Dal organised a candle march in New Delhi, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022. The protest called for an impartial investigation and accountability, especially regarding allegations against BJP's Dushyant Gautam, whose recent appointment as Sikkim Governor has drawn criticism from the Congress.
IAS officer accused of abusing female JKAS officer Beenish Wani; J&K Govt orders inquiry
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a 15-day inquiry into allegations that IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan verbally abused JKAS officer Beenish Wani during a virtual official meeting. The incident sparked political criticism, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling for accountability and JKAS officers demanding an impartial investigation.
AISA President Neha Bora Detained Ahead of Lehra Do Tiranga Protest
AISA president Neha Bora was detained by Delhi Police near Mandi House on Friday while heading to the Cockroach Janata Partys Lehra Do Tiranga protest.
Nabarangpur: Retd. Teacher, Ex-Clerk Get 4-Yr RI in Pension Bribery Case
The Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Jayapur, convicted a former junior clerk and a retired primary school teacher on Friday for demanding and accepting a bribe from a widow to facilitate the sanction of her late husbands family pension. The convicts have been identified as Tapan Kumar Khosla, former Junior Clerk at the office of [] The post Nabarangpur: Retd. Teacher, Ex-Clerk Get 4-Yr RI in Pension Bribery Case appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
'Once again, an abduction': Aides claim Neha Bora taken to unknown location by cops
AISA chief Neha Bora was detained by Delhi Police while heading to a protest, and was taken to an unknown location. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke was also detained at his residence shortly before the protest. Police stated the situation remained peaceful despite the detentions and heightened security in the capital. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Connaught Place and Mandi House, waving national flags.
The Elephant Ownership Exception: A History of Protection and Possession
In 1963, private forest owners in Malabar challenged provisions of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961 (Act IV of 1962). The question before the Court was whether the State could deprive forest owners of their existing right to capture and own elephants found on their land. In Kuppathode Madhavan Nair v State of Kerala (1963), the Kerala High Court sided with the owners. Applying common-law principles inherited from the colonial period, it held that ownership of land conferred a qualified right over wild animals found there ( ratione soli ), including the right to capture them and claim them as private property. Within a decade, the Indian Parliament would enact a national conservation law and the Constitution would soon expressly recognise duties towards forests, wildlife ( Article 48A ) and living creatures ( Article 51A(g) ). Even though the elephants legal status would change profoundly as both a Schedule I animal in law and a National Heritage Animal, a symbol of the country itself, the owners place in her life would prove much harder to dislodge. Elephants, forests and capture The Malabar litigation belonged to a much longer history in which protecting elephants and putting them to work were closely connected. In Elephants and Kings: An Environmental History (2015), Thomas R. Trautmann, a historian and anthropologist, explains how the military value of elephants gave Indian rulers an interest in preserving wild populations and the forests that sustained them, even as they continued to capture individual animals. Academic Natasha Nongbris 2003 study of nineteenth-century Northeast India shows how colonial authorities regulated capture of elephants through licences, leased grounds and royalties. The forest was not simply a place where elephants lived. It was also the source of successive generations taken into captivity. Preserving wild elephant populations and capturing individual animals became part of the same policy which gave birth to the Elephant Preservation Act, 1879, a national law modelled on the regional Madras Wild Elephant Preservation Act, 1873. It was arguably the first national law on Elephants in British India enacted with the ostensive realisation that a live elephant was more valuable than dead. The policy as preservation, not conservation, was instrumentalised to preserve the source the elephant in the forest, to allow for its simultaneous extraction from it to feed the rising demand for captive elephants. Among the important establishments in this system were Dacca, now Dhaka, and Mysore , both associated with khedda operations in which wild elephants were driven into stockades and subdued with the help of trained elephants. The Dacca establishment drew upon the Garo Hills and other northeastern forests, while the Mysore operations captured elephants from the forests of southern India. These regional systems of capture existed alongside wider networks of trade. The Sonpur fair in Bihar , already an important elephant market in the nineteenth century, connected elephants captured in the Northeast with buyers from elsewhere in India. Against this background of an extensive elephant trade, the forest-owning timber merchants in Kuppathode Madhavan Nair asserted their right to capture elephants and put them to work within a legal order that still accepted their removal into human service. The shift in constitutional law The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 introduced a national framework for conservation, prohibiting the hunting of the most protected species. Yet the elephants initial classification revealed how much of the older world remained. She appeared in Schedule II, Part I as special game, whose hunting which included capture could be licensed, while Section 2(6) included domestic elephants, curiously for a wildlife law, in its definition of cattle. The changes of the next five years gave the law a different direction. The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976 , passed during the Emergency, is remembered for weakening fundamental rights and curbing the powers of the courts. Yet it left a curious and enduring legacy in the protection of the environment and animals. Even during the darkest period of Indira Gandhis leadership, her concern for the natural world found expression in the Constitution. The amendment inserted Article 48A, directing the State to protect the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife, and Article 51A(g), making it the duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment and to have compassion for living creatures. These duties gave constitutional weight to the responsibilities we owe to the non-human world. In October 1977, months after these provisions took effect, the elephant was elevated to Schedule I , bringing her capture within the highest level of statutory protection. In 1986, amid growing concern over the killing of elephants for their tusks, Parliament prohibited domestic trade in Indian elephant ivory. In 1991, following stronger international restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, it extended the prohibition to imported ivory, which traders had been using as a cover for selling ivory from poached Indian elephants . That year, Parliament also removed the Acts definition of cattle, which had included domestic elephants. It introduced livestock in its place, expressly excluding protected wild animals. Yet these changes did not bring private ownership of elephants to an end. Under Sections 4042, people in lawful possession of elephants could declare them to the authorities and obtain certificates recognising their ownership after an inquiry. Even as the law strengthened protection for elephants and restricted the trade in their ivory, it continued to recognise that a living elephant could remain someones property. The 2002 amendment: live elephant ownership exception and the prohibition on sale A 2002 amendment to the Act (which became effective from 2003) tightened restrictions on private ownership of protected captive animals. However, it expressly exempted live elephants. Although the newly introduced Section 43 prohibited transfers for any commercial consideration, a person could still acquire an elephant and pass her to another owner with the necessary permissions. This left an opening for sales disguised as gifts. In the years that followed, animal protection organisations documented how this distinction enabled trade to continue. At the Sonpur Mela in Bihar, where elephants had long been bought and sold, transactions were now presented as gifts. Researchers even recorded owners carrying blank gift deeds to transfer possession. These practices formed part of the challenge brought to the Supreme Court in 2014 by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and others in W.P.