Chhattisgarh News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Signifys Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR, Dec 16: In line with its #BrighterLivesBetterWorld vision, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the launch of its flagship Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh. The momentous inauguration was graced by the Honble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, marking a powerful new chapter in rural transformation. Implemented in partnership with the Government of Chhattisgarh and Bharat Cares, this initiative will bring the glow of modern, energy-efficient LED streetlights to 70 villages across [] The post Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Signifys Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

12 members of an inter-state fraud gang posing as IT officials busted in Chhattisgarhs Dhamtari

RAIPUR: Dhamtari police on Tuesday arrested twelve members of an inter-state fraud gang who posed as Income Tax officers, conducting a fake raid in Raipur. According to authorities, An inter-state gang involved in organised crime had entered the house of a doctor without carrying any valid search warrant or identification cards and pretended to be IT officials. Following a complaint,the Kotwali police registered a case and launched an investigation. Separate police teams were dispatched to different districts of Chhattisgarh and adjoining Maharashtra. With consistent efforts, searches and technical analysis of available details gathered, all the accused were taken into custody and brought to Dhamtari, said Suraj Singh Parihar, the district police chief. During interrogation, the accused persons admitted that they had learned about Rs 200 crore reportedly kept at the house of complainant Dilip Rathore. They planned to carry out a fake IT raid but failed to locate the cash and fled in their vehicles. The complainant identified all the accused involved in the incident. Based on substantial evidence, the police arrested the gang members and sent them to jail. Vehicles, mobile phones, and a jute sack allegedly used to carry cash were also seized. Dhamtari Police urged citizens to verify identification cards and valid orders or warrants when approached by officials of any government department and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

34 Maoists carrying Rs 84 lakh reward surrender in Chhattisgarh under Poona Margham initiative

RAIPUR: A total of 34 Maoist cadres, carrying a cumulative reward of 84 lakh, surrendered in the insurgency-hit district of Bijapur, around 400 km south of Raipur, on Tuesday, marking another significant instance of cadres laying down arms under the states rehabilitation drive. Seven of those who surrendered are women. The cadres said they had decided to renounce the armed and violent ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist) and return to the mainstream under the Poona Margham: Rehabilitation to Rebirth initiative being implemented in the Bastar division, police said. The thirty-four Maoists who surrendered belonged to the South Sub-Zonal Bureau and included members from the Telangana State Committee, the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee and the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). As a result of the state government's comprehensive Naxal eradication policy and continuous efforts based on peace, dialogue, and development, the cadres in big numbers have decided to relinquish the violent path and return to the mainstream of society, the statement issued by the Bijapur police said. According to the police, the surrendered cadres included one Divisional Committee Member, four members of a PLGA Company, three Area Committee Members, eight Platoon and Area Committee party members, three Militia Platoon Commanders, five Militia Platoon members, one PLGA member and nine members holding positions such as CNM/Janatana Sarkar president or vice-president, and DAKMS and KAMS president or vice-president. All of them have decided to quit the banned outfit CPI (Maoist). From January 1, 2024 onwards, as many as 824 Maoists have joined the mainstream in Bijapur district, while 1,079 Maoists have been arrested and 220 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters, Bijapur district police chief Jitendra Kumar Yadav said. Official legal procedures are being carried out for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the surrendered cadres into society. The Poona Margham initiative has emerged as a significant step towards lasting peace and positive transformation in the Bastar region, the police said. Under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, each surrendered Maoist receives an initial financial incentive of 50,000. In addition, those willing to undergo skill training or set up a small business are eligible for further financial assistance. They are also provided free housing, healthcare, farmland and other amenities under the policy. Since the BJP came to power in Chhattisgarh in December 2023, over 2,300 Maoists have surrendered across the state, officials said.

34 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur

Twenty-six of them carried a cumulative bounty of 84 lakh

Oppositions forest, mining claims trigger Assembly uproar in Chhattisgarh

Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP Government working for the benefit of industrialists and capitalists: Opposition

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Inaugurates Signify's Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announced the launch of its flagship Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh. The momentous inauguration was graced by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah, marking a powerful new chapter in rural transformation. Implemented in partnership with the Government of Chhattisgarh and Bharat Cares, this initiative will bring the glow of modern, energy-efficient LED streetlights to 70 villages across the Indravati Tiger Reserve area, paving the way for safer, more vibrant communities.   Signify I Har Gaon Roshan   Guided by the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this milestone mirrors India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat, a developed, empowered nation. Har Gaon Roshan initiative aids in strengthening rural infrastructure, enhances community safety, and stimulates local economic growth. Signify’s expertise in sustainable lighting innovation, the Government of Chhattisgarh’s rural development priorities, and Bharat Cares’ deep community engagement form the foundation of this powerful collaboration, blending technology, governance, and grassroots action.   Hon’ble Union Home Minister of India, Shri Amit Shah inaugurating the Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative in Chhattisgarh   Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Government Affairs & CSR, Signify, Greater India,  said,  “ Light is more than just illumination, it’s an enabler of safety, opportunity, and social connection . Har Gaon Roshan  in Chhattisgarh demonstrates how government, industry, and community can unite to drive inclusive progress.  At Signify, we are committed to using the power of light to support inclusive development and contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat, ensuring every village shines brighter . T his partnership reflects the power of collective action in creating sustainable, long-term impact. ”     Bhomik Shah, Founder, Bharat Cares, said, “Chhattisgarh, with its rich natural resources and proud tribal heritage, stands at the cusp of meaningful change. Through our collaboration with Signify and the Government of Chhattisgarh under the Har Gaon Roshan initiative, we are enabling safer communities, supporting inclusive development, and strengthening harmony between people and nature.”   Built on a  community-first model and implemented with support from district administrations and village representatives, ensuring that every installation meets local needs and achieves maximum impact. The new LED streetlights will boost public safety, unlock extended hours for commerce and community activities using energy-efficient technology. By enhancing accessibility after dark, the initiative enables more inclusive participation in social, educational, and economic life.   Across multiple states, Har Gaon Roshan has already illuminated numerous villages, underscoring Signify’s unwavering dedication to rural advancement. With each installation, the company reaffirms its mission: to transform lives, one village at a time, through sustainable lighting solutions that empower communities and inspire progress.   About Signify Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Instagram . Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

Opposition boycotts Chhattisgarh Assembly proceedings over paddy procurement issue

Congress members alleged that the scale of mismanagement and the problems faced by farmers since the beginning of the season were unprecedented

Chhattisgarh: Archery gives DRG jawan a new lease of life

Kishan Kumar Hapka lost his leg in an anti-maoist operation

Two commandos injured in IED blast during anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur: In an incident highlighting the persistent threat of Naxalite tactics in Chhattisgarhs Bastar region, two commandos from the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit have sustained minor injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. The explosion occurred on Monday in the dense forests of the Pillur-Kandlaparti 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 HC Upholds Divorce Over Concealment Of Reproductive Health Issue By Wife

The man approached the family court, alleging that medical exams after marriage revealed his wife had not had menstrual cycles for several years and faced difficulties conceiving

Two security personnel injured in IED blast in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur

During the operation, two Cobra personnel sustained minor injuries in an IED blast and have been sent to Raipur for better treatment, a police said

DC Edit| Fresh Start For BJP With A Young Working Chief

It may be remembered that several of the partys chief ministers, including Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh) and Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan) were all under 60 when they were chosen for the post. The new young boss will be working with those young veterans

BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar flags lack of reliable data in Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047 vision

RAIPUR: Senior BJP legislator Ajay Chandrakar questioned his own governments vision document Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047, scrutinising its basis, during the discussion in the Assembly on the states comprehensive roadmap that aims to achieve various ambitious goals on development. Chandrakar, who was a minister twice during the BJP government led by Raman Singh, said the focus remains largely on education and health sector but lacks reflection of the Chhattisgarh state in the industrial policy. No attention has been given to Make in Chhattisgarh in the industrial policy of the vision document. One cannot understand if the industrial policy was made for implementation or amendment as seen happening in every 15-20 days, said BJP leader Chandrakar. He also questioned how the states irrigation capacity declined by three percentage points despite huge expenditure on projects, as reflected in the 202425 Economic Survey, and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He also alleged that the policy document lacked a clear focus on womens empowerment and poverty alleviation, while several other critical issues appeared to have been overlooked. Responding to the criticism, State Finance Minister O P Choudhary said Chhattisgarh Anjor 2047 was not merely a policy document but a pledge to steer the state towards multidimensional and holistic development over the next 25 years. Chandrakar further claimed that barely three per cent of the population was skilled, that there was no clarity in the definition of employment, and that official functioning in the state appeared to be operating in auto-mode. The BJP-led Chhattisgarh government had unveiled the comprehensive roadmap Chhattisgarh Anjor in July this year, aiming to align the states development vision with Viksit Bharat 2047. The state government maintains that Chhattisgarh is envisioned as a key powerhouse in energising the broader national goal of building a developed India by 2047.

Branded outsider, Rajeev emerges power player after Thiruvanthapuram show

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NDA wresting control of Thiruvananthapuram corporation on December 13 from over two decades of LDF rule has drawn national attention, marking a rare breakthrough for the BJP in a state traditionally dominated by the CPM-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF. Eight months earlier, in April, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to critics branding him an outsider unfamiliar with Keralas culture and language. I know how to wear a mundu (dhoti) and tuck it. I know how to speak development politics in Malayalam to people and also know how to respond in strong language. I dont need lessons in Malayalam, Chandrasekhar declared at a party convention, signalling his determination to establish himself in Keralas political arena. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Thiruvananthapuram mandate as a watershed moment in Keralas politics, and sources indicate that he may visit the city soon and announce central projects for the corporation. Party insiders noted the unusual level of attention from the PM, describing it as a rare acknowledgement of a local body victory, particularly as the BJP lost power in some local bodies. For the LDF government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the outcome is a political reality they must accept they will now have to share the dais with the Kerala capitals first BJP mayor. The victory also marks a turning point for Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who became the BJP state president in March this year. Once viewed as a billionaire businessman-turned-politician, he has emerged as a shrewd political strategist. The result also shows BJPs paradigm shift from traditional hardline Hindutva politics to development politics. The public and political opponents will be watching closely how Modis mantra of double engine sarkar is going to be unveiled in Kerala for the first time. Though Chandrasekhar lost in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to Congress Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram, 10 months later he was appointed the BJP state president. Sources attributed his appointment to the central leaderships realisation that by achieving around 20%vote share in the parliamentary election, the party reached a saturation point, forcing it to find new allies outside its traditional fold. Chandrasekhar seamlessly and effectively fitted the slot. The result in the state capital shows that his development politics attracted Gen Z, technocrats, middle class, upper class, government employees, and civil servants. The non-hardcore leader brand also had an appeal with the powerful Christian community. The appointments of Anoop Antony and Shone George as state general secretaries sent effective messages to the community. Interventions in the Munambam waqf land issue, arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh for alleged human trafficking, and the hijab issue in a Christian management school in Kochi paid dividends in Thiruvananthapuram. With assembly elections just months away, this victory underscores the partys strategic evolution and cements Rajeev Chandrasekhar as a key player in the states political landscape.

