Bihar elections: EC data shows women voters dip in six seats
Bihar's electoral rolls show a concerning drop in women voters in six assembly seats. Seemanchal and Champaran regions are particularly impacted. Sikta constituency saw the largest decrease. Many voters have also shifted from districts like Purnia and West Champaran. This data was presented to the Supreme Court by the Election Commission.
Purnia airport expands flight schedule with Delhi, Hyderabad routes from Oct 26
Purnia Airport is expanding its flight operations with two new daily flights to Delhi and Hyderabad, commencing October 26. This comes after a successful first month of commercial flights, which saw over 7,000 passengers. The airport will now handle five arrivals and departures daily, with IndiGo operating the new Airbus 320 flights.
Bihar polls: Congress, RJD agree to disagree on 5 seats
PATNA: RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav left for Delhi on Saturday evening, a day after a meeting of the partys central and state parliamentary boards was held in Patna to discuss seat-sharing formula among INDIA bloc partners for Bihar polls. Tejashwi has gone to Delhi with a message from RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. He is expected to meet senior leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. The leaders of two major allies will take a final call on seat-sharing arrangements in the Opposition bloc, a senior RJD leader said. Sources said the RJD and Congress were jostling over five seatsBaisi, Bahadurganj, Raniganj, Kahalgaon and Saharsawhich has reportedly delayed the announcement of a seat-sharing pact. The Congress had contested Kahalgaon and Bahadurpur in 2020 and RJD fought in Saharsa, Baisi and Raniganj, but both failed to win any of them. The Congress, which has given two seats from its quota to the India Inclusive Party (IIP), initially decided to hand over Saharsa to its ally. The RJD has now staked claim on the seat, sources said. The Congress staked claim on Kahalgaon seat, mostly won by the party in previous elections. Last year, the Congress contested but the BJP won the seat. The RJD, the sources said, has sought to contest from this seat but the Congress is unwilling to part with it. Besides, the Congress seeks to field its candidates from Baisi and Bahadurganj of Seemanchal region, citing its performance in the Muslim-dominated area in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress has now three MPs, including Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, in Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnia in Seemanchal. In 2020 assembly polls, Asasuddin Owaisi-led AIMIM won Baisi and Bahadurpur seats. The MLAs later jumped ship to RJD. Sources said RJD is reluctant to part with Raniganj, despite losing it in 2020. Leaders from both sides are holding rounds of meetings over the seats concerned to arrive at an agreement, the sources added. The two major allies are already facing tensions over the Opposition groupings choice of chief ministerial candidate. Meanwhile, the RJD has been declaring Tejashwi as the face.
Ex-JD(U) MP, 3 others join RJD
Three JD(U) leaders and one LJP (Ram Vilas) leader, including former Purnia MP Santosh Kumar Kushwaha, joined the RJD. This move is seen as a significant boost for the INDIA bloc ahead of Bihar assembly elections, potentially impacting JD(U)'s prospects in Seemanchal.
The Election Commission will announce the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 schedule on Monday. Key leaders like Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav are in focus. Major parties including BJP, RJD, and JD(U) are preparing campaigns. Important seats like Raghopur, Phulwari, Patna Sahib, Danapur, Purnia, and Hasanpur will be closely watched. These constituencies matter for the upcoming polls.
Union ministers likely to hit NDA campaign trail
NEW DELHI: With the Bihar Assembly elections approaching, Union ministers from the BJP-led NDA are expected to be deployed for intensive campaigning across the state. Sources indicated that beginning October 2, several ministers will be entrusted with promoting the NDAs agenda and canvassing for public support for its candidates. Each minister will be responsible for four to five assembly constituencies, working closely with local party workers and leaders to ensure a coordinated effort to rally voters in favour of the NDA. Sources stated that the aim is to establish a stronger connection between the national leadership and the local electorate, while reinforcing the BJPs commitment to Bihars development. Ministers are expected to participate in high-profile rallies and engage with the people, highlighting the achievements of the Modi government and various schemes aimed at socio-economic development. By having our senior leaders engage at the grassroots level, we can strengthen our presence in both urban and rural constituencies, especially those represented by Opposition MLAs, said a party source. Special attention is being given to constituencies where the BJP or its allies narrowly lost in the 2020 election. There are around 5060 assembly seats, particularly in South Bihar and Seemanchal, which need special focus. Though BJP won a significant number of seats in Seemanchal in 2020, this time the aim is to win more than 60% of the total 24 seats, as PM Narendra Modis developmental initiatives, like the Purnia airport, have made an impact, the source added. The NDA leadership has planned its campaign also around caste dynamics, with ministers chosen for areas with substantial populations of Yadavs, Muslims, Pasmanda Muslims, and EBCs/OBCs.