(C) No. 743 of 2014. Still pending twelve years later, the WRRC case has become a central proceeding through which the Court supervises the treatment and regulation of captive elephants. Although the Court imposed no blanket prohibition, the continuing proceedings, notices to forest departments in every State with captive elephants, and numerous interim orders largely halted the trade. These included a nationwide census and checks on ownership certificates , welfare inspections at tourist resorts in Goa , and an order blocking Keralas attempt to regularise 289 elephants held without ownership certificates and restraining their transfer. The Courts scrutiny of ownership papers and transfers had made the trade harder to carry on. A 2021 case in Guwahati High Court confirmed the concerns raised by WRRC before the Supreme Court in 2014. In April 2021, forest officials at Doomdooma in Assams Tinsukia district intercepted two elephants travelling from Arunachal Pradesh to Odisha, ostensibly for religious purposes. Their investigation went beyond the ownership certificates and transport permissions. In a recorded statement, the claimed owner described bank payments of 9 lakh and 17 lakh from an intermediary who had also arranged the documents. He could not identify the receiving religious institution. In State of Assam v. Sri Chow Sonjit Pomong (2021), the Gauhati High Court found prima facie evidence of a commercial sale and set aside the order releasing the elephants to the claimed owner while the investigation continued. The elephants were reported to be in the Forest Departments custody at Kaziranga National Park. The 2022 amendment: religious and other purposes In December 2021, the Central Government introduced the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 , which went considerably further than the amendment eventually enacted. It proposed exempting transfers of live elephants by ownership certificate holders from Section 43 altogether, subject to government permission and prescribed conditions. This would have removed the prohibition on commercial transfers for those elephants, allowing them to be openly bought and sold again. The pressure for change came particularly from Kerala, where temple authorities and private elephant owners associations were seeking easier acquisition and interstate transfer of elephants. In my view, the elephant provision in the 2022 amendment must be understood as an attempt to loosen the practical restraints that the Supreme Courts scrutiny in the WRRC case had helped impose. Following objections from conservation and animal protection organisations, the Parliamentary Standing Committee chaired by Jairam Ramesh recommended deleting this proposal. In April 2022, it suggested a narrower provision allowing transfers of existing captive elephants for religious institutions, with additional safeguards. The version Parliament ultimately enacted extended this to transfers for a religious or any other purpose , subject to conditions prescribed by the Central Government. The prohibition on commercial consideration remained. Non-commercial transfers were already possible under the elephant exception introduced in 2002. An amendment was therefore unnecessary merely to allow an elephant to pass from one private owner to another as a gift. In this respect, the new provision largely reaffirmed the existing position, while creating a specific framework for central rules governing transfers . Its practical significance lay in giving renewed statutory backing to transfers at a time when litigation and enforcement had made them increasingly difficult. The words any other purpose were particularly troubling because they offered no meaningful limit of their own. For those of us who had worked to curb the use of elephants for begging, entertainment, circuses and timber logging, the concern was that this broad wording could encourage attempts to revive practices we had spent years challenging. The safeguards governing these transfers consequently became crucial. On March 14, 2024, fifteen months after the amendment, the government notified the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules (2024 Rules). These attempted to place meaningful safeguards around a difficult accommodation. By limiting transfers to elephants whose ownership certificates predated the Rules and to their offspring, and by requiring registration of genetic profiles, they offered a means of confining transfers to an identifiable population already lawfully in captivity. Read together, these provisions seek to break the logic of the khedda , in which the forest continually supplied elephants for human use. Putting this into practice is a demanding exercise. The State must build a reliable genetic record of the captive population, then verify each claimed captive birth through a DNA match with the mother and records establishing that she was lawfully held. Each new addition must be traceable to this legally recognised population, closing off the forest as a continuing source of captive elephants. Yet the government was still struggling to identify the population it sought to regulate. In August 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change placed the proceedings of the Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welfare Committee (formed under Project Elephant) for the month of February before the Supreme Court in the WRRC case . These recorded that the profiling exercise remained incomplete and that, among 2,075 samples analysed, 40.5 per cent of elephants had unknown origins and 25.4 per cent were documented as wild-caught. Nearly two-thirds therefore fell into these two categories. The continuing exception These concerns have become urgent with the September 2026 movement of five young elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu temples: Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal and Bijuli. More than fifty organisations have sought an independent investigation into their origins, ownership documents and the possibility of sales disguised as gifts. The pace of the transfers shows how readily decisions that will shape decades of an elephants life can be made while fundamental questions remain publicly unanswered. In my account of Durgas transfer , the sequence from the request for a health certificate to her departure from Manas took three days. Her ownership certificate was issued in October 2025, after the 2024 Rules came into effect, so her transfer depended on a claimed captive birth to a mother covered by them, yet her mothers identity and lawful captive status remained publicly unverified. A five-year-old elephant is not a remnant of pre-conservation law; she is another generation entering a system that can determine almost her entire future. These journeys follow years of large transfers from the Northeast to Vantara in Jamnagar, where reporting in 2024 documented convoys coming in from Arunachal Pradesh and the private wildlife facility hosting more than 200 elephants. Vantara describes its work as rescue and rehabilitation, and in September 2025 the Supreme Court accepted an investigation reporting no legal violations. Its transfers and those to temples have different stated purposes, but their scale raises a very important question: how should a constitutional commitment to wildlife, and to compassion for living creatures, govern the continuing movement and concentration of elephants in human institutions? Elephants leaving the Northeast in convoys is not very dissimilar from the old geography of the khedda , when the forests of the Garo Hills supplied elephants to distant establishments and markets. Trautmann and Nongbri show that the forest sustained a system in which wild populations were protected in part because they supplied animals for capture. The question is whether the modern ownership regime has truly broken that relationship. In his Study on Illegal Sale and Transfer of Live Elephants from Assam , Chaturbhuja Behera, then a regional official of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, described illegal sales and transfers, accounts of wild calves being captured, and weaknesses in records used to establish captive birth. Findings such as this make it difficult to treat an ownership certificate, by itself, as an answer to where a young elephant came from. The 2024 Rules thus return us to the contradiction the law has carried since 1972. Once again, the government is trying to make its core commitment to protection coexist with private ownership, a relationship that subordinates an elephants life to the purposes of her owner. The safeguards are necessary, but they cannot resolve that contradiction while the exception is effectively allowing institutions to replenish their captive populations for generations to come. The demand for young elephants must be supplied from somewhere. The historical answer is in front of us: it is the forest. The forest is the breeding ground from which elephants have long been taken to replenish captivity. The exception leaves open the route by which demand for elephants in captivity can be met through illegal capture in the wild, disguised as captive-born. More than sixty years after the Malabar owners defended their right to capture elephants for timber in Kerala High Court, the law is yet to confront the continuity between that older system and the present one.