From Patna to Delhi, BJPs new president keeps low profile, delivers smartly

PATNA: Fifth-term BJP MLA and minister Nitin Nabin was a surprise pick as the partys national working president. Considered the youngest to be elevated to the BJPs key post, the 45-year-old Bihar road construction and urban housing development department minister dedicated his appointment to party workers, as celebrations broke out in the party office in Patna and congratulatory messages poured in. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the central leadership, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and everyone in the central leadership for giving me this opportunity. I have the Prime Ministers blessings, and I will further advance the guidance and leadership he has provided, he said. We will work to strengthen the BJP as per the directions of our senior leadership with the approach of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. I also thank all party workers. It all happened because of the hard work of the party workers, added Nabin who has worked in coordination with the SS. Born on May 23, 1980 in Patna, Nabin began his political career with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). As the national general secretary and Bihar state president of BJYM, he worked to connect young people with the organisation. He entered electoral politics after his father Navin Kishore Prasad Sinhas death in 2006 following a cardiac arrest. Sinha, a veteran BJP leader and MLA from Patna West, had earlier served as a cabinet minister in the NDA-I government led by CM Nitish Kumar in 2005. The BJP fielded Nabin in a by-election and he emerged victorious. After delimitation, Patna West was named as Bankipur assembly constituency. Nabin has won elections in 2010, 2015 and 2020 from this seat. In 2025 election, he defeated RJDs Rekha Kumari by over 51,000 votes. He was made a minister in the NDA government for the first time on February 9, 2021 and was allocated road construction department. As a minister, he got appreciation from Nitish. Nabin is one of the youngest leaders of the state BJP, who has served as minister of road construction and urban development department twice. He belongs to Kayastha community, which constitutes nearly 0.60% of the states population. As BJPs in-charge of Chhattisgarh, he had focused on booth-level management, organisational expansion, and electoral coordination, leading to the partys decisive victory in the state. As a leader, he has shown his organisational skill not only in Bihar but also in other states. Although he has proven his organisational capabilities in the past, his appointment to the partys key post assumes special significance, showing how partys top leadership is ready to take bold steps and poses faith in the young leaders. Congratulating the 45-year-old leader, JD(U) president Nitish said, Nabin is a dedicated and disciplined politician, who will lend strength to the BJP with the new responsibility. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, This is a moment of pride for the BJP. As an ordinary worker from Bihar, Nabin has worked in the organisation with dedication.

New BJP national working president Nitin Nabin dedicates appointment to party workers

PATNA, Dec 14 : Bihar minister Nitin Nabin on Sunday dedicated his appointment as the BJP national working president to party workers, as celebrations broke out in the party office here and congratulatory messages poured in. Nabin, a fifth-term MLA, has been the partys in-charge for Chhattisgarh. As journalists reached his residence after the news of his new appointment reached here from Delhi for his reaction, the BJP leader initially told them to meet him at the party office. However, [] The post New BJP national working president Nitin Nabin dedicates appointment to party workers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Concealment Of Menstrual Issue, Ground For Divorce: Chhattisgarh HC

Chhattisgarh high court has held that concealing menstrual issues (by a woman) is ground for divorce.

News in Frames: The enduring tribal beats of Bastar

The Bison Horn Maria dance of the Dandami Madias in Chhattisgarh carries echoes of ancient Gondwana; despite modern influences, the art form endures, as an affirmation of the identity and living cultural soul of the tribal community

SIR issue: Congress steps up vote chor, gaddi chhod campaign with Ramlila Maidan rally today

The Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on December 14, protesting alleged vote chori and the SIR issue. This event, a significant step in their campaign against the BJP-led government, will see participation from leaders and workers across several states, including Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Kopra Reservoir Becomes Chhattisgarhs First Ramsar Site; Sai Hails Global Recognition of Water Body

Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hailed the development, saying that Declaration of Kopra reservoir as Chhattisgarhs first Ramsar Site is a moment of pride for the state.

Cgarh: Few Takers For Hindi Medium MBBS Course in Chhattisgarh

No student has opted for the MBBS course in Hindi medium in the current academic session

Union Minister Amit Shah vows to make Bastar Indias most developed tribal region

RAIPUR: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday affirming that the country will eliminate outlawed Maoism by March 2026, pledged to make the Bastar region in south Chhattisgarh as the most developed tribal division in India. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics in Jagdalpur, Shah said that the country stands on the verge of completely wiping out the red terror and the Bastar Olympics next year will be organised in a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh. Previous year 1.65 lakh players participated in the Bastar Olympics, while this year, 3.91 lakh players got registered, and the participation of women has increased by almost three times. A team from Sports Authority of India was in Bastar to spot the talent of players in the Bastar Olympics. Recognising the brilliance, our government has made arrangements to take such talented players from Bastar to the level where they can participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, said Shah. We must not stop here, rather ensure that the seven districts of Bastar division become the most developed tribal region by December 2030. Our governments resolve is to provide every person in Bastar with a house, electricity, toilet, drinking water, gas cylinder, 5 kg food grains and free medical treatment upto Rs 5 lakh, a dense network of primary and community health centres, the home minister said. He asserted that with the end of Maoism, there will be a new development in the area, establishing of new industries, scope for higher education, excellent sports complex and state-of-the-art hospitals will be set up in Bastar. We will bring a very attractive rehabilitation policy for those who have surrendered and the injured due to Maoists violence. Even now, the misled with weapons should lay down their arms, take advantage of the rehabilitation policy and be a part of a developed Bastar. Only peace can pave the way for development, Shah averred. Referring to the participation of 700 surrendered Naxalites as players in the Bastar Olympics as a powerful and inspiring example for the entire country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah applauded them for choosing hope over fear, unity over division, and development over destructioncalling it a true reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a New India. Citing the growing enthusiasm for sports across the Bastar region, Shah said the Prime Minister has chosen Chhattisgarh to host the Khelo India Tribal Games. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, speaking on the occasion, said that a couple of years ago no one could have imagined organising such a mega sports event in a region long associated with Maoist terror. PM Modijis virtuous leadership and Amit Shah jis decisive pledge have given Bastar a new ambitious identity.

Rs 92 crore seized through anti-Naxal operations, severe psychological damage inflicted on 'urban naxals': Centre

The Union Government on Saturday announced it has so far seized assets worth Rs 92 crore through a multi-agency coordinated action against Naxalite movements across the country. In a statement, the BJP-led Centre said it had inflicted severe moral and psychological damage on what it described as urban naxals by tightening control over their information networks. To meet the firm target of making the country completely Naxal-free by March 2026, the government has created a dedicated vertical in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has seized Rs 40 crore, state authorities have seized an additional Rs 40 crore, while the Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 12 crore, the statement said. Simultaneous action has inflicted severe moral and psychological damage on urban Naxals and tightened control over their information warfare networks, it added. Giving exhaustive details of action taken against the Maoist extremists, the government said only three districts remain most-affected by Naxalism in 2025 compared to 36 in 2014. In 2025 so far, 317 Naxals have been neutralised, 862 arrested and 1,973 surrendered, it said. A total of 28 top Naxal leaders have been neutralised, including one Central Committee Member in 2024 and five in 2025, it said. Listing out major successes by security forces, the government said 27 hardcore Naxals were killed in Operation Black Forest, 24 surrendered in Bijapur on May 23, 2025, and 258 surrendered in October 2025 across Chhattisgarh (197) and Maharashtra (61), including 10 senior Naxals. Total Naxal-affected districts have been reduced from 126 in 2014 to just 11 in 2025. Fortified police stations increased from only 66 until 2014 to 586 constructed in the last 10 years, it said. Police stations recording Naxal incidents dropped sharply from 330 across 76 districts in 2013 to merely 52 in 22 districts by June 2025. In addition, 361 new security camps have been established in the last six years and 68 night-landing helipads have been built to strengthen operational reach. The government has adopted a unified, multi-dimensional and decisive strategy against Naxalism, replacing the scattered approach of previous governments, the statement said. The government has also given a parallel push to improve infrastructure in the Naxal-infested zones with 12,000 km of roads constructed in the areas between May 2014 and August 2025. Projects for a total of 17,589 km have been approved at a cost of Rs 20,815 crore, ensuring all-weather connectivity and mobility in previously inaccessible areas, it said. A major project to improve mobile connectivity was also undertaken with 2,343 (2G) mobile towers installed at a cost of Rs 4,080 crore in the first phase, followed by 2,542 towers sanctioned in the second phase with an investment of Rs 2,210 crore, of which 1,154 are already installed. Additionally, under the Aspirational Districts and 4G Saturation schemes, 8,527 (4G) towers have been approved, with 2,596 and 2,761 towers, respectively, now functional, dramatically improving communication and intelligence reach in core Naxal zones, it said. Banking services were promoted in the Naxal zones with the setting up of 1,804 bank branches, 1,321 ATMs and posting of 37,850 banking correspondents to give deep financial inclusion a boost. The government also opened 5,899 post offices across 90 districts with coverage at every 5 km, bringing banking, postal and remittance services directly to remote communities previously under Naxal influence, it said. The actions of the government in the last 11 years have ensured that the naxal violence has fallen over 70 per cent, civilian and security-force casualties have plummeted, top Maoist leadership has been systematically neutralised, and thousands of cadres have chosen mainstream life over armed struggle, the statement said. While pockets of resistance remain and complete eradication demands sustained vigilance till the declared deadline of 31 March 2026, the trajectory is unmistakable: the ideological and territorial backbone of the Naxal insurgency has been broken, paving the way for lasting peace and development in regions long deprived of both, it said. (With inputs from PTI)

Need to take development to Maoist-affected areas, says CM Sai

In the past two years, 505 Naxalites have been neutralised, 2,386 have surrendered, and 1,901 have been arrested, says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Congress to boycott first day of Chhattisgarh Assembly session: LoP Mahant

I have made a decision. I am telling my colleagues in front of you that we are completely boycotting the Assembly session on December 14, says Senior Congress leader Charandas Mahant

Ten Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

Ten Naxalites, including six women, surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. They carried a collective reward of Rs 33 lakh on their heads. This surrender brings the total number of Maoists who have quit violence in the district this year to 263. The surrendered cadres also handed over several weapons. The police initiative aims for rehabilitation and social reintegration.

