Uttarakhand News

Delhi blast: NIA team arrests 2 from Uttarakhand's

The NIA team and Uttarakhand Police personnel went to a mosque in Nainital to question some people, the official said

Delhi Blast: NIA Nabs Two from Haldwani

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two individuals from Uttarakhands Haldwani in connection with the deadly Delhi blast on November 10, near Red Fort, which claimed 13 lives and injured 32 others, as part of an intensifying probe into a multi-state terror module. The arrests, confirmed by NIA sources and reported by Hindustan []

How Tare helped Uttarakhand skipper Kunal flip the script

Operation Sindoor brilliant example of civil-military fusion, says Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister was addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Op Sindoor Brilliant Example Of Civil-Military Fusion: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Nov 29: Operation Sindoor is a brilliant example of civil-military fusion, where the administrative machinery worked seamlessly with the armed forces to communicate vital information and build public confidence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. He was addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Singh also called upon young civil servants to understand their crucial role in safeguarding national interests, and, [] The post Op Sindoor Brilliant Example Of Civil-Military Fusion: Rajnath Singh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Delhi police arrest Uttarakhand Imam over alleged links to Delhi blast suspect

HALDWANI: A breakthrough in the Delhi blast investigation led Delhi Police to Uttarakhands Haldwani, where a local religious leader, Maulana Mohammad Asim Qasmi, was detained early Saturday for suspected links to the operative allegedly behind the explosion. Sources close to the investigation revealed that the breakthrough came after Delhi Police decrypted crucial data and tracked the call detail records (CDR) from the mobile phone of the suspected terrorist, Umar. Around 2:30 AM, a specialised team conducted a swift operation in the Muslim-majority locality of Banbhoolpura, detaining Maulana Mohammad Asim Qasmi, the Imam of the Bilali Mosque, and immediately transporting him to Delhi for intensive questioning. The raid, carried out in Line Number 8, immediately heightened tensions among residents. Following the high-profile detention, security has been significantly increased across the Banbhoolpura area. Local police forces, including additional personnel from multiple police stations, are maintaining a heavy presence around the mosque and the Imams residence. Since Saturday morning, every corner of Banbhoolpura has been under tight police surveillance, reported a local source. Authorities are conducting rigorous checks on all incoming and outgoing vehicles, intensifying security across the entire zone as a precautionary measure. Kumaon Zone IG Ridhima Agarwal confirmed the development on Saturday morning, stating, Following specific intelligence inputs, we are currently questioning two individuals in connection with the ongoing investigation. She added that central intelligence agencies have been informed about the developments stemming from the Uttarakhand operation. Senior local law enforcement officials, including SP Crime Jagdish Chandra, CO Bhawali Amit Saini, and CO Ramnagar Sumit Kumar Pandey, along with several station house officers, rushed to the scene immediately after the detention to manage the situation and coordinate security arrangements. Security has been significantly stepped up around the mosque and the Imams residence since early this morning, an official confirmed, indicating the gravity of the Delhi-linked terror probe unfolding in the quiet town of Haldwani. On November 10, at around 6:52 pm, a slow-moving i20 car exploded near the Red Fort, killing 13 people and injuring several others. The investigation has since found that terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed are increasingly recruiting highly educated professionals, including doctors.

Uttarakhand paper-leak case: CBI arrests assistant professor

The accused has been identified as Suman, an Assistant Professor at Shaheed Srimati Hansa Dhanai Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Agrora (Dhar mandal), Tehri Garhwal

CBI arrests Uttarakhand lady asst prof in graduate-level exam paper leak case

CBI arrests assistant professor in escalating UKSSSC paper leak probe

DEHRADUN: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested an assistant professor who acted as a key conspirator in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level recruitment paper leak, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The accused, identified as Suman, an assistant professor at Shaheed Srimati Hansa Dhanai Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya in Tehri Garhwal, was taken into custody alongside two others, Mohd Khalid and his sister Sabiha. The arrests mark a deepening of the probe into the leak that forced the cancellation of the crucial examination. The CBI took over the investigation after the Uttarakhand government recommended a central probe amid widespread student agitations that followed the leak. The assistant professor was arrested on Friday, and will be produced before the designated court after a medical examination, a CBI spokesperson confirmed in a formal statement. Sources within the agency said Professor Sumans alleged involvement surfaced during the scrutiny of digital evidence obtained from Khalid and Sabiha, who were apprehended earlier. Preliminary findings indicate a troubling modus operandi. Officials stated that Suman assisted Khalid by solving portions of the leaked question paper, which was reportedly obtained via Khalids sister. The solved answers were then sent to Khalid, who was appearing as a candidate in the examination. The interrogation and analysis of mobile phone data strongly indicated Sumans direct assistance in disseminating the leaked content, an official privy to the investigation noted. The controversy erupted in October when three pages of the graduate-level recruitment exam paper were leaked from a centre in Haridwar, triggering widespread outrage among unemployed youth across the state. More than one lakh candidates had competed for just 416 vacant posts, making the integrity of the exam especially critical. The perceived scale of malpractice prompted sustained protests led by the Uttarakhand Berojgar Sangh. The state governments decision to transfer the sensitive case to the CBI came in response to persistent public demands for an impartial and thorough investigation. The arrest of a serving academic now points to a potentially more organised network behind the leak rather than isolated incidents. The CBI is expected to reveal further details as the accused are presented before the court.