Opposition taking out yatras to save 'illegals' in Bihar: PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi raised concerns about demographic changes in Bihar's Seemanchal region, criticizing the opposition for supporting infiltrators for vote-bank politics. He promised to address the issue through the demography mission. Modi inaugurated projects worth 40,541 crore, including Purnia airport's terminal, and flagged off new trains.
PM Modi to inaugurate Purnia Airport, launch projects worth Rs 40,000 crore in Bihar today
the Prime Minister will address a public rally in East Champaran district and launch development projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore.
Ahead of PMs visit, Tejashwi Yadav makes surprise inspection of Purnia hospital
The leader of opposition in Bihar legislative Assembly pointed out that in the GMCH-Purnia, there is no ICU nor the cardiology department and even the trauma centre is not functional.
BJP livid over Congress video on Modis mother
NEW DELHI: The BJP has launched a strong offensive against Congress after the latter shared an AI video on its official X handle, showing Prime Minister Narendra Modis late mother expressing anguish over being dragged into politics by her son. Union Minister Giriraj Singh, along with several BJP leaders, condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he had once again insulted the Prime Ministers mother. Singh demanded legal action, calling it a form of fraud committed through AI, targeting a woman who is no longer alive, and added that Rahul Gandhi has become shameless and lacks respect for women. The video surfaced a day before Prime Minister Modis visit to Bihar, where he was scheduled to inaugurate government schemes, including Purnia Airport, and address a public rally. A BJP leader said, Let us wait and hear what our PM has to say about this disgraceful act by the Congress. The Congress has made a mockery of itself by circulating such a video. Former Union minister Shahnawaz Hussain also strongly condemned Congress. BJP spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla said, Bihar Congress crossed all limits with a disgusting video. This party has become gaaliwadi instead of gandhiwadi shameful abuse of a person no longer with us. Former Union minister Anurag Thakur added, RJD and Congress have shown how low politics can go people of Bihar know them, they will never forgive leaders of such parties for this insult. BJP allies like JDU and LJP(RV) condemned the clip. JDUs Sanjay K Jha said, Sharing an AI-generated video of the late mother of PM Modi is a very despicable act, while LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan called it extremely reprehensible and sad.
BJP lashes out at Congress for sharing AI-generated clip of PM Modi, his mother
NEW DELHI: The BJP has launched a strong offensive against the Congress after its Bihar unit shared an AI-generated video clip from its official X handle. The clip depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modis late mother expressing anguish over being dragged into politics by her own son. Union Minister Giriraj Singh, along with several other BJP leaders, launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of once again insulting the Prime Ministers mother. Singh demanded legal action against Gandhi, calling the act a form of fraud committed through artificial intelligence, targeting a woman who is no longer alive. Singh, a senior BJP leader from poll-bound Bihar, condemned Rahul Gandhi, stating that he had become shameless and lacked respect for women. pic.twitter.com/aA4mKGa67m Bihar Congress (@INCBihar) September 10, 2025 Notably, the AI-generated video surfaced on social media just a day before Prime Minister Modis scheduled visit to Bihar, where he is set to inaugurate several government schemes, including the Purnia Airport, and address a public rally. Let us wait and hear what our Prime Minister has to say about this disgraceful act by the Congress during his rally in Purnia. The Congress has made a mockery of itself by circulating such a video, said a BJP leader from Bihar, adding that the matter would be taken to the court of the people of Bihar. Former Union Minister Shahnawaz Hussain, a prominent minority face of the BJP from Bihar, also condemned the Congress and criticised its leadership in strong terms.
