Vettri Special Vegetables Kit with 10 varieties launched in T.N. at 100
The sale of the special vegetables kit will continue for three days, until November 7.
Bengal may allow Chhath Puja at Rabindra Sarobar despite court ban
Minister Agnimitra Paul says the government will take precautions to prevent pollution; environmentalists warn that large gatherings could damage the lakes ecology
Christian representatives meet West Bengal RSS leader over mob attacks on congregations and churches
Senior RSS functionary from West Bengal Jishnu Basu, the Saha Khetra Prachar Pramukh of South Bengal, said that dialogue will continue with the representatives of Christian organisations but there are genuine concerns about forced conversion
The centuries-old Ezhur Amman festival is being celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district, bringing together people from seven neighbouring villages to honour their presiding deities and showcase the region's rich religious and cultural heritage. A large number of devotees have gathered to participate in the traditional rituals, religious ceremonies and festivities, making the occasion a significant celebration of faith and community bonding. People from all seven villages come together to organise and take part in the festival, reflecting the longstanding traditions and collective identity of the region. The main highlight of the celebrations is the procession of seven beautifully decorated temple chariots, locally known as 'chaparams', representing the presiding deities of the seven villages. The chariots are taken out in a traditional procession, drawing hundreds of devotees who participate in the celebrations, while thousands of people gather al...
Chennai Police step up security ahead of Diwali; drones, watchtowers at shopping hubs
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 5 (IANS) Greater Chennai Police have announced extensive security arrangements across major commercial centres in the city ahead of Diwali on November 8, deploying additional personnel, surveillance drones, temporary watchtowers and mobile patrol units to ensure public safety during the festive shopping rush. City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj has directed officers to prioritise crowd management, crime prevention and traffic regulation, particularly in busy shopping areas such as T. Nagar, Purasawalkam, Washermenpet and Flower Bazaar. Personnel drawn from various wings of the city police, Armed Reserve, Tamil Nadu Special Police and Home Guards will be deployed to manage the anticipated crowds. According to an official release, 25 temporary watchtowers have been established at strategic locations, including 10 in T. Nagar, four each in Kilpauk and Flower Bazaar, two each in Washermenpet and Triplicane, and one in Adyar. Police personnel equipped with binoculars will monitor public movement from these towers. The police have also established 12 temporary control rooms and 37 help desks to assist shoppers, monitor CCTV footage, identify suspicious activities and reunite missing children with their families. As part of enhanced surveillance, seven drones and 100 body-worn cameras will be deployed in crowded commercial areas. Plainclothes police personnel, including women officers, will mingle with shoppers to identify potential offenders and prevent theft and chain-snatching incidents. Public safety announcements will be broadcast through 66 public address systems, while LED screens will display crime prevention messages and precautionary instructions. Police have advised shoppers to safeguard their mobile phones, cash, jewellery and other valuables. Women have also been advised to take precautions against chain-snatching. Vehicle patrols have been intensified, while dedicated traffic patrol units will regulate congestion around shopping centres. Mobile X-ray baggage scanners will be deployed for random security checks at commercial establishments and other crowded locations. An exclusive WhatsApp group has been created to facilitate intelligence sharing and coordination among police personnel. Emergency response arrangements include 108 ambulances with medical teams and fire engines stationed at designated locations. Additional fire safety precautions have been introduced around firecracker shops to prevent accidents during the festive season. Police have appealed to the public to cooperate with security personnel and follow traffic regulations to ensure peaceful, incident-free Diwali celebrations.
How is Delhi implementing restrictions to reduce air pollution?
From Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to AI-enabled Integrated Control and Command Centres ICCC and manual checking, the authorities have adopted a mixed approach to impose the restrictions with varying degrees of success
Delhi High Court refuses to entertain PIL to stay release of Sunny Deol-starrer Suryaa
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma said there was no reason to entertain a separate petition when the issue was already being examined by a single judge bench
Jaishankar urges Commonwealth partners to 'de-risk and diversify'
S. Jaishankar said Commonwealth partners need to make more efforts to enhance local distribution, adding that more connectivity corridors are good for business
Donald Trumps midterm defeat dims hopes of North Korea meeting
Mr. Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong signalled that there was little appetite for renewed dialogue with Washington, saying Pyongyang had no need to sit face to face with such unreliable and hostile persons
OpenAI says ready to IPO in 2027, now counts majority of sales from enterprises
Greg Brockman said the AI lab has been ramping up sales to businesses in competition with rival Anthropic
TN forest department steps up Olive Ridley turtle conservation ahead of nesting season
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 5 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched a series of conservation measures along the Chennai coastline to protect endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles and safeguard their habitats ahead of the annual migratory and nesting season, which is expected to begin in December. The Chennai Wildlife Division has initiated beach and boat patrols as part of a comprehensive conservation strategy aimed at ensuring a safe environment for turtles when they arrive along the coast to lay eggs. Chennai Wildlife Warden Bhargava Teja said patrolling operations commenced in November in accordance with the department's standard operating procedures. The patrols, lasting between two and three hours, will be conducted three to four times a week, with particular attention to vulnerable coastal stretches where turtles are known to nest. The headquarters wildlife range will monitor the coastline extending from Marina Beach to Neelankarai and Uthandi in Chennai district, while the Pulicat range will undertake similar conservation activities along the Pulicat coast. Officials will identify and demarcate sensitive patrol zones, undertake regular beach-cleaning operations and remove obstacles that could interfere with turtle nesting. The department also plans to train volunteers in turtle conservation techniques, identification of nesting sites and established reporting procedures to ensure timely intervention whenever turtles or their nests face potential threats. Meanwhile, the Marine Elite Force (MEF), in coordination with the Fisheries Department, has commenced boat patrols along the Chennai coastline to monitor fishing activities. The specialised force will closely track the movement of trawlers and other fishing vessels to ensure compliance with government-imposed fishing restrictions intended to protect marine wildlife. Fishing-related activities, particularly the operation of mechanised trawlers in sensitive coastal waters, pose significant risks to Olive Ridley turtles, which can become accidentally entangled in fishing nets. Olive Ridley turtles migrate to the Tamil Nadu coast annually for nesting, making the protection of beaches and nearshore waters crucial during the breeding season. Conservation efforts generally focus on preventing accidental turtle deaths, protecting nesting sites from human disturbance and ensuring that eggs and hatchlings remain safe. Forest officials expect the coordinated patrolling, habitat protection and volunteer participation initiatives to strengthen conservation efforts along Chennai's coastline during the forthcoming nesting season.
DRI seizes 7.85 kg of hashish smuggled from U.S. to Mumbai in mirror frame; one arrested
Following the seizure, DRI officials traced the consignee of the parcel and arrested the person on November 2 under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The agency has not disclosed the identity of the arrested person
Eight rescuers missing in Telanganas Peddacheruvu saved; search on for three others
The incident occurred when two inflatable boats carrying 11 personnel capsized in the swollen rivulet while the rescue teams were attempting to evacuate five fishermen stranded in the floodwaters
TN BJP chief accuses Vijay govt of interfering with Hindu religious rights
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 5 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP State President Nainar Nagenthran has strongly criticised the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led government over a proposed Christian prayer meeting at Lingamalai in Pudukkottai district, accusing the administration of interfering with Hindu religious practices and failing to protect the community's religious rights. In a statement on Thursday, Nagenthran alleged that arrangements were being made to organise a Christian prayer gathering near a 400-year-old Shiva temple at Lingamalai, close to Malampatti, despite restrictions on such activities. He claimed that the proposed gathering was scheduled for November 24, coinciding with the Maha Karthigai festival, near a cross allegedly erected without authorisation. The BJP State President said Lingamalai was historically significant, containing Chola-era inscriptions, sculptures and a Nandi statue, besides the ancient Shiva temple. He also condemned an alleged attack on a Hindu devotee, Marimuthu, who reportedly opposed the proposed prayer meeting. Questioning the government's approach, Nagenthran accused the administration of deliberately obstructing Hindu religious traditions. Referring to the controversy surrounding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, he alleged that the government was restricting established religious practices. He urged Chief Minister Vijay to demonstrate through concrete action that his administration represented people belonging to all religious communities. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader H. Raja separately accused the government of undermining Hindu customs and religious traditions. Raja questioned alleged restrictions on the traditional practice of admitting children to schools on Vijayadashami, describing the ceremony as an integral part of Hindu culture. He also referred to Madurai Central MLA Mustafa's visit to the Meenakshi Amman Temple and criticised what he described as the attitude of certain ruling party representatives towards Hindu religious sentiments. Raja further questioned the government's secular credentials, referring to the religious affiliations of senior constitutional functionaries and ministers. Both leaders demanded that the government refrain from interfering in Hindu religious affairs and ensure equal protection for all communities. An official response from the state government was not immediately available.
