Demographic disruption emerging as threat to nationalism: Vice President Dhankhar

RAIPUR, Jan 21 : Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said demographic disruption was emerging as a serious threat to nationalism, and called for united efforts against attempts to change the organic demography through allurement and temptation. Speaking during an interaction programme with students on the theme Ideas for building Better Bharat, he also stressed the need to deal with the problem of illegal migration, stating that it has taken the shape of unmanageable dimension. Students of the National [] The post Demographic disruption emerging as threat to nationalism: Vice President Dhankhar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

14 Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter

Raipur: Fourteen Naxals were gunned down in an encounter with the security forces in the forested area close to the Udanti Sitanadi wildlife sanctuary in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh, the police said on Tuesday. Among them was a central committee member of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Jayaram alias Chalpathi, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. The encounter, which took place in Kulhadi Ghat area under Mainpur police station on Monday afternoon, was continuing till the last reports came at 7 pm on Tuesday, the police said. Fourteen Maoists have been killed in the encounter so far. Besides, a huge cache of automatic weapons, including self-loaded rifles (SLR) and INSAS, were recovered at the encounter site, additional DGP (Naxal operation) Vivekanand Sinha told this newspaper. The death toll of Maoists is likely to go up as the security forces have started closing in on the Maoist camp in the area, another police officer said, but did not want to be quoted. The development assumes significance as far as the counter-insurgency is concerned as a Maoist central committee member has not been known to be killed in an encounter, a senior police officer said. Jayaram, alias Chalpathi alias Ramchandra Reddy alias Appa Rao alias Ramu, was a CC member and was in charge of the Maoists Odisha state committee, according to the police. He was also operating in the Marh region in Abujhmad area in south Bastar, the police said. He hailed from Matampalle village under Kambhamvaripalle Mandal in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Acting on specific intelligence inputs on the presence of some top-level Maoist leaders along with armed Naxals in the forested area, a joint operation involving Chhattisgarhs district reserve guards (DRG), CRPF, CoBRA and Odishas Special Operation Group (SoG) was launched on Monday. Sources said that around 1,000 security personnel from the Chhattisgarh and Odisha police and the CRPF had surrounded a group of around 60 Maoists from all sides, leaving them little opportunity to escape. The security forces have now advanced towards the Maoists camp and the exact number of the slain Naxals could be ascertained when the forces raid the camp, a police officer said. Union home minister Amit Shah hailed the successful counter-insurgency operation and said: Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said: Strengthening the resolve of esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to end Naxalism in the country by March 2026, security personnel are continuously achieving success in counter-insurgency operations. Their achievements are commendable and I salute their bravery. On Monday, two women Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the area. On January 16, as many as 18 Maoists, including Telangana state committee chief Damodar, carrying a bounty of Rs 50 lakhs, were gunned down in an encounter in Bijapur district in south Bastar in Chhattisgarh.

14 Naxals killed along Odisha-Chhgarh border

New Delhi :Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said 14 Naxals were killed in a joint operation by the CRPF, Special Operation Group of Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Describing it as another mighty blow to Naxalism, he said, With the resolve for a Naxal-free India and joint efforts of security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today. Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, Shah wrote on X. An official said the Naxals were killed in a fresh exchange of fire that took place late Monday and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. A senior police officer of Raipur Zone confirmed the death toll, adding that a substantial cache of weapons was recovered from the site, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and other automatic firearms. The operation is still underway as forces continue to comb the area for further evidence and militants.

14 Maoists killed along Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, Shah terms it mighty blow to Naxalism

Raipur/Bhubaneswar: Fourteen Naxals, including a top CPI (Maoists) leader who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore, were killed in a joint operation by central and state police forces along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday termed the encounter as another mighty blow to Naxalism and asserted the Narendra Modi governments []

Top Naxal with Rs 1 crore bounty among 16 extremists killed in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: Jayram alias Chalapathi, a Naxal commander, who was carrying Rs 1 crore bounty on his head, was among the 16 ultras killed in a fierce exchange of fire in Gariaband district in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The encounter began on Monday and is still on. Earlier, Gariaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha had confirmed that 14 Naxals [] The post Top Naxal with Rs 1 crore bounty among 16 extremists killed in Chhattisgarh appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .

10 More Naxalites Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In Chhattisgarh's Gariaband District

At least twelve Maoists, including several senior leaders, were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Kularighat forested terrain of the Mainpur region in Gariaband district, near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, approximately 160 km east of Raipur, a senior police officer reported on Tuesday. n18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Polls to urban, rural local bodies announced in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: The state election commission (SEC) on Monday announced the schedule for the simultaneous polls to urban and the three-tier panchayat bodies in Chhattisgarh. The synchronization of the two elections is part of the exercise to prepare for one state-one election, on the line of one nation-one election, mulled by the Centre. Chhattisgarh is the first state to initiate the process. The polls to the urban bodies would be held in one phase on February 11, while the three-tier panchayat elections will be conducted in three phases on February 17, 20 and 23, the SEC Ajey Singh said. The counting of votes for the urban body polls will be held on February 15 whereas the counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat elections will be conducted on February 18, 21 and 24. The poll schedule has been prepared in such a way so that the entire election process will be completed before the school board examinations, set to commence in the month of March, he said. While the elections to the urban bodies will be held with the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the polls to the panchayat bodies will be held with ballot papers. Polling will be for various positions in 10 municipal corporations, 49 municipal councils, and 114 nagar panchayats. In the three-tier panchayat elections, polling will be held for 1,75,258 positions, including district panchayat members, janpad panchayat members, sarpanches and ward members. Model code of conduct came into force in the poll-bound regions on Monday.

Two Women Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Forest Encounter

Raipur: Two women Maoists were on Monday gunned down in an encounter with security forces in the forest falling under the Udanti Sitanadi tiger reserve in Gariaband district in Chhattisgarh, police said. A jawan of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was injured in the incident. The encounter took place at around nine in the morning in the reserve forest under Mainpur police station, Gariaband district superintendent of police Nikhil Rakhecha told this newspaper. Bodies of two Maoists along with two automatic weapons including one self-loaded rifle (SLR) were later recovered at the encounter site, he said. Recovery of the automatic weapons indicates that the women Maoists should be in the rank of commander or deputy commander in the Naxal cadre, he said. Identities of the slain Maoists were being ascertained. The CoBRA jawan has been airlifted to Raipur for treatment and he was said to be stable. Acting on specific intelligence inputs on the presence of the armed Maoists in the reserve forest, a joint operation was launched by the security personnel of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. An encounter ensued when the security forces came face to face with the Maoists in the jungle. The encounter lasted around eight hours till 5.30 pm, the police officer said. Maoists have established a corridor passing through western Odisha to east Chhattisgarh, police sources said. A patch of forest under Udanti Sitanadi tiger reserve comes under this Maoist corridor, sources said. Total 25 Maoists were killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh in January so far.

Two women Naxalites killed in inter-state anti-Naxalite operation in Chhattisgarh

Two female Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh. A CoBRA commando suffered minor injuries and was transported to Raipur for treatment. The joint operation involved Chhattisgarh and Odisha's security forces and resulted in the recovery of the Naxalites' bodies.

Chhattisgarh announces dates for urban bodies, 3-tier panchayat polls

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh State Election Commission on Monday announced the simultaneous schedules for conducting the urban bodies and the 3-tier panchayat elections in the state. Chhattisgarh becomes the first state to synchronise elections with one state-one election preparations apparently being worked out by the Commission. The urban bodies polls will be held in one phase on February 11 and counting of votes on February 15. The elections for the panchayats would be held in three phases and scheduled on February 17, 20, 23 and the counting of votes will be held the same day at the polling centres but the tabulations of votes will be held at the respective block headquarters on February 18, 21 and 24. The model code of conduct has been imposed across the state with the declaration of the elections, said Ajay Singh, the state election commissioner while declaring the dates. The schedule of the elections have been prepared in such a way that the entire polling process will get over before the school board examinations that are held in the month of March, the commissioner said. The entire process of both urban and panchayat polls will be over by February 24. The elections will be held by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the urban bodies and with the ballot boxes for the 3-tier panchayats. There are 4474269 voters to exercise their right to franchise in 3206 wards for urban bodies polls. The elections will be held in 10 municipal corporations, 49 municipalities and 114 nagar panchayats. Similarly, the elections for 433 zila panchayat members, 2973 janpad panchayat membersand 11672 gram panchayat sarpanch would be conducted on ballot paper and ballot boxes. There are 15812580 voters for the 3-tier panchayat elections. The panchayat polls will not be held along party lines, seemingly to remain apolitical and non-partisan. There are 37033 polling centres in both the urban (5992 booths) and rural areas (31041 booths).

Chhattisgarh: Police detain terminated assistant teachers protesting on streets of Raipur

AIR to help mitigate man-animal conflicts in MP

BHOPAL: Countrys public radio broadcaster, the All India Radio (AIR-Akashvani) has a new role to play in Madhya Pradesh alerting people about movement of wild animals, including elephants, tigers and leopards to prevent human-animal conflicts and related casualties. The AIR-Shahdol has started alerting and educating the villagers in Shahdol, Umaria and Anuppur districts, not just about movement of elephants, tigers and leopards, but also on the dos and donts on encountering them. Such alerts and audio clips developed with the state forest departments help are being interspersed with popular programs, particularly music and farmers-oriented programs. This development is inspired by similar AIR services in adjoining Chhattisgarh about the movement of elephants. The Chhattisgarh initiative that has drastically reduced human-elephant conflicts had been applauded by the PM Narendra Modi also. According to forest department sources, the alerts through the AIR is just one component of a detailed wild elephants and their habitat management plan, which is being formulated for monitoring the elephant movements and measures to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. The AIR alerts started following a workshop on human-animal conflicts at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in December 2024. Efforts are now on to make it a regular feature of Akashvani programs in other districts as well, such as Sidhi, Singrauli, Satna and Maihar, whose forest areas and villages located close to these areas fall on the route through which the elephants have been travelling in MP, after entering from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh. The AIR-Ambikapur, along with the radio service in Raipur, Raigarh and Bilaspur, have been successfully broadcasting the special bulletins about jumbo herd movements in Chhattisgarh since past many years, programming head of AIR-Shahdol centre Avinash Diwakar told this newspaper on Sunday. According to chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Shahdol Circle Ajay Kumar Pandey, Though the initiative is new, it would start delivering results on the ground, once it becomes a formal daily feature in the near future. We already have WhatsApp groups at Range and village levels, where all stakeholders of various departments and villages, including the Hathi Mitras are already being alerted about elephant and other wild animal movements.

Maninder wins Gold in Table Tennis at IIAPL

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Maninder Singh from the Jammu and Kashmir Chapter clinched the gold medal in the Table Tennis event at the prestigious Indian Institute of Architects Premium League (IIAPL), held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from January 16 to 19, 2025. In an impressive final, he defeated Hiten of Gujarat with a dominant 3-0 score, showcasing his skill and determination. The IIAPL tournament saw participation from architects across 20 states, making it a highly competitive national-level event. Jammu [] The post Maninder wins Gold in Table Tennis at IIAPL appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Maninder Singh receiving Gold medal from Ex-International Cricketer Rajesh Chauhan at Raipur.

Maninder Singh receiving Gold medal from Ex-International Cricketer Rajesh Chauhan at Raipur. The post Maninder Singh receiving Gold medal from Ex-International Cricketer Rajesh Chauhan at Raipur. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Chhattisgarh to develop marine fossil park at 280-million-year-old site

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh's Manendragarh district is poised to attract history enthusiasts and geologists with the discovery of a 280-million-year-old marine fossil site along the Hasdeo River. Inspired by the significant findings of marine strata containing fossils, the state government has announced plans to transform the site into a Marine Fossil Park. The conspicuousness of this fossil site was first identified by structural geologist Professor S K Ghosh in 1954. Years later, in 2015, experts from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleo Sciences, Lucknow, confirmed the importance of the fossils found in this region. Acknowledging its scientific value, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) designated the site as a National Geological Monument in 1982, recognising its exceptional contribution to understanding the Earth's ancient history, a state government spokesperson said to TNIE. The Chhattisgarh governments decision to develop this site into a Marine Fossil Park is expected to attract both tourists and scientists from around the world. The Park will serve as a biodiversity heritage site, offering a unique opportunity to explore the story of the Earths evolution and the ancient organisms that once lived here, he added. The notable park will be of glaring pride not only just for Chhattisgarh state but for the entire Asia, offering a rare glimpse into the Earths ancient marine life. Researchers will have access to the valuable site for scientific studies, while visitors can explore opportunities to learn about the ancient exciting history of marine life. The findings of fossiliferous marine fauna suggest the massive expanse of salt water covering the earth surface in this part of the state. The Chhattisgarh government, while emphasising the site as meaningful and crucial, is working closely with teams from the Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, and the Birbal Sahni Institute, Lucknow to assess the sites potential. Scientists are of the opinion that 280 million years ago, the region where the Hasdeo river is located was covered by a massive glacier. As geological changes took place, this region became a part of the Tethys Sea, allowing marine life to enter. While these species eventually became extinct, their preserved fossils continue to provide valuable insights into the history of life on Earth. The initiative by Chhattisgarh promises to bring the state onto the global map, showcasing the rich natural heritage of the region and offering future generations the occasion to understand the Earth's ancient past.