MP CM hails naxal cadre elimination as top achievement ahead of two-year government milestone

BHOPAL: A day before his government completes two years in power, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav termed the end of naxal cadres through the elimination and surrenders policy as the biggest achievement of his government so far. The naxal menace is as old as 37-38 years. Various naxal dalams had been formed way back in 1988-89. In 1995, an entire bus carrying 17 police personnel was blown into pieces. Four years later, a minister in the then Congress government (transport minister Likhiram Kanware) was brutally hacked to death by the outlaws. Despite Congress governments ruling the centre and states for decades since independence, the naxal problem wasnt adequately addressed, Yadav told journalists in Bhopal on Friday. In the three naxal-affected districts of MP, Dindori, Mandla and Balaghat, eliminating the naxals was a cumbersome task. Searching for and acting against 35-40 outlaws in the vast forests was difficult. They ran parallel courts, police stations, and councils of ministers. The fear of the Laal Salam extremist ideology among forest dwellers made anti-naxal operations even more difficult, Yadav added. But the situation dramatically changed when Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a March 2026 deadline for eliminating the naxal menace. I was initially sceptical about whether it was achievable, but he was confident, and the results are for all to see. The numbers in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Zone dropped to zero on Thursday the biggest and most historic development. Ten hardcore naxals were gunned down in 2025, the maximum in any year. First Dindori, then Mandla were freed from left-wing extremism (LWE), and on Thursday, Balaghat also recorded zero listed naxal cadres, Yadav said while congratulating the police forces involved in the operations. All credit for eliminating naxal cadres through the surrender or get killed policy goes to our brave cops. For the first time, IPS officers volunteered for postings in naxal-infested areas and set targets to uproot naxalism. Our IG in Balaghat Range, Sanjay Kumar, moved on a motorcycle like a regular jawan such was the commitment and dedication of our police force. We also pay rich tribute to all cops who sacrificed their lives, including young Inspector Ashish Sharma. The 42 surrenders in 42 days wouldnt have been possible without the proactive approach of our brave cops. Salute to their efforts, he added. They once ran a parallel regime in the jungles and terrorized villagers. Now, the same outlaws were competing among themselves to surrender first to save their lives. Mobile phone conversations between them reveal their urgency. With naxal cadre numbers now down to zero in Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori, we will now ensure a proper framework and system to prevent naxalism from reviving, Yadav said. The MP CM also highlighted inter-state river linking projects like Ken-Betwa, Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal, and the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project as other major achievements of his two-year tenure. The river linking projects, once implemented, will enhance irrigated land from 52 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares in five years, he maintained. While reiterating his governments commitment to ending drug abuse in MP, Yadav said, We have begun by banning liquor in 19 religious towns and cities. With cooperation from society and social organisations, we are confident of eliminating the drug menace completely within the next three years.

10 Maoist cadres surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

RAIPUR: Ten cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) on Friday surrendered in Sukma in south Chhattisgarh. After surrendering, the red rebels handed over one AK-47 rifle, two self-loading rifles, one .303 rifle, one BGL launcher, and one Sten gun to the security forces. Among those who surrendered were six women Maoists, collectively carrying a bounty of Rs 33 lakh. They later planted saplings at Vayan Vatika (meaning Garden of Hope and Future in Gondi) rehabilitation centre in Sukma as a symbol of reintegration. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the surrender under the Poona Margham: Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration initiative as a symbol of positive transformation. The pledge to build a Naxalism-free Chhattisgarh is no longer just an aspiration but it is becoming a fast-emerging reality, the CM said, adding that the fight against Maoists in the state has reached a critical and defining phase under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The series of surrenders demonstrate a significant shift in Bastar, where the ideology of violence, fear, and misguidance is weakening, while the path of development, trust, and dialogue is growing stronger, CM Sai affirmed. Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) December 12, 2025 Sundarraj Pattilingam, Bastar Inspector General of Police, said the rehabilitation of the 10 cadres in Sukma indicates the end of the violent and anti-people Maoist ideology is near. Maoist cadres willing to join the mainstream are placing their trust in the Poona Margham initiative by choosing the path of peace, dignity, and sustainable progress. In the past 11 months, around 1,520 Maoist cadres in the Bastar Range have chosen to renounce violence and join the social mainstream. The Centre, Chhattisgarh government, Bastar police, district administration and security forces are fully committed to establishing peace in the region ensuring inclusive development, the IG said. The remaining Maoist cadres including Politburo member Devji, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Pappa Rao, Deva (Barse Deva), and others have no option left but to abandon violence and join the mainstream, he asserted. The 10 Maoist cadres who surrendered in Sukma include : Platoon Commander (CyPCM rank) of PLGA Battalion No. 01 Two Area Committee Members (ACM) of the Darbha Division One PPCM member of PLGA Military Platoon No. 31 One PPCM member of PLGA Military Platoon No. 26 Two members of Gollapalli LOS Three Party Members (PM)

Korba shocker: Three dead in suspected occult ritual tied to money-doubling claim

Three men, including a businessman, died mysteriously at a Chhattisgarh farmhouse amid alleged occult practices and a money-doubling scheme. Victims reportedly promised massive returns through a ritual, but their condition deteriorated, leading to their deaths with signs of strangulation. Police have detained five individuals and are investigating multiple angles, including financial fraud and planned assault.

Ten Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

With this, a total of 263 Maoists have quit violence in the district this year, said Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan

ECI extends SIR timeline in six states, Union Territories

The Election Commission of India has extended deadlines for electoral roll revisions in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh. New dates for draft roll publication have been set. This revision process is crucial for upcoming electoral activities. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed about the updated timelines.

Chhattisgarh CM Inaugurates Divisional-Level Bastar Olympics

The participants included surrendered Maoists and victims of Naxal violences in Bastar

Two top Naxals surrender in Balaghat; MP now free of all listed MMC zone cadres, says CM Yadav

BHOPAL: Continued surrenders by armed Naxal cadres in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, driven by surrender or get eliminated anti-Naxal operations, resulted in two more hardcore Naxalites laying down arms in the forests of MPs Balaghat district on Thursday. Two wanted Naxals carrying a combined reward of 43 lakh surrendered at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in the Korka area of Balaghat district. They were identified as Deepak Uike, a Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB) divisional committee member carrying a reward of Rs 29 lakh, and Rohit, who had a Rs 14 lakh bounty. With their surrender, Madhya Pradesh is now free of all listed CPI (Maoist) cadres from the Maharashtra-MP-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone. Based on interrogation of the armed Naxal cadres who surrendered recently, after the latest two surrenders, all listed Naxal cadres of the MMC zone have now been eliminated or have surrendered. This is a historic development, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced on Thursday evening. Deepak Uike was considered the poster boy of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in Balaghat district, as he hailed from Palagondi village in the same region. Both Deepak and Rohit were part of the Malajkhand Dalam of the GRB divisional committee, which operated largely in the southern stretches of the MMC Zone. The dalam, led by CPI (Maoist) central committee member and MMC Zone chief Ramder Majji, saw 12 cadres surrender in Chhattisgarh on December 8. However, Deepak and Rohit had stayed away from the December 8 surrender. In the last 42 days, as many as 42 hardcore Naxalites carrying a collective bounty of Rs 7.75 crore have surrendered in MP, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, the MP CM said, congratulating anti-Naxal police personnel. The chief minister also paid tribute to the 38 police personnel who have died in anti-Naxal operations in undivided and divided Madhya Pradesh since 198889. The elimination or surrender of all listed cadres in MP assumes special significance as it comes just two days before the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government completes two years in office. In 202324, four wanted Naxalites, including a woman cadre carrying a total reward of 71 lakh, were gunned down in encounters. In 2025 so far, ten armed Naxal cadres all of area committee rank carrying a total bounty of 1.46 crore have been killed, marking the highest Naxal casualties in any year, Yadav added.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurates Bastar Olympics; Amit Shah to attend closing ceremony

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday inaugurated a 3-day divisional-level annual Bastar Olympics at Indira Priyadarshini Stadium in Jagdalpur, where the athletes from all seven districts of the Bastar division presented an impressive march past. Around 3,500 athletes from districts of Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma and Jagdalpur, along with those from the Nua Baat category, are participating in the divisional-level Bastar Olympics. Maoists who have surrendered and joined the mainstream are included in the Nua Baat category. In the regional language of Bastar, Nua Baat means a new path. Speaking at the event, the CM said, The winners of the Bastar Olympic games will become role models for future athletes. The state government will provide better opportunities and training to the youth of Bastar, preparing them for international competitions. Chhattisgarh government provides an honorarium of rupees three crore, two crore, and one crore to competitors who win gold, silver and bronze medals respectively at the Olympics. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Jagdalpur on December 13 to attend the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics event. He is also likely to review the security situation and the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign. The Bastar Olympics is providing a platform for talent through three levels of competitionsblock, district, divisional. Compared to 165,000 participants last year, more than 392,000 participants have registered this year, including over 227,000 female participants this is a new wave of change in Bastar region, said Tanuja Salam, Director, Sports and Youth Welfare department. Besides the surrendered Maoists, Divyang (persons with disabilities) players affected by Naxal violence are also competing, making the event not just a sports festival but a symbol of harmony, social inclusion, and transformative change in Bastar.

Chhattisgarh panel signs MoUs with six universities to launch PG Diploma in child rights & protection

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has signed MoUs with six state universities to launch a new academic course named Rakshak Curriculum that will focus on child rights and protection. Cited to be the first academic programme of its kind in India, the initiative is a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Child Rights & Protection. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that Rakshak Curriculum will play a significant role in creating a safer and more responsible future for students. The course will generate job opportunities creating trained professionals equipped to work in the given stream of child rights and protection. Its our collective responsibility to guide children who fall into vulnerable citations owing to innocence back on the right path, he added. The curriculum is described as a milestone in developing compassionate, aware and service-oriented youth. Until now, no university offered a curriculum dedicated to child rights and protection alongside the career opportunities. Realising the need, the Commission has developed 'Rakshak Curriculum that will provide students with theoretical and legal knowledge, understanding of government schemes and institutions, insights into departmental processes, and practical exposure to child protection units, a government spokesperson said. Designed to cultivate awareness and emotional sensitivity, the programme will build efficient, committed and trained human resources for the field. Training, mentorship and course support will be provided to universities free of cost by the Commission. The universities that have entered into the agreement to run the course are Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Sant Gahira Guru University, Surguja, Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism & Mass Communication, Raipur, Anjaneya University, Raipur, Amity University, Raipur, Shri Shankaracharya Professional University, Bhilai-Durg. During the signing of an MoU, the CM elucidated that with over 350 administrative reforms enacted, Chhattisgarh is progressing swiftly on the path of good governance. In the same sequence, the state government has also set up the Department of Good Governance and Convergence.

ECI Revises Electoral Roll Revision Schedule for 6 States and UTs; UP Gets 2-Week Extension

The Election Commission of India has revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman & Nicobar, and Uttar Pradesh. UP receives a two-week extension as over 18% voters remain ...

EC extends SIR timeline in six states, Union territories

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in six states and Union territories following requests from the respective chief electoral officers. In a statement, the Election Commission (EC) issued the revised schedule for SIR in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and 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 .

Election Commission's BIG move on SIR, extends deadline for 6 states; check new dates here

New dates have been set for the exercise in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No extension was given for Goa, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where elections are due to be held early next year.

Election Commission revises SIR schedule for six states and Union territories

The Election Commission of India has updated the schedule for electoral roll revision in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This revision aims for accuracy. Eligible citizens, especially new voters, should register by submitting Form 6.