TN: Heavy rain forecast for Theni, Dindigul, Madurai today
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 5 (IANS) The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in three southern Tamil Nadu districts on Thursday, as an atmospheric disturbance continues to influence weather conditions across the region. According to the weather department, Theni, Dindigul and Madurai districts are likely to experience heavy showers at isolated locations during the day. The prevailing atmospheric disturbance over southern Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas is expected to trigger widespread cloud formation and rainfall activity in several parts of the state. The department said moderate rainfall could occur at one or two places across districts adjoining the Western Ghats, northern Tamil Nadu and the southern parts of the state. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely in areas experiencing intense rainfall. In Chennai, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy, with light to moderate showers forecast in certain parts of the city on Thursday. Rainfall activity is likely to vary across localities, with some neighbourhoods experiencing brief spells of rain while others may remain largely dry. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted an expansion of heavy rainfall activity across southern Tamil Nadu on Friday. Seven districts -- Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Sivaganga -- have been identified as likely to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places on Friday. Other parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall during the same period, indicating that wet weather conditions could continue across several districts. The forecast assumes significance as Tamil Nadu is currently experiencing its northeast monsoon season, which accounts for a substantial proportion of the state's annual rainfall, particularly in coastal and southern districts. Rainfall during this period plays an important role in replenishing reservoirs, irrigation tanks and groundwater resources. However, intense spells of rain can also create difficulties for motorists and residents in low-lying areas, particularly where drainage facilities are inadequate. The latest forecast indicates that southern districts will remain the principal areas of concern over the next two days, with the possibility of heavy showers extending to additional districts on Friday. Residents have been advised to follow official weather bulletins for further updates on rainfall intensity, thunderstorms and any changes in district-level forecasts.
Oil prices hit two-month low after U.S. Democratic win
Brent crude futures dropped 1% to $93.5 per barrel, after an 8.7% slide in the previous session
U.S. slaps sanctions on Indian, Turkish firms and people for aiding Iran
The sanctions are part of the Trump administrations Operation Economic Outcast, which aims to cut off Irans ability to sell oil to fund the war with the U.S. and Israel
Questioning Democratic Institutions
The Congress party's relentless campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls exposes a familiar pattern in its political conduct: questioning democratic institutions whenever their functioning does not suit its political narrative. A party that has spent years questioning electoral transparency and accusing others of undermining democracy now finds itself uncomfortable with an exercise designed to strengthen the very foundation of free and fair elections. For Congress, electoral reforms appear welcome only when they serve its political interests. When duplicate entries, deceased voters and questionable registrations are discussed by opposition leaders, they become legitimate concerns. But when the Election Commission undertakes a nationwide exercise to identify and correct such discrepancies, the same party raises the alarm and turns an administrative process into a political controversy. The Special Intensive Revision is not an exercise designed to benefit the BJP or any other political formation. Its fundamental objective is to ensure that electoral rolls reflect genuine voters, remove erroneous entries and protect the integrity of the democratic process. A clean electoral roll is the starting point of a credible election, and no responsible political party should oppose that objective. SIR is about cleaning electoral rolls, not deleting democracy The figures emerging from the exercise underline its scale and administrative effort. Across the states where SIR was undertaken, voters were provided between 100 and 158 days, or approximately four to five months, to complete the enumeration process. Of the country's approximately 95 crore voters, nearly 82 crore, accounting for around 88 per cent, submitted their Enumeration Forms. Approximately 13 crore entries were placed under the ASDD classification Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate during the preparation of revised electoral rolls. The reported figures included approximately 2.89 crore deceased voters and 1.01 crore duplicate entries. The remaining cases involved voters who were absent, had shifted or could not be traced during the verification exercise. These numbers demand serious attention. Electoral rolls cannot remain static documents carrying the names of people who have died, permanently shifted or registered at multiple locations. Such discrepancies undermine the credibility of elections and create avoidable complications in the voting process. The exercise involved extensive field-level verification. Booth Level Officers (BLOs), along with political party functionaries, reportedly made three visits to voters' residences to collect enumeration forms and verify entries. This was not simply an administrative exercise conducted behind closed doors; it involved extensive ground-level participation. Importantly, exclusion from a draft roll does not mean that a genuine voter has permanently lost the right to vote. Eligible individuals can seek inclusion through Form 6, subject to the prescribed verification process. The Election Commission has also provided opportunities for claims and objections to ensure that eligible citizens are not unfairly excluded. Congress has particularly questioned Form 7, the statutory mechanism for seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls. However, the figures cited in the BJP's compilation indicate that approximately 29 lakh names were deleted through Form 7 across a voter population of 95 crore. These applications included submissions by political parties such as the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD and BSP, besides individual voters. If