Maoists claim 18 casualties, including senior leader, after Bijapur encounter with security forces

RAIPUR: Two days after the security forces had traced twelve bodies of the Maoists following the fierce encounter in the Bijapur district last Thursday, the banned outfit issued a statement claiming they lost their 18 cadres including a senior leader Damodar of Telangana State Committee of CPI (Maoist). Damodar alias Choka Rao was carrying a reward of Rs 50 lakh on his head, a police officer said. The release was issued by Ganga, secretary, the South Bastar Divisional Committee of CPI (Maoist). The Red rebels succeeded in carrying away the six bodies of their cadres after the exchange of fire. The note of the Maoists cited the killing of Damodar as a major loss for their organisation and further claimed that in the gunfight five security personnel were also killed. Bastar has now turned into the most militarised zone of the country and the tribal communities are being repeatedly targeted under the guise of so-called anti-Maoist campaign, alleged the note. The official statement confirming the deaths. Bastar range inspector general of police Sundarraj P referring to the elimination of Damodar as a big setback to the Maoist movement along Chhattisgarh-Telangana inter-state border said, The Naxals are levelling baseless allegations regarding the casualties of forces and atrocities against the villagers. We will take this fight ahead to eliminate the banned outfit of Maoists. The troops that were out on anti-Maoist campaign also unearth an underground bunker with a long tunnel and seized a huge dump that stockpiled ammunition along with machines and explosives in an area close to the site of gun battle in Bijapur. The Maoists have been waging a war against the security forces and the state for nearly four decades now.

Bangladeshi national arrested in Saif Ali Khan stabbing case; doesn't have any Indian ID proof: Mumbai Police

The main suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been apprehended from Hiranandani Estate on Ghodbandar Road in Thane, the police said on Sunday. The accused, a Bangaladeshi national had entered actor's home with an intention of theft, DCP Dikshitkumar Ashok Gedam said in a press briefing. Saif Ali Khan's attacker, who was arrested from adjoining Thane, is a Bangladeshi, who had changed his name Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad to Bijoy Das after entering India, the official said. Authorities have confirmed that he had been using multiple aliases, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammed Iliyas. He had been living in Mumbai for more than five months, doing petty jobs. Police are trying to collect the documents the accused used to enter India illegally. VIDEO | Attack on Saif Ali Khan: DCP Dikshitkumar Ashok Gedam, Zone-IX, Mumbai Police, informs, The incident happened on January 16. A person intruded at the residence of actor Saif Ali Khan with an intention of theft, attack happened. One accused has been arrested. His name is pic.twitter.com/6aw8RczCyN Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2025 This arrest follows several detentions in connection with the high-profile case. On Saturday, Mumbai Police detained another suspect, Aakash Kanojia, in Chhattisgarh. Kanojia, believed to be around 32 years old, was intercepted by the Raipur Railway Protection Force (RPF) while traveling on the Jnaneswari Express. He was subsequently handed over to the Mumbai Police. However, further investigations revealed that he was not involved in the attack. Previously, another person had been questioned in Mumbai, but police also clarified that this individual had no connection to the incident. Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by a man during a burglary bid at the actor's Bandra West home in the wee hours of Thursday. The 54-year-old actor suffered multiple stab injuries, including on his neck and near the spine, in the attack at his house. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw, where he underwent emergency surgery and is out of danger. As per the complaint filed in the case, the attacker had entered the room of Saif Ali Khan's younger son, Jehangir, when he was spotted by the house help. Subsequent commotion alarmed other residents of the house, and Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan rushed into Jeh's room, the complainant said. Saif conronted the intruder and got injured in the scuffle. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who gave her statement to Mumbai Police on Saturday, mentioned that the intruder got aggressive during his scuffle but did not touch jewellery kept in the open. A team of doctors treating Saif Ali Khan on Saturday said the actor is recovering well and is expected to be discharged in two to three days. We are observing his progress, and he is doing well according to our expectations. As per his progress, we have advised him bed rest, and if he is comfortable, we will discharge him in two to three days, Dr Nitin Dange, a neurosurgeon at Lilavati Hospital, had said. Theft only motive, no gang behind attack on Saif Ali Khan: Minister (With inputs from PTI)

Saif Ali Khan attacker arrested in Thane, Mumbai police to question him

The main suspect in the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been apprehended in Thane, Mumbai Police said on Sunday. The accused, who has confessed to the crime, reportedly worked as a waiter at a local restaurant. Authorities have confirmed that he had been using multiple aliases, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammed Iliyas. He is currently in custody at the Khar Police Station. This arrest follows several detentions in connection with the high-profile case. On Saturday, Mumbai Police detained another suspect, Aakash Kanojia, in Chhattisgarh. Kanojia, believed to be around 32 years old, was intercepted by the Raipur Railway Protection Force (RPF) while traveling on the Jnaneswari Express. He was subsequently handed over to the Mumbai Police. However, further investigations revealed that he was not involved in the attack. Previously, another person had been questioned in Mumbai, but police also clarified that this individual had no connection to the incident. Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by a man during a burglary bid at the actor's Bandra West home in the wee hours of Thursday. The 54-year-old actor suffered multiple stab injuries, including on his neck and near the spine, in the attack at his house. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw, where he underwent emergency surgery and is out of danger. As per the complaint filed in the case, the attacker had entered the room of Saif Ali Khan's younger son, Jehangir, when he was spotted by the house help. Subsequent commotion alarmed other residents of the house, and Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan rushed into Jeh's room, the complainant said. Saif conronted the intruder and got injured in the scuffle. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who gave her statement to Mumbai Police on Saturday, mentioned that the intruder got aggressive during his scuffle but did not touch jewellery kept in the open. A team of doctors treating Saif Ali Khan on Saturday said the actor is recovering well and is expected to be discharged in two to three days. We are observing his progress, and he is doing well according to our expectations. As per his progress, we have advised him bed rest, and if he is comfortable, we will discharge him in two to three days, Dr Nitin Dange, a neurosurgeon at Lilavati Hospital, had said. Theft only motive, no gang behind attack on Saif Ali Khan: Minister

Two killed, 12 patients injured as college bus rams into lorry near Visakhapatnam-Raipur NH

VIZIANAGARAM: A man and his daughter, were killed, and 12 others were injured in a road accident on Saturday when a private medical college bus from the Anil Neerukonda Institute of Medical Sciences rammed into a stationary lorry with a punctured tyre. The incident occurred on the Visakhapatnam-Raipur National Highway near Madhupada village under Gajapathinagaram mandal in Vizianagaram district. The lorry had its hazard indicators on to alert other vehicles of the issue. However, the bus driver lost control, leading to the mishap. The deceased have been identified as Subratho Roy, 33, and his daughter Mehak Roy, 3, from Koraput district in Odisha. According to sources, the college had conducted a free medical camp in Koraput district on Friday and referred at least 40 patients for hospitalisation in Visakhapatnam for surgeries or other treatments. The accident occurred while these patients were being transported to the Anil Neerukonda Institute of Medical Sciences in Visakhapatnam. The injured passengers were trapped in the bus for over an hour with no way to escape. Upon receiving information from locals, Gajapathinagaram police rushed to the scene and initiated a rescue operation to free the passengers. At least five ambulances from different parts of Vizianagaram were dispatched to the site and transported the injured to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Vizianagaram. Later, they were shifted to the Anil Neerukonda Institute of Medical Sciences for advanced treatment. Eyewitnesses suspected that the bus driver collided with the stationary lorry due to poor visibility on the road and possible fatigue from lack of sleep. MSME, SERP, and NRI Relations Minister Kondapalli Srinivas inquired with district officials about the incident and directed them to ensure proper treatment for the injured.

Saif Ali Khan attack case: Suspect held was travelling from Jnaneswari Express train, to be handed over to Mumbai police

The suspect detained in connection with the stabbing attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, was nabbed by the Raipur Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Durg, Chhattisgarh, while he was travelling by the Jnaneswari Express train and will be handed over to the Mumbai Police for further investigation.

Instagram friendship lands woman and friend behind bars

Hyderabad: Friendship on Instagram landed a woman and her friend into trouble after Secunderabad Railway Police (GRP) in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested them for smuggling ganja from Visakhapatnam to Solapur in Maharashtra via Secunderabad railway station. The arrested have been identified as Ishrat Bano, 20, of Madhya Pradesh and Kanchan, 21, of Chhattisgarh. The prime accused Raja of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh is absconding. The railway police said Bano and Kanchan were friends when they studied in the same school up to intermediate at Bilaspur. They became addicted to consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Two years ago Bano developed a friendship with Raja on Instagram. Bano shared her problems, habits and status with Raja. Raja suggested Bano to assist him in transporting ganja to Maharashtra offering her to pay Rs.1,000 per packet. Bano then agreed to the offer and helped Raja transport ganja thrice a month. Meanwhile, Kanchan often expressed her desire with Bano to go on a long trip. Raja assigned the task of transporting ganja to Solapur. On January 16, 2025, Bano called Kanchan to come to Raipur for a trip to Solapur. During the journey, Bano revealed to Kanchan about the transportation ganja from Visakhapatnam to Solapur and convinced her by offering to share the earnings equally. Thereafter, both Bano and Kanchan went to Visakhapatnam railway station from Raipur. Bano then2 took two back packs of dry ganja in eight packets from an unknown person. She handed over a bag to Kanchan and both boarded a general coach of Konark Express to reach Solapur. On Friday at about 1.15 pm, the train arrived on platform one at Secunderabad station when the police nabbed them while moving under suspicious circumstances. As many as 17.767 kgs of dry ganja worth Rs.4.44 lakh and two mobile phones were seized from the possession of the arrested women.

Legend 90 League To Kick Off From Feb 6 In Raipur

Gujarat Samp Army: The much-awaited Legend 90 League, featuring cricket stalwarts such as former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor, will be played from February 6 to 18 in Raipur. Former Australian captain Aaron Finch, former Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan and Martin Guptill are also some key players who will be featured in the League. With dynamic franchises like Chhattisgarh Warriors, Haryana Gladiators, Dubai Giants, Gujarat Samp Army, Delhi Royals, Big Boys, Royal Kings Punjab and Rajasthan Kings, the stage is perfectly set for an unforgettable celebration of cricket. The league, featuring a dynamic 90-ball-per-side format, promises to be a game-changer in the cricketing landscape. Speaking on the commencement of League, Shivain Sharma, Director of the Legend 90 League, said We are thrilled to bring the Legend 90 League, showcasing some of the greatest cricketing legends in an exciting new format. With global icons participating and the innovative 90-ball format, we are confident this league will set a new benchmark in the world of cricket. The Chhattisgarh Warriors boast marquee players like Martin Guptill, Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu while Delhi Royals have Shikhar Dhawan alongside Ross Taylor. Haryana Gladiators will have Harbhajan Singh at the helm, and former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will represent Rajasthan Kings. Also, former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan will play for Dubai Giants. Dhawan, who will represent Delhi Royals in the Legend 90 League, is elated to be back on the field. I'm super excited to share some big news with you all. This season of Legend 90 League, I'll be playing for the Delhi Royals. I'm all set to bring my legendary form to the field and make every moment count. Thank you to my fans for the continued support, said Dhawan. Dhawan, who will represent Delhi Royals in the Legend 90 League, is elated to be back on the field. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Cgarh: Deo Re-Elected As Cgarh BJP President

Raipur : Chhattisgarh unit BJP president Kiran Singh Deo has been re-elected to the party post. BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who was appointed observer by the Central party leadership to oversee the election process, on Friday declared Mr Deo elected unopposed in the post, marking the completion of the three-month-long organizational elections in the state. This was the second time Mr Deo assumed the party post. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and his cabinet colleagues and senior state party leaders were present on the occasion. Mr Deo, who represents Jagdalpur Assembly constituency in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, was first elected to the party post after BJP returned to power in the state in the November 2023 Assembly polls. I express my gratitude to the Central as well as the state leaderships of the party for reposing confidence in me by giving this responsibility once again, Mr Deo said. Mr Deo was a student leader and later joined BJP in the early 1990s. He had served the party in various capacities in the district as well as state units of the party. His re-election to the party post has put at rest the speculations that he may be inducted in the Vishnu Deo Sai cabinet in the upcoming expansion of the state ministry. Talks done round the party circles earlier said that a fresh face may replace Mr Deo in the party post and he may be inducted in the state cabinet in the long-awaited ministry expansion.