Coal Remains India's Energy Backbone, House Committee Report Reaffirms 1.5 Bn Tonne Target For 2030

Odisha is expected to produce 494 MT by 2030, followed by Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra by 2030

Chhattisgarh to set up Cabinet sub-committee to review cases against surrendered Maoists

The Opposition Congress has criticised the move and asked the States BJP government to clarify its stance regarding Maoists involved in serious criminal incidents

Maharashtra nears Maoist elimination as 11 top cadres surrender in Gadchiroli

MUMBAI: Maharashtra moves closer to eliminating the Maoist threat by March 2026 as 11 senior Maoist cadres, including four commanders with a combined bounty of Rs 82 lakh, surrendered before state police chief Rashmi Shukla in Gadchiroli. Among the surrendered leaders were divisional committee members Ramesh alias Baju Lekami and Bhima alias Kiran Hidma Kowasi. Lekami, associated with the movement since 2004, served as president of the Edasgondi Gaon Panchayat Janatana Sarkar before becoming a divisional committee member in Bhamragad. Kowasi joined the Maoist ranks in 1998 and became a divisional committee member in 2019. Gadchiroli police said the surrenders deliver a major blow to Maoists in the Dandakaranya region, spanning Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, marking one of the biggest successes since the surrender of Maoist Politburo member Bhupathi alias Mallojula Venugopal Rao in October, along with 60 others. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had handed over a copy of the Indian Constitution instead of weapons during that program. Police Chief Shukla described the fresh surrender as the beginning of the end of Maoism in Gadchiroli and reaffirmed the commitment to the Union governments March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate the Left-wing insurgency. She said 112 Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli this year alone. The surrender ceremony at Eklavya Hall also saw officers and personnel of the elite C-60 anti-Naxal unit felicitated for operations in the remote Laheri forest, which led to 61 Maoists surrendering and the recovery of 54 firearms. Other surrendered Maoists included Poriye alias Lucky Adama Gota, Ratan alias Sanna Masu Oyam, Kamala alias Rago Iriya Veladi, Poriye alias Kumari Bhima Veladi, Ramaji alias Mura Lacchu Pungati, Sonu Podiyam alias Ajay Sanu Kato, Prakash alias Pandu Kundra Pungati, Sita alias Jaini Tonde Pallo, and Sainath Shankar Made. The surrenders follow intensified anti-Maoist operations across India, with security forces killing over 270 Maoists in the past year in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. So far, more than 1,225 Maoists have surrendered, and 680, including top leaders, have been arrested. The killing of Maoist chief Nambala Kesava Rao, alias Basavaraju, on May 20, marked a major milestone in the fight against the insurgency. According to the Union government, the number of Left-Wing insurgency-affected districts has fallen from 18 in April to 11, signalling significant progress in curbing the movement.

Chhattisgarh Initiates Move to Withdraw Criminal Cases Against Surrendered Naxals, with a Rider

After receiving opinions from the law department, the cases will be presented before the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

Who is DSP Kalpana Verma, Chhattisgarh officer accused by businessman of 'love trap' and extracting Rs 2 crore?

A Raipur-based businessman alleged that DSP Kalpana Verma took cash, a diamond ring, a gold chain, and even a luxury car from him.

Chhattisgarh forms cabinet panel to review withdrawal of cases against surrendered Maoists

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of measures to enable the withdrawal of criminal cases against Maoists who have surrendered under the states Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief & Rehabilitation Policy2025. To implement this, the government will set up a Cabinet sub-committee to review and scrutinise cases eligible for withdrawal based on the good conduct of surrendered Maoists and their contribution to curbing Left-wing extremism. After evaluation, the sub-committee will place recommended cases before the Cabinet for final approval. A district-level committee will also be constituted to examine cases registered against surrendered cadres and submit its findings to the police headquarters. Following legal vetting by the Law department, these cases will be presented to the Cabinet sub-committee. For offences under Central Acts or involving the Union government, the state will seek the Centres approval. Cases cleared by the government will be forwarded to district magistrates through public prosecutors for formal withdrawal in court. In a parallel move, the Cabinet approved the draft of the Chhattisgarh Jan Vishwas (Provisions Amendment) Bill (Second), 2025, which proposes amendments to 116 provisions across 14 Acts in 11 departments. The bill aims to streamline outdated laws, reduce judicial burden, and make state regulations more citizen- and business-friendly by replacing minor criminal penalties with administrative fines. The state had earlier notified amendments to 163 provisions across eight Acts under the first Jan Vishwas Amendment Act, 2025. With the latest draft, Chhattisgarh becomes the first state in the country to introduce a second edition of the Jan Vishwas reform, intended to improve compliance, strengthen governance, and promote Ease of Doing Business.

CG Police Constable Result 2025: Check trade test and PET scorecard at cgpolice.gov.in

CG Police Constable Result 2025: The Chhattisgarh Police Constable Result 2025 has been released on cgpolice.gov.in, covering the trade test and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) scores. Candidates who passed the written exam and PET appeared for the trade test conducted from November 17 to 19, 2025. The CG Police Constable scorecard provides detailed marks, overall ranking, and merit positions. Candidates can check results online by entering their registration or roll number and are advised to monitor official websites for further recruitment updates.

10 held after fight erupts at Pilar Jharkhand Day event

Panaji: Agassaim police have arrested 10 personsone from Chhattisgarh and nine from Jharkhandfor allegedly creating a ruckus and fighting in a public place, disturbing the peace during a musical event organised on the eve of Jharkhand Day at a ground belonging to an educational institution in Pilar on Sunday. They have also been booked for [] The post 10 held after fight erupts at Pilar Jharkhand Day event appeared first on The Navhind Times .

Chhattisgarh govt amends provisions on land valuation guidelines amid Opposition backlash

A good government is one that occasionally amends its decisions in the public interest. Certainly, there are some concerns regarding the guideline rates; they are being reviewed, says Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

MP ministers brother held as police bust inter-state ganja racket in Satna

BHOPAL: An alleged inter-state ganja smuggling racket has been busted in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh with the arrest of two men, including Anil Bagri, the elder brother of MPs minister of state for urban development and housing Pratima Bagri. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team from Rampur Baghelan police station raided the house of one Pankaj Singh in Marahuan village late Sunday night and seized more than 46 kg of ganja worth over Rs 9 lakh, stashed in sacks under a tin shed. The seizure led to Pankaj Singhs arrest. He later told police that Anil Bagri had brought the ganja consignment to his house in an SUV on December 4. A subsequent probe led the Rampur Baghelan police to Anil Bagri, the ministers brother. Both Pankaj Singh and Anil Bagri have been arrested and booked under the NDPS Act. They were produced in court on Monday and sent to judicial custody, Rampur Baghelan police station in-charge Sandeep Chaube told TNIE . Bagris questioning revealed that he transported the consignment to Pankajs house at the behest of his brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh Shibbu, who was recently arrested in a ganja smuggling case in Uttar Pradesh and is currently lodged in Banda jail. Shailendra is no stranger to narcotics cases - he was arrested in September 2024 in a cough syrup smuggling case in Satna district. We will bring Shailendra Singh on a production warrant from Banda Jail to investigate this racket further, the police officer added. Further investigation suggests the ganja consignment was sourced from Beohari (Shahdol) and that key players in the racket may have links to Chhattisgarh.

End Of 'MMC' Zone: From Red Bastion To Only 6 Maoists Running For Cover

Ten days. 33 surrenders. And for the first time in more than three decades, the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone, once the toughest Maoist theatre in central India, has shrunk to a single-digit count.

Top CPI (Maoist) leader, 11 others surrender in Chhattisgarh

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that in the past two years, over 4,000 Maoists had either surrendered or were killed by the security forces in Chhattisgarh

NBDSA slams TV news for love jihad spin on Class 3 NCERT lesson

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) reprimanded multiple mainstream TV news channels for converting a fictional Class 3 NCERT story into a communal love jihad narrative, and immediately directed them to take down the broadcasts. The news channels that aired the story were India TV, News 18 Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Zee Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Zee 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 hunt for Maoist gold, weapon dumps in forests across four states

Hyderabad: As more and more Maoists surrender or perish in encounters, security forces have intensified search operations, finding gold and weapons deep inside the forest area in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. Maoists collected levy, a form of tax on contractors, industries, big farmers and big businessmen to support their activities. This revenue was 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 .

10 days, 33 surrenders leave Naxal ranks in MMC Zone on brink of collapse

BHOPAL: Ten days and 33 surrenders have shrunk the number of armed Naxal cadres to single digits, for the first time in more than three decades in the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zone. The CPI (Maoist) MMC Zone comprises bordering districts of the three neighbouring states MP, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh including Balaghat district and parts of Mandla district (MP), Rajnandgaon, KCG, MMA and Kabirdham districts of Chhattisgarh, and Gondia district of Maharashtra. Around 40-45 armed Naxal cadres were active in two major parts of the MMC Zone. Three Dalams, Khatiya Mocha, Bhoramdev and Borla, formed the Kanha-Bhoramdev Division in the northern MMC Zone, covering Balaghat and Mandla districts of MP and Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh. At least two Dalams, Malajkhand (including the defunct Tanda Dalam cadres) and Darre Khasa, formed the Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB) division in the southern MMC Zone, where cadres armed with AK-47s, INSAS rifles and Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) remained active. A series of bulk surrenders began on November 28, when 11 Darre Khasa Dalam cadres, led by MMC Special Zonal Committee spokesperson Vikas Nagpur alias Anant, surrendered in Gondia (Maharashtra). Nagpure had recently appealed for an end to armed struggle and sought time from the CMs of the three BJP-ruled states to surrender, amid intense pressure from joint anti-Naxal operations. Just nine days earlier, on November 19, cadres of the same Darre Khasa Dalam had killed Ashish Sharma, a young inspector of MP Polices elite Hawk Force, in an encounter at the tri-state border. Before surrendering with 10 cadres, Nagpure had left behind four armed cadres, likely to persuade other Dalam members. who later surrendered in Chhattisgarh on Monday. Nine days later, Madhya Pradesh reported its biggest-ever Naxal surrender when ten cadres of the KB Division surrendered before the MP Chief Minister in Balaghat district on Sunday (December 7). They collectively carried a bounty of Rs 2.36 crore, including two top leaders MMC Zone secretary Surendra alias Kabir Sodi and Special Zonal Committee Member Rakesh Odi alias Manish. This surrender ended the northern MMC Zones KB Division and its three Dalams, effectively freeing the non-tourist forest areas of the Kanha National ParkTiger Reserve from the LWE presence. On Monday, the surrender of MMC Zone head and CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Ramder, along with 11 cadres of the Malajkhand Dalam (GRB division), nearly cleared the southern MMC Zone of Naxals, leaving only six armed cadres on the run. Two cadres from Ramders Malajkhand Dalam and four from Nagpures Darre Khasa Dalam are still absconding. They may also surrender soon due to mounting pressure under the Surrender or Get Eliminated policy, a senior MP police officer told TNIE. Earlier, between November 1 and 6, eight other wanted cadres including two women, Sunita and Taruna had surrendered in MP and Chhattisgarh. In the last 38 days, around 40 LWE cadres have surrendered in the MMC Zone. Only six remain. Once they surrender or are neutralised the armed Naxal presence, already nearly wiped out in MP due to the 22 surrenders on Sunday and Monday, will disappear from the entire MMC Zone, the officer added.