20,000 RSS volunteers working at grassroots in Bihar to boost NDA's chances in assembly polls
NEW DELHI: With Bihar set for a keenly fought battle at the polls following the Opposition's launch of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', the RSS the ideological mentor of the BJP has reportedly intensified its groundwork in the state to smoothen the pitch for the BJP-led NDA. Over 20,000 RSS volunteers are discreetly advancing the organisations mission at the grassroots level by promoting the Sanghs nationalist ideology and highlighting how the government's actions are aligned with the Sanghs vision of the national interest. With Bihar poised for a high-stakes triangular contest in a majority of assembly constituencies after the entry of political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor's newly formed Jan Suraj Party, the role of the Sangh on the ground has become more crucial. In an emerging situation where the Opposition-led by the RJD with the Congress has started creating a fake narrative on SIR and other issues against the government, our duty as citizens is also to dispel these narratives on the ground. The Sangh is dedicated to the nation and the people as the world's largest social organisation, remarked a Sangh volunteer, neither denying the presence of Sangh volunteers on the ground nor admitting it on record. Although the Sangh does not directly engage in political campaigning, its volunteers, who are called Swayamsevaks, continue to actively promote its nationalist and Hindutva ideologies to help create a favourable ground for the saffron party in the electoral arena. As part of its nationwide strategy to mark its centenary celebrations beginning this Vijayadashami which falls on October 2 this year the Sangh is planning outreach efforts across the country, including in the remote areas of Bihar. A series of public interactions have been planned to deepen the Sanghs connection with the masses. Topics such as the success of Operation Sindoor, the SIR whether it is needed in the country or not and other issues designed to bring about social change in the broader interest of the public, will be actively addressed during the centenary year. Sources indicated that Sangh volunteers are already active on the ground in many districts across Bihar, including Siwan, Buxar, Ara, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur, Kishanganj, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Rohtas, West Champaran, Vaishali, and others. With the aim of educating and making people aware of national issues and interests, the Sanghs volunteers are reportedly well ahead in their ground-level work in the run-up to the assembly elections. The RSS has also deployed volunteers from other states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and others to assist in groundwork ahead of its centenary functions, which coincide with the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for November this year. Even in Bihars Seemanchal region, which has a significant Muslim population, the Sangh has an organised presence, with volunteers working in a disciplined manner to inspire people towards nationalist ideologies. The entire state of Bihar has been divided into four zones, each managed by experienced Sangh volunteers working in coordination with volunteers from other RSS-inspired social organisations. The Sanghs volunteers, affiliated with several RSS-inspired organisations such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Sanskar Bharti, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and the Rashtriya Shaikshanik Mahasangh are also on the ground ahead of the elections, in the same coordinated manner they had adopted in Haryana and Maharashtra prior to the assembly polls there. A senior source closely associated with the Sangh said the centenary-related activities in Bihar have already commenced, but they are expected to gain momentum after 22 September the conclusion of the inauspicious Pitra-Paksha period, which begins on September 7. Numerous Hindu Sammelans are scheduled to be held in Bihars interior regions as part of the centenary events, coinciding with the growing election fervour in the state.
EC issues 3 lakh notices over Voter ID discrepancies in Bihar; foreign nationals among those flagged
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued nearly 3 lakh notices to electors in Bihar after Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) found discrepancies in their voter identification documents during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the states electoral rolls, sources said on Friday. According to officials, the discrepancies were discovered during document verification, and in several instances, nationals from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, were allegedly found in possession of Indian voter identity cards. These irregularities surfaced during document checks conducted by EROs, with formal notices issued following detailed field inquiries, a senior official stated. Each elector flagged in the process has been asked to appear before authorities within seven days to clarify or rectify their records. Bihar CM Nitish condemns 'abuses' hurled at PM Modi during 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Darbhanga A comprehensive verification drive is scheduled to take place from 1 to 30 August, and individuals found ineligible will have their names removed from the final voter list, which is set to be published on 30 September. During house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), many individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar were found to have procured multiple Indian documents, including Aadhaar, ration cards, and domicile certificates, the source added. The highest number of questionable cases have been reported from border and adjoining districts such as East Champaran, West Champaran, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Araria, and Supaul. As of Thursday, the ECI had received a total of 2,11,650 applications from individuals and political parties seeking inclusion or deletion of names from the draft rolls. Among political parties, CPI (ML) Liberation submitted 8 applications, while the main opposition party RJD submitted 9. 'PM Modi is scared,' claims Rahul Gandhi during Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar Out of the total applications, 24,991 have already been disposed of by the EROs. However, the ECI has not released specific figures on how many were related to inclusions or deletions. The draft electoral roll was published on 1 August, following the commencement of the SIR process on 24 June. According to the poll panel, documents of 99.11% of Bihars 7.24 crore electors have already been verified, with 98.2% submitting the required documentation between 24 June and 24 August.