Hyderabad Cops Suspect Shooting Gang Headed to Bihar

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police suspect the duo who opened fire at a travel company manager here on Friday were from Bihar, and may be heading back to their home state. The Karnataka government, meanwhile, said the gang was the same one that had shot a cash delivery agent in Bidar earlier in the day and made off with a chest of cash containing Rs 93 lakh. Sources said the police were collecting CCTV footage from different places to trace the accused. After a preliminary probe, the police said that the gang had travelled towards Tank Bund in an autorickshaw, from where they disappeared. It is suspected that they were headed to Bihar. The Hyderabad police said that they formed more than 10 teams and the task force are collecting evidence. The Clues teams collected samples and verified the fingerprints at the place. The police officials said they would get a clue about the accused and solve the case. According to a report, the gang had fired eight bullets at cash delivery security guards Giri Venkatesh and Shiva Kashinath, before decamping with the cash meant for refilling an ATM in Bidar at about 11.30 am on Thursday. The robbers fled the spot on a bike, carrying the cash-filled trunk. Speaking in Bengaluru, Karnataka home minister G. Parameshwara said the gang had been identified. Karnataka police teams had gone to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and other possible hideouts. Both of them have been identified. They are being followed, Parameshwara told reporters. According to him, the assailants fled to Hyderabad after the crime. Usually gunmen accompany the transport when such a huge amount of cash is transported. Unfortunately, yesterday there was no gunman in the vehicle, the minister said. He suspected that thethe gang had studied the cash transportation process before executing the heist. It is suspected that the same duo turned up at an office of Roshan Travels, and urgently sought two tickets to Raipur. The agency staff sought their ID proof and wanted to inspect the baggage. At the same time, some Karnataka policemen pursuing a different case turned up at the scene. This scared the duo, one of whom opened fire, injuring manager Mohammed Jahangir in the leg and abdomen.

Hyderabad police intensifies probe in Afzalgunj firing incident

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police widened its probe into the firing incident that took place in Afzalgunj on Thursday night. An hour after the incident, the police started examining surveillance cameras installed at the travel agency and its surroundings to zero in on the armed robbers. The police also checked lodges and other hotels in Afzalgunj to know if anyone from other States checked in without valid documents. We have formed special teams to nab the two-member armed robbers who were behind the daring robbery in an ATM at Bidar in Karnataka, an official said, exuding confidence that the police would nab the robbers soon. The gang allegedly shot dead two security guards at an ATM kiosk in Bidar and looted Rs 93 lakh, opened fire at a travels company manager at Afzalgunj here, injuring him in the leg and abdomen on Thursday in their bid to escape. Police said the gang was trying to board a bus to Raipur and entered into an argument with the manager and opened fire. They then fled towards Osmania General Hospital. The Hyderabad police sounded a red alert and started frisking operations in various localities, especially in the southeast, east, central and southwest zones to try and identify the attacker. According to the police, the duo entered State on a bike after the murderous attack in Bidar, and entered the city early on Thursday. They intended to go to Raipur and headed to a travel office at about 3 pm and asked the manager for tickets. The manager, Mohammed Jahangir, became suspicious with their behaviour, and asked them to wait for a mini-bus to take them to the travel company bus waiting on the outskirts. When Jahangir demanded their ID cards, one of the gang members opened fire on him resulting in injuries. The attackers were aged between 30 and 35 years and spoke Hindi and carried backpacks, the police said.

Raipur Diary | In a major boost, Adani Group to invest Rs 75K cr

Gautam Adani, Adani Group chairman, met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at his official residence in Raipur on Sunday and assured an investment of Rs 75,000 crore in areas of power, cement, education, health, skill, and tourism. The major investment plan would be in the Adani Groups energy and cement projects. Adani discussed about a planned investment of Rs 60,000 crore to expand the groups power plants in Raipur, Korba and Raigarh in the state. The expansion will enhance Chhattisgarhs total power generation capacity by an additional 6,120 MW. Maoist couples tie nuptial knots Love and trust conquered the ideology of violence for Mahesh-Hemla and Madkam-Ravva, the two surrendered Maoist couples. They got married in Sukma district. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also attended the ceremony. Mahesh, Hemla Munni, Madkam and Ravva were associated with CPI (Maoist) for years, gave up arms and surrendered six months ago. Maoists strictly debar having a family life in their social milieu. The administration solemnised their marriages with rituals under the welfare scheme Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana. Panel soon to select new state police chief Chhattisgarh government is in the process to finalise a panel of senior IPS officers for the post of state police chief. DGP Ashok Juneja will retire on February 5, if no further extension is granted to him. Presently, there are three IPS officers who are said to be front-runners two IPS officers of 1992 batchArun Dev Gautam, Pawan Deo and one from 1994 batch Himanshu Gupta. However, speculations are rife on the name of G P Singh and SRP Kalluri (both 1994-batch) might also be considered in the panel as the duo completes the 30 years of service. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@newindianexpress.com

Cgarh Civic Body Polls to Be Held With EVMs

Raipur : The ensuing polls to the urban local bodies in Chhattisgarh would be held with electronic voting machines (EVMs). A notification to the effect has been issued here. A gazette notification issued by the state government said that the upcoming polls to the urban local bodies would be held with EVMs instead of ballot papers. The last polls to the urban local bodies in the state, held in 2019, were conducted with ballot papers. The civic body polls in the state were held with EVMs till 2014 when BJP was in power in the state. However, the Congress which returned to power in Chhattisgarh in 2018 had decided to hold the civic body polls with ballot papers instead of EVMs. The ensuing elections to the three-tier panchayat raj bodies in the state would however be held with ballot papers for technical reasons, official sources said. Elections to the urban and rural bodies in Chhattisgarh may be declared soon, sources said.

Chhattisgarh: 12 Naxals Killed in Bastar Encounter, Toll May Rise, Encounter Still Continues

Raipur: At least 12 Maoists were on Thursday gunned down in an encounter with security forces in the forest of Bijapur district in south Bastar of Chhattisgarh. The death toll of Naxals may go up as an intense gunbattle was still going on till the last reports came at nine pm, a senior police officer said, unwilling to be quoted. The exact casualty figure could be known after the encounter ends, a spokesman of Bastar police said. All the security personnel involved in the counterinsurgency operation were safe, the police officer said. Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj has confirmed the encounter. There is every possibility of Naxals suffering heavy casualty. The encounter is still going on. Details could be known only after the encounter ends, a spokesman of Bastar police said. A senior police officer told this newspaper that the encounter took place in the forest near Pujari Kanker village under Terram police station in Bijapur district at around nine in the morning. Acting on specific intelligence inputs on the presence of large number of armed Maoists including some senior cadres in the Pujari Kanker area, a joint security team comprising personnel of district reserve guard (DRG), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a search operation in the particular forest. The search party came under attack by the Maoists leading to the fierce encounter. Security forces have surrounded the Naxals. The casualty figure among the ultras is most likely to go up, the police officer said. The forested area where the encounter was going on has been known to be the core area of Maoists and guarded by the battalion number one of outlawed CPI (Maoist). In April 2021, 22 CRPF jawans were killed in a Maoist ambush in Tekelguda, close to the encounter site, a police officer said.

Jaipur rugs continues expansion with first Chhattisgarh store in Raipur

Visitors to the Raipur store can explore a curated selection of Jaipur Rugs' most iconic collections, including Genesis, Jaipur Wunderkammer, Mythos, Chaos Theory by Kavi and Inde Rose.

IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur: Two CRPF jawans injured

RAIPUR: Two personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured in an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) at Putkel, under Basaguda police station limits in Bijapur, about 400 km south of Raipur, on Thursday, the police said. A joint team of CRPF and its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit was out on an area domination exercise from the Putkel base camp on Thursday. During the campaign, two personnel were injured in a blast while accidentally crossing over a pressure IED planted by Maoists. Both the wounded jawans have been evacuated for immediate medical assistance. Their conditions are stable and out of danger, a police officer said. Law enforcement agencies in the conflict-ridden Bastar zone affirmed that despite the declining trend of Maoist-related incidents, the strenuous challenge of effectively countering IED threats persists during any operation in south Chhattisgarh. Even the United Nations has cited IEDs as a grave worldwide threat. IEDs are the easiest weapon for Maoists, who always look for soft options to target, asserted Brigadier (retired) B K Ponwar, a jungle warfare expert.

Cgarh: ED Arrests Former Minister Kawasi Lakhma in Excise Scam

Raipur : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested former minister Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time Congress MLA from Konta in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, in the alleged excise scam. The ED arrested him after interrogating him in connection with the alleged scandal. He was produced before a local court which remanded him to the ED custody till January 21. The alleged excise scam that took place during the previous Bhupesh Baghel government involved the illicit channelization of alcohol to the government liquor shops by a syndicate for commission. The ED has estimated the scam at Rs 2,162 crore. After his arrest, Mr Lakhma said that he was falsely implicated in the case. No money has been recovered from me in the raids by the ED in my premises. I have been cooperating with them (ED) in the investigation, but still they have arrested a poor man like me. I will continue to voice the issues of the people of Bastar, he said while being taken to the local court. After the ED raids in his houses on December 28, the lawmaker said I am not aware of any excise scam and I got to know about it from the newspapers and the TV news. I am an illiterate person and I signed the papers (files) when I was asked (by the officers). The ED had raided the premises of the tribal Congress leader and his son Harish Lakhma and some government officers in Raipur and Sukma in connection with the alleged scam. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had registered an FIR in the alleged excise scam in January this year based on the complaint filed by the ED. Seventy people including the former minister, IAS officer Anil Tuteja and ITS officer Arunpati Tripathy have been named in the FIR.

ED arrests ex-Excise minister, son in Chhattisgarhs alleged liquor scam

RAIPUR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested a six-time Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma, former excise minister, and his son Harish in Chhattisgarhs alleged liquor scam. Both will soon be produced before the special court in Raipur later today. After conducting extensive searches at the multiple locations linked to Lakhma and his son on December 28, both were later summoned by the ED in Raipur for questioning. Lakhma and Harish on Wednesday appeared before the ED for the third time and were arrested by the central probe agency. This is the first arrest of a cabinet-rank minister of the former Bhupesh Baghel government. The central agency is investigating the alleged involvement of the Congress leader, who remains a prominent tribal face in Bastar, under the provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Kawasi has maintained that he is illiterate and used to put his signature wherever he was asked as an excise minister. The state deputy chief minister Arun Sao contended how can anyone involved believe to get exonerated from the scam simply by claiming that he is illiterate. So far seven persons have been arrested in the liquor scam. The ED estimated that Proceeds of Crime of around Rs 2,161 crore have been generated by the suspects in the alleged liquor scam.

Chhattisgarh to expedite selection process for its new DGP through a panel

RAIPUR : The Chhattisgarh government will soon finalise a panel of senior IPS officers to be submitted for the appointment of the state police chief, as DGP Ashok Juneja is set to retire on February 5, unless a further extension is granted. Juneja, a 1989-batch officer, had his tenure extended by six months in August last year by the state government. There are four officers who are said to be front-runners for the post of DGP. The state government had earlier submitted a panel with the names of three senior IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which later reverted with some queries. The panel comprised two IPS officers from the 1992 batch Arun Dev Gautam and Pawan Deo and one from the 1994 batch, Himanshu Gupta. Speculations are rife that the name of G P Singh (1994-batch), who was compulsorily retired in July 2023 but reinstated in service by the Ministry of Home Affairs a month ago, is likely to be included in the revised list of the panel that will soon be sent to the UPSC by the state home department. According to sources, the names of SRP Kalluri (1994-batch) and Pradip Gupta (1995-batch) might also be considered, as both will be completing 30 years of service by the first week of February. Currently, the Chhattisgarh police have four DGP-rank officers. Usually, the state sends the names of senior IPS officers to the UPSC as likely candidates to be appointed as DGP. The UPSC then draws up a list of the three most acceptable officers, and the state is free to appoint anyone from the suggested names.

Chhattisgarh journalist murder: CM announces Rs 10 lakh aid

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday, January 14, announced an aid of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who was murdered in Bijapur district earlier this month. Talking to reporters at the helipad in police lines, Sai said a building will be constructed for scribes and named after 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 .

Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 10 lakh aid to murdered journalist's family

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday announced an aid of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who was murdered in Bijapur district earlier this month. Talking to reporters at the helipad in Police Lines, Sai said a building will be constructed for scribes and named after the slain journalist. Freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (33) went missing on January 1. His body was found on January 3 in a septic tank on a property owned by road contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town. Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused, was arrested from Hyderabad on January 5, while his brothers Ritesh and Dinesh and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke were arrested earlier . Sai said, The family of the deceased journalist will be given Rs 10 lakh assistance. A building will be constructed for journalists, and it will be named after him. The special investigation team probing the case has said the accused, Suresh Chandrakar, the slain journalist's relative, was enraged after the latter published a news report highlighting alleged corruption in his road construction work in Bijapur. Disintegrated 'Asthi Kalash' of Chhattisgarh journalist Mukesh Chandrakar traced near cremation ground Mukesh Chandrakar worked as a freelance journalist for the NDTV news channel and ran a YouTube channel, ' Bastar Junction ', which has around 1.59 lakh subscribers. He played a crucial role in the release of CoBRA commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from Maoist captivity in April 2021 following the Takalguda Naxal ambush in Bijapur, in which 22 security personnel died. The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a specialised jungle warfare unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma earlier claimed that Suresh Chandrakar was a Congress leader. The opposition party, however, claimed he had recently joined the ruling BJP. The state Public Works Department (PWD) has suspended the accused road contractor's registration and cancelled contracts allotted to him. 'Deeply disturbed,' say Editors Guild over Chhattisgarh journalist's murder; 3 held

Disintegrated 'Asthi Kalash' of Chhattisgarh journalist Mukesh Chandrakar traced near cremation ground

RAIPUR: In a shocking incident, the Asthi Kalash (urn with ashes) of the slain journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was found shattered and lying spread on the ground, some fifty metres away from the cremation ground in Bijapur district, about 400 km south of Raipur. Chandrakar was brutally murdered on January 1, after he reported corruption in the execution of the road construction contracts secured by his cousins in the Maoist-affected area of Bijapur. When the relatives of Chandrakar reached Muktidham on Monday, they found the 'Kalash' missing from the place they kept earlier, following which they searched nearby and traced the broken urn with ashes lying scattered on the ground some 50 metres away, the police said. The 'Kalash' was to be taken to Kaleshwaram in Telangana for Asthi Visarjan, a sacred ritual of immersing the ashes of departed persons into a holy river. Three detained in connection with Chhattisgarh-based journalist's murder Based on the complaint by Yukesh, brother of Mukesh, the police began an investigation. The CCTV cameras installed nearby are being checked to nab the culprit. The offenders will not be spared, a senior police officer added. 'Deeply disturbed,' say Editors Guild over Chhattisgarh journalist's murder; 3 held

Maoism like cancer, need to eradicate it: Chhattisgarh CM Sai

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said Maoism is like cancer and there is need to strike at its root to end the menace. In the last one year, security forces have killed more than 230 Maoists in various encounters, Sai said addressing a function on Monday after inaugurating and laying foundation stones 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 .

Security Forces Target Top-level Maoist Leaders in Bastar

Raipur: Security forces have targeted top-level Maoist leaders operating in the Leftwing insurgency-hit Bastar in Chhattisgarh to achieve the goal of ending Naxalism by March, 2026, a senior police officer said on Monday. A hit-list of top-level Maoist leaders has been prepared to neutralize them either through surrender, arrest or elimination, sources in the state intelligence bureau (SIB) told this newspaper. The counterinsurgency strategy focused on neutralization of top-level cadres of Maoists instead of the lower-rung leaders and foot soldiers, the SIB sources disclosed. Neutralisation of top-level leaders of the Maoist cadres makes the Naxal movement leaderless in the Maoist strongholds leading to erosion of Maoist bases, the police officer said. No wonder, six special zonal committee (SZC) members who were also members of various state committees of the Maoists, 16 divisional committee (DVC) members, 32 area committee members and over 60 peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) cadres were among the ultras slain in the last 13 months. While a SZC member carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh, a DVC member and an area committee member carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh and Rs five lakh respectively. In January this year, of the 14 Maoists killed in separate encounters in Bastar, eight were DVC members. Our target is the think tank of Maoists since they misguide the local people (to join the Naxal movement). Our objective is to remove the top-level leaders from the Maoist movement to ensure erosion of Maoist bases, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj told this newspaper. He said that the strategy of targeting the top-level Maoist leaders has started paying dividends with the lower-rung leaders deployed in the outer layer of their security appearing to be losing motivation and commitment to their job. In recent encounters, it was noticed that the lower-rung leaders had fled the spot causing big holes in the security of the top-level leaders, SIB sources said. These incidents have created trust deficit between the top-level leaders and the lower-rung leaders and the trust-deficit appears to be growing, Mr Sunderraj said. The neutralization of top-level leaders has also emboldened the local tribals in the core areas of Maoists not to extend support to the Maoists, leading to erosion of their bases, he added. This was the reason why the Maoists have suffered serious setbacks in the encounter with security forces in Bastar in recent times, the police officer said.

Senior woman Naxalite, associate held in Chhattisgarh's Kanker

RAIPUR: A senior woman Naxalite, carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh on her head, and her associate have been arrested from Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, a police official said on Monday. Malti alias Raje (48), a divisional committee member of Maoists, and Shyamnath Usendi, who had given her shelter in his house, were arrested on Saturday from Koyalibeda police station area, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said. Raje's husband was apprehended last year, he said, terming the couple's arrest as a crucial development in the anti-Naxal operation in the state. Raje was in-charge of Rowghat area committee under north Bastar division of Maoists and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, he said. Police had been receiving inputs about her movement in Koyalibeda area, located around 200 km from the state capital Raipur, for the past few days. During investigation, her location was traced to Kaudosalhebhat village where Usendi had given her shelter. The two were subsequently apprehended, the official said. Raje's husband Prabhakar alias Balmuri Rao, a special zonal committee-rank cadre, was arrested on December 22 last year from Kanker, he said. Last year, 925 Naxalites were arrested in the state's Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Kanker, he added.

Cgarh: 5 Maoists Gunned Down in Bastar, Huge Cache of Weapons, Explosives Recovered

Raipur: At least five Maoists including two women were on Sunday gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district in south Bastar of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place in the Bandepara- Koranjend forest under Madded area in Bijapur district in the morning, police said. The death toll of Maoists may go up as the search operation still continued till the last reports came at around seven in the evening. At least one of the five slain ultras, whose bodies have been recovered by the security forces, was a top-level cadre of Naxals, a senior district police officer indicated to this newspaper while citing the recovery of automatic weapons at the encounter site. Five Maoists including two women were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bandepara -Koranjend forest. The search operation still continued. Details regarding the encounter would be known after the anti-Naxal operation ends, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. Bodies of the five slain Maoists along with a huge cache of weapons and explosives were recovered at the encounter site, he said. The weapons recovered included one self-loaded rifle (SLR), one 12 bore rifle, two single shot rifles, one Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), and one country-made gun. Acting on specific intelligence inputs on the presence of some senior Maoist leaders in the rank of divisional committee (DVC) members of National Park Area Committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the forest, a search operation involving security personnel was launched in the area, police said. A DVC member carried a bounty of Rs eight lakh. The search party came under attack by the armed Leftwing insurgents in the particular forest in the morning, leading to a fierce gunbattle between them. This was the second major counterinsurgency operation launched in south Bastar districts of Bijapur and Sukma in a span of three days after Maoists killed eight district reserve guard (DRG) jawans and a civilian driver by blowing up their vehicle in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion on January six. On January ten, three Maoists were killed on the borders of Sukma and Bijapur districts in an encounter with security forces. With the encounter death of three Maoists in Bijapur district on Sunday, the number of slain Naxals in Bastar since January one, 2024 has increased to 227.

Man detained under PSA in Jammu

JAMMU: An alleged cattle lifter was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) here on Sunday, police said. Mohd Mansha alias Gunnu, a resident of Raipur Jagir Bhadhrotre, was the fourth alleged bovine smuggler or cattle lifter booked under the PSA in the Nagrota sub-division of Jammu this month, a police spokesman said. Mansha, []

Man Named in Five FIRs Detained Under Public Safety Act

JAMMU: An alleged cattle lifter was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) here on Sunday, police said. Mohd Mansha alias Gunnu, a resident of Raipur Jagir Bhadhrotre, was the fourth alleged bovine smuggler or cattle lifter booked under the PSA in the Nagrota sub-division of Jammu this month, a police spokesman said. Mansha, [] The post Man Named in Five FIRs Detained Under Public Safety Act appeared first on Kashmir Life .

More industries, jobs for youth: Minister Kondapalli

Visakhapatnam: MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas has said the state government is facilitating the start of more industries that would provide jobs for youths in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the media in Vizianagaram on Sunday, he said the government was keen on giving equal priority to development and welfare. Many industrialists are now showing interest in investing in the state due to their trust in chief minister Chandrababu Naidus administration. This, he said, has created an optimistic attitude among the youth and they are confident jobs will come. Opportunities are immense for development of the petrochemical and pharma sectors in north Andhra. The government is working on these lines, he said. The minister said special attention has been paid to prevent migration and increase employment opportunities in the north Andhra region. Efforts are on to establish biotechnology and EV clusters. There are a lot of employment opportunities in the tourism sector. Several tourism projects with private participation are in the pipeline. A boat ride service has recently been launched in Tatipudi. If the Raipur Greenfield Highway and Bhogapuram Airport are completed, employment opportunities will expand further, he said. We have taken steps to complete the construction work of Bhogapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. About 58 per cent of the construction has already been completed, the minister said.

Three Maoists killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur National Park

RAIPUR: At least three Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, police said. Based on specific inputs about the presence of Maoists in the jungle area of the National Park, a team of security forces left on an anti-Maoist operation. Today since morning, there was an intermittent exchange of firings between the forces and the Maoists. So far the forces have recovered three bodies of Naxalites in uniform, the Bastar police said in their briefing. The effort to identify the deceased are underway as the search operation continues. The forces had also recovered an automatic weapon, other arms, explosives and other naxal materials from the scene. There has been no report of any security personnel sustaining injuries in the gun battle and further details were awaited. This year, twelve Maoists have so far been neutralised in Chhattisgarh in separate encounters. Last Thursday, three red rebels were killed in the Sukma district and five Maoists including two women cadres eliminated in the Abujhmad region of Narayanpur district on January 5. Bijapur remains one of the worst Maoist-affected districts in Bastar and being cited as an epicentre of left-wing extremists in south Chhattisgarh.

3 Naxalites killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur: Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, police said. The gunfight broke out in the morning at a forest in the Indravati National Park area when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said. Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and District Force were involved in the operation, he said. After the intermittent exchange of fire stopped, bodies of three Naxalites clad in 'uniform' along with firearms, including the automatic ones, and explosives were recovered from the site, the official said. Search operation was still underway in the area, he added. With this, 12 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters in the state so far this year. During a three-day long anti-Naxal operation by security forces in Abujhmad on the border of Narayanpur-Dantewada-Bijapur districts that concluded on January 6, five Naxalites, including two women, were killed. On January 9, three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district. Earlier, on January 3, a Naxalite was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Gariaband district, which falls in Raipur division. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state.On January 6 this year, Naxalites blew up a vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district, killing eight police personnel and their civilian driver.

EVMs in, ballot papers out in Chhattisgarh U-turn

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh BJP government is now preparing to hold the urban bodies polls with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The decision is likely to remain for a 3-tier panchayat polls too. Earlier, it was announced that the elections will be held using ballot papers. The Chhattisgarh State Election Commission has instructed all district election officials to prepare conducting local bodies polls by EVMs. The reservation process and allocation for the elections have been completed. The state government has accomplished the task of reservation in terms of elections. Now, the commission will declare the dates for the polls, said deputy CM and urban administration minister Arun Sao. The decision has led to a war of words with the Congress expressing its suspicion on alleged potential manipulation of EVM. We demand the polls be held by ballot papers only. Since the BJP government has nothing to show to the people, it appears confused, said Sushil Anand Shukla, Congress media cell chairman. The local bodies polls will be held in consonance with the formula of one state-one election, Sao said. Holding simultaneous polls will carry the benefit of reduction of expenses and ease the burden on state administrative machinery.

2 die at Raipur construction site; silo tragedy toll hits four

Two labourers died and six were grievously injured when an iron-casting structure collapsed at a Raipur construction site. The accident came two days after a silo collapse in Mungeli district. Rescue operations were launched, and the injured labourers were rushed to the hospital. Authorities were at the scene to assist.

Chhattisgarh May Use EVMs for Civic Body Polls: Deputy CM Arun Sai

Raipur: Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Arun Sai who holds the portfolio of panchayat raj, on Saturday said that a move was underway to hold the civic body polls in the state with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Mr Sao who had declared last fortnight that the civic body polls would be held with ballot papers, made a U-turn on the issue saying that the state election commission (SEC) was exploring the possibility of conducting the polls with the EVMs. The state government has written a letter to the SEC seeking the commissions view on the suggestion by it to hold the civic body polls with EVMs. The SEC is working in this direction, Mr Sao hinted. Mr Sao said that the polls to the urban local bodies in the state were conducted with EVMs in 2014 when BJP was in the power in Chhattisgarh. However, the previous Congress government in the state had held the polls with ballot papers in 2019. Mr Sao said that the supreme court had on several occasions held that EVMs were safe despite the reservation on the EVMs by the Opposition. Congress spokesman Sushil Anand Shukla attacked the BJP for trying to make a U-turn on the issue by initiating the move to conduct the civic body polls with EVMs, saying that it indicated that the ruling party was not confident enough to face the electorates in the elections. Sources said that the polls to the urban and rural local bodies may be declared by the SEC any time after January 15. Meanwhile, the state government on Saturday finalized the reservation of posts of 33 zilla panchayat chairpersons, paving the way for holding the polls to the three- tier panchayat raj system. Of the 33 zilla panchayat chairperson posts, 16 are reserved for the scheduled tribe (ST), four for the scheduled caste (SC) and 13 are left for general category people. Seventeen of the 33 zilla panchayat chairperson posts have been reserved for women.