The Agitation In India Demanding Resignation Of Gyanesh Kumar
A tidal wave or a tsunami seems to be sweeping all over India with a single demand: the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, who is regarded as a stooge of the ruling BJP, must resign or be sacked for allegedly having deleted the names of 13 million voters (who, it is believed, would have voted against the BJP) from the electoral rolls unilaterally through a special intensive revision (SIR), thus totally undermining democracy in India.
TN aided college Professor suspended on charges of demanding 1 lakh from research student
Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora detained on way to 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest
While Dipke was picked up from his home in Jhandewalan, Bora was detained in Mandi House, both in Central Delhi
He'll play a part in this series: Hazlewood backs Boland for South Africa Tests
Australia began their three-Test series against South Africa with a commanding 214-run victory in Durban, extending their impressive run in the ICC World Test Championship 2025
Britain plans a world-first mission to capture and dispose of dead satellites
Britain plans to launch a spacecraft in 2029 to capture and remove two dead satellites. Space debris travelling at more than 17,000mph can damage satellites supporting GPS, weather forecasts and communications. The 61 million mission could help British companies develop technology for a growing satellite servicing industry. Britain is preparing to tackle the growing problem of space junk with a robotic spacecraft designed to capture and remove two dead satellites, in a mission aimed at protecting the technology behind GPS, weather forecasts and communications. The UK's Active Debris Removal (UK ADR) mission is scheduled to launch in 2029 from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. The spacecraft will approach two defunct UK-registered satellites, capture them using robotic technology and guide them towards Earth's atmosphere, where they are expected to burn up. The UK Space Agency has appointed ClearSpace UK to lead the mission under a 61 million contract. The project is being presented as a world-first national mission of this kind, with the spacecraft designed to remove more than one satellite during a single operation. The challenge is becoming harder to ignore. Space around Earth contains growing quantities of discarded satellites, rocket parts and other debris. Objects travelling at speeds exceeding 17,000mph can cause serious damage if they collide with functioning spacecraft. Thousands of active satellites support services used on Earth every day, from navigation and mobile communications to weather forecasting and national security. A collision that damages one of these satellites could disrupt services far beyond the space industry itself. A growing risk above Earth Satellites are often left in orbit when they run out of fuel or develop faults that make them unusable. Unlike rubbish on the ground, debris in space cannot simply be collected and taken away. Capturing an old satellite is technically difficult because it was not designed to be approached, held or moved by another spacecraft. The UK ADR mission is intended to demonstrate how that problem could be addressed. The spacecraft will need to locate each target, approach it safely and capture it before guiding it towards a lower orbit for disposal. The technology is being developed with future missions in mind. The spacecraft is intended to be refuellable, potentially allowing similar systems to support further operations rather than being discarded after a single use. Space Minister Liz Lloyd said the mission would help protect the satellites that underpin everyday life, from keeping people connected to providing accurate weather forecasts and supporting national security. The project also fits into Britain's wider space strategy, which identifies in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing as priority areas. These technologies could eventually allow satellites to be repaired or refuelled in space, extending their working lives and reducing the need to replace them. A new market for British space companies The government hopes the mission will do more than remove two satellites. It is also intended to build British expertise in robotic capture, spacecraft navigation and the complex manoeuvres needed to approach objects in orbit. The UK Space Agency is working with ClearSpace UK and suppliers across the country to develop the technology. ClearSpace UK managing director Rob Atchison said the next stage would involve designing, building and testing a spacecraft capable of safely approaching an object that was never designed to be captured. The work could create opportunities for specialist engineers and companies involved in robotics, spacecraft systems, guidance and mission operations. The potential market extends beyond debris removal. In-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing, collectively known as ISAM, could allow companies to repair satellites, replenish fuel and carry out other work in space. Analysts have predicted that the sector could grow into a billion-dollar industry over the coming decade. The UK's space industry was valued at 18.6 billion and supported more than 55,000 jobs, according to the government's 2024 industry assessment. The mission is intended to help British companies build the expertise needed to compete in this emerging market. However, the immediate task remains a demanding one. The spacecraft must be designed, tested and launched before it can demonstrate that multiple defunct satellites can be safely removed in a single mission. If successful, the project could provide a foundation for further debris-removal operations and other services that help keep Earth's orbital environment usable as satellite numbers increase.
Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bohra Detained Ahead of Tiranga Protest in Delhi
Dipke was detained from his Jhandewalan residence and Bohra from Mandi House amid heightened security in Delhi ahead of the Lehra Do Tiranga protest at Connaught Place.
INDIA bloc plans statewide protests, calls for Gyanesh Kumar
Bengaluru: The INDIA bloc parties in Karnataka have decided to launch a coordinated statewide campaign under the slogan Save Votes, Save the Country, opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The decision was taken at a state-level meeting held at the Legislators Home 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 .
Ajaz Khan on Imran Khan being asked to leave India: I consider him to be an American
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 16 (IANS) Actor Ajaz Khan has reacted to Imran Khan being asked to leave India after he recently attended a protest in Mumbai. While speaking exclusively to IANS, Ajaz said that given that Imran has an American citizenship, he considers to him to be an American. Imran Khan has taken American citizenship. I will consider him American, he said. Ajaz added that if Imran had participated in the protest as an Indian citizen, it would not have been an issue. When asked, Do you think it is right that he participated in the protest after becoming an American citizen?, he told IANS, If he had an Indian passport and went to protest, there would have been no problem. Now I have also come to know that he has American citizenship, which is wrong. I hate America, and I hate Elon Musk. Ajaz further talked about the ongoing Starlink controversy. He expressed his support for Prime Minister Narendra Malhotra's decision, calling it a matter of National security. It is a matter of India's security, and India's security should be the first priority for the Prime Minister, he shared. Talking about Imran, he was directed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to leave India by October 28 over his allegedly unlawful participation in the recent August Kranti Maidan protests, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The FRRO mentioned in its order that Imran allegedly violated the Foreigners Act by participating in the protest, as he is not an Indian citizen, but is an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). Additionally, on October 13, BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities, urging them to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the 'Delhi Belly' actor. Imran now reportedly plans to file a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court against the notice from FRRO.
Raising procedural and constitutional concerns, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has written a fourth letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an immediate all-party meeting to discuss proposals on delimitation before they are finalised and brought to Parliament. In his letter sent on Friday, Kharge flagged what he described as an unprecedented 64-day gap since the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on August 13 without being formally prorogued, and cautioned the government against pushing through far-reaching constitutional amendments without consensus. It has already been 64 days since the Monsoon Session of Parliament was adjourned sine die on August 13, 2026 and both Houses of Parliament are yet to be prorogued. This scenario is unprecedented, wrote Kharge. When Parliament adjourns sine die, a session is suspended indefinitely without setting a day for reconvening. However, the formal ending of a session requires an of...