Twelve Maoist cadres led by CCM surrender in Chhattisgarhs Rajnandgaon

RAIPUR: A total of 12 cadres renounced the ideology of the CPI (Maoist) and surrendered with their weapons in Rajnandgaon district, around 100 km west of Raipur, in the early hours of Monday. Among those who laid down arms was a senior Maoist leader of the MaharashtraMadhya PradeshChhattisgarh (MMC) zone and Central Committee member, Ramdher Majji, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Four Divisional Committee members and several other cadres also surrendered. The surrender of these senior figures, led by the Central Committee member, is being viewed as a major setback for the MMC unit of the banned CPI (Maoist). Six of the 12 cadres are women, who, according to a police officer, were evidently encouraged by the state governments lucrative surrender and rehabilitation policy. The cadres handed over an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS assault rifle, a self-loading rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, and other weapons. Official legal procedures will now follow to ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Since the BJP came to power in December 2023 in Chhattisgarh, approximately 2,300 Maoists have surrendered in the state.

Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATRA, Dec 7: The 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Championship 2025 concluded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex, Katra, after three days of spirited competition and exemplary sportsmanship. The championship, organised by J&K Lacrosse Association under the aegis of the Lacrosse Association of India, witnessed participation from 15 States including Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Delhi, and J&K. Around 280 male and female players showcased talent, [] The post Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

10 Maoists surrender before CM Mohan Yadav in MP's Balaghat district

BHOPAL: In a landmark development in Madhya Pradeshs anti-Naxal operations, ten hardcore Maoist cadres, including four women, surrendered before Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Sunday in Balaghat district. The group, associated with the CPI (Maoist) Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) special zone, carried a combined bounty of Rs 2.36 crore and laid down two AK-47s and two INSAS rifles at a special programme attended by the CM. Addressing journalists in Balaghat, Dr Yadav said, Today is a big day for the success of anti-Naxal operations of MP Police. Though Dindori and Mandla district had already become free of LWE, todays big development will result in Balaghat district also getting majorly free of the outlaws. This speaks volumes about the success of the targeted anti-naxal operations based on the prime principle of surrender or get eliminated and will go a long way in freeing Kanha National Park-Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh National Park-Tiger Reserve of any remnants of the naxal cadres. The ten surrendered cadres belonged to the Kanha-Bhoradev (KB) division of the MMC Zone, which operated in northern parts of the zone covering Balaghat and Mandla in Madhya Pradesh and Kabirdham in Chhattisgarh. Among them were MMC Zone secretary and special zonal committee member Surendra alias Kabir Sodi (50), SCZM Rakesh Odi alias Manish, and area committee members Lalsingh Marawi, Salita alias Savitri, Navin Nuppo alias Hidma, Jaisheela alias Lalita Oyam, Vikram alias Hidma Vatti, Zarina alias Jogi Musak, and Samar alias Somaru. The cadres, aged between 26 and 50, hailed from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, with the two SZCMs having been linked to multiple past killings of villagers suspected of being police informers. Key sources in the state polices anti-Naxal establishment said that with this surrender, the northern part of the MMC Zone running through Kanha National Park is now free of Naxal activity. This development is expected to allow anti-Naxal camps of the MP Police and central paramilitary forces to shift focus to the southern MMC Zone, which includes the Gondia-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRP) division, where 18 armed Naxals, including a 14-member group led by central committee member Ramder, are still active. The surrender comes just a day after an encounter between MP Police and Ramders group along the MP-Chhattisgarh border and 36 days after another hardcore Naxalite, Sunita, became the first cadre to surrender under the states special surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy of 2023. In 2025, MP Police also eliminated 10 hardcore Naxalites, who carried a total bounty of Rs 1.86 crore. The mass surrender in Balaghat marks the largest-ever surrender by armed Naxals in Madhya Pradesh, significantly strengthening the states efforts to curb left-wing extremism and secure sensitive areas, including Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.

After decades under Maoist shadow, Kondapalli in Chhattisgarh steps into connectivity with first mobile tower

RAIPUR: For the approximately 150 tribal families in Kondapalli gram panchayat, located in the edgy district of Bijapur, south Chhattisgarh, the last six months have rewritten their reality. After years of isolation under the influence of left-wing extremism, the arrival of mobile connectivity and the supply of electricity has signalled a profound decline in Maoist influence and the beginning of a connected life. The villagers, whose home is deep within the forested terrain 70 km from the Bijapur district headquarter along the TelanganaChhattisgarh border, didn't let the moment pass quietly. When the new mobile tower was installed in April, they celebrated this turning point with the beat of the traditional Mandar hand drum and dancing in colourful tribal costumes. For decades, the region had been deprived of basic necessities. As Lakshmi Yasam, 40, sarpanch of the gram panchayat (which covers three villages), recounted to the New Indian Express , Under the shadow of Maoist terror, our region remained deprived of basic amenities like roads, electricity and mobile connectivity. That era is fading. Now, Asam proudly states, Over 60 percent of households have mobile phones subscribed to the Jio network operator, he added. When the new mobile tower was installed in April, they celebrated this turning point with the beat of the traditional Mandar hand drum and dancing in colourful tribal costumes. As Asam explains, the convenience is transforming daily life: These days every essential service including banking to government welfare schemes to Aadhaar, the mobile phone number is linked. The convenience of mobile services is promoting rural residents happiness. The immediate, tangible benefits are already being felt. Baldeo Nekho, 24, a local farmer, describes the change as a fundamental shift, Its like the beginning of a good life as we are witnessing how the use of mobile phones doing good during health emergencies, education of children and remains a symbolic connection of our village to the outside world, he said. The difficulties faced by Kondapalli, acute challenges in accessing communication, transport, and public services, were severe. Administrative teams struggled to reach the area owing to inhospitable terrain and Maoists obstruction. The changing scenario was driven by continuous security operations, improved administrative outreach, and focused government interventions. This local success is a symbol of a broader strategy, according to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, The arrival of network connectivity in Kondapalli is not merely an expansion of communication infrastructure but a revival of aspirations that were suppressed for years. The state government is committed to ensuring digital services and welfare schemes reach every village of Bastar. Such transformations will become even more widespread in the coming years, he said. The communication sector has indeed registered remarkable growth in the state. A total of 728 new mobile towers have been installed recently. Crucially, 116 of these are in Maoist-affected areas and 115 in Aspirational districts. Currently, 467 towers are operational with 4G services, while 449 older towers have been upgraded from 2G to 4G.

Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states

NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.

Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh surrender before ASR police in Paderu

FRK rice supply rules spark fresh tussle between Punjab millers and FCI

CHANDIGARH: The new instructions regarding the production and supply of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) rice by the Union Government has led to fresh tussle between rice shellers of Punjab and the Food Corporation of India (FCI). After the union government had stated this year, out of the 104 lakh tonnes of rice to be generated from the 156 lakh tonnes of procured paddy from Punjab, at least 25 lakh tonnes will be taken as upgraded rice, which has just 10 per cent broken grains. The remaining 80 lakh tonne will be accepted only as FRK-mixed rice for the central pool. With delays in the supply of FRK rice, milling operations have not started, although the units are stacked with procured paddy. The Punjab government has written to the Centre requesting it to accept 25 lakh tonnes of non-FRK CMR, but so far, no action has been initiated. A letter dated November 28, sent to Chairman of Food Corporation of India by Secretary-cum-Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Punjab, reads, `To ensure grain integrity, DFPD from this Kharif has introduced more elaborate testing protocols for pre-testing of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs), which is likely to result in comparatively slower pace of supply of FRK by manufacturers to rice millers. In view of slower than expected pace of FRK supply during KMS 2025-26, it is likely that slow supply of FRK may impact rice delivery of Fortified Rice (FR) to FCI during KMS 2025-26. During KMS 2024-25 also, the state was constrained to seek extension in delivery period of milling and delivery of rice during previous Kharif till September 15, 2025 well beyond the March 31, 2025 deadline. Accordingly, to avoid being constrained to seek extension in milling period of delivery of rice during KMS 2025-26, it is requested that Punjab be allocated a quota of Non-Fortified Rice of minimum of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes, on lines of a similar quota being allocated by FCI to Uttar Pradesh Region. It is assured that the state is fully geared up to deliver rice at the earliest with Closure Physical Verifications (PVs) of paddy stocks stored during KMS 2025-26 have almost been completed, it added. As per the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) norms, chalky grain above 5 per cent is considered unfit for human consumption that FCI as rejected the rice samples and recently suspended its two technical officers, a field assistant, and a quality manager as freshly milled 10 per cent of the upgraded rice supplied to the FCI has been found to be defective. Also the laboratory of the corporation has rejected the rice sample because the amount of chalky was more than 5 per cent thus panic spread in rice millers. The millers have warned that further delays in milling will lead to deterioration in the quality of rice with each passing day, leading to financial losses. Bharat Bhushan Binta president of Punjab Rice Industry Association said that a virtual meeting held last month between FCIs Executive Director (Quality), senior quality officials, and DFPDs Under Secretary made it blatantly clear that the improved rice supplied by Punjab under last years ilot project did not meet the prescribed standard. Thus they are facing serious challenges in selling this stock under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), he claimed. Binta said that they were told that the quality of improved rice procured last year from Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra is considerably better than the stock received from Punjab. argued that despite these concerns, FCI can easily sell such rice across India under OMSS, as is being done with stocks from other states, he said. This decision has mounted more pressure on millers in the state. The orders give no deadline or timeline for the samples to be cleared, said Ranjit Singh Jossan, Vice President of the Association. He said, Punjab has been grappling with acute storage shortages for three consecutive years. If FCI lifts the estimated 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of improved rice from the state, the space crisis will ease significantly. But if FCI delays or refuses to accept this stock, Punjab may again face a severe storage crunch, potentially delaying delivery of the seasons total commitment of 105 LMT by more than a year. A high-level meeting between state authorities and rice millers associations will be held on Monday, where the issue will be discussed in detail. The Punjab government and the associations are expected to formally raise the matter with the central government to find a resolution. Fortified rice are enriched with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.

Chhattisgarh: Mobile tower installed at Kondapalli village in Naxal-affected Bijapur

Raipur: A mobile tower has been installed for the first time at Kondapalli village in Chhattisgarhs Naxal-affected Bijapur district, an area long cut off from the outside world, officials said on Sunday. The village, about 450 km from state capital Raipur and located in the dense forests along the border with Telangana, did not have 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 .