Form 7 is a statutory procedure, its use cannot automatically be portrayed as electoral manipulation. Political parties across the spectrum have the right to flag duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries. What matters is whether every application is examined according to law and whether affected voters receive an opportunity to respond. At the same time, more than two crore voters reportedly registered their names through Form 6, demonstrating that the exercise also facilitated the inclusion of eligible citizens. The scale of participation is equally significant. More than nine lakh polling booths were covered, with over 11 lakh government officials, including IAS and PCS officers and teachers, involved in supervising and conducting the exercise. More than 35 lakh authorised political party representatives participated, including over nine lakh BJP Booth Level Agents (BLA-2s). The total number of people involved was approximately 46 lakh. This raises an important question for Congress: when representatives of different political parties, including Congress itself, participated in the exercise, is the party indirectly questioning the integrity of millions of its own functionaries by suggesting that the entire process facilitated vote theft? If Congress has specific evidence of wrongdoing, it should place it before the Election Commission and pursue the remedies available under electoral law. Political allegations cannot substitute for evidence. Congress's double standards exposed by its own leaders The contradiction in Congress's position becomes even more apparent when one examines the statements made by its own leaders on electoral revision. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had described SIR as useful in Kerala, referring to concerns about fake voting allegedly facilitated by the CPI(M). Congress MLA Matthew Kuzhalnadan also spoke about the removal of allegedly fake entries associated with the CPI(M), suggesting that the exercise could benefit electoral integrity. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the problems of duplicate registrations, deceased voters and multiple entries. He supported SIR provided it was conducted transparently and with the use of digital technology to improve electoral rolls. Similarly, Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot has maintained that people residing illegally in the country should be removed in accordance with the law. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, who has repeatedly questioned electoral rolls, had himself claimed in 2015 that Delhi had approximately 11 lakh duplicate voters. These statements establish an important point: the need to identify duplicate and ineligible entries is not a BJP-created argument. It has been acknowledged by leaders across the political spectrum. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, leaders associated with Congress-allied political formations have also described electoral revision as important for strengthening the democratic process. Why, then, does Congress change its position when the exercise is conducted on a larger scale? The party cannot demand clean electoral rolls in states where it sees political advantage and oppose the same principle elsewhere. Electoral transparency cannot be selective. A duplicate entry does not become legitimate because it benefits a particular political party, and a deceased voter's name cannot be retained merely to avoid political controversy. This selective outrage reflects a deeper political problem within Congress: its inability to distinguish between institutional reform and political competition. From the Emergency to Kashmir's 1987 elections, Congress's democratic credentials remain under scrutiny Congress's repeated attacks on the Election Commission must also be viewed against the party's own historical record. Its leadership frequently lectures the country on democratic values, but history contains several episodes that continue to raise uncomfortable questions about its commitment to democratic institutions. The 1975 Allahabad High Court judgment against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi remains a defining moment in India's electoral history. The court invalidated her election over electoral malpractices. Instead of accepting the political consequences, the country witnessed the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975. During the Emergency, democratic freedoms were curtailed, opposition leaders were jailed, press freedom was restricted and constitutional institutions came under extraordinary pressure. The episode remains one of the darkest chapters in independent India's democratic journey. Congress cannot selectively invoke democratic principles while ignoring this legacy. Jammu and Kashmir has its own painful chapter. The 1987 Assembly election, conducted under the Congress-National Conference alliance, remains associated with serious allegations of electoral malpractice and large-scale rigging. The controversy damaged public confidence in democratic institutions and left a lasting impression on generations of Kashmiris. For a region that has experienced prolonged political uncertainty and conflict, electoral credibility is not an abstract issue. People must have faith that their votes matter and that political participation can bring genuine change. The 1987 controversy remains a reminder of what happens when electoral institutions lose public trust. Congress should therefore exercise caution before assuming the role of an unquestionable guardian of democratic values. The party's history also includes confrontations over electoral institutions. In 1993, Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan challenged the appointment of two additional Election Commissioners and the provision for majority-based decisions. The Supreme Court upheld the three-member structure in 1995. In 2009, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami recommended the removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, alleging bias. The recommendation was not accepted by the then government, and Chawla subsequently became Chief Election Commissioner. These episodes demonstrate that institutional disagreements and questions of independence are not new to India's electoral history. However, they must be resolved through constitutional and legal processes, not through political campaigns designed to discredit institutions. A declining Congress cannot blame institutions for its political failures Congress's national electoral decline deserves serious introspection. Its vote share, which stood at approximately 45 per cent in the 1952 general election, fell to 21.4 per cent in 2024. This decline reflects changing voter preferences, organisational weaknesses, leadership challenges and the emergence of strong regional and national political alternatives. Instead of addressing these shortcomings, Congress appears increasingly dependent on allegations against institutions and political opponents. Since the BJP-led NDA government came to power in 2014, opposition parties have repeatedly questioned major policy decisions and institutional processes. Rafale, EVMs and now 'vote theft' have become recurring political themes. The opposition has every right to question the government and seek accountability. That is the essence of democracy. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and repeatedly creating suspicion around institutions without establishing wrongdoing. The Election Commission of India has, over the decades, overseen hundreds of Assembly elections and more than 20 general elections. It has evolved through successive reforms, from indelible ink and election observers to electronic voting machines and more comprehensive electoral-roll management. No institution should be above scrutiny, including the Election Commission. Transparency, accountability and institutional independence must remain non-negotiable. But criticism must be evidence-based, and genuine concerns must be addressed through established procedures. Strengthening electoral democracy must rise above party politics The BJP believes that electoral reforms must be continuous, transparent and free from political interference. A voter list containing the names of deceased persons, duplicate registrations and people who have permanently shifted cannot be considered a perfect electoral roll. At the same time, no eligible citizen should be deprived of voting rights because of administrative errors, migration, documentation difficulties or procedural shortcomings. Both objectives must go hand in hand. The Election Commission must ensure that every genuine voter gets an opportunity to establish eligibility, seek inclusion and challenge an incorrect deletion. Political parties must also participate constructively instead of turning every administrative exercise into a confrontation. The real measure of SIR will be the accuracy and inclusiveness of the final electoral rolls. The process must eliminate ineligible entries while protecting every eligible citizen's constitutional right to vote. Congress should stop treating every institutional reform as a political conspiracy. If it has evidence of wrongdoing, it must present it through appropriate legal and constitutional channels. Democracy is strengthened by accountability, not by manufactured suspicion. India's democracy belongs to its people, not to Congress, the BJP or any other political formation. Every genuine voter must have a place in the electoral roll, and every vote must carry equal value. The question Congress must answer is simple: if it believes in clean elections, why does it oppose a process whose stated objective is to make electoral rolls cleaner and more credible? Democracy cannot be held hostage to the political convenience of one party. Electoral reforms must serve the voter, not the vested interests of political organisations. Altaf Thakur, BJP J&K Spokesman
President Trump says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth doing 'a very good job' as questions swirl about his future
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
PSG, Barca turn on the magic, United posts win
PSG was ruthless, with Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Senny Mayulu and Fabian Ruiz all striking in eight first-half minutes as the French outfit set a record for the fastest four goals scored in a match in Europes elite club competition
Indian shooters miss medal targets
The 10m air rifle mixed team pair of Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon failed to qualify for the four-team final, finishing seventh with an aggregate of 632.4. Sonam shot 316.6, while Himanshu returned 315.8
Gauff, Pegula in Rybakinas group in WTA Finals
Each player and team will face the other three in their group over the first six days, with the top two advancing to semifinals
BJP not giving much importance to Rajput, says Rajiv Pratap Rudy
After facing defeat from Saran Teachers seat in Council polls, JD(U) candidate Mr. Pushkar who belongs from Brahmin community has alleged that BJP betrayed and all the Rajput MPs and MLAs of Saran including Rajiv Pratap Rudy, helped the independent candidate to win
All revenue courts in J&K now computerised
Srinagar, Nov 04: Making a significant stride under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent completion with 882 Computerised/Online Revenue Courts, while the computerisation of Records of Rights (RoR) has reached 99.93 per cent. According to the DILRMP MIS 4.0 dashboard, the Physical Components Progress Report for Jammu and Kashmir revealed that digitisation of Mapsheets/FMBs/Tippans has reached 94.74 per cent, indicating substantial progress in the modernisation and digitisation of land records across the Union Territory. However, the report reveals that three important components MRR Completed (Out of Sanctioned), Survey/Resurvey Completed and Aadhaar Linked With RoR have recorded zero progress. The national comparison chart on Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) shows that several states and Union Territories have achieved 100 per cent completion of villages, while Jammu and Kashmir is placed at 70.54 per cent. The chart also shows Mizoram at 71.27 per cent, Nagaland at 62.54 per cent, Ladakh at 52.21 per cent and Delhi at 27.31 per cent. Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have recorded zero percent completion. Among the states and Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have achieved 100 per cent completion. Odisha has recorded 99.91 per cent, Karnataka 99.74 per cent, Chhattisgarh 99.36 per cent, Punjab 99.36 per cent, Jharkhand 96.36 per cent, Rajasthan 92.40 per cent, Telangana 83.25 per cent and Uttarakhand 71.27 per cent. The component-wise figures for Jammu and Kashmir indicate that while computerisation of revenue courts and digitisation of existing land records have reached advanced stages, survey and resurvey, completion of MRR and Aadhaar linking with Records of Rights remain pending. The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), a Central Sector Scheme funded 100 per cent by the central government, aims to modernise the country's land records system through computerisation of land records, digitisation of maps, survey and resurvey activities and integration of land-related information.