2 Killed, 6 Injured After Centring Frame Crashes At Under-Construction Building In Raipur

Eight workers trapped under the debris of iron bars and construction material were evacuated and admitted to different hospitals.

Two labourers killed, six injured as iron structure collapses at under-construction site in Raipur

A construction site accident in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, resulted in the deaths of two labourers and injured six others, with two in critical condition. The incident occurred when an iron casting structure collapsed on an eighth-floor extension. Officials suspect negligence and poor structural integrity as possible causes. An investigation is underway, and rescue operations are ongoing.

Two dead, several injured after centring frame collapses in Raipur

A centring frame collapse at a construction site in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, resulted in two deaths and six injuries. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon during slab installation between the 7th and 10th floors of a multi-storey building. Emergency responders rescued eight trapped workers. Authorities continue to clear debris to ensure no additional workers are trapped.

Two killed, six injured in centring frame crash at under-construction building in Raipur

Two construction workers lost their lives and six others were injured when a centring frame collapsed during slab laying at an under-construction building in Raipur. The incident took place between the 7th and 10th floors, trapping eight workers under debris. The site is being cleared to check for other potential victims.

Chhattisgarh: 10 workers injured in centring frame crash at under-construction building

The incident occurred in Vishal Nagar area on VIP Road where a multi-storey building is being constructed, Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police Lakhan Patle said

Ten workers injured in Chhattisgarh centring frame crash

Raipur: Ten workers were injured when a centring frame collapsed during the laying of a slab at an under-construction building in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred in Vishal Nagar area on VIP Road where a multi-storey building is being constructed, Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police Lakhan Patle told PTI. As per preliminary information, a slab was being laid between the 7th and 10th floors of the building around 3:30 PM when the centring frame crashed and fell on the ground, he said. At least 10 workers were trapped under the debris of iron bars and construction material. They were evacuated and admitted to different hospitals. The condition of three of them is critical, he said. Construction material is being removed from the site to check whether any worker is still trapped, he added.

1 Dead, Several Trapped as Chimney Collapses in Chhattisgarh Plant

RAIPUR: One worker died and several others were feared trapped when the silo of the chimney in a smelter plant in Saragaon under Mungeli district in Chhattisgarh collapsed on Thursday afternoon, police said. Two labourers have so far been rescued and the rescue operation continued till the last reports came at eight pm, police said. A part of the chimney in the smelter plant collapsed at around one pm trapping several labourers under its debris, police said. Mungli district superintendent of police Bhojram Patel has confirmed the incident. According to the police, the two injured workers, rescued from the debris, were admitted to a hospital in the district headquarters of Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. Around three-four labourers were still feared trapped and the rescue operation was on to pull them out of the debris, a senior district officer said, unwilling to be quoted. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed concern over the industrial accident and said that the rescue operation was in progress on war footing to bring the trapped workers out safely. He prayed for the wellbeing of the workers trapped under the debris and speedy recovery of the injured labourers.

3 Maoists killed in Bastar encounter

Raipur: At least three Maoists were on Thursday gunned down in an encounter with security forces in the forest along the borders of Sukma and Bijapur districts in south Bastar, police said. The death toll is likely to go up as the search operation was still underway till reports last came in. Acting on a tip off regarding the presence of some top-level Maoist leaders in the forests of Paliguda and Gundarajgudem, a joint security team comprising personnel of district reserve guard (DRG), special task force (STF) and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) launched a search operation in the area on Wednesday. The search team came under attack by the Maoists when they reached a forested and hilly area between Pliguda and Gundarajgudem on Thursday morning, leading to a fierce encounter, Bastar range inspector general of police P. Sunderraj said. The exchange of fire continued intermittently for around six hours. Security forces recovered bodies of three Maoists in the area after the encounter ended, police said. Besides, a number of Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs), some weapons and explosives were recovered at the encounter site. Details of the recovery of weapons would be known after the search team returned to their base camps, sources said. The slain Maoists were believed to be members of Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) functioning under the south Bastar division of Maoists, police said. However, they were yet to be identified. The encounter took place in the area, known to be a Naxal stronghold, police said. The incident comes three days after the security forces suffered a setback when Maoists blew up a vehicle carrying DRG jawans near Ambeli village under Bijapur district on January 6. Eight jawans and a civilian driver of the vehicle were killed in the incident.

Cgarh: 3 Maoists Gunned Down in Bastar, Weapons, BGLs Recovered

Raipur : At least three Maoists were on Thursday gunned down in an encounter with security forces in the forest along the borders of Sukma and Bijapur districts in south Bastar of Chhattisgarh, police said. Acting on a tip-off on the presence of some top-level Maoist leaders in the forests of Paliguda and Gundarajgudem in the borders of Sukma and Bijapur districts, a joint security party comprising personnel of district reserve guard (DRG), special task force (STF) and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) launched a search operation in the area on January eight. The search party came under attack by the Maoists when they reached a forested and hilly area between Pliguda and Gundarajgudem on Thursday morning, leading to a fierce encounter between them, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. The exchange of fire continued intermittently for around six hours. Security forces recovered the bodies of three Maoists in the area after the encounter ended, police said. Besides, a number of Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs), some weapons and explosives were recovered at the encounter site. Details of the recovery of weapons would be known after the search party returned to their base camps, sources said. The slain Maoists were believed to be members of Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) functioning under the south Bastar division of Maoists, police said. However, they were yet to be identified. The encounter took place in an area, known to be a Naxal stronghold, police said. The incident comes three days after the security forces suffered a setback when Maoists blew up a vehicle carrying DRG jawans near Ambeli village under Bijapur district on January six. Eight jawans and the civilian driver of the vehicle were killed in the incident.

Sarathi Diwas' singular initiative by Chhattisgarh to honour good law-abiding drivers

RAIPUR: You heard about April Fools Day, Fathers Day, Mothers Day or Chocolate or Rose Day and so on... Now, there is something new to be added as another marked day on January 24 as Sarathi Diwas (Drivers Day), which will be a special initiative by the Chhattisgarh government. The Sarathi Diwas' will signify 'admiration and appreciation' to honour drivers who do well to accomplish the given roles of their occupation. Often the duties and responsibilities performed by good drivers rarely get an appreciation for their jobs. A responsible driver gets steadily engaged, whether its transporting essential goods or materials for delivery or as customer services and their exertion also covers a supportive attitude towards customers, maintaining their vehicles for safe operations while strictly adhering to traffic rules. The shortlisted drivers will be felicitated on Sarathi Diwas in every district of Chhattisgarh and in the capital Raipur for their good conduct, remaining well-versed with the rules besides other public-spirit actions they have performed. Drivers are usually not given an expressed worthy response or gesture in commensurate to their good roles and work performance. If the driver gets good appreciation by authorities, the message will go across creating much awareness to behave like a good driver who remains committed to his assigned tasks, follows the rules and regulations. So, we are going to organise Sarathi Diwas on January 24 to appreciate and compliment them, said Sanjay Sharma, AIG (Traffic) who also heads Chhattisgarh Road Safety Committee. The drivers actually contribute to the economy and development in a number of ways. Without them many would experience real inconvenience in life and for many the things will come to standstill, he added. The criteria for selection of drivers is that they should be admirable, upright, law-abiding to get felicitated on upcoming Sarathi Diwas. These include: drivers should be good in their behaviour/conduct, not violated traffic rules (not served with a challan), not be responsible for any road accident, not drunk or driving being intoxicated, maintained their vehicles, as a helpful person had helped injured victims in road accidents taking them to hospital, has good knowledge about the traffic regulations among others. The records and details of drivers available on the governments Sarathi portal of the road transport department will also be visited to substantiate their credentials and standing. The shortlisted or nominated drivers will go through interaction sessions either video conferencing or other means to ascertain how much they are familiar with the rules and regulations. Those who are selected as proficient to their given roles and conduct will be honoured with memento and a certificate. Every nominated driver will also get a consolation award.

Cgarh: 5 Slain Maoists in Abujhmad Encounter Identified, Carried Bounty of Rs 21 Lakh

Raipur : Five Maoists slain in the January three encounter in Abujhmad under Narayanpur district in south Bastar of Chhattisgarh have been identified, police said on Wednesday. They carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 21 lakhs, according to Bastar Range Inspector General of police P Sunderraj. While four of them including two women were Platform Party Committee Members (PPCM) who were also members of the platoon number 32 of Maoists deployed in Abujhmad area, the other slain Naxal was a militia commander, the police officer said. The four slain members of platoon number 32 carried bounties of Rs five lakh each, while the deceased militia commander had a reward of Rs one lakh on his head. The slain Naxals have been identified as Deb Singh, Dinesh, Sumati, and Sukmati (all are members of platoon number 32) and Mahesh, the militia commander. Security forces had recovered one AK 47, two Self-Loaded Rifles (SLRs), one eight mm rifle, and one 12 bore rifle besides live cartridges and explosives at the encounter site. A joint operation was launched in Abujhmad on January two, following specific inputs on the presence of top-level cadres of Maoists in the area. Security forces came under attack by Maoists on January three, leading to fierce gunbattle between them. A jawan of district reserve guard (DRG) was killed in the incident. Sources said that the search operation by security forces was launched following inputs on the presence of some politburo members of outlawed CPI (Maoist) such as Ramchandra Reddy in the area. The top-level Maoist leaders had however managed to escape. Abujhmad, a 4,000 sq km-Naxal stronghold extending from south Bastar in Chhattisgarh to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, is believed to have turned into a safe sanctuary for the top-level Maoists.

Cgarh/ Bijapur Naxal blast; Killer IED planted 3 years ago under road

Raipur: The powerful improvised explosive device (IED) detonated by the Maoists near Ambeli village on Bedre-Kutru road in Bijapur district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Monday killing eight jawans and a civilian driver might have been planted three years ago, police sources said. The IED was manually detonated by the Maoists waiting around 400 meters from the blast site to target a particular SUV going in a convoy of 12 vehicles on the fateful day, a senior police officer told this newspaper, requesting not to be quoted. The vehicle targeted by the Maoists was carrying eight jawans of the district reserve guard (DRG), the tribal counterinsurgency wing of Chhattisgarh police. It was the 11th vehicle in the moving convoy of 12 vehicles, sources said. The jawans of DRG and special task force (STF) were returning to their base camp in the 12 vehicles after joining a joint counterinsurgency operation in the nearby Abujhmad on Sunday. All the eight DRG jawans and the driver of the vehicle targeted by the Maoists were killed in the IED explosion. Sources said that the road was built around ten years ago and it was repaired three years ago after it was washed away in heavy rains. The Maoists may have planted the powerful IED during the repairing of the road three years ago, the police officer indicated. Sources said that a road opening party (ROP) comprising personnel of DRG and CRPF had sanitized the route before the convoy passed through it. However, the killer IED had gone undetected during the sanitization by the ROP, sources said. The cause of the failure to detect the IED by the ROP is being probed, the police officer said. Meanwhile, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, state forest minister Kedar Kashyap and director general of police Ashok Juneja and a host of senior police officers paid homage to the eight slain jawans at Jagdalpur, headquarters of Bastar. Mr Sai and Mr Sharm carried the body of one of the slain jawans on their shoulder as a mark of respect.