Uttarakhand Government Halts Adi Kailash Pilgrimage For Winter

The host villagers of the Adi Kailash area have also begun to migrate to the lower valleys due to the cold, and the number of ILP applications for the pilgrimage is very low, he added.

Haridwar to Host Ardh Kumbh 2027: 4 Amrit Snan for the First Time; Check Full Dates

The Uttarakhand government has announced the dates for Ardh Kumbh 2027 in Haridwar. The 97-day event will feature 10 major Snan days, including four historic Amrit Snans. Check complete Snan dates.

Uttarakhand: In Doon Valley, Dam Meant to Solve Water Crisis Worsens Climate Vulnerability

Planned to solve Dehraduns water shortage, the Song Dam Drinking Water Projects construction practices have altered the rivers behaviour, villagers say.

Supreme Court seeks Rajasthan govt's response on plea challenging validity of anti-conversion law

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Rajasthan government on a plea challenging the validity of the provisions of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the state government seeking its response on the plea filed by the Peoples Union For Civil Liberties and others. The bench tagged the plea with separate pending petitions raising similar issue. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh appeared for the petitioners. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that similar matters are pending before the apex court and this plea be tagged with them. The petitioners have sought a declaration that provisions of the Act are arbitrary, unreasonable, illegal and ultra vires the Constitution and also violative of Articles, including Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty). On November 17, the top court sought response from the Rajasthan government and others on a separate plea challenging the validity of the Act. The apex court on November 3 had agreed to hear two separate petitions challenging the validity of several provisions of the law against illegal religious conversions that came into force in Rajasthan. In September, another bench of the apex court sought the stand of several states on separate pleas seeking a stay on their respective anti-conversion laws. The top court had then made it clear that it would consider the prayer for staying the operation of such laws once the replies were filed. The bench was then dealing with a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws enacted by several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand and Karnataka.

Dalit community in Uttarakhand elects its own village head, breaking a 150-year tradition

DEHRADUN: In a significant assertion of self-determination, the Dalit community of Bijnu Bijnad village in the remote Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand has broken a 150-year-old social convention by independently electing its own Syana (village head). For what is believed to be the first time in nearly 150 years, the community chose its own leader, a move that required the intervention of the local police administration to ensure a smooth transition within existing social structures. Historically, villages in this region comprising both Dalit and dominant Rajput populations shared a single Syana. This leader was traditionally selected only from affluent or influential non-Dalit families, effectively sidelining lower castes from participation in village governance. Previously, there was only one Syana for the entire village. Now, we will have two, said a resident involved in the process. The newly elected Dalit leader was ceremoniously paraded atop a wooden elephant. The 35 Dalit families spearheading this change needed assistance from the police administration to establish their new governance structure without confrontation. The Syana post, crucial for mediating local disputes and representing the village, has long been dictated by caste hierarchy since the British era. Bharat Singh Rana, former Pradhan and social activist from the neighbouring Gram Panchayat Bhoonth, explained the depth of the tradition being challenged. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact duration of the leadership exclusion for Dalits, as it was based on social custom and caste hierarchy rather than written law, Bharat Singh told TNIE . If we assume this hierarchy was established at least since the British period (18th19th century), this step challenges a social structure that has been entrenched for approximately 150 to 200 years. Rana also emphasised the contemporary significance of the development. If we view this in the context of independent India, where principles of reservation and social justice are enshrined, this move is a significant effort to dismantle the 75-year-old social inequality that persisted even after Independence. The election of a separate Dalit Syana establishes a precedent for autonomous leadership in the Jaunsar-Bawar region, marking a major step towards dismantling entrenched caste-based governance practices.