3 Lakh Bihar Voters Get Poll Panel Notice Amid Doubts Over Their Citizenship
Suspect voters were mostly in East & West Champaran, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Araria, and Supaul, which have a porous border and have been in political crosshairs
Ahead of Bihar elections 2025, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Sal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav were seen riding a Bullet motorcycle during their 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar's Purnia. What did BJP leadrer's said?
Bihar Election 2025: Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav lead Voter Adhikar Yatra on bikes in Purnia
Poll-Bound Bihar To Get Another Amrit Bharat Train This Week; Purnia-Patna Vande Bharat En Route
Bihar, going for elections later this year, has been getting a connectivity and infrastructure push over the last couple of months
Sharda University administration booked after B.Tech student died by suicide citing bullying, stress
LUCKNOW: Sharda University appears to be sailing in troubled waters. While the institution has yet to clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged death by suicide of second-year BDS student Jyoti Sharma, 21, in mid-July, reportedly due to harassment by faculty members, another tragedy has struck. A B.Tech student, 24, died by suicide on the night of 15 August in a private hostel in Knowledge Park, barely two kilometres from the campus. According to sources, police registered a case of abetment to suicide against the Sharda University administration and unidentified individuals in connection with the death. In a suicide note recovered from the possession of the deceased, identified as Shivam Dey, 24, a native of Purnia district in Bihar, he allegedly described himself as useless and wrote that he could no longer bear the stress. The first information report (FIR) also alleged that the deceased told his parents that classmates bullied him over failing the exam. On Sunday, two days after the incident, Greater Noida police registered a case under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) against the administration of Sharda University and unidentified individuals, on the complaint of the students father, who alleged mismanagement. The college did not inform us that my son was not attending classes despite accepting tuition fees for the past two years, reads the FIR. Meanwhile, sources claimed that as per the initial probe, the student had enrolled in the universitys B.Tech course in 2022 but stopped attending classes after failing his second-year exams. The student received a supplementary exam in the first year. He passed the supplementary exam and was admitted to the second year. But after another supplementary exam in the second year (2023), this time he failed in it and then he stopped attending classes since 2023, said Sharda Universitys Director (Public Relations), Dr Ajit Kumar. We were informed that the student concerned had created fake mark sheets from Sharda University and sent them to his parents, claiming he was enrolled and studying. As he had a login ID for the college, his parents continued sending fees to the universitys account. We sent multiple messages about his absence and re-admission to the college, but it was revealed that he had provided his personal number, where the university sent messages, Kumar said. In the last two years, his parents deposited over Rs 2.5 lakh in the universitys account. We asked them to provide bank details to return the additional money, added Kumar, questioning how someone could be considered part of the university when he had left the course without providing any information. The university, meanwhile, stated that had the parents contacted them directly, they would have been informed about the additional fees and it would have been refunded without delay. With more than 20,000 students enrolled, it was challenging to monitor each students login details for fee deposits, the administration claimed. Police investigations, however, revealed clear lapses on the part of the college, as the administration allegedly continued to accept fees without informing the parents that the student had stopped attending classes. Evidence provided by the family suggests that they deposited all semester fees without delay. If the student provided an incorrect number at the time of admission, the college should have cross-verified it, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) (Greater Noida) Vivek Ranjan Rai. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
BTech student at private university in Greater Noida dies by suicide
NOIDA: A second year engineering student at a private university in Greater Noida allegedly died by suicide at his hostel room, police said on Sunday. In his suicide note, Shivam Dey held no one responsible for his death and requested the university to refund the fee to his parents. The student also mentioned that he was unable to bear the pressure of studies, they said. A native of Purnia in Bihar's Madhubani, Shivam was pursuing BTech in Computer Science from Sharda University in Greater Noida. According to the family, the 24-year-old student went back to college on August 2 after returning from family trip to Vaishno Devi. Kartik Dey, the student's father claimed that he was normal when he was at home and showed no signs of distress. Shivam was the lone son in his family, his father works in a private company and mother is a housewife. The Knowledge Park police informed that a memo from a private hospital was received on August 15 that a 24 years old student was found dead in HRM Hostel. The body was sent for the post-mortem and a case has been registered, they said. A spokesperson of the Sharda University said that the university has expressed condolences to student's family and confirmed that fees would be refunded and all necessary support would be given to them. Shivam Day enrolled in the B Tech computer Science programme in 2022. He completed his first year, but after that he struggled in his second year and failing to meet the minimum grade requirement of a 5.0 CGPA to progress to the third year, the spokesperson said. His mentor remained in his touch to support him and encouraged him to participate in internships, and other academics programmes, he added, adding that Shivam was also given opportunities to improve his performance, but if could not he was offered to repeat the second year at reduced fees. On July 18, a second year student of Dental Sciences also died by suicide. She had accused two faculty members for her death and after that they were arrested by police. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Ex-Sharda University Student Found Dead In Hostel, Suicide Note Mentions Mental Stress
The deceased, hailing from Purnia district in Bihar, was found hanging inside his room at a hostel in Knowledge Park, about two kilometres from the university
To finalise the specifics before the opening, AAI recently convened a high-level meeting. Before operations start, airport employees will undergo training.