Sonu and Ajith push Tamil Nadu closer to victory against Chandigarh
Four-wicket hauls from both bowlers help visitors bundle out hosts for 94 in 1st innings, before pinning them to 189 for seven in their second essay
MP Ruhullahs exit from NC a success of BJP, attempt to disempower people like in 1953: NC leaders
NC leader and legislator, Salman Sagar, said the BJP succeeded in Aga Syed Ruhullahs exit from the NC and implemented the Operation Lotus with his help
PSA cant bypass criminal law: HC
Srinagar, Nov 04: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed the preventive detention of a Pulwama resident booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), observing that extraordinary powers of preventive detention cannot be used as a substitute for ordinary criminal proceedings or to bypass safeguards available under criminal law. The court directed the authorities to release Ajaz Ahmad Seh, a resident of Sehpora in Rajpora, Pulwama, forthwith, provided his custody is not required in connection with any other case or under any other lawful order. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal passed the judgment while allowing a habeas corpus petition challenging detention order No. 34/DMP/PSA/2025 dated July 28, 2025, issued by the District Magistrate, Pulwama, under Section 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act. According to the grounds of detention, Seh was allegedly in contact with a Pakistan-based terrorist handler affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad through telephone and the encrypted application Zangi, accessed using a virtual private network (VPN). He was also accused of functioning as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) by allegedly providing food, shelter, clothing, transportation and information to active terrorists, including Haris Nazir of Kachipora, Rajpora. The police dossier further alleged that he shared information about the movement of security forces and encouraged local youth to join terrorist organisations. However, the High Court observed that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the detention grounds lacked specific particulars, including the dates of alleged communications, the nature of information exchanged and the particular acts through which logistical assistance was allegedly provided. The court held that merely asserting that a person used an encrypted application or remained in contact with individuals allegedly associated with terrorist organisations was insufficient, without relevant supporting material, to justify curtailing personal liberty through preventive detention. Preventive detention legislation cannot be permitted to become an instrument for bypassing the safeguards of the ordinary criminal process, the court observed. It further said that if the investigating agency possessed evidence of electronic communications, assistance to terrorists or sharing of security-force movements, the allegations could have been investigated under applicable criminal laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, subject to the ingredients of the offences being satisfied. The court also questioned the District Magistrate's independent application of mind, noting that a comparison of the police dossier and detention grounds revealed substantial reproduction of allegations. It observed that the detaining authority was required to independently evaluate the material rather than mechanically adopt the police narrative. Citing Supreme Court judgments, including Rekha v. State of Tamil Nadu and Vijay Narain Singh v. State of Bihar, the High Court reiterated that preventive detention is an extraordinary measure and must be exercised sparingly and strictly within constitutional and statutory safeguards. The Court does not minimise the seriousness of allegations involving terrorist organisations or activities prejudicial to the security of the State, Justice Nargal observed, adding that a balance must be maintained between national security and personal liberty. The court ultimately held that the detention order suffered from material legal infirmities and quashed it, directing Seh's immediate release, subject to there being no other lawful restraint on his custody.