Air pollution levels across north India are significantly higher than national average: Report

CHANDIGARH: The air pollution levels across North India are significantly higher than the national average as per the latest report released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research organisation. The report stated that Delhi, along with Punjab, Assam and Tripura, was identified as a year-round pollution hotspot failing to meet PM 2.5 standard even during the monsoons. On the other hand, the southern states recorded the lowest values. The report titled, Beyond City Limits: A Satellite-Based PM-2.5 Assessment Across Indias Airsheds, States and Districts, stated that all the 23 districts of Punjab, 22 of Haryana and 12 of Himachal Pradesh exceeded the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 ug/m3 for PM 2.5 concentration last year. During summer, winter and post-monsoon periods, PM 2.5 concentrations exceeded the NAAQS limits in these states. During the monsoon, 15 out of 23 districts in Punjab, 5 out of 22 in Haryana and 2 out of 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh exceeded the air quality limit. It read, Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels with an annual mean PM 2.5 concentration of 101 g/m, 2.5 times the Indian standard and 20 times the World Health Organisation (WHO). The pollution crisis extends across northern India, with the average PM 2.5 concentrations in all states in these regions, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This concentration of pollution aligns with their location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The eastern and northeastern states showed similarly concerning levels, with PM 2.5 average concentrations in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh all above the NAAQS. Among western states, the mean concentrations in Rajasthan and Gujarat exceeded the annual national standard, it added. While the southern states presented the lowest PM 2.5 values, Puducherry recorded the lowest concentration at 25 g/m, followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Sikkim, Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. The report stated that Delhi consistently ranks as the most polluted city across all seasons, highlighting the capital's year-round air quality crisis. While Chandigarh appears in the top five during three seasons (winter, summer, and post-monsoon), West Bengal also ranks among the worst across the winter and post-monsoon seasons. Punjab and Haryana emerged as major air-pollution concerns, with Punjab during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods and Haryana during the summer and post-monsoon periods. The northeastern states present an unexpected pollution hotspot, with Assam and Tripura featuring in the top five in three seasons (winter, summer, and monsoon). Overall, 60 per cent of districts (447 out of 749) exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for annual PM 2.5. None of the districts met the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline of less than 5 g/m. The most polluted districts are heavily concentrated in a few states, highlighting regional clustering of severe air quality issues. Delhi (11 districts) and Assam (11 districts) alone account for nearly half of the top 50, followed by Bihar (7) and Haryana (7). Other notable contributors include Uttar Pradesh (4), Tripura (3), Rajasthan (2), West Bengal (2), and single districts from Chandigarh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, it reads. It further added, Several states are in universal non-compliance, where all monitored districts exceed the NAAQS. These include Delhi, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir. Several other states show a large majority of districts breaching the norm, such as Bihar (37 of 38), West Bengal (22 of 23), Gujarat (32 of 33), Nagaland (11 of 12), Rajasthan (30 of 33), and Jharkhand (21 of 24). A second group shows mixed performance, where some districts meet the standard but many continue to exceed it. This includes Uttar Pradesh (49 of 75 districts exceeding), Odisha (22 of 30), Madhya Pradesh (27 of 52), and Maharashtra (14 of 36). In the Northeast, Arunachal Pradesh (12 exceed, 13 comply) and Manipur (five exceed, 11 comply) also fall in this transitional category. At the other end of the spectrum, several states have the majority of their districts below NAAQS, such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Sikkim, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These contrasting patterns highlight the continued dominance of northern and eastern states in Indias PM 2.5 pollution hotspots, while southern and coastal regions remain relatively cleaner. The report stated that the states should develop district-level air quality action plans, guided by satellite data to identify hotspots, prioritise high-exposure populations, and allocate mitigation resources efficiently. The satellite-derived PM 2.5 data should be formally integrated into NCAP for spatially comprehensive assessment and performance tracking. Also, establishing protocols for validation, periodic updates, and public dissemination of satellite-based estimates will strengthen transparency and enable real-time decision-making in areas lacking ground monitors.

62.50% of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above safety threshold limit: Report