Low sittings, key legislations: 25 years on, three state Assemblies present a mixed record

NEW DELHI: Twenty-five years after they were carved out of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, the Legislative Assemblies of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have entered a milestone year with a troubling record: some of the lowest numbers of sitting days in the country. Data compiled since their formation in 2000 shows that Chhattisgarhs Assembly met for an average of just 29 days a year, while Jharkhand averaged only 23 sitting days, among the lowest for any State legislature in India. Uttarakhands records remain incomplete for long stretches, including the years 20002015 and 2025, making long-term assessment difficult. These figures fall far short of the recommended national benchmark of 60 sitting days for State legislatures, raising concerns about legislative scrutiny and democratic engagement. The challenges extend beyond sitting days. In all three State Assemblies, the post of Deputy Speaker remained vacant for prolonged periods, signalling what legislators describe as institutional neglect and a weakening of bipartisan norms. Jharkhand has gone over 20 years without a Deputy Speaker, an absence that many members believe undermines legislative balance and accountability. Despite these structural gaps, some States have taken important legislative steps worth emulating. Chhattisgarh, which has 21% women MLAs, one of the strongest representations in the country enacted notable laws in its early years. A 2002 law that enabled private universities to be created through simple notification resulted in over 100 universities being established, but critics point out that many existed only on paper. The Supreme Court struck it down in 2004, flagging serious quality concerns. A decade later, Chhattisgarh passed its own Food Security Act (2012), which became a reference point and model for the national legislation enacted in 2013. Jharkhand was among the first States to introduce 75% reservation for local candidates in private-sector jobs, a move later mirrored by Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. Courts struck down Haryanas law in 2023, and challenges remain pending in other States. Uttarakhand, meanwhile, passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in 2024, becoming the first State to implement it. Supporters hailed it as a step toward equality, while critics warned that it risked disrupting social equilibrium and overlooking community practices. Legislators across the three States agree that democratic functioning demands consistent sittings, procedural stability and open debate. Many acknowledge that confrontational politics, repeated adjournments and legislative delays have eroded the Assemblys core responsibilities. As the three States complete 25 years, expectations from State legislatures are rising. Citizens increasingly demand more time spent in the House, faster decisions on longstanding issues, stronger oversight and dependable forums where public concerns can be voiced and debated. The next quarter-century, lawmakers say, must be defined not by institutional gaps but by a renewed commitment to democratic performance.

Chhattisgarh on high alert for paddy procurement season; takes measures to curb illegal transportation

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh, with intensified strict vigilance, has cracked down on the transportation of paddy from other states and seized over one lakh quintals so far in separate cases ever since the procurement began from November 15. The state has launched special campaigns in different districts, with alert and rigorous monitoring underway. There are continuous checks, check posts set up in districts and along state borders, besides keeping track of GPS-equipped vehicles used for foodgrain transport to prevent illegal paddy transportation. This year, several check posts have undertaken a digital verification oversight process and a resolute inter-state coordination. Meticulous measures are adopted in every procurement centre, having a more accountable and technology-driven system, to record entries on the actual paddy received on a given day. The state government has issued a directive to all district collectors to ensure transparency in the procurement process of paddy in all centres, while illegal transportation and fictitious purchase will not be tolerated. The paddy procurement is to continue till January 31, 2026. According to officials, the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited (CG-MARKFED) has set up check-posts in border districts and constituted task forces headed by district collectors to check the movement of paddy from neighbouring states. The MARKFED has this year instituted Integrated Command and Control Centre to manage real-time surveillance of the procurement process and closely monitor every border area of the state. Over 16 separate check posts with installed cameras have been set-up in areas connecting Chhattisgarh to other states for round the clock observation at the Command Centre, a senior officer said. The detail of every vehicle entering Chhattisgarh state is recorded by deployed staff at every small or big check post, including those connecting the border areas. Chhattisgarh, often cited as the rice bowl in Central India, offers Rs 3,100 per quintal as minimum support price (MSP) to paddy growers, which is believed to be the highest in the country. There are sneaky attempts from neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Telangana to secure high returns of paddy from the government procurement centres in Chhattisgarh state. There were instances where officials had earlier confiscated paddy illegally transported and stored in the state.

Suicide threats by wife can be ground for divorce, amount to mental cruelty: HC

The Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that a wife's repeated suicide threats and pressure on her husband to convert religion constitute mental cruelty. The court upheld a divorce granted to the husband, citing the wife's conduct created constant fear and sustained mental harassment. The couple has been living separately since 2019.

Three killed, eight critically injured as bus collides with parked truck in Maharashtra's Gondia

GONDIA: Three passengers were killed when a private bus coming from Chhattisgarh collided with a stationary truck near a village in Gondia district of Maharashtra, police said on Friday. Eight passengers of the Chhattisgarh-registered bus were critically injured in the accident which took place on National Highway-53 near Dhobisarad village under Deori tehsil shortly after midnight on Thursday, they said. The bus, belonging to a private travel agency, was going from Kawardha in Chhattisgarh to Chandrapur in Maharashtra. As the bus was passing through Deori at 12.20 am, the driver was unable to notice a truck parked on the roadside due to darkness and rammed into it, according to police. The impact of the collision was such that the front portion of the bus was completely damaged. There were 45 passengers in the bus and three of them perished in the crash. Two of them were identified as Sunita Hemlal Baghele (45), a resident of Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh, and Manoj Bablu Patle (40), a native Kawardha, while police did not provide details about the third deceased. The critically injured passengers were referred to Nagpur for advanced treatment, said police. On getting information about the crash, a police team led by Inspector Pravin Dange reached the spot and helped the injured come out of the bus with assistance from local residents. Ambulances from nearby Primary Health Centres and Rural Hospitals were summoned and used to ferry the injured passengers to hospitals. According to Assistant Police Inspector Mukesh Rathod, the truck got stranded on the roadside after running out of fuel. Bus driver Chandrashekhar Chaudhari failed to notice the truck and this led to the ghastly accident. The bus driver also got injured and both his legs were fractured in the crash, Rathod added.

Hemant Soren calls for tribal unity, warns big fish will eat little fish if communities stay divided

RANCHI:Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged the tribal communities across the country to stand united, warning that otherwise they may face extinction. He used the ig fish eat little fish proverb to buttress his point. Asserting that the tribal community never receives its due place in the census, Soren said it was time to fight for their rights, as challenges will continue to increase. Today, the people have chosen me as the chief minister of Jharkhand. But I know that as we move forward, the challenges will keep increasing. You must have seen that a big fish always tries to eat the little fish, Soren said, addressing tribal representatives gathered here from different parts of the country on Friday. Unless and until the community is united, they may face systemic marginalisation and neglect, the JMM president cautioned. Recalling the legacy of legendary freedom fighters and revolutionaries like Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Tilka Manjhi and 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land) Shibu Soren, he said Jharkhand is not merely a state but he land of Mother Earth that leads the tribal society of the entire nation. The CM said that the tribal community must assert its rights, fight for its land, protect its cultural identity and safeguard its existence. He stressed that tribal people can progress only through collective unity and that their struggles must no longer remain isolated or unheard. The tribal people of the country will have to unite and fight together so that our problems do not remain mere voices but become an agenda of national politics, he said, adding that tribal society must recognise itself as a community with a shared past and an equally shared future. He lamented that the tribal community has not been able to produce an extensive written record of its civilisation. We are worshippers of nature; our document is nature itself, he posted on X, insisting that the world must recognise that indigenous lifestyles rooted in nature are crucial for global ecological balance. Pointing to the alleged depletion of the Hasdeo forest in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and the environmental crisis in Delhi, Soren said the world was now finally facing the consequences of ignoring ecological preservation - something tribals have upheld for generations. The chief minister raised concerns over the natural wealth of Jharkhand, urging people to reflect on whether its mineral richness has been a blessing or a curse. He argued that nature and tribal society have never been prioritised in national policy-making, despite being central to environmental sustainability. He warned that a society deeply connected to water, forests and land has continuously been pushed to the margins, even as environmental threats intensify. Soren voiced strong dissatisfaction over the lack of adequate representation of tribal populations in the national census exercises. He said that while every section of society receives recognition and categorisation, tribals often do not receive their rightful place in demographic exercises. If this continues, he warned, the community may gradually be erased from the nation's consciousness. He also highlighted the gaps in economic, social, intellectual and political opportunities available to tribal citizens, asking how many from the community have truly been allowed to advance in various fields Alleging political discrimination against tribal leaders, Soren said that, except for the North East and a few states, tribals have rarely held chief ministerial positions. He claimed that neighbouring states appointed tribal CMs only after Jharkhand elected one, illustrating how representation of the community at the highest levels remains a significant challenge. Soren informed the gathering that he had instructed his office to collect contact details of all tribal representatives present so that communication, coordination and solidarity could be strengthened. He assured them that whenever he visits their states, he will meet them personally. Yes, if we unite as a group, then we can move forward as a great power, he said, emphasising that isolated struggles cannot secure a collective future. He said that the tribal community has always played a significant role in various fields and has produced countless brave men and women, but lamented that the community has been forced to remain divided for far too long. The chief minister reaffirmed his commitment to standing firmly with all indigenous societies and announced that his government will prepare a detailed action plan aimed at building a strong, unified and empowered tribal society. As the challenges ahead grow, he said, unity will be the only shield.

12 Maoist killed in Chhattisgarh encounter; toll at 275 so far this year

Bijapur: Twelve Maoists and three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialized unit of the state police, were killed in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said. Two other DRG jawans suffered injuries in the gunfight, they said, adding the anti-Maoist operation was still underway in the district. The 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 .

Bijapur encounter: Bodies of 6 more Naxalites found; toll rises to 18

BIJAPUR: Six more bodies of Naxalites have been recovered following an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, taking the toll of cadres killed in the gun battle to 18, officials said on Thursday. Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard, a unit of the state police, were also killed in the gunfight which took place on Wednesday. Following a prolonged intermittent exchange of fire that lasted for around 12 hours, bodies of 12 Naxalites were recovered till late Wednesday evening, Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P said. Six more bodies were found till Thursday morning during a search in the area. With this, the toll of Naxalites killed in the encounter has gone up to 18, he said, adding that the search operation was still underway in the area. The operation involving personnel of the DRG from Dantewada and Bijapur, and Special Task Force, both units of the state police, and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action- an elite unit of CRPF) was launched based on inputs about the presence of west Bastar division and PLGA company no. 2 of Maoists in the area, he said. Our security forces bravely retaliated to the Maoists' firing, but unfortunately, our three brave jawans belonging to DRG Bijapur were martyred in the action, he said. The IG was speaking to reporters after paying homage to the three deceased security personnel at Bijapur Police Lines. Family members of the three killed jawans, public representatives, officials and local people were also present at the wreath-laying ceremony and paid tribute to them. The deceased personnel -- head constable Monu Vadadi, constable Dukaru Gonde and jawan Ramesh Sodhi -- were residents of Bijapur district. Their mortal remains were sent to their native places after the people paid tributes to them. Two DRG personnel were also injured in the incident. One of the killed Naxalites has been identified as Modiyami Vella, while the identity of the remaining killed cadres was yet to be ascertained, the IG said. Vella was active as commander of company no. 2 of PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) of Maoists and involved in several incidents of attacks on security forces, including the 2020 Minpa ambush (Sukma), wherein 17 security personnel lost their lives, and Tekalgudem (Bijapur) attack, in which 22 security personnel were killed in 2021, he said. Vella carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh on his head, the official said. A Light Machine Gun, Single Loading Rifles (SLRs), Insas rifles, .303 rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the site, he said. With the latest action by security forces, 281 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 252 were eliminated in the Bastar division, comprising seven districts, including Bijapur and Dantewada, while 27 others were gunned down in Gariaband district, which falls in the Raipur division. Two Naxalites were killed in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district in Durg division. With the latest incident, 23 security personnel have lost their lives in Maoist violence, including encounters, in the state so far this year, police said. The Centre has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to completely eradicate Left-Wing Extremism.