Maoist IED threat remains a persistent challenge in Bastar

RAIPUR: The United Nations has identified Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) as a severe global threat, a challenge that remains significant in the conflict-ridden Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. For over four decades, IEDs have posed a constant danger to security forces conducting operations in the area. Maoists, engaged in a prolonged conflict against the State, heavily rely on IED attacks due to their combat-avoiding nature. In guerrilla warfare, IEDs are a simple yet deadly weapon, often used to target security forces or vulnerable groups. On Monday, Maoist rebels detonated a powerful IED in Bijapur district, killing eight security personnel and a civilian driver. IEDs remain one of the major challenges faced by security forces in countering left-wing extremism in the Bastar region. We have lost hundreds of brave soldiers, as well as innocent civilians, including women, children, and even cattle, to IED explosions, said Sunderraj P., Inspector General of Police (Bastar range). Since Chhattisgarh became a separate state in November 2000, security forces have recovered approximately 3,800 IEDs in Maoist-affected districts. Over 1,550 security personnel have been killed in IED-related incidents during this period. The task of detecting and de-mining IEDs has grown increasingly daunting. Between 2001 and 2010, 938 IEDs were recovered, a number that more than doubled to over 2,000 during 2011-2020. Between 2020 and 2024, security forces have detected 1,122 IEDs as part of Maoists counter-offensive tactics. Security experts revealed that Maoists received initial training in the 1980s and 1990s from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka. Despite advancements in technology, there has been little significant progress in detecting IEDs, making human involvement critical in identifying and neutralizing these threats. The Maoists formally train every recruit in manufacturing and planting IEDs. The use of IEDs is inhuman and violates international conventions for two reasons: it causes excessive suffering, which breaches the laws of humanity, and it indiscriminately targets anyone, without distinction, said R.K. Vij, retired Special DG, who has extensive experience working in Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh. CPI (Maoist) trying to expand its influence in newer areas, without any success: MHAS report

Prime Accused in Bastar Journalist's Murder Arrested in Hyderabad

Raipur: The prime accused in the murder of a journalist of Bastar in Chhattisgarh has been arrested in Hyderabad, police said on Monday. Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, was arrested in Hyderabad by the special investigation team (SIT), constituted to probe the incident, late on Sunday night and brought to Chhattisgarh on Monday morning, the SIT chief Mayank Gurjar said. Interrogation of Suresh Chandrakar, a civil contractor by profession, was underway, police said. The prime accuseds two brothers Ritesh and Dinesh and his supervisor Mahendra Ramtek were earlier arrested in connection with the incident. The scribe had gone missing from his house in the district headquarters of Bijapur under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh on January one. His brother Yukesh had filed a missing report in the local police station on January two. The journalists body was found in a septic tank in the compound of the house of the prime accused in Bijapur town on January three. The scribe had exposed corruption in a road project, a contract of which was awarded to the prime accused, in the media he worked. A SIT was constituted to probe the incident. Meanwhile, the postmortem report of the slain journalist indicated how gruesome the killing was as the body was found to have 15 fractures on the head, a broken neck and a ripped-out heart. His liver was torn into four pieces and his five ribs were found broken, the autopsy has indicated. Preliminary police investigation has suggested that he was hit with the iron rod.

Five killed in encounter between Naxalites and security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar

DANTEWADA: The number of Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region has gone up to five with the recovery of one more body, police said on Monday. The gunfight broke out on Saturday evening at a forest in south Abujhmaad along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, an official said. Four Naxalites were found dead initially on Sunday, while one more body was recovered later, he said. With this, the number of Naxalites killed in the gun battle with the security personnel has risen to five, including two women, the official said. District Reserve Guard (DRG) head constable Sannu Karam was also killed in the gunfight. Search operation was still underway in the area, the official said. Personnel belonging to the DRG from four districts - Narayanpur, Bastar, Kondagaon and Dantewada - and the Special Task Force (STF) were involved in the operation that was launched on Friday, he said. The identity of the killed Naxalites was yet to be ascertained. As per preliminary information, senior cadres of the PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) platoon number 32 of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of Maoists are among the deceased, the official said. Automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifle and self loading rifle (SLR), were recovered from the spot, he said. On January 3, a Naxalite was killed in an encounter with security forces in Gariaband district which falls in Raipur division. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state, according to police.

Encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bastar: Death toll of Naxalites reaches 5

Dantewada: The number of Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region has gone up to five with the recovery of one more body, police said on Monday. The gunfight broke out on Saturday evening at a forest in south Abujhmaad along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, an official said. Four Naxalites were found dead initially on Sunday, while one more body was recovered later, he said. With this, the number of Naxalites killed in the gun battle with the security personnel has risen to five, including two women, the official said. District Reserve Guard (DRG) head constable Sannu Karam was also killed in the gunfight. Search operation was still underway in the area, the official said. Personnel belonging to the DRG from four districts - Narayanpur, Bastar, Kondagaon and Dantewada - and the Special Task Force (STF) were involved in the operation that was launched on Friday, he said. The identity of the killed Naxalites was yet to be ascertained. As per preliminary information, senior cadres of the PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) platoon no. 32 of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of Maoists are among the deceased, the official said. Automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifle and self loading rifle (SLR), were recovered from the spot, he said. On January 3, a Naxalite was killed in an encounter with security forces in Gariaband district which falls in Raipur division. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state, according to police.

Coal industry makes strides towards digital operation

RAIPUR: In a significant milestone, the dozer push mining technology based on digital knowledge application has for the first time been successfully tested in the coal mining operation in Parsa East and Kete Basen (PEKB) mine at Udaipur in Ambikapur about 350 km north of Raipur. Under the guidance of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), the development is being cited as groundbreaking in India's mining sector. Chief scientist at CSIR-CIMFR Dr M P Roy, appreciating the success of the dozer push technology trial, said, This new technology has the potential to revolutionise open-cast mining operations in India. The dozer push mining method is a modern alternative to traditional dragline and truck/shovel excavation. It not only accelerates and improves mining efficiency but also reduces operational costs. The trial accomplished with the desired result was carried out by Adani Natural Resources, a leading private mining company. The test of the performance and qualities marks a significant achievement in mining technology, leveraging unmanned machines for coal extraction. The newly engaged technique boasts itself as a significant stage in the journey toward digital autonomous mining, ensuring improved productivity and safety. The dozer push mining trial employs an automated (unmanned) drill machine to perform cast blasting. Post-blasting, the erupted discharged materials are relocated using a specially designed large, automated dozer to the decoaled area. The procedure is seen as a potential solution to challenges faced in traditional truck-shovel mining, especially during the monsoon season, when haul roads become muddy, impacting safety and productivity. By reducing dependence on trucks and excavators, this method optimizes excavation activities and lowers unit costs, offering a more sustainable and efficient approach to mining.The achievement places India at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge mining technologies, affirmed the officials. The trial was led by CSIR-CIMFR Director Prof Arvind Kumar Mishra with critical contributions from Dr M P Roy, Dr Vivek Kumar Himanshu, R S Yadav, Suraj Kumar and Ashish Kumar Vishwakarma, who played pivotal roles in the successful execution of the first of its kind mining technology.

Chhattisgarh journalist murder: Main accused held in Hyderabad

Raipur/Hyderabad: Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the murder of a journalist in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, has been taken into custody by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Hyderabad, a police official said on Monday. The accused, a contractor by profession, was absconding since the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar came to light on January 3, he said. The SIT, which was constituted to conduct the probe into the case, rounded up Suresh Chandrakar from Hyderabad late Sunday night, the official said. His brothers Ritesh Chandrakar and Dinesh Chandrakar and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke have already been arrested in the case, he said. Mukesh Chandrakar (33), a freelance journalist, went missing on January 1. His body was found on January 3 in a septic tank on a property owned by Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town, police earlier said. A news report highlighting alleged corruption in a road construction work in Bijapur, that was shown on NDTV on December 25, is being discussed as the motive behind Mukesh Chandrakar's murder. The said construction work was linked to contractor Suresh Chandrakar. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma had claimed that Suresh Chandrakar was a Congress leader. The opposition party, however, claimed the accused joined the ruling BJP recently.

Chhattisgarh scribe murder: Main accused Suresh Chandrakar held in Hyderabad

Raipur: Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the murder of a journalist in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district, has been taken into custody by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Hyderabad, a police official said on Monday. The accused, a contractor by profession, was absconding since the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar came to light on January 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 .

Chhattisgarh journalist murder: Main accused Suresh Chandrakar arrested by SIT in Hyderabad

RAIPUR: Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the murder of a journalist in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, has been taken into custody by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Hyderabad, a police official said on Monday. The accused, a contractor by profession, was absconding since the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar came to light on January 3, he said. The SIT, which was constituted to conduct the probe into the case, rounded up Suresh Chandrakar from Hyderabad late Sunday night, the official said. His brothers Ritesh Chandrakar and Dinesh Chandrakar and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke have already been arrested in the case , he said. Mukesh Chandrakar (33), a freelance journalist, went missing on January 1. His body was found on January 3 in a septic tank on a property owned by Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town, police earlier said. A news report highlighting alleged corruption in a road construction work in Bijapur, that was shown on NDTV on December 25, is being discussed as the motive behind Mukesh Chandrakar's murder. The said construction work was linked to contractor Suresh Chandrakar. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma had claimed that Suresh Chandrakar was a Congress leader. The opposition party, however, claimed the accused joined the ruling BJP recently. 'Deeply disturbed,' say Editors Guild over Chhattisgarh journalist's murder; 3 held

US Ambassador meets Chhattisgarh CM; investment possibilities discussed

RAIPUR, Jan 5 : US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai here on Sunday during which the duo discussed investment possibilities in defence, logistics and IT sectors in the state. An official statement said the CM and the US Ambassador had an in-depth discussion on promoting investment in the state, cultural aspects and economic possibilities during the meeting. Sai told him about the development work being carried out in the state and the favourable [] The post US Ambassador meets Chhattisgarh CM; investment possibilities discussed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Chhattisgarh Journalist Murder Case: Key Accused, a Congress Leader, Says CM Sai

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said that the key accused in the murder of a journalist in Bijapur district in Bastar in the state was a functionary of Congress. The key accused in the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was a functionary of Congress, Mr Sai said and added that this was an example of How Congress is selling hatred in its Mohabbat ki dukaan (shop of love). A journalists body was found in Bijapur. Three people were arrested (in connection with the incident). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted (to probe the incident). The bank account of the contractor (the key accused) was seized and his illegal occupation was being removed. The contractor is a functionary of the Congress. This is Congress Mohabbt ki dukaan where hatred is sold, he told the media. Deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, who holds home portfolio, recalled that the slain journalist was once banned by Congress when he had asked questions to the local MLA Vikram Mandavi. Anything can happen to the person who dares to ask questions to them, he said. Contractor Suresh Chandraka, the key accused in the murder, was a Congress leader, he said. Congress spokesman Sushil Mohan Anand however claimed that Suresh joined BJP last year. The journalist had gone missing from his house in the district headquarters of Bijapur on January one and his body was found in the septic tank built in the premises of the contractor in the town two days later on Friday. He was believed to have incurred the wrath of the contractor for exposing corruption in a road construction project in the digital media he worked. The slain journalist was incidentally related to the contractor who was now absconding. Three people including two relatives of the slain journalist were arrested in connection with the incident.

Four Maoists, one jawan killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad

RAIPUR: Four Maoists in uniform and a security personnel were killed during a fierce encounter in the Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday. The gunfight took place as security forces intensified their anti-Maoist operations in the region. Based on specific inputs about the presence of Maoists in the Abujhmad (meaning unfamiliar land) region, a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel from four Maoist-affected districts of Bastar division along with the Special Task Force (STF) left on the search operation on Saturday. In the ongoing encounter, bodies of four Maoists so far recovered from the spot. A head constable Sannu Karam of Dantewada DRG was martyred. The gun battle is still one and further details awaited. So far, the bodies of four Maoists have been recovered from the encounter site. Head Constable Sannu Karam, a member of the Dantewada DRG, was martyred during the operation. The exchange of fire was still ongoing at the time of the report, and additional details are awaited, said a police officer in Bastar. Security forces recovered automatic weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), from the scene. The operation is part of a renewed strategy to eliminate Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh. In 2024, the Maoists suffered significant losses in the Bastar region, with security forces neutralizing 219 Maoists in various encounters. This is the second major gunfight against Maoists in Chhattisgarh this year. On Friday, a Maoist was killed in a separate encounter in Gariyaband district, around 170 kilometres east of Raipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier announced a nationwide deadline to eliminate the Maoist problem by March 2026, underscoring the governments commitment to resolving the issue.

Raipur Diary | Ballot voting for local bodies polls

The Chhattisgarh State Election Commission has not yet announced the dates for the elections of urban local bodies and the three-tier panchayats. However, voters are excited about the upcoming polls, which will be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs, as confirmed by DyCM Arun Sao. Last month, the cabinet led by Vishnu Deo Sai approved direct elections for mayors in municipal corporations and chairpersons of municipal bodies. In light of the delays, Opposition leader Charandas Mahant has written to the Commission, urging that the elections be held in a timely manner and constitutionally More security camps in Maoist-affected areas Several new security base camps have been set up in Maoist affected areas, and additional police stations (thanas) have also been proposed for districts with a presence of left-wing extremists. Over the past five years, a total of 92 new security camps and thanas have been set up, with 28 of those established in 2024 alone. Recently, 29 new police stations have been proposed for this year, with 17 of these located in the Bastar division, which includes seven districts impacted by Maoist activities in southern Chhattisgarh. The state currently has 512 police stations, including 32 traffic police stations. Complaints against 27 IAS, 24 IFS since 2019 In the past six years, numerous complaints have been filed against 27 IAS and 24 IFS officials in Chhattisgarh, primarily regarding alleged irregularities or misuse of power. There are a total of 31 complaints, which include 11 criminal cases and one preliminary inquiry, involving 51 officers of the All India Services. In the state, there are 202 sanctioned IAS officer positions, of which 41 are currently unoccupied. Out of the 153 sanctioned IFS positions, 108 officers are deployed, leaving 45 posts vacant. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@newindianexpress.com

Three Arrested in Murder of Chhattisgarh Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar

RAIPUR: Three people were on Saturday arrested in connection with the murder of 32-year-old journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapur district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh, police said. Two of the arrested people are kin of the deceased, police said. The arrested people were identified as Ritesh Chandrakar, Dinesh Chandrakar and Mahendra Ramtek, while another suspect Suresh Chandrakar was absconding, police said. A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to further probe the incident, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. The slain journalist has recently exposed an alleged corruption scandal involving a Rs 120 crore road construction project from Gangaloor to Nelsanar village in Bastar. The project was being handled by contractor Suresh Chandrakar, also his relative. Preliminary police investigation has found that the deceased scribe had gone to his cousin Riteshs place in Bijapur in the night of January one when he went missing. His brother Yukesh had filed a missing report with the local police station on January two. Police probe suggested that the slain journalist was beaten with iron roads after having dinner with Ritesh till he died. He was later dumped inside a septic tank in the premises of the house. Police later recovered the body from the septic tank.