The accused have been identified as then Kundli Station House Officer (SHO) Ravi, Sub-Inspector Shamsher Singh and CIA Sonipat Inspector Ravinder
Freshworks crosses $1bn in ARR
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Fifty years ago | Outmoded form
A hundred years ago | Electric lighting for the Mufassal
Eleven tribals arrested for seeking rehabilitation for a proposed land port project in West Bengal
Construction at the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) site in Gotabari, Torsa Tea Garden, had been going on for nearly five months and during the period, the locals maintained a peaceful, indefinite dharna beside the project site for over 100 days
Ladakh administration said the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakhs (HIAL)Desert Flower School commenced functioning without necessary approvals from the competent authority
Techie dies by suicide after online trading losses
TN set to distribute cakes to 61.84 lakh students for Childrens Day
TN registration dept clocks 1,950crore revenue in Oct, launches AI app to track court cases
Chennai police tighten security on busy streets for Diwali
More than 43 lakh pucca houses completed in Bihar for poor families
56,743.40 crore spent under PMAY-G so far in the State; of the 43 lakh houses, 36.63 lakh pucca houses built in just yearrs between FY 2016-17 & 2021-22
U.P. to match Assembly voter lists with Panchayat and Urban local body rolls to find missing voters
U.P. CEO office said that guidelines have been sent to all District Election Officers (DEOs), who have been told to carry out the matching thoroughly
Government proposes immediate suspension of manufacturing licences of substandard drugs
Proposed amendment provides for mandatory corrective measures before revocation of the suspension; suspension shall continue until the manufacturer undertakes corrective action
What NDAs clean sweep in local body polls means for Andhra Pradesh politics
NDAs thumping success in the local body elections is on the expected line, say political analysts, adding that though results show no hint of anti-incumbency, the alliance partners need to focus on ironing out the rifts
Woman pedestrian killed after being hit by bus in Kochi
Kochi police yet to complete verification of private bus employees
The police launched the background verification drive following a series of incidents of criminal behaviour involving private bus crew
ZPTC, MPTC Elections postponed due to rains in Agency mandals
Litigant says the Telangana High Court had framed a set of guidelines last year for the police in the neighbouring State and that Tamil Nadu could take a cue from that judgment
15,659 buses to operate from Chennai for Diwali; direct services from 16 locations
Chief Minister virtually inaugurates Odugathur Fire Station in Vellore
Officials of the Fire and Rescue Services said that prior to the opening of the building, the fire station was functioning on the premises of the Government Veterinary Clinic for nearly three decades
Expert team assesses safety of Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai during monsoon
WRD officials said that among 20 major dams in the State, Sathanur dam is the third largest after Mettur and Bhavani Sagar, in terms of storage capacity and height
Police seize 72 kg of ganja, gutka in Vellore, Tirupattur
Cases were registered and arrested persons were lodged in prison
Advanced technology for knee replacement surgery helps faster recovery: experts
Chairman of Naruvi Hospitals said that the hospital plans to set up a bone marrow transplant center for curing blood cancer and a fertility centre
MSME training programme held at VIT in Vellore
In his presidential address, Mr. Viswanathan said that the MSME sector forms the backbone of the Indian economy
Subroto Bagchi calls for immediate overhaul of Indias vocational ecosystem
Subroto Bagchi condemns the pervasive middle-class habit of labelling household helps as servant maids and laments the persistent stigmas that treat vocational institutions as destinations only for youth who have gone astray
Diwali rush: Guest workers cram into train coaches at Chennai Central
Trump says Republicans harmed byIran war, inability to transfer the love for him
Donald Trump said the war has been worth it to stop Tehran from having a nuclear weapon
Firecrackers yet to sparkle as shops see poor footfalls due to high prices, cloudy skies
Toll plazas on Chennai-Tiruchi national highway gear up for Deepavali rush
A source in the National Highways Authority of India says that the contractors ensure that the toll operators and security guards do not go on leave. Boom barriers are positioned vertically so that no time is wasted in moving them up and down. However, Paranur plaza has a barrier-free toll system
CPI(M) and Congress skirmish over 'hasty issuance' of liquor licencesin Keralam
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Excise Minister M. Liju blame the LDF government for the 'liberal granting' of bar licences by ceding the authority to lower-level excise officials, possibly to evade political responsibility;CPI(M) State Secretariat member and former Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh accuses Satheesan and Liju of 'lying' to save face, and the LDF had granted liquor licences only with the Ministers sanction
South T.N. likely to experience a wet Deepavali this year with heavy rain forecast till Nov. 8
An upper air cyclonic circulation over south TN and neighbourhood would bring widespread rainfall, says V.R. Durai, Head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre
CM Vijay virtually inaugurates completed projects across Tamil Nadu
Illegal discharge of sewage into drains may attract penalty of up to 5 lakh
Public spaces and democratic citizenship
Recent restrictions on protesters at Jantar Mantar and other public spaces undermine the historical relationship between civic arenas and democratic citizenship
Man arrested for pelting train with stones near Vyasarpadi station
Street vendors might reduce UPI use if merchant discount rate is introduced, finds study
Seven departments in six colleges to get University of Madras Syndicate nod to start PhD programmes
MGM Healthcare treats 15-month-old Russian boy with rare lung disorder
The condition had caused extensive cystic changes in both lungs, recurrent pneumothorax (collapse of the lungs due to air leaking into the space around them) and breathing difficulties
Over 18,000 police personnel to be deployed for Deepavali in Chennai
Over 18,000 police personnel drawn from the Law and Order, Crime, Traffic, Armed Reserve, Tamil Nadu Special Police, and Home Guard units would be deployed
Man run over by truck near Madhavarm
Anbumani bats for 100% caste-based representation
Stalin alleges power purchase scam in TVK govt, demands probe
Stalin dubs TVK government a circus controlled by corporate interests
Chief Minister is unable to take independent decisions, and corporate interests are influencing the functioning of the government, says DMK president
TVK Alleges 70 Crore MLA Poaching Bid By DMK-AIADMK | Vijay's Big Announcements
Tamil Nadu's political battle intensifies as the ruling TVK alleges that the DMK and AIADMK are attempting to poach its MLAs with offers of up to 70 crore to topple the government. Both opposition parties have denied the allegations. In this edition of the Tamil Nadu Brief, NDTV's Sam Daniel reports on the political row, Chief Minister Vijay honouring Class 10 and 12 toppers, and the government's decision to allow 6 AM screenings and up to six shows daily for new movie releases.