Bihar elections: Migration a major factor behind change in voter demography
Bihar's draft electoral roll reveals demographic shifts due to migration. Patna saw the highest voter deletion, followed by Madhubani. BJP-JDU strongholds like East Champaran also experienced significant deletions. Gopalganj's voter list shrank due to migration and floods. Samastipur witnessed a close NDA-RJD contest. Purnia is among the top districts with voter deletions.
NEW DELHI: The NHRC said on Wednesday that it has issued notices to the Bihar government and the state's police chief over reports that five members of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) family were allegedly hacked to death and their bodies burnt on the suspicion of practising witchcraft in Purnia district earlier this month. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also directed the state government to take steps to ensure the safety of a 16-year-old boy, the sole surviving member of the family and an eyewitness to the alleged incident, and provide counselling to him. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that five members of a family, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, including three women, were allegedly hacked to death and their bodies were burnt on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Bihar's Purnia district on the night of July 6, the rights panel said in a statement. The commission observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it said it has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Bihar, seeking a detailed report in two weeks, including the present status of the investigation of the case and arrest of the perpetrators. According to the media reports published on July 8, the 16-year-old sole surviving member of the family has informed police that a mob of around 50 people allegedly stormed into their house, accusing his mother of practising witchcraft, the statement said. The mob first allegedly assaulted his mother with bamboo sticks, calling her a witch. Then it attacked the rest of the family members who came to rescue her and hacked all of them to death in front of the survivor, it said, quoting the reports. Later, the assailants allegedly carried the victims' bodies around 100 to 150 metres away from their house and set those ablaze, the NHRC said. Reportedly, villagers suspected that the illness and death of a boy in the village were caused by the victim family by practising witchcraft, it added.
Bihar's 'Tanishq robbery' mastermind, LJP leader's murder accused nabbed by Uttarakhand STF
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has achieved a significant breakthrough by arresting a notorious gangster from Bihar. The criminal was a wanted suspect in a major jewellery heist worth Rs 3.70 crore and is also accused of murdering a Lok Janshakti Party leader. According to the STF, the accused, identified as Mohammad Rahul alias Shakib, was hiding under a fake identity in Kaliyar Sharif area of Roorkee, Haridwar. His arrest on Sunday marks the end of several months of his evasion. Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar of the STF provided detailed information about the arrest. He stated, Mohammad Rahul alias Shakib was a wanted suspect in a multi-crore jewellery robbery and is also accused of murdering a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader in Bihar. SSP Bhullar elaborated on the Tanishq showroom robbery that took place on July 26 last year, in Purnia district, Bihar. Six criminals had robbed the Tanishq showroom located in Khajanchi Haat police station area at gunpoint, looting jewellery worth Rs 3.70 crore, he explained. He further detailed the subsequent actions, saying, Following the incident, one accused, Chunmun Jha , was killed in a police encounter, while four other accused are currently in jail. However, Mohammad Rahul alias Shakib, who was a key member of this robbery gang, had been absconding since the incident. SSP Bhullar informed that the Uttarakhand STF received precise intelligence from Bihar Police that Rahul was hiding in Kaliyar. Describing the operation, he said, Based on this information, the STF team acted swiftly. They successfully arrested the wanted accused from the Kaliyar police station area using manual policing and their informer network. This high-profile arrest is part of a special campaign being run by the Director General of Police of Uttarakhand, Deepam Seth, to apprehend long-absconding wanted criminals and gangsters across the state. This action by the STF reinforces the commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.