Chhattisgarh journalist murder: Three arrested, premises of accused bulldozed

RAIPUR: A day after the police traced the body of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapur district, south Chhattisgarh, the authorities used bulldozer action to demolish illegal property owned by the accused. The police on Saturday arrested three accused including Ritesh Chandrakar and Dinesh Chandrakar (both are cousins of Mukesh). The main contractor Suresh Chandrakar, now absconding, is the real brother of Ritesh and Dinesh. An 11-member special investigation team (SIT) led by Bijapur's additional Superintendent of Police Bijapur has been constituted to probe the death of the journalist. The murder of a 33-year-old journo, missing since January 1 night, has raised serious concerns about the safety of media persons working in the Bastar division. He had reportedly gone to attend a meeting with Suresh Chandrakar and later his mobile phone went offline. Yukesh Chandrakar, elder brother of Mukesh, lodged a missing person complaint on January 2. His body was found by the police in a septic tank in the premises owned by Suresh Chandrakar on Friday evening. The incident led to journalists staging a strong protest in the district demanding justice and strong deterrent action against the accused. In the aftermath of the brutal murder of young journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has taken a tough stance, sending a strong message against crime and criminals in the state. Following the CMs directives, the administration swiftly demolished the house of the main accused using a bulldozer, said a government spokesperson. Mukesh, who was earlier a freelancer for a couple of national media houses, had his own YouTube channel Bastar Junction. CM Saiexpressed his grief over the killing of Mukesh calling it extremely sad. He reiterated his commitment to ensure that those found guilty will not be spared and vowed to uphold the rule of law with firm actions. The murder of Chankdrakar also led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh. The Congress alleged lawlessness and jungle raj prevailing in the state and sought the resignation of the state home minister Vijay Sharma. Sharma said that all bank accounts linked to Suresh Chandrakar, citing him as a Congress leader, have been frozen and illegally occupied property has been confiscated. The Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla however countered that Suresh has joined the BJP last month and recently visited the CM House. The BJP displaying some images on the social media claimed Suresh was close to Congress state president Deepak Baij, who rubbished the assertion saying the ruling party is now attempting to cover up its own failure.

Missing Chhattisgarh Journalist Found Dead in Contractor's Septic Tank, Details

RAIPUR-Chhattisgarh: A journalist of 28 year old, who went missing was found murdered in south Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on January 3. Mukesh, who worked for a local news channel, had been missing since January 1 after receiving a call from the brother of a contractor he had recently exposed for corruption. Mukesh had been investigating a road construction project worth Rs 120 crore in Bastar, and his findings led to allegations of irregularities involving contractor Suresh Chandrakar. His investigative reporting had sparked a government inquiry into the project, and the revelations were thought to have led to the tragic event. On January 1, Mukesh received a call from Ritesh, the brother of Suresh Chandrakar, who asked to meet him. Mukesh informed a colleague about the call, but shortly after, his phone was switched off at around 12:30 AM. He never returned home, prompting his brother, Yukesh, also a journalist, to file a missing person report on January 2. After tracing CCTV footage and investigating the area, police discovered Mukesh's body inside a septic tank on the property of Suresh Chandrakar in Chattanpara, where he had last been seen. Police have arrested Suresh Chandrakar, who was apprehended in Hyderabad, and Ritesh, who was arrested in Delhi. A laborer who assisted in disposing of the body has also been taken into custody. The investigation continues as police question several other individuals connected to the contractors circle. Mukeshs death has sent shockwaves through the region, with many demanding justice for the journalist, who was known for his courage in exposing corruption and his past efforts to help rescue CRPF jawans in Bastar. In the morning today, journalists staged a symbolic road blockade at Hospital Chowk on National Highway 36 in the city. They demanded that the contractor's properties in Bastar division, including Bijapur, be seized and a case be filed against him. The journalists also called for the contractor and others involved in the murder to receive the death penalty. They asked for the removal of his security detail and the freezing of his bank accounts, among other demands. Meanwhile,Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the accused will not be let off and will be apprehended shortly.

Three detained in connection with Chhattisgarh-based journalist's murder

BIJAPUR: Three persons have been detained in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old journalist whose body was found in a septic tank on a local contractor's property in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said on Saturday. Mukesh Chandrakar, a freelance journalist, went missing on January 1, and his body was found on Friday in the septic tank on a property owned by contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town. Three persons have been detained in connection with the murder and are being interrogated, an official here said. The police, however, did not disclose their names and said the details would be revealed later in the day. Mukesh worked as a freelance journalist for news channels, including NDTV , and ran a YouTube channel, 'Bastar Junction', which has some 1.59 lakh subscribers. He had played a crucial role in the release of a CoBRA commando, Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, from Maoists' captivity in April 2021 following the Takalguda Naxal ambush in Bijapur, wherein 22 security personnel were martyred. He went missing on Wednesday evening, and his elder brother Yukesh Chandrakar lodged a complaint with the police the next day, a senior police official said. Tracking Mukesh's mobile number, police reached the property owned by Suresh Chandrakar and found the body in a septic tank, which was freshly cast with concrete slab, he said. Police suspect the murder is linked to a recent report of irregularities in road construction work in the district the victim had covered. Suresh Chandrakar is said to be involved in the work. Journalists held a symbolic road blockade at Hospital Chowk on National Highway 36 in the city in the morning, demanding that the contractor's properties in Bastar division, including Bijapur, be attached and a case be registered against him. They also demanded a death sentence for the contractor and others involved in the murder, removal of security detail for him, and sealing of his bank accounts, among other demands. The protesting journalists also sought the suspension or transfer of the Bijapur superintendent of police. Protestors have warned of an indefinite road blockade from Sunday if their demands are not met. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday assured that the culprits would be arrested at the earliest. Meanwhile, members of the Raipur Press Club on Friday gathered at Jai Stambh Chowk and demanded action against the killers and sought that the state government constitute a special investigation team to probe the murder.

Maoist killed in Chattisgarh's Gariyaband gunfight as security forces intensify anti-rebel operations

RAIPUR: A Maoist was killed in an exchange fire with the security forces at Indagaon forested terrain of Gariyaband district, about 170 km east of Raipur, on Friday. The casualty figures of the rebels are likely to rise as the gun battle continues in the area, said the police. Based on some specific inputs about the presence of Maoists belonging to Udanti Area Committee in the region, a joint team comprising Gariyaband police, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Odisha, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) including an elite unit of CoBRA personnel launch a search operation. A Maoist body was recovered along with three automatic weapons and other items, Nikhil Rakhecha, Gariyaband district police chief told this newspaper. The intermittent exchange of fire is still on as the Maoists clustered together in the area were stated to be surrounded by the forces. There has been no report of any security personnel sustaining injuries in the gun battle and further details were awaited. The recovered body of the Maoists is yet to be identified. Gariyaband, adjoining Odisha state, is among the Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh. Last year, the Maoists suffered the biggest setback in their revolutionary history in conflict-ridden Bastar where 219 bodies of Maoists have been recovered after they were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in south Chhattisgarh. Besides, 992 cadres of left-wing extremists were arrested and 837 had surrendered in the state. The series of encounters against the left-wing extremists remains a part of the renewed strategy to free the Chhattisgarh state from the influence of the outlawed Maoists. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared the country will be free from the Maoist problem by March 2026.

Cgarh: Scribe Killed Over Coverage on Corruption in Bastar, One Detained

Raipur : A freelance journalist working for different visual media was killed in Bijapur district under south Bastar in Chhattisgarh allegedly for his coverage on irregularities in the implementation of a construction project by a private contractor, police said. Body of the slain journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar (32), was on Friday found in the water tank installed in the premises of the house of one Suresh Chandrakar, a contractor, in district headquarters of Bijapur, local additional superintendent of police (ASP) Yuglander Yark told this newspaper. The journalist was working for a national TV news channel besides running his own Youtube channel. According to the police, the scribe went missing from his house in Bijapur on Wednesday night. His brother Yukesh Chandrakar later filed a missing report in the local police station. The scribes body was found on Friday, he said. The body was sent for postmortem. Preliminary investigation has suggested the exposure of corruption in a construction project may be the motive behind his murder, the police officer said. Police was also not ruling out a family dispute behind the crime since the contractor who had allegedly fled is his kin, he added. We are investing into all angles, he said. A suspect was detained for interrogation in connection with the incident, while police started looking out for the other suspect.

MP CM toys with idea of starting Jan Sunbai programme to redress public grievances

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav is toying with the idea of launching a weekly programme christened as Jan Sunbai to redress public grievances, official sources said on Wednesday. Sources in the chief ministers office (CMO) said the programme is being finalized and will be announced shortly. Although, there is a plan to launch the programme next week, the date is yet to be finalized, sources said. It is tentatively decided to launch the programme on January six, sources said. Mr Yadav will be the third chief minister to start a public grievance redressal programme. Former chief ministers Digvijay Singh of Congress and Uma Bharti of BJP used to hear public grievances once in a week, when they were in power. However, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who is currently Union agriculture minister had streamlined the public grievance redressal system by launching CM Helpline in which people can take their grievances to the government for redressal round-the-clock. The former chief minister also used to take up cases of people from the CM Helpline to address them by holding a meeting with the district collector concerned along with the complainant virtually on a particular day. Former chief minister of Chhattisgarh Raman Singh had started the weekly Jan Darshan programme in 2005 where he used to redress grievances of the people in his official residence in Raipur. The programme was discontinued when Congress returned to power in Chhattisgarh in 2018. However, Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has revived the programme.

Chhattisgarh first state to link forest ecosystem with Green GDP

RAIPUR: In a first, the Chhattisgarh state has introduced an innovative plan that connects the ecosystem services of its forests with the Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP). The moves aimed to highlight the direct link between significant environmental contributions of forests like clean air, water conservation, biodiversity and the states economic progress. The action plan is designed to ensure that economic development is achieved while preserving the pristine environment for future generations. The new approach assesses the often overlooked benefits that forests provide, such as regulating the climate, enriching soil quality, purifying water, absorbing carbon dioxide among others. These services will now be formally included in the state's economic planning. Chhattisgarh with 44 per cent of its land covered by forests, the state's natural resources are central to the livelihoods of millions of people. Forest products like tendu leaves, lac, honey, and medicinal plants contribute significantly to the rural economy, while forests also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon. The ambitious step, aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a 'Developed India 2047', said Vishnu Deo Sai, the chief minister. Such an initiative will allow for a comprehensive valuation of forests with an emphasis on their economic and environmental benefits. By linking these benefits to the Green GDP, Chhattisgarh intends to improve budget planning and create policies prioritising economic growth and ecological sustainability, V Sreenivasa Rao (PCCF & Head of Forest Force) told this newspaper. In the recent report of the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) in its findings cited that there is a remarkable increase in forest and tree cover in Chhattisgarh apparently owing to biodiversity protection and environmental-forest conservation efforts. Under the new measure taken, Chhattisgarh not just strives to conserve the states forest but also recognises their value beyond timber and resources. CM Sai underlined the cultural and religious significance of Chhattisgarhs forests, which are deeply tied to tribal traditions and provide spiritual solace to local communities. The forests contribute to employment through eco-tourism activities, such as jungle safaris and camping in popular national parks of the state. To accurately estimate the economic value of forests, the scientists will assess the essential ecosystem services they provide. This includes: Clean Air : Amount of CO2 absorbed by trees and converted into Oxygen will be quantified and its market value will be added to Green GDP. Water Conservation : The water provided by forest through rivers, springs will be calculated for its economic impact. Biodiversity : The contribution of forest fauna (animals, birds, insects) to maintain ecological balance and aiding farming.