Over 30 cops injured as protest against Chhattisgarh coal mine turns violent

Residents of Parsodi Kala village in the Bishrampur area have been opposing the extension of the Amera coal project of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, despite the land acquisition process being completed long back, officials said.

12 Reds, 3 cops dead as forces push deeper into Bastar; 268 Maoists killed so far in 2025

A fierce gun battle on the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Maoists and three District Reserve Guard personnel. This significant loss for the outlawed group occurred as security forces intensified operations in the region. Weapons were recovered, and the search for more insurgents continues.

RPF head constable kills colleague in Chhattisgarh

The motive behind the murder is unclear, say police

Chhattisgarh:12 Maoists and 3 DRG jawans killed in fierce Bijapur forest encounter

Bijapur: Twelve Maoists, including a dreaded Maoist commander, and three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialised unit of the state police, were killed in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said. Two other DRG jawans suffered injuries in the gunfight, they said, adding the anti-Maoists operation was still 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 .

12 Naxals, 3 DRG cops killed in encounter in Bijapur; Maoists toll at 275 so far this year

A fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district resulted in the deaths of twelve Naxalites and three District Reserve Guard personnel. Two other DRG jawans were injured during the gunfight. Security forces recovered arms and ammunition from the encounter site. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat Left-wing extremism in the region.

Protest against coal mining turns violent in Chhattisgarhs Surguja, police personnel injured

Some villagers had received compensation for land acquisition, but many others refused to accept money and tried to obstruct mining operations, an official of the local administration said

ED takes over Jharkhand liquor scam probe, launches PMLA investigation

RANCHI: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally taken over the Jharkhand liquor scam probe from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), launching its own investigation into the case. ED sources confirmed that the agency has adopted ACB case 9/2025 and registered a parallel Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) numbered 10/2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Following the registration of the ECIR, the ED moved the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi seeking permission to interrogate the accused arrested by the ACB. The court approved, allowing the agency to question individuals currently lodged in jail and record their statements. EDs application carried filing number 11431/2025 and registration number 10/2025. With the ED stepping in and launching its own probe under the PMLA, the case has taken a significant turn, adding a new layer of scrutiny to the unfolding scandal. Notably, the case was first registered by the Economic Offences Wing based on the statement of Vikas Singh, a resident of Argora police station area in Ranchi. Singh had accused Chhattisgarh officials Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, Arunpati Tripathi, and others of causing a revenue loss worth billions of rupees to the Chhattisgarh government through a liquor scam. Following an FIR (36/2024) registered by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing, the ACB Ranchi also registered a preliminary investigation (PI). During the investigation, the ACB questioned former Excise Secretary Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh multiple times. Based on information obtained during the initial questioning, the ACB registered a regular FIR related to the liquor scam with government approval. After completing the investigation of the FIR registered in Chhattisgarh in March 2025, the Economic Offences Wing wrote to the Jharkhand government requesting sanction for prosecution against Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh. The ACB registered the FIR in May after completing its preliminary inquiry into the alleged liquor scam. The FIR named senior IAS officer Vinay Choubey, Excise Department Joint Secretary Gajendra Singh, Vinay Singh, and seven others as accused. Following the FIR, the ACB arrested Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh. So far, more than a dozen arrests have been made in the case, several of whom have since secured bail. The ACB continues to pursue its investigation independently.

SC notice to Centre, CBI, ED on plea of ex-IAS officer seeking protection in multiple cases

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses of the Centre, CBI, ED and the Chhattisgarh government on a plea of former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, arrested in liquor scam cases, seeking protection from further coercive action in as many as 11 FIRs registered by multiple investigating agencies. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N K Singh took note of the submissions of lawyers, Arshdeep Singh Khurana and Malak Bhatt, on behalf of the former IAS officer, and sought the responses of the probe agencies. Besides the Directorate of Enforcement and the CBI, Tuteja, who was allegedly close to the earlier Congress-led Chhattisgarh government, has made the state anti-corruption Bureau, the Union Ministry of Finance and the Income Tax Department as parties to the petition. Restrain the respondent authorities from taking any further coercive steps against the Petitioner on the basis of material already in their possession, till the final adjudication of the instant case, in the interest of justice, the plea, which referred to 11 pending criminal cases against Tuteja, said. The plea alleged a vindictive strategy of evergreening of arrests by multiple investigative agencies to prolong his incarceration indefinitely. The former bureaucrat has filed an appeal challenging the June 27 order of the Chhattisgarh High Court, which dismissed as non-maintainable his plea seeking protection from successive arrests by various agencies. The present SLP is being preferred by the humble Petitioner, who has been confined in custody for over the last 14 months, arrested first on 21.04.2024 and subsequently in two successive cases, all in relation to the same allegations and alleged transactions i.e. the liquor scam in the State of Chhattisgarh, the plea said. Tuteja, a retired IAS officer who served the state for over 34 years, alleged that he was being systematically victimised since 2015 for refusing to take the blame in the alleged NAN (Nagrik Aapurti Nigam) scam, and for seeking a probe against senior political functionaries of the then ruling establishment during 2013-2018. The plea claimed his attempts to highlight the role of actual culprits led to a decade-long pattern of retributive targeting, which intensified after the change of government in Chhattisgarh in December 2023. The petition claimed that five different agencies have raided him on multiple occasions over 10 years, but no unaccounted wealth or proceeds of crime have ever been recovered. Despite this, the probe agencies are weaponising the state machinery to keep him in perpetual pre-trial incarceration, it claimed. The plea gave details of a series of arrests across multiple FIRs and ECIRs and said allegations are overlapping and these actions are aimed at evergreening his custody. The plea said the former officer has spent more than 14 months in jail across three different cases, all allegedly linked to the liquor and scam cases. Even after the grant of bail in some cases and quashing of certain proceedings, the petition says agencies continue to keep fresh FIRs in reserve as insurance arrests to ensure he remains behind bars. The plea referred to apex court orders on various petitions and said that in April 2024, the top court quashed an ED case against him. Later, his arrest by UP Police was declared illegal in May 2025, it added.

Chhattisgarh: 12 Maoists, 3 DRG jawans killed in Bijapur encounter

The gun battle broke out in a forest along the border of Bijapur-Dantewada districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation.

7 Maoists, 2 Cops Killed In Chhattisgarh Clash, 270 Extremists Dead In 2025

Seven Maoists and two personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialized unit of the state police, were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said.

Seven Maoists, two DRF personnel cop killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur: Seven Maoists and two District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said. Another jawan suffered injuries in the gunfight, they said, adding that the operation was still underway. The gun battle took place in a forest of the Gangaloor area adjoining Dantewada district when 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 .

Encounter breaks out between police and Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

The exchange of fire started in the morning in a forest of west Bastar division of Maoists when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation, a police official said

Encounter breaks out between cops and Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

The exchange of fire started in the morning in a forest of west Bastar division of Maoists when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation, a police official said

Five Naxalites, cop killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

BIJAPUR: Five Naxalites and a jawan of the police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, officials said. Another jawan suffered injuries in the gunfight, they said, adding that the operation was still underway. The gun battle took place in a forest of the Gangaloor area adjoining Dantewada district when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a police official said. Personnel belonging to the DRG and Special Task Force, both units of the state police, and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action- an elite unit of CRPF) were involved in the operation, he said. So far, bodies of five Naxalites have been recovered from the spot, the official said. One DRG personnel was martyred during the operation, while another jawan sustained injuries, he said. The injured jawan has been evacuated for treatment, the official said. With the latest action, 268 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 239 were eliminated in the Bastar division, comprising seven districts, including Bijapur and Dantewada, while 27 others were gunned down in Gariaband district, which falls in the Raipur division. Two Naxalites were killed in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district in Durg division.

Raipur Sahitya Utsav: Chhattisgarh set to host literary festival in January

Raipur is gearing up for a grand Sahitya Utsav from January 23-25, coinciding with Chhattisgarh's silver jubilee. Over a hundred literary figures will converge for this event, designed to boost the state's literary profile and encourage reading.