Letters to The Editor November 5, 2026
What the BRICS carbon market partnership needs
BRICS can turn fragmented carbon markets into a coordinated trading framework
Damning report: on Justice Muralidhars report on Israeli atrocities
The world must act on Justice Muralidhars report on Israeli atrocities
Helping hand: on Cyclones Arnab and Murasu
States need help to rebuild public infrastructure after damage in cyclones
Court grants bail to driver of bus in Bhandup accident case
Use of technology for greater road safety discussed at IIT Madras
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The use of Geospatial data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable advanced road safety interventions came up for discussion during a fireside chat with Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, former judge, Supreme Court of India, and chairman, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS), and Sanjay Bandopadhyay, member, SCCoRS at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday. The event brought together students, practitioners and innovators, who explored India's road safety challenges and the role of technology in addressing them. The key causes of road crashes, including overspeeding, drunk driving, wrong-side driving, jumping red lights, mobile phone use while driving, unsafe overtaking and driver fatigue and stress, were highlighted by Justice Sapre. He also spoke on the importance of applying first-principles thinking to develop effective solutions. The Road Safety Innovation Hub, developed by the Government of Tamil Nadu with RBG Labs, was also introduced during the session as a platform for students, researchers and entrepreneurs to share, test and advance their ideas. The Road Safety Innovation Hub often works alongside academic partners like the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras to design, test, and deploy new technologies and data-driven solutions for safer roads. Its core focus area is creating data-backed safety interventions, smart mobility tools, low-cost engineering fixes, and emerging safety technologies to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. It aligns with similar state and national deep-tech frameworks in India such as Odisha's design-thinking capacity programs and IIT Delhi's Bharat Safety initiative to scale tech-driven road safety. According to data shared in Parliament by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), 1,77,177 people were killed in road accidents in India in 2024. This was a 2.3% increase from the previous year. This effectively means that nearly 485 people die due to road accidents in India every day, and the toll is about 20 per hour. Data reveals that the number of deaths has gone up over the years. While 1,68,491 people were killed in 2022, the toll was 1,72,890 in 2023. About 46.2% of those killed are two-wheeler riders, while 20.6% are pedestrians. About 66.1% of those killed are in the productive age group of 18 to 45 years, while those aged between 18 and 60 make up 83.3%.
24 hours after High Court rap, BMC fails to restore Dia Mirzas video on pollution-free Diwali
Civil rights activist Sumaira Abdulali, who has been working for the cause of noise pollution, demanded that the BMC should give an explanation about why it had pulled down a video which was recorded as per the directives of the Bombay High Court
After milk and curd, prices of ghee, butter and paneer too up
HC summons Madurai Commissioner of Police
Need for a unified urbanisation plan
The Union Budget, Economic Survey and Finance Commission recognise that India is urbanising across a rural-urban continuum. Yet Census 2027 will use the 2011 definitions, deepening the undercount of urban India; a National Urbanisation Policy can recognise this gap and build the institutional and fiscal mechanisms to bridge it
Who filed 77% of Form 7s in Delhis Mustafabad? BJP BLAs named as objectors deny them
Of the 20 BJP-appointed Booth Level Agents named in 787 deletion applications, 16 deny submitting or signing the forms, while one says he filed over 500
Ukraine's Zelenskyy awards U.S. first lady Melania state honour
The award the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class honours women who have made exceptional contributions in spheres including science, education, culture and charitable work
Nirmala Lakshmans book wins Sharjah award
David Davidar, publisher of Aleph Book Company says Nirmala Lakshman brings erudition, insight and a deep personal engagement to this expansive portrait of the Tamil people
Russian attacks disrupt power in Kyiv, while death toll in a stricken village rises to 40
Russia attacked overnight with 310 drones, including 81 jet-powered drones, according to Ukraines air force. In its daily social media report, the air force said it downed or suppressed 272 drones of various types