BJP govt. at the Centre undermining constitutional values, rights of people: Kanimozhi
She was participating in a protest at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the revocation of the SIR
CBI Arrests Srinagar Municipal Officer in Bribery Case
A Srinagar municipal officer was arrested by the CBI for demanding a bribe to allow home repairs. The agency urges citizens to report corruption. CBI Arrests Srinagar Municipal Officer in Bribery Case
Sand Lorry Owners, Drivers Stage Protest in Trichy Demanding Reopening of Sand Quarries
The protest, organised by the Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association, turned tense after the association's representatives were reportedly not allowed to participate in talks with officials
Political Storm Over Anti-Drug Activist's Murder In Punjab
The family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, has refused to perform his last rites, demanding justice and a CBI probe. The murder has triggered a political controversy, with opposition leaders criticising the state government's handling of the drug menace and law and order.
Indian police warn 'Cockroach' movement founder over
Police warned the founder of India's 'Cockroach' movement against going ahead with a protest on Friday, local media reported, setting the stage for a possible confrontation with the group that is demanding
BSP to stage indefinite hunger strike demanding delay in action in Perumbali SC man burial case
Though a case had been registered against six persons under the SC/ST Act, the accused had not been arrested, the BSP said
JKPCC chief seeks time-bound probe into alleged misconduct by senior IAS officer
Srinagar, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra has written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking his intervention and a time-bound inquiry into allegations of misconduct involving a senior IAS officer and JKAS officer Beenish Wani during a Mission YUVA review meeting on October 14. In a letter dated October 16, Karra said a video circulating publicly had raised serious concerns over the language allegedly used by the senior IAS officer towards Wani, as well as reported directions to initiate action against her. Karra also expressed concern over reported remarks concerning the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), describing it as a vital constitutional institution. He said any attempt to undermine its credibility or erode public confidence in its functioning warranted serious examination. Seeking an impartial investigation, the JKPCC chief urged the Lieutenant Governor to order a fair and time-bound inquiry to establish the facts, including an examination of the complete audio and video recording of the meeting, and determine whether any service rules or conduct standards had been violated. He further demanded that appropriate action be taken if the allegations were substantiated, irrespective of the officer's rank or position. Karra also stressed the need to protect Wani from any potential victimisation or retaliatory action, saying her professional interests must be safeguarded and any decisions concerning her service taken strictly on merit and in accordance with established rules. While acknowledging the demanding circumstances in which the administration operates, Karra said accountability and mutual respect were essential to maintaining officers' morale and preserving the credibility of the administration across Jammu and Kashmir.
'Jagga Jasoos': Congress mocks Rajnath Singh over opposition demanding regime change
Tripura: Uncertainty Over Merit List Fuels TET-1 Candidates
Agartala, October 16, 2026: Unemployed youths who qualified in the Teacher Eligibility Test-I (TET-1) continued their sit-in protest in front of Shiksha Bhavan, demanding a clear timeline for publication of the merit list for Undergraduate Teacher (UGT) recruitment. A delegation of the protesting candidates met Tripura Teachers Recruitment Board (TRBT) Chairman Pratyush Ranjan Deb to... The post Tripura: Uncertainty Over Merit List Fuels TET-1 Candidates Protest; Question Legal Hurdles, Demand Clarity first appeared on Northeast Today .
Reform UK Hit by Racism Scandal after Undercover Investigation
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Reform UK Hit by Racism Scandal after Undercover Investigation Reform UK is under fire after councillors were filmed making racist and sexist comments, with opposition leaders demanding action from Nigel Farage. The post Reform UK Hit by Racism Scandal after Undercover Investigation appeared first on DESIblitz .
Protests don't hurt businesses, govt restrictions do: CJP's Abhijit Dipke
Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests but when the government shuts down an entire city, suspends internet and restricts citizens' movement, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke said on Friday. In a post on X, Dipke defended the party's commitment to peace and non-violence ahead of its proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Central Park in Connaught Place. The CJP had organised protests in Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Nagpur, and all of them were peaceful, he said. Dipke said he was personally assaulted in Jaipur but chose not to retaliate, since responding to violence with violence went against the movement's principles. We would rather exercise the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of Dr B R Ambedkar, than resort to physical force, he said. Rejecting attempts to portray CJP members as anarchists, Dipke said demanding answers from the government, protesting against injustice and questioning publi
Abhijeet Dipke slams Delhi curbs, says peaceful protests do not hurt businesses
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke defended peaceful protests, saying demanding accountability from the government is not anarchy. He criticised administrative restrictions in Delhi ahead of the CJPs Lehra Do Tiranga march
ABVP Protests at Kendrapada Autonomous College Over Election Results, Demands Vote Recount
High drama erupted outside Kendrapada Autonomous College as student activists belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a sit-in protest, alleging vote tampering during the student union election counting. Demonstrators sat on tarps right outside the campus gate, engaging in a dharna and demanding a complete recount of the ballots. The controversy follows [] The post ABVP Protests at Kendrapada Autonomous College Over Election Results, Demands Vote Recount appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Nigerian detainee booked for assaulting on-duty cops in Sondikoppa
Bengaluru: A Nigerian national lodged at the Foreigners Detention Centre in Sondikoppa, Bengaluru North taluk, has allegedly attacked police personnel after demanding his release. The incident has led to a complaint being registered at Madanayakanahalli police station. The accused has been identified as Kevin James. According to the available information, he was previously named in 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 .
Businesses suffer when government shuts down cities, not from peaceful protests: CJPs Abhijeet Dipke
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, defends the party's peaceful protests across multiple cities. He emphasizes that these demonstrations align with democratic rights and constitutional values. Dipke highlights the hypocrisy of the ruling party, which once organized protests when in opposition. He reiterates the importance of citizens demanding accountability from elected representatives without resorting to violence.