Aadhaar saturation rate higher than 100 per cent in Bihar's Seemanchal region
PATNA: Aadhaar saturation rates in Seemanchal region of election-bound Bihar are above 100 per cent, official data revealed. The data was collected from Seemanchal region comprising Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar and Araria districtsthat have Muslim populations ranging from 39 per cent to 68 per cent. According to official data collected during caste-based survey by the Bihar government, while the states average Aadhaar coverage stands at around 94 per cent, Kishanganj, with 68 per cent Muslim population, shows an Aadhaar saturation of 105.16 per cent of the districts total population. Similarly, Katihar (45 per cent Muslim population) and Araria (50 per cent) each have a saturation rate of 101.92 per cent and 102.23 per cent, respectively. Purnia (with 39 per cent Muslim population) stands at 101 per cent of the districts total population. The figures suggested that there were over 120 Aadhaar cards for every 100 residents in Seemanchal region, which shares its border with West Bengal and Nepal. This anomaly raised questions about who these additional Aadhaar cards were meant for and why they existed. Authoritative sources said that Aadhaar cards were being mostly used for obtaining domicile certificates in these districts. Sudden rise in applications for domicile certificates also raised doubts and officials posted in the districts shared their concerns with their seniors in the state secretariat. Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary said that around 2 lakh applications have been submitted for domicile certificates in the past one week and so in Kishanganj district alone. A sudden jump in applications for domicile certificates in Muzaffarpur district has also raised concern, he added. The state government has ordered an investigation into sudden jump in applications for domicile certificates in Seemanchal region, especially after the Election Commission (ECs) Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls started on June 24, he told the media. Deputy chief minister did not rule out possibility of Bangladeshi citizens settling in these districts as countrys international border with Bangladesh is not far off from Kishanganj. An IAS officer posted as district magistrate in Seemanchal region, said on condition of anonymity that the district administration was keeping a close watch on applications for domicile certificates under his jurisdiction. According to official figures, 1,27,000 applications for domicile certificates were submitted to authorities concerned in Kishanganj district between July 1 and 6. The four districts of Seemanchal region have registered about 16 per cent growth in Muslim population between 1951 and 2011, as per census. The average Muslim population in the four districts stands at 47 per cent. The issue has stirred debate not only in poll-bound Bihar but also in neighbouring West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjees government is already grappling with Aadhaar card deactivation concerns. Many political observers have questioned whether this is an attempt by Opposition parties and the Left to position Aadhaar as proof of citizenship. Given the one person-one Aadhaar rule, the figures have triggered concerns over possible duplication or issuance to non-citizens. Seemanchals geographical location adds sensitivity to the issue, as the region borders West Bengal, Nepal, and is not far from Bangladesh, said a senior journalist Pramod Kumar, who earlier worked in Purnea. The Opposition, including RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, called for a Bihar bandh on July 9 to protest the ECs Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which excludes Aadhaar as valid proof for voter verification.
Video: Pappu Yadav, Kanhaiya Kumar Stopped From Boarding Van With Rahul Gandhi
In a potential embarrassment for the Congress, its leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Purnia MP Pappu Yadav were stopped from boarding an open van which had Rahul Gandhi, RJD Chief Tejashwi Yadav and some other leaders on it.
In Purnia district, Bihar, a family of five was allegedly burned alive by villagers accusing them of practicing black magic. The victims, identified as members of the Oraon community, included the father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and grandmother. Police have arrested three individuals as investigations continue into the horrific incident, which has sparked outrage and political condemnation.
Five members of family burnt alive in Bihars Purnia district on allegation of witchcraft
Incident took place on Sunday, July 6, night at Tetgama village under Muffasil Police station, three arrested
Mob Burns 5 Of Family Alive In Bihar's Purnia Over 'Witchcraft' Suspicion
In yet another case of superstition claiming lives, five members of a family have been set ablaze in Bihar's Purnia district on suspicion of practising 'witchcraft'.
Five Family Members Lynched, Their Bodies Burnt By Mob Over Witchcraft Allegation In Bihars Purnia
According to police, the victims were first beaten to death and then their bodies were burnt by a mob of more than 250 villagers who accused them of practising witchcraft.