Modi government has 'nearly signed death warrant' for Aravalli hills: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that since coming to power, the Modi government has displayed a particularly venal streak of cynicism in relation to environmental protection, while alleging that it has now early signed a death warrant for Aravalli hills. She demanded that the government must withdraw the amendments it ulldozed through Parliament in the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as well as the Forest Conservation Rules (2022). Gandhi said the government's declaration that any hills in the Aravalli range with an elevation of less than 100 metres are not subject to the strictures against mining is an open invitation for illegal miners and mafias to finish off 90% of the range which falls below the height limit set. The Aravalli range, which runs from Gujarat through Rajasthan and till Haryana, has long played a significant role in Indian geography and history. It has served as a barrier to the spread of desertification from the Thar Desert to the Gangetic Plains, guarded Rajasthan's proudest forts such as Chittorgarh and Ranthambore, and served as the cradle of spirituality for communities across northwest India, Gandhi said in an article published in The Hindu . The Modi Government has now nearly signed a death warrant for these hills, already denuded by illegal mining, she said. Gandhi pointed out that on the northernmost end of the Aravalli range, the national capital has embarked on its annual smog season this month. A hazy mist of dust, smoke and particulate matter has been settling down on millions of citizens as they go about their daily lives breathing in toxic air. Even as the smog becomes a part of our yearly routine, research increasingly shows that it is a full-scale, slow-motion public health tragedy. Estimates of the human toll of this pollution go as high as 34,000 deaths in just 10 cities annually, Gandhi said in her article titled Dismal state of India's environment. 'Road to hell is paved with good intentions': Congress slams government over new Aravalli definition Last week the news headlines reflected yet another evolving tragedy when the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reported that 13%-15% of tested groundwater samples in Delhi contain uranium beyond the permissible limit for human consumption, she said. Shamefully, water samples from Punjab and Haryana reflect even higher levels of uranium contamination . One does not need to dwell on the frightening health implications that regular consumption of such water for daily activities can have on impacted populations, the former Congress president said. These news items cannot be seen disparately as they are each causes and consequences of a crisis that has engulfed India in the last decade - a deep-seated and continuing disregard for the environment in government policy making, she said. Ever since coming to power, the Modi government has displayed a particularly venal streak of cynicism in relation to environmental protection, combining its proclivity to encourage the reckless exploitation of natural resources with a callous disregard for consequences on the environment, Gandhi said. The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 exempted large categories of land and projects from forest clearance rules, easing diversion for other purposes, she claimed. Gandhi further alleged that the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020 sought to dilute public hearings, expand exemptions and reduce compliance reporting. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2018 eased construction rules along India's shorelines, opening ecologically sensitive coastal areas and fishing communities' habitats to commercial real estate and industrial activity, Gandhi said. The Environment Ministry has more often been in the news for circumventing due process and weakening regulations rather than implementing them or taking proactive measures to halt the slide, the Congress leader said. Another emerging trend has been an insidious tendency to pit the environment against the local communities that protect it, when politically convenient for the government, she said. The Forest Survey of India has been mischievously attributing the loss of forest cover over the last decade to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, Gandhi said. Shockingly, even the Minister concerned has echoed the same claims. In June 2024, the National Tiger Conservation Authority called for the eviction of almost 65,000 families from tiger reserves across the country, she said. It was not just a breach of the spirit of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which mandates that all relocations must be voluntary; it was also unnecessarily inimical, ranging the environment against local communities, Gandhi said. India needs a new deal for the environment. First, we must resolve to do no further harm. We must halt the large-scale deforestation that is planned or currently underway across the country: in Great Nicobar, in north Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Aranya, and in Madhva Pradesh's Dhirauli, she said. We need to crack down on the rampant illegal mining in the Aravalli range and other eco-sensitive regions such as the Western Ghats. We need to put an end to the indiscriminate destruction of mountains in the Himalayan belt which has exacted a heavy toll on human lives these past few years, Gandhi added. She said on a policy level, there is a need to urgently review the laws and policy changes of the last decade which have led us down this disastrous path. The Modi government must withdraw the amendments it bulldozed through Parliament in the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as well as the Forest Conservation Rules (2022) - which are anti-Adivasi and allow the clearing of forests without consulting those who live there, she said. The blatantly illogical and dangerous practice of providing post-facto environmental clearances to big corporations that violate environmental laws -- one of the Modi Government's few home-grown policy innovations --cannot continue, she asserted.

Punjab records highest groundwater extraction in India, says CGWB report

CHANDIGARH: Groundwater extraction in the country is the highest in Punjab, followed by Rajasthan and Haryana, according to the latest National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The findings show that 25 per cent of the 6,762 total blocks in India have been categorised as over-exploited, critical or semi-critical, a situation concentrated in nine states, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. As per the report, groundwater extraction in Punjab stands at 156.36 per cent, the highest in the country, followed by Rajasthan at 147.11 per cent and Haryana at 136.75 per cent, all significantly above the national average of 60.63 per cent. At the national level, annual groundwater extraction has seen a marginal decline, from 27.66 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2023 to 26.27 BCM last year. The total annual ground water recharge of Punjab has been assessed as 18.6 bcm and annual extractable ground water resource as 16.8 bcm. Out of total 153 assessment units including three urban areas taken for study, 111 assessment units (72.55 per cent) have been categorized as Over-exploited, 10 blocks (6.54 per cent) as Critical, 15 blocks (9.80 per cent) as Semi Critical and 17 blocks (11.11 per cent) as Safe, the report said. Similarly, out of 50175.27 square kilometers recharge worthy area of the state, 34294.3 sq km (68.35 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 4353.15 sq. km (8.68 per cent) under Critical, 4478.11 sq km (8.92 per cent) under Semi-critical and 7049.71sq km (14.05 per cent) under Safe category, reads the report. For Rajasthan, the report states,Out of the 302 assessment units (blocks and urban areas), 213 units (70.53 per cent) have been categorized as Over Exploited, 23 units (7.62 per cent) as Critical, 27 units (8.94 per cent) as Semi-Critical, 36 units (11.92 per cent) blocks as Safe and 3 units (0.99 per cent) as Saline. Similarly, out of 317010.74 sq km recharge worthy area of the state, 222266.46 sq km (70.11 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 19404.23 sq. km (6.12 per cent) under Critical, 22535.05 sq km (7.11 per cent) under Semi-critical, 43869.11 sq km (13.84 per cent) under Safe and 8935.89 sq km (2.82 per cent) area under Saline categories of assessment units. In Haryana, the situation is similar. While in Haryana, out of total 143 assessment units (blocks/Urban), 91 units (63.64 per cent) have been categorized as Overexploited, 6 units (4.20 per cent) as Critical, 15 units (10.49 per cent) as Semi Critical and 31 units (21.68 per cent) as Safe categories of assessment units. Similarly, out of 43,205.81 sq. km recharge worthy area of the State, 26,828.05 sq. km (62.09 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 1,170.46 sq. km (2.71 per cent) under Critical, 4,253.89 sq. km (9.85 per cent) under Semicritical, 10,953.42 sq. km (25.35 per cent) under Safe categories of assessment units, it added. The report assesses the total annual groundwater extraction of the entire country for 2025 at 247.22 bcm. Agriculture remains the largest consumer, accounting for 87 per cent, or 215.10 bcm, followed by 11 per cent for domestic use (27.89 bcm) and 2 per cent for industrial use (4.23 bcm). In the present assessment, total annual groundwater recharge has been pegged at 448.52 bcm, while the annual extractable groundwater resource stands at 407.75 bcm. The average stage of groundwater extraction at the national level is 60.63 per cent. Out of 6,762 blocks in the country, 730 units (10.80 per cent) are categorised as over-exploited, and 201 blocks (2.97 per cent) are classified as critical where extraction ranges from 90 to 100 per cent. Another 758 blocks (11.21 per cent) fall under the semi-critical category, while 4,946 units (73.14 per cent) are considered safe, with extraction below 70 per cent. Additionally, 127 blocks (1.88 per cent) have been listed as saline due to brackish or saline groundwater in phreatic aquifers. The report highlights that the percentage of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks exceeding 25 per cent of total units is found only in nine states, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. It attributes the situation to region-specific factors, Over-exploitation of ground water resources could be due to various region-specific reasons. The assessment units located in the north-western part of the country (particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) have plenty of replenishable ground water resources but because of the over extraction beyond the annual ground water recharge, many of these units have become Over-exploited. Overexploited units are also common in the western part of the country, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat where the prevailing arid climate results in low recharge of ground water and hence stress on these sources, the report stated. It further adds, In peninsular India, over-exploited units are wide spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which could be attributed mainly to the low storage and transmission capacities of aquifers of the hard rock terrains, which results in reduced availability of the resource. The report also notes that in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, domestic groundwater extraction exceeds 40 per cent. Groundwater extraction stands between 90 and 100 per cent in Delhi, and between 70 and 90 per cent in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In most other states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, extraction levels are around 70 per cent. The report concludes that compared to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment of 2024, the total annual groundwater recharge has marginally increased from 446.9 bcm to 448.52 bcm.

RPF head constable shoots colleague dead after altercation at Raigarh post; detained

RAIPUR: A Railway Protection Force (RPF) head constable shot his colleague dead inside the RPF post during the early hours of Wednesday at Raigarh, around 220 km east of Raipur, a police officer said. According to eyewitnesses, RPF personnel S Lader had an altercation with his batchmate P K Mishra, also a head constable. As the argument escalated, Lader allegedly pulled out his service revolver and opened fire. A RPF jawan shot dead his colleague, both of them head constable, allegedly with his service revolver at around 4 am today. He has been taken into custody. The exact cause of dispute between the two couldn't be known. Further investigation is on, said Akash Markam, Additional SP (Raigarh). The incident triggered panic at the Raigarh RPF post, prompting senior officials to rush to the spot. According to information received in the state capital, Lader is a native of Janjgir-Champa district in Chhattisgarh, while the deceased Mishra hailed from Rewa district in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. Bilaspur RPF IG Munawwar Khurshid and a forensic team inspected the site, and the RPF post was sealed. Further details are awaited.

RPF head constable shot dead by colleague in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh

RAIGARH: A head constable of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) was shot dead allegedly by a colleague at their outpost in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district early on Wednesday, officials said. The incident occurred at around 4 am at the RPF outpost at Raigarh Railway Station, they said. According to preliminary information, Head Constable KS Lader allegedly fired four rounds from his service pistol at Head Constable PK Mishra, following an argument over an unknown issue. Mishra died on the spot, Station House Officer (SHO) Kuldeep Kumar stated. The motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained, he said. Soon after the incident, the Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested the accused and seized his pistol, the official said. A case was registered, and the body was sent to the district hospital for post-mortem. An investigation was underway into the incident, the official added.

Raipur to host three-day literature festival from January 23; CM Vishnu Deo unveils official logo

RAIPUR: To cherish numerous cultural, intellectual and traditional blends of Indian literature as it exists, Chhattisgarh will host a three-day Raipur Literature Festival from January 23 next year to engage in enlightened dialogues on subjects of literary interest. Over 100 littrateur and writers from across the country will participate in the literary programme, which will be organised near the Tribal Museum at Nava Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday unveiled the official logo of the Raipur Literature Festival. The Raipur Literature Festival stands as an important chapter in Chhattisgarhs Silver Jubilee year. The occasion will not only offer a shared platform for leading literary voices from across India but will also give readers and citizens an opportunity to engage with a rich spectrum of thoughts, experiences and creative expressions. The event will carve out a new literary identity for Chhattisgarh, The CM said. A total of 11 sessions will be conducted at the festival, including five parallel sessions, four plenary sessions and three interactive dialogue sessions, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with authors and thinkers. The theme 'Aadi se Anaadi tak', inscribed within the logo as a phrase, signifies the timeless journey of literature, a continuum from ancient compositions to ever-evolving modern narratives. It reflects the enduring message that literature transcends time, connecting ages, languages, societies and generations now reaching the age of artificial intelligence and its influence, said Shashank Sharma, chairman of Chhattisgarh Sahitya Academy. The logo of the upcoming festival offers an evocative representation of Chhattisgarhs rich cultural and literary heritage. It captures, in a single artistic motif, the states identity, the biodiversity of Bastar, its tribal traditions, and the cultural significance of the iconic salfi tree, often regarded as the spirit of Chhattisgarh. The logo also weaves together the states ancient literary roots, tribal heritage, social harmony and contemporary creative spirit. Chhattisgarhs literary tradition, flowing from the primordial to the eternal is being cited as vibrant. The Raipur Literature Festival will also search through regional and national issues besides examining the states own dialects. It will be organised every year from January 23 to 25. The people and visitors during the three days of reading, conversation, exchange of ideas would gain an opportunity to tune in to the constructive discourse on the given theme and subjects.

Maoist from Chhattisgarh surrenders before ASR SP