Burning Away the Filth: Delhi Ramlila Prepares 30-Ft Cockroach Effigy for
Cockroaches have unexpectedly become a major talking point in Delhi politics. On one hand, the newly formed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has hit the streets demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. On the other, a Delhi Ramlila committee has announced plans to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad [] The post Burning Away the Filth: Delhi Ramlila Prepares 30-Ft Cockroach Effigy for Swachh Bharat appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Demanding answers from govt not anarchy: Abhijeet Dipke slams administrative curbs in Delhi
Rebutting allegations of promoting disorder and pushing back against widespread administrative curbs in the national capital, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke on Friday asserted that seeking accountability from those in power is ot anarchy but the most fundamental expression of a democracy. In a post shared on social media platform X, Dipke rejected claims that public demonstrations disrupt economic activity, arguing that aggressive administrative crackdowns and sudden logistical blockades inflict actual hardship on the public and traders. Businesses do not suffer because of peaceful protests. They suffer when the govt decides to shut down an entire city, suspend internet services and restrict the movement of its own citizens and turn the city into a war-zone. Since its inception, the Cockroach Janta Party has maintained that we will always follow Gandhi
Trump Torches Zelensky; Fires 'Circus Master PT Barnum' Insult At Ukraine President On Live TV
U.S. President Donald Trump has taken another swipe at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, comparing him to legendary American showman P.T. Barnum during a fiery interview with Newsmax. Trump accused former President Joe Biden of providing Ukraine with enormous amounts of military equipment and financial assistance without demanding payment, questioning where the money and weapons had gone. He also alleged that U.S.-supplied missiles were being sold on the open market, though he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim in the remarks cited. The latest verbal attack comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over military aid, Russia policy and the future of the Ukraine war.
Imran Khans partner Lekha Washington breaks silence after actor asked to leave India
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 16 (IANS) Actor Imran Khans partner, Lekha Washington, has shared her maiden reaction after superstar Aamir Khans nephew was asked to leave India for attending a protest in Mumbai, marking her first response to the development. On October 15, Imran was issued a notice by the Mumbai Police asking him to leave India by October 28, days after he participated in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Action has been taken against Imran under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, and the actor has received a copy of the notice. The actor was detained by the police on October 10 in connection with the protest. The action has been taken against Imran under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act for allegedly participating in such a protest despite not being an Indian citizen. After the actor was ordered to leave India, his partner Lekha shared a picture of them from the prison van after they were detained on October 10. Lekha captioned the picture: Just along with a gamut of heart emojis. Imran Khan is now set to approach the Bombay High Court to challenge the notice issued by the FRRO. Imran is considering filing a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court against the notice from FRRO and for which he has engaged MZM Legal LLp as his counsel. Zulfiqar Memon, the managing partner of MZM Legal, was contacted for his input on the matter. He refused to comment at this stage. On October 13, BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities, urging them to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against actor Imran Khan. Talking about Imran, he first appeared as a child artist in the films Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1998 and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar in 1992. He made his adult acting debut in 2008 with the romantic comedy Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, which was a success. After the failure of his next two films, he then starred in a number of commercially successful romantic comedies such as I Hate Luv Storys, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and the action comedy thriller Delhi Belly. This was followed by a series of box-office flops and a hiatus. He was seen in a cameo appearance lately in the Vir Das film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. It also stars Mithila Palkar, Mona Singh, Sharib Hashmi and Srushti Tawade. The film marked Imran's comeback roughly ten years after he last starred in Katti Batti in 2015.
Prime accused arrested in Atar Singh Bhadana murder case
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 16 (IANS) In a major development in the murder case of former MLA Atar Singh Bhadana, the police have arrested the prime accused, Mukesh alias Mukesh Fauji, in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district. He had been absconding since the murder, prompting police teams to conduct raids at the homes of his family members and relatives. Following his arrest, Mukesh Fauji was brought to the Weir police station, where Superintendent of Police Rajesh Meena interrogated him late at night. Investigators are seeking details about the sequence of events leading to the murder, the alleged roles of other suspects and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The administration had also served a notice regarding the proposed demolition of the accuseds house while he remained on the run. Further action will depend on the applicable legal and administrative process. Five other accused in the case have already been arrested. Mukesh Fauji had reportedly been leading a protest for the past two years, demanding the closure of a mining lease. His name has also figured in cases filed by Bhadana's widow. Police are examining his alleged role as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators have also been examining inflammatory posts circulated on social media in recent days concerning a leased pathway. The posts, featuring both men and women, reportedly went viral before the incident. According to the investigation, a minor dispute occurred on October 7. On the day of the incident, protesters were removed from the demonstration site. Police have also received information suggesting that security personnel associated with Atar Singh Bhadana allegedly aggravated tensions through videos. Some of these personnel are reportedly from the Dholpur region. Police teams are examining the videos and other material to establish the sequence of events and determine the roles of those involved. The five arrested accused -- Bhagmal, Soni, Sher Singh, Baldev and Kunwar Singh -- were produced before Judicial Magistrate Suvihay Hafiz Siddiqui. The police had sought three days of police custody for questioning. However, the court granted a two-day police remand for all five accused. During the search for Mukesh Fauji, police teams raided several locations, including the homes of his relatives. Investigators suspected that he might be hiding in neighbouring villages or in the Bayana region, where residents of Bhaunda village have family connections. The rugged, hilly terrain of the Dang region also complicated the search. According to police sources, the accused managed to evade arrest at some locations before police teams arrived. Teams were additionally dispatched to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh amid suspicions that the prime accused might have fled to either state. With Mukesh Faujis arrest, investigators are expected to intensify questioning to establish the circumstances of the murder and identify the roles of other suspects in the case.
CMRL-Exalogic scam: Vijayans case exposes cracks in Cong; CM Satheesan faces dissent
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 (IANS) Sharp differences have surfaced within the Congress party over the state government's stand in the CMRL-Exalogic case, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan defending the decision not to rush into registering a case against Pinarayi Vijayan, despite strong objections from MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan. At a Congress Legislative Party meeting, Kuzhalnadan questioned why Vijayan should receive the justice that the LDF government had denied former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The exchange exposed a divide between those demanding immediate legal action and the leadership, which insists that the issue must be handled with legal and political prudence. CM Satheesan reportedly told the meeting that Kuzhalnadan was driven by youthful enthusiasm and that the correct political approach was not to rush into a case. The two were engaged in a lengthy argument, with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph backing the Chief Minister. The confrontation followed Kuzhalnadan's public criticism of the government's position at a press conference. He argued that the government should revise its stand following the High Court Division Bench's decision and questioned the legal advice received by it. Kuzhalnadan said he had fought the Exalogic case largely on his own and faced harassment, including a Vigilance investigation, for pursuing it. He had also written to the Home Minister opposing the government's approach. Chennithala countered that the issue had been discussed among senior leaders. He said he had not known Kuzhalnadan was pursuing the case and would have advised against it had he been consulted. CM Satheesan argued that rushing into a case based on an Enforcement Directorate communication would be politically unwise, adding that earlier legal action had benefited Vijayan. The dispute has raised questions over the Congress's approach to a case it had made a major campaign issue in the April Assembly elections. The UDF had repeatedly targeted the previous government over the CMRL-Exalogic allegations before coming to power. The episode has fuelled discontent among sections of the party, with the leadership's cautious approach prompting questions about whether Congress is retreating from one of its principal allegations against the previous regime. Meanwhile, this issue is likely to catch fire again, as Vijayan has approached the apex court with an appeal petition against the high court directive.