Clashes erupt over Mutawalli reinstatement in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: A visit by Salim Raj, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board, to endorse the reinstatement of a person aligned with the BJP as the Jama Masjid Mutawalli (caretaker of a mosque) in Mahasamund district sparked uproar and violent clashes between two groups within the Muslim community. The confrontation erupted while Raj was addressing a press conference at the Mahasamund circuit house in support of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. During the conference, a group of people interrupted the proceedings, leading to heated exchanges and a physical altercation between supporters of the Congress and the BJP. The rival groups attacked each other with knives, sticks, and stones, leaving nearly half a dozen people injured. The injured were subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment. A group of people was seen protesting against the process of reinstating the person owing allegiance to BJP as Mutawalli of a Jama Masjid (main mosque). The present Mutawalli, with the support of Congress members, had occupied the given position for the past several years. Now our government has returned to Chhattisgarh, so the person who deserved the place of the Mutawalli should acquire it, Raj told this newspaper. Local Congress leaders, however, countered Rajs claims, describing his statements as 'wrong and politically motivated'. The scuffle between the two groups soon escalated into violence, with individuals armed with iron rods and knives chasing and attacking each other near the national highway adjacent to the circuit house. The Kotwali police have registered a cross FIR based on complaints filed by both groups. Controversy first emerged in November when Salim Raj issued a circular instructing Mutawallis of all mosques to have sermons preached during Friday (Juma) afternoon prayers vetted by his office before being delivered to congregations.

Chhattisgarh: 57 top Maoist leaders neutralized, Naxal stronghold Abujhmad breached

Raipur: In the best ever counterinsurgency campaign in a year in the Leftwing extremism-hit Bastar in Chhattisgarh, security forces have neutralized 57 top Maoist leaders in 2024. As many as 121 encounters had taken place between Maoists and security forces in Bastar in 2024 in which 217 ultras were killed, the highest number of Naxal fatalities recorded in the conflict zone in the last five years. Of the slain Maoists, 57 were top Maoist leaders, the highest number of senior leaders killed in a year in Bastar in the four-decade-long history of Leftwing extremism of the region, a senior police officer said on Tuesday. The slain top Maoist leaders included six special zonal committee (SZC) members who were also members of different state committees of Naxals, 16 divisional committee (DVC) members, 32 area committee members, one deputy commander of a company and two platoon commanders, the data released by the Bastar police on Tuesday said. While 925 Naxals were arrested, 792 ultras surrendered in 2024 in Bastar. Similarly, 284 weapons were seized and 311 number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered in the region in the outgoing year. The data indicated that the counterinsurgency campaign launched in 2024 had been most successful in the last five years. Improved resources including weaponry and gadgets, improved operational tactics and intelligence networks were the key reasons for the success achieved in the counterinsurgency campaign in 2024, Bastar inspector general of police P Sunderraj told this newspaper on Tuesday. The effective operational tactics had led to neutralization of the highest number (57) of top Maoist leaders in Bastar in 2024, he said. The slain top Maoist leaders carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 4.62 crores. The operational reach had been very deep in the Maoist stronghold in Bastar, he added. Security forces have opened 28 forward operating bases (FOBs) in the core areas of Maoists in south Bastar during the period, facilitating smooth logistic supply for the counterinsurgency operations. This helped security forces breach the Naxal stronghold Abujhmad, a 4,000 sq km un-surveyed forested area extending from south Bastar in Chhattisgarh to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, in 2024. More than 75 Maoists were killed in four major anti-Naxal operations in Abujhmad, loosely translated into English as unknown territory, in 2024. Abujhmad is no longer an unknown territory as the security forces have reached the length and breadth of the region now, Mr Sunderraj said.

Chhatisgarh Outfit Seeks Action Against Pushpa-2 Actor Allu Arjun for Poor Portrayal of Police in Movie, Writes to a District SP

Raipur: An outfit christened as Sriram Sena Bharat has lodged a complaint with the superintendent of police of a district in Chhattisgarh seeking registration of a FIR against Pushpa-2 movie actor Allu Arjun and its director for the poor portrayal of police in the recently released film. In a letter to Gaurela- Pendra-Marwahi district SP Bhavna Gupta, the founder and president of the outfit Maharshi Gautam took strong exception particularly to a scene in the movie in which a police officer was seen being tortured by the villain, saying that it harmed the image of the police. The letter, dated December 23, also criticized the censor board for clearing the scene in the movie and said that the board shared the blame for the movie allegedly tainting the image of the police. I have also written to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking action against the actor and director of the movie and the censor board, he told this newspaper. The police was yet to act on the complaint, sources said.

Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam': Ex-minister Lakhma 'utilised' proceeds of crime in cash, claims ED

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday claimed it has gathered evidence showing that Chhattisgarh Congress MLA and former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma utilised in cash proceeds of crime generated from the alleged liquor scam. The federal agency had raided the premises of Lakhma and his son Harish Lakhma on December 28 in Raipur, Sukma and Dhamtari districts of the state as part of a money laundering investigation. The ED said in a statement that the search operation was carried at the residential premises of Lakhma, who allegedly was the main recipient of the proceeds of crime in cash, during his regime as excise minister. As a result of the search operation, ED has been able to gather evidence pertaining to utilization of proceeds of crime in cash by Kawasi Lakhma during the relevant period of scam, the agency said. The search also led to the seizure of multiple digital devices elieved to be containing incriminating records. Lakhma, as per the ED, used to receive substantial amount in cash on monthly basis out of the proceeds of crime generated from liquor scam. Lakhma, 71, is a six-time MLA from Konta and has served as the excise minister in the previous Congress government. Harish Lakhma is stated to be a panchayat president in his district. Earlier, the Chhattisgarh Congress had alleged that the raids were part of a conspiracy by the BJP to harass the opposition party's leaders ahead of urban body and panchayat polls. The alleged liquor scam in the state, as per the ED, was orchestrated between 2019-22 when Chhattisgarh was ruled by the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government. The Chhattisgarh liquor scam resulted in massive loss to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of the liquor syndicate with more than Rs 2,100 crore illegal proceeds of crime, the agency had claimed earlier.

Bastar Olympics 2024 Gets Spotlight in PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat'

RAIPUR: Bastar Olympics-2024 held recently in the Leftwing insurgency-hit region in Chhattisgarh on Sunday found mention in the Prime Minister Narendra Modis popular radio programme Maan Ki Baat. In his 117 th edition of the programme aired on Sunday, Mr Modi said that I would like to mention a unique event that indicated a silent change taking place in our country and the zeal and enthusiasm of young friends. Do you know that a unique Olympic has begun in our Bastar! A new revolution is taking shape in Bastar through the Bastar Olympics- 2024, held for the first time. I am happy that the dream of holding the Bastar Olympics has materialized. It was held in a region which was once witness to Maoist violence. He said that the mascot of the Bastar Olympics is wild water buffalo and hill myna which reflects the rich culture of Bastar. The defining mantra of this sports Mahakumbh' is -Karsay Ta Bastar Barsaye Ta Bastar which means Bastar will play Bastar will win, he said. In the very fast mega sports event, 1.65 players from seven districts in Bastar division had participated, he said, adding that It is just not a statistic but it is the proud story of the resolve of the youth. Bastar Olympics is not just a sports event, it is a platform where development and sports merge, where the youths are honing their talent and building a new Bharat. Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday thanked Mr Modi for mentioning Bastar Olympics in his Maan Ki Baat. The successful organization of Bastar Olympics- 2024 establishes that peace, development and mass efforts can face any challenge, Mr Sai said.

Two crane operators killed after molten slag falls on them in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: Two crane operators of an industrial unit in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur died after hot slag fell on them, a police official said on Sunday. The mishap took place at Hindustan Coils Limited in Siltara under Dharsiwara police station limits late Saturday night, he said. Crane operators Somu Rai (30) and Jitendra Sriwas (32), who were on night shift, died after molten slag, which is a by-product of steel manufacturing, fell on them from a furnace. The bodies have been sent for post mortem. Rai hailed from Arrah in Bihar, while Sriwas was from Janjgir-Champa, he said. An accidental death report has been registered and further probe into the incident is underway, the official added.

Chhattisgarh : Sai may go for expansion of ministry soon, new faces likely to be inducted

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai may go for expansion of his ministry very soon. This would be the first expansion of the Sai ministry, if done, after it was formed a year ago. Sources said that a couple of new faces may be inducted in the ministry in the proposed expansion of the state cabinet. Sources close to the chief minister disclosed to this newspaper that the state government department concerned has been indicated to requisition four four-wheelers for the prospective ministers. There are currently two vacant cabinet posts in the Sai ministry. While a cabinet post has remained vacant since the Sai ministry was formed in December 2023, another cabinet post has fallen vacant following the election of state education minister Brij Mohan Agrawal to the Lok Sabha in the recently held polls. Sources said that the chief minister is reportedly toying with the idea of dropping two ministers in his cabinet since their performances were found not up to the satisfaction. The performances of each member of the Sai ministry had been reviewed recently by the chief minister. An internal survey was also conducted by the BJP recently to review performances of each member of the Sai ministry, sources said. Sources said that the chief minister may also reshuffle portfolios of some ministers during the proposed expansion of his ministry. The chief minister had held discussions with the Central party leadership on the issue of ministry expansion during his recent visit to Delhi, a senior BJP functionary said, unwilling to be quoted. The Sai ministry currently has a strength of 11.

ED raids premises of six-time Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma, his son in Chhattisgarh's alleged liquor scam

RAIPUR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive searches on Saturday at the residences of six-time Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma, his son Harish, and Congress leader Raju Sahu in Chhattisgarh. The raids are believed to be part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged liquor scam. A team from the central agency, investigating the alleged involvement of Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, raided his residence in Raipur. Simultaneously, other teams launched searches at the premises of Lakhma's son, Harish Kawasi, the chairperson of Sumka district panchayat, and Raju Sahu, the president of Sukma municipality. Security forces have been deployed outside their residences during the ongoing searches. The ED is yet to reveal if vital clues or incriminating evidence linked to the scam were traced as the search actions and scrutiny of the seized documents continue. The former excise minister in the Bhupesh Baghel cabinet, Lakhma, whose name was among the 70 others in the FIR lodged in the alleged liquor scam, was pitted against the BJPs first timer Mahesh Kashyap in Lok Sabha polls this year from Bastar constituency and the Congress leader lost. A prominent tribal face in Bastar, Lakhma has won the Konta (Sukma district) Assembly seat for the sixth consecutive time in the2023 assembly elections. The ED estimated that Proceeds of Crime of around Rs 2,161 crore have been generated by the suspects in the alleged scam. Last year, the federal probe agency investigating the fraud in liquor claimed a prevailing criminal syndicate had operated illegal bribe collections by controlling the high-level management of key state departments and state public sector units in Chhattisgarh. As a commodity, the liquor though often led the state secure high revenue collections, eventually also turned as an issue of acrimonious tussle in Chhattisgarhs political battleground between the Congress and the BJP.

J&K defeats Goa in Mens U-23 State-A Trophy

Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAIPUR, Dec 27: After scoring a splendid century against Jharkhand the other day, skipper Kanhaiya Wadhawan along with opening batter Qazi Junaid scored cracking centuries today before Kawal Preet Singh produced a brilliant stuff with the ball, to guide J&K to a big win over Goa and qualify for the knockout stage of the ongoing Mens U-23 State-A Trophy at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur today. Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, J&K scored [] The post J&K defeats Goa in Mens U-23 State-A Trophy appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Civic Body Polls to Be Held with Ballot Papers: Chhattisgarh Dep CM Arun Sao

Raipur: Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Arun Sao on Friday announced that the upcoming civic body polls in the state would be held with ballot papers. Mr Sao who holds the panchayati raj portfolio said that the upcoming polls to the rural as well as the urban local bodies would be conducted with ballot papers, not with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). During the previous Raman Singh government, polls to the civic bodies in the state were used to be conducted with the EVMs. However, the practice of holding rural and urban local body polls with EVMs was discontinued when the Congress came to power in the state in the 2018 Assembly elections. The Vishnu Deo Sai government has decided to continue with the current practice of holding the rural and urban local body polls with the ballot papers. Polls to rural local bodies used to be held earlier with ballot papers due to some practical issues. Elections are held for multiple posts in the rural bodies simultaneously and hence, it is not feasible to hold rural local body polls with EVMs. But the polls to the urban local bodies used to be held with EVMs during the previous Raman Singh government. Polls to the urban local bodies this time however cannot not be held with EVMs for some technical reasons particularly unavailability of EVMs within a short time, senior BJP leader Anurag Agrawal told this newspaper. The chairman and mayor posts in municipality and corporation bodies respectively would be held directly this time. The process of reservation of posts of chairman and mayor in the municipal and corporation bodies for other backward caste (OBC), scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) and women would begin on January seven. After the process is completed, notification for the polls to rural and urban local bodies would be announced, official sources said.