Ram Mandir remaining construction work to be fully completed by Nov 15: Nripendra Misra
Digital Desk | Ayodhya, Oct 16 (IANS) Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra on Friday said that almost all construction work at the temple complex has been completed, with the remaining work scheduled to be finished by November 15. Speaking to reporters, Misra extended greetings on the upcoming festivals and provided an update on the temple's development, stating that 148 of the approximately 150 construction works within the complex had been completed and handed over to the Ram Mandir Trust. He said L&T, which was responsible for executing the construction work, had to hand over the completed projects to the Trust along with the relevant records, drawings, designs and financial documentation. The Trust's project engineers subsequently inspect the works before approving their handover. Of these 150 works, 148 have been completed and handed over. The major construction work that is yet to be handed over is the Parkota, the temple's perimeter structure, Misra said. Explaining the delay, he said the water treatment work on the Parkota's roof was still pending. Continuous rainfall in Ayodhya over the past three days has affected the pace of construction, delaying the work. However, he expressed confidence that the remaining work would be completed by November 15. Lighting work is currently underway in the temple and the Parkota. That will be completed by November 15, he said, adding that the recent developments observed at the site were related to the temple complex's ongoing construction. Misra also provided updates on other projects in Ayodhya. He said the Martyrs' Memorial had been completed and that he had inspected it on Thursday. Only minor horticulture and landscaping work remained at the site. Regarding the Madhavacharya Gate, he said approximately 80 per cent of the construction work had been completed. Misra added that he was scheduled to inspect the site to assess the progress. The committee chairman's update comes as work continues on the remaining infrastructure, finishing and lighting arrangements at the Ram Mandir complex, with November 15 set as the deadline for completing the pending tasks.
Adorned with lights and steeped in lore, Durga Puja pandals open for devotees across nation
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Durga Puja celebrations officially began in several parts of the nation as Navratri reached its sixth day. The pandal doors were opened to the public, drawing thousands of devotees seeking blessings. The city of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand transformed into a vibrant hub of devotion, joy, and celebration as community-led festivities reached their peak on Friday. Major socio-cultural and religious organisations, including the Hindi Club, Ranikudar, Sri Sri Rankini Mandir, Sri Utkal Durga Puja Committee, Agrico Puja Committee, and Tuiladungri Puja Committee, unveiled massive, intricately designed pandals. Elaborate thematic decorations, synchronised light displays, and traditional Vedic rituals have deeply immersed the local residents in the spirit of worship. Jamshedpur boasts a legacy of hosting approximately 500 distinct Durga Puja celebrations across the city, making it one of the region's largest cultural congregations. Local organising committees have deployed dedicated volunteers and coordinated infrastructure to manage the heavy footfall, ensuring safety and accessibility for families and visitors. As the multi-day festival progresses, the entire city remains unified in a rare blend of community bonding and spiritual reverence. As the nation marked the sixth day of Shardiya Navratri 2006, dedicated to Maa Katyayani, pandals were adorned across cities in West Bengal and other states, including Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Devotees were seen hopping between pandals and seeking blessings of the Goddess. Speaking to IANS at the unveiling of Goddess Durgas idol at Kolkatas renowned Tala Barowaris 106th Durga Puja celebrations, a devotee and organiser, Abhishek Bhattacharya, said, We worship the Shakti in three forms: one is Durga, one is Saraswati, and one is Lakshmi. We know through the Puranas and Vedas that Shakti possesses the divine power of Dasha Maha-vidya and Navadurga - the Navadurga of Uma. This is what we have tried to portray in our pandal. Furthermore, in Uttarakhands Kashipur, a seven-day Durga Puja festival has been organised from October 15 to 21, featuring religious rituals, cultural performances, bhajan evenings, and community feasts, with the inauguration by Mayor Deepak Bali. In Jharkhand, JMM general secretary Binod Kumar Pandey and party spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Harmu Panch Mandir near Harmu Chowk by cutting the ribbon. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, artist Hafizuddin Ahmed spoke to IANS and narrated how he has been making Ravan effigies for Dusshera for the past 50 years. I make effigies of Ravana, I make Tazia, I do set/scenery design work, and if any order comes from the film industry, I handle that too. As for how many generations, he said, I watched my father work, and he told me that his father and grandfather also used to do this same work.
CJP 'Tiranga' Yatra LIVE Updates: Central Delhi secured ahead of march; Dipke calls for solidarity
Delhi is bracing for the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march on Friday called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who are in judicial custody after they were...
France protests flare as PM accuses radical left of exploiting unrest ahead of elections
Student protests are sweeping across France as frustrations rise over overcrowded classrooms and poor school facilities. Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu accuses the La France Insoumise party of taking advantage of the situation for political gain. With thousands joined by trade unions and parents, their calls for educational equity harken back to the 1968 student uprising, demanding reforms such as wealth taxes and a voting age reduction to 16.
Stringent traffic curbs in Delhi as CJP protest enters second day
The restrictions come amid a security clampdown following a call for protest by CJP and prominent student organisations demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Zabarvan Legends Series takes mountain biking from Kashmir to Ladakh
Srinagar, Oct 15: Indias mountain landscapes are emerging as a promising arena for international downhill mountain biking, with the Zabarvan Legends Series returning for its second season with races across Sikkim, Ladakh and Pune, aiming to put the country on the global adventure sports map. Organised by Zabarvan Xtreme, the international championship seeks to bridge the gap between Indias growing mountain biking community and the professional infrastructure, sponsorship and competitive opportunities available to riders in established cycling nations. Founded by Sehan Shetty, a snowboarder, surfer and football player, Zabarvan Xtreme was conceived to help Indian athletes pursue mountain sports professionally rather than treat them merely as recreational activities. Zabarvan Xtreme was created to build an ecosystem for mountain sports where Indian athletes can thrive and see these disciplines as serious sporting opportunities rather than simply hobbies, Shetty said. The series made its debut in October 2025, travelling through Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, Shillong in Meghalaya and Guwahati in Assam. More than 30 riders participated in the inaugural edition, including competitors from Brazil, Australia, the Czech Republic and Iran. Brazils Douglas Vieira, a five-time national champion, emerged as the overall winner. Building on that experience, the second season has introduced three new venues, each offering a distinct combination of terrain, technical challenges and regional character. The opening race, Singge Oralo, was held from October 7 to 11 at Zoom village in Sikkims Eastern Himalayas. The two-kilometre course, named Snow Lion, featured a 200-metre descent through dense forests, with steep gradients, exposed roots, rocky drops and centuries-old granite stairways passing through historic mountain settlements. With gradients reaching 40 degrees, the track tested riders precision and adaptability across slippery roots, soft forest soil and unforgiving stone surfaces. The event attracted participants from eight countries, including India, Brazil, Australia, Iran, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Nepal and Italy. Vieira continued his winning run, finishing first in the elite category. Czech rider Matej Charvat secured second place, while Irans Hossein Zanjanian finished third. Australian mountain biking legend Samuel Hill, an eight-time world champion, finished fourth. Indian riders also made their presence felt, with Taitus Marak finishing eighth, Virendra Mali ninth and Aaronson Oniel Kharpuri tenth. In the second competition category, Meghalayas Will Willbornson finished second and Darian Laloo of Meghalaya Pro Cycling secured third place. The championship has now moved to Ladakh for Druk Layul, scheduled from October 14 to 18 at South Pullu, near the gateway to Khardung La. Named after the legendary Tibetan Thunder Dragon, Druk Layul translates to Thunder Dragons Heaven. The approximately 3.5-kilometre course descends from an altitude of 4,300 metres to 3,700 metres, presenting riders with a 600-metre elevation drop across the rugged Trans-Himalayan landscape. Loose shale, rocky chutes, exposed traverses, technical switchbacks and fast sections punctuated by jumps and drops are expected to test the competitors endurance and technical skills. Around 25 athletes are expected to participate in one of the championships most demanding high-altitude settings, where temperatures may range from minus 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. Riders are being given two days to acclimatise to the altitude before racing. The event is being organised in partnership with Unexplored Ladakh, represented by Tenjin Jamphel, whose regional knowledge and experience in mountain biking and adventure travel are central to the competition. Beyond hosting the race, the organisers see Ladakh as a potential long-term destination for competitive mountain biking, with plans to encourage local participation, create opportunities for young riders and establish recurring competitions. The final leg, Gaur Ghat, will be held from October 22 to 25 in Pune, Maharashtra, beneath the historic walls of Sinhagad Fort. Drawing its name from the historic mountain pass leading towards the fort, the race will take riders through the rugged Sahyadri mountains. The 2.2-kilometre course, set at approximately 1,300 metres, features a 400-metre descent across dry basalt terrain, loose gravel, exposed bedrock, steep rock faces and technical switchbacks. The tracks rocky surfaces and rough rock gardens offer a different challenge from Sikkims forest trails and Ladakhs high-altitude desert. The organisers hope the event will help establish Pune as a destination for international mountain biking, building on its active cycling community and access to outdoor recreation areas. For Zabarvan Xtreme, however, the championship is about more than race results. The organisation aims to address the structural challenges confronting Indian mountain biking, including expensive equipment, limited training facilities, inadequate sponsorship and a shortage of professional racing opportunities. Bringing international riders to India gives local competitors an opportunity to experience professional racing standards without having to travel overseas. Collaboration with local organisers and cycling communities is also intended to build the foundations for sustained participation beyond individual events. The series could additionally create opportunities in adventure tourism, local employment and sports infrastructure, particularly in mountain destinations with the terrain and natural appeal to host international competitions. However, the long-term benefits will depend on sustained investment, local athlete development and responsible management of fragile mountain environments. From Gulmarg, Shillong and Guwahati in its inaugural season to Sikkim, Ladakh and Pune in 2026, the Zabarvan Legends Series is expanding its geographical reach while seeking to establish a stronger professional pathway for Indian mountain bikers. Its larger ambition is to create an ecosystem where Indian athletes can train, compete at international standards and pursue mountain sports as a career, while bringing the countrys diverse landscapes to a wider global sporting audience.
Mumbai: Girgaon residents flag speeding, phone use and traffic violations
Locals step up road safety efforts, calling out traffic rule violations and demanding strict civic accountability
SC issues notice to ECI, CEC on Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc plea against SIR
New Delhi, Oct 15: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on a petition filed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to Bar & Bench, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought responses from the poll panel and the CEC and tagged the pleas with petitions already pending before the court challenging the validity of SIR in various states. We are issuing notice and tagging it with the matters already pending. Somebody will accept notice on behalf of the Election Commission of India. Otherwise, serve them, the bench said. The court also indicated that it would seek an explanation from one of the petitioners regarding his conduct at the next hearing, without specifying the person concerned. Issue notice. But one objection, before that. We would like to ask one of the petitioners about his conduct on the next date of hearing. Issuing notice does not mean that we are condemning anything. We are issuing notice. But about one of the petitioners, we will definitely entertain the issue. Issue notice. The notice on behalf of one of the petitioners will be entertained on a provisional basis, subject to his explaining his conduct, the bench observed. The petition has been filed by Rahul Gandhi along with several opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI(M) leader MA Baby and CPI leader D Raja. Other petitioners include Mahua Majhi of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) and Mohammed Basheer of the Indian Union Muslim League. The petition challenges alleged large-scale deletions of voters and irregularities in the SIR process and seeks judicial intervention in the exercise. Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders had marched to the Supreme Court on October 12 before filing the plea. The development comes amid protests in Delhi against the SIR exercise, with demonstrators also demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The protests followed an Indian Express report alleging that Kumar had taken several decisions relating to the revision exercise unilaterally despite objections from two Election Commissioners. The allegations have added to opposition concerns over the conduct of the electoral roll revision. Several protesters were detained by Delhi Police over the weekend after prohibitory orders were imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The detentions have also led to petitions before the Supreme Court, including allegations that lawyers and journalists were prevented from performing their professional duties. The Supreme Courts notice seeks responses from the poll panel on the issues raised. By tagging the fresh petitions with matters already pending on SIR, the court has brought the latest challenge into the existing proceedings on the electoral roll revision exercise.
J&K Bank holds customer interaction, felicitation meet at Lassipora
Srinagar, Oct 15: Strengthening its engagement with the industrial and horticulture sectors, J&K Bank today organised a customer interaction cum felicitation meet at Industrial Growth Centre (IGC), Lassipora. Held under the theme Our CustomerOur Privilege, the programme brought together over 50 representatives of controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage businesses, fruit trade and other industrial estate activities. The Bank's Chief General Manager (Credit) Ashutosh Sareen chaired the interaction in presence of General Manager & Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri, General Manager Suresh Kumar Chowdhary, Zonal Head (Srinagar) Sheikh Mohammad Muzaffar, Zonal Head (Pulwama) Masood Ahmad Lankar, DGM & Head M&LC (Kashmir) Nuzhat Parveen, Cluster Heads and other senior officials. The participant customers were led by President of Industrial Estate Lassipora, Mukhtar Ahmad Khan; President Jammu Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) Bashir Ahmad Naik and President Fruit Mandi (Pulwama) Javad Ahmad. In his presidential address to the participants, CGM Ashutosh Sareen reaffirmed the Banks unwavering commitment in supporting the Agriculture/Horticulture industry. When you describe J&K Bank as your own bank, it places a special responsibility on us to honour that trust through our service and support. At Lassipora, supporting industrial growth also means supporting growers, strengthening the apple value chain and sustaining employment. Our commitment to this shared progress is unshakable and long term, he said. Urging participants to understand the regulatory requirements within which the Bank operates, he emphasised the importance of working together to address their banking needs. Customer engagement becomes meaningful when listening leads to action. We are committed to address the concerns raised here and translating your suggestions into practical improvements within the Banks laid-down guidelines and the applicable regulatory framework. Our shared endeavour must be to ensure that viable enterprises receive timely and responsive banking support, he added. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, President, Industrial Estate Lassipora, Mukhtar Ahmad Khan expressed profound gratitude to the Banks leadership for its commitment in supporting apple production, storage and processing. He said the estate houses around 950 industrial units employing nearly 20,000 people, underscoring its importance to the local economy. We consider Jammu & Kashmir Bank not merely a banking institution, but our own banka financial partner that we have trusted for generations, he said. Highlighting rising input costs, working capital requirements, delays in credit disbursement and issues concerning collateral-free credit guarantee schemes, he sought continued support for the industrial community. We also request the Bank to consider a dedicated mechanism through which the Association can periodically discuss industry-specific banking issues with the concerned authorities, said President (JK PICCA) Bashir Ahmad Naik on the occasion. In his welcome address, GM & Divisional Head Arshad Qadri said, The Bank remains committed in carrying forward the mission of empowering growers, traders and all those associated with horticulture and allied sectors. One of the objectives of this interaction is to explore ways to bridge the gap between apple production and storage capacity, particularly to benefit small and marginal farmers that constitute the majority of growers. The Bank has financed over 80% of CA stores in the Valley, with an exposure of around Rs 2,000 crore to this segment. This reflects our sustained commitment to the economic empowerment and growth of people associated with horticulture, he added. Speaking on the occasion, General Manager (CIBF) Suresh Kumar Chowdhary provided detailed responses to the issues raised by the customers in the meeting. We recognise the importance of timely credit and adequate working capital for the smooth functioning of your businesses. Our endeavour is to address your concerns through practical solutions and clear guidance, while ensuring compliance with the Banks policies and regulatory requirements, he said. Based on an agenda circulated in advance, the deliberations were held in a cordial atmosphere. The Banks leadership listened attentively and patiently to the participants concerns and responded on spot to their satisfaction. The Bank's leadership reaffirmed its commitment in resolving all the issues raised and implementing all the suggestions received within the Banks laid-down guidelines and the applicable regulatory framework. The Banks senior leadership also felicitated the participants on the occasion.
NC Govt delivered on development, public welfare despite limited powers: MP Chowdry Ramzan
Srinagar, Oct 15: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan Thursday said that despite limited powers, the complexities of the UT model, bureaucratic hurdles and challenging circumstances, the Omar government has undertaken significant work across various sectors, including education, healthcare, horticulture, tourism and agriculture, over the last two years. He said the National Conference had utilised its mandate to serve the people, safeguard democratic rights and advance the development of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the unequal distribution of powers and administrative impediments had affected the pace of several important decisions. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, as per a party statement issued, said that immediately after assuming office, the National Conference fulfilled one of its most significant electoral promises by introducing a resolution seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs special status in the very first session of the Legislative Assembly. Similarly, after the Cabinet approved a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood, it was placed before the Assembly and passed with an overwhelming majority. He said these resolutions conveyed a clear message to the Union Government that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted their constitutional and democratic rights restored. Through the recent resolution, the Assembly also recalled the 2000 Autonomy Resolution and the 2024 resolution seeking the restoration of special status, urging the Centre to fulfil its constitutional and political responsibilities. He said the National Conference government had taken several measures to provide relief to people across education, electricity, social welfare, employment, transport, healthcare and infrastructure. The decision to revert the academic calendar from the March session to the October-November schedule was taken in response to the long-standing demand of students, parents and educational institutions. The passage of the Private Universities Bill in the Assembly was another significant step towards strengthening higher education. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that, to address disparities in the reservation policy and the concerns arising from them, the government had completed its work and forwarded the relevant file for approval. However, the matter remained pending in the LG office. He said the financial assistance provided to poor and deserving families for marriage had been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. The introduction of free bus services for women, students and persons with disabilities was another notable example of people-friendly governance. Similarly, measures such as doubling the quantity of free ration for eligible households, providing 200 units of free electricity to AAY consumers and extending the benefit of six free LPG cylinders were aimed at providing direct relief to the poorest of the poor. He added that a 100 per cent exemption from stamp duty had been granted on the transfer of property through gift deeds among blood relatives. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said providing employment opportunities to young people remained a key priority of the government, with recruitment underway to fill vacant posts in various departments. The enhancement of the upper age limit for candidates appearing in competitive examinations was also an important step towards expanding opportunities for aspiring youth. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had demonstrated seriousness in addressing the concerns of daily wagers and other temporary employees by constituting a committee to examine their issues. However, the failure to submit its report within the stipulated six-month period was regrettable. The fact that the report had still not been made public even after a year reflect how administrative impediments under the Union Territory system continued to delay the resolution of public grievances. The Additional General Secretary said the National Conference government had approved an option for eligible employees covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), providing significant relief to thousands of employees. He said sustained efforts had been made to improve electricity supply, while attention was also being given to strengthening basic amenities in different areas. The introduction of smart bus services across all districts was an important step towards modernising public transport and providing citizens with better commuting facilities. Work was also progressing on projects related to roads, water supply, drainage, healthcare and other essential infrastructure. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said that the performance of the Omar Abdullah government must be assessed in the context of the extraordinary circumstances under which it was functioning. Despite being an elected government, Jammu and Kashmir continued to operate without the full powers of a state, while authority over several important administrative matters rested with institutions other than the elected government. He said demanding complete accountability from elected representatives while denying them the requisite powers was contrary to democratic principles. He emphasised that the restoration of statehood was not merely a political demand but a fundamental necessity for effective democratic governance and the protection of people's rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan said NC govt remained committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people in its manifesto. He said the party would continue to strengthen its bond with the people and pursue its struggle for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional rights, a better future for its youth and balanced development across all regions. On the occasion, National Conference Provincial President Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, also spoke in detail about the two-year tenure of the Omar Abdullah government. He said every sector in Jammu and Kashmir had suffered under an undemocratic system, but the establishment of an elected government had infused fresh energy into all sectors. Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Srinagar District President Pir Afaq Ahmad, Minority Cell Organiser Jagdish Singh Azad, Provincial Youth President Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Nabi Wani Telbali and Dr Mohammad Saeed Makhdoomi were also present on the occasion.