CHANDIGARH: A staggering 62.50 per cent of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above the safety threshold limit, the highest contamination intensity ever recorded in the country, followed by Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. This fact was revealed in the latest Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025 by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Meanwhile, across the country, nitrate contamination was the most widespread, followed by fluoride and salinity. As per the report, the highest intensity of uranium contamination was recorded in the state, as 53.04 per cent of samples exceeded the permissible limit before the monsoon and 62.50 per cent afterwards. It highlighted that uranium concentrations exceeding the safe limit of 30 ppb were detected sporadically in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan. A total of 3,754 groundwater samples were tested across India during Pre- and Post-Monsoon 2024 to check uranium concentration. Samples with uranium levels above the safe limit of 30 ppb were found in 6.71 per cent during the Pre-Monsoon and 7.91 per cent during the post-monsoon, showing a slight increase after rainfall. The highest uranium contamination was observed in Punjab, where over half of the samples (53.04 per cent pre-monsoon and 62.50 per cent post-monsoon) exceeded the limit, it read. Meanwhile, Haryana also reported significant levels, with 15 per cent of pre-monsoon and 23.75 per cent of post-monsoon samples above the limit, followed by Delhi, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. High levels were also found in Haryana (1523.75 per cent), Delhi (1315.66 per cent), Karnataka (68 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (56 per cent). Moderate contamination occurred in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while most other states showed uranium levels within safe limits, it stated. The report further stated, Spatially, northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) emerged as the main hotspot of uranium contamination, likely due to geogenic factors, groundwater depletion, and aquifer characteristics. In contrast, eastern and southern India recorded minimal contamination. Overall, the study shows that while most groundwater in India is safe, certain regions face rising uranium levels, emphasising the need for regular monitoring and local mitigation measures to protect drinking water quality and health. Meanwhile, fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L were detected in 11.24 per cent of samples in Punjab, while the national exceedance was at 8.05 per cent. Interestingly, Rajasthan topped this category with 41.06 per cent, followed by Haryana with 21.82 per cent. High fluoride occurrences are prominently observed in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of Odhisa. Excessive fluoride in groundwater used for drinking poses a significant health concern, as prolonged consumption can lead to waterborne fluorosis, manifesting in dental and skeletal disorders, it stated. It adds that nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern. It mainly comes from excessive use of fertilisers, animal waste, and sewage seeping into groundwater. In India, nearly 20.71 per cent of groundwater samples have been reported to exceed the permissible limit of 45 mg/L, as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 10500) for drinking water quality, report states. In the pre-monsoon, Nitrate ranges from BDL to 2070 mg/L with a mean value of 32 mg/L. High nitrate concentrations are prominently observed in northwestern and central India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, extending further into parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These areas correspond largely to alluvial and hard-rock aquifers, where intensive agricultural practices, excessive fertiliser application, and improper disposal of domestic and animal wastes contribute to nitrate enrichment. Elevated nitrate remained one of the most widespread contaminants. The highest levels in Rajasthan 50.54 per cent followed by Karnataka 45.47 per cent, and Tamil Nadu 36.27 per cent, Punjab 14.6 per cent and Haryana 14.18 per cent as the national exceedance was 20.71 per cent. Elevated nitrate levels in the Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal) indicate impacts of shallow groundwater vulnerability due to unlined sanitation systems and leaching from agriculture fields. During the pre-monsoon period, about 73.53 per cent of samples were within the permissible limit, while 26.47 per cent exceeded it. In the post-monsoon period, compliance remained nearly similar, with 72.95 per cent of samples meeting the standard and 27.05 per cent exceeding it. Meanwhile, the Arsenic contamination in groundwater has been reported in several Indian states, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. But it continued to pose a serious health hazard in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial belt, with major contributions from West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Punjab reported 9.1 per cent pre-monsoon and 9.5 per cent post-monsoon exceedance, placing it among the significant contributors despite wide variations between districts. Due to high Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) irrigation water could lead to alkalinity buildup, soil degradation, and declining crop yields if left unmanaged. As this index determines whether irrigation water can damage soil structure and long-term land productivity, as 11.27 per cent of groundwater samples nationally exceeded the permissible limit of 2.5 meq/L, indicating sodicity hazards in several areas. The highest in Delhi at 51.11 per cent followed by Uttarakhand 41.94 per cent, Andhra Pradesh 26.87 per cent, Punjab 24.60 per cent and Rajasthan 24.42 per cent. The other parameter was Electrical Conductivity, which is a marker of water salinity, and topped the list with 47.12 per cent, followed by Delhi 33.33 per cent, Haryana 0.59 per cent and Gujarat 18.28 per cent recorded the highest percentages of samples above the BIS permissible limit of 3000 S/cm. Meanwhile, Punjab recorded 7.01 per cent of samples above the limit. Due to excessive saline water, agricultural productivity is affected. The report concluded that the Central Groundwater Board has undertaken an extensive assessment of groundwater quality across India during the Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon periods of 2024, covering approximately 5368 monitoring wells. About 71.67 per cent of samples complied with BIS standards, while 28.32 per cent exceeded permissible limits for one or more parameters.

Nepal Rastra Bank issues Rs 100 bank notes with map of Nepal comprising disputed areas with India

KATHMANDU: Nepal's central bank on Thursday issued new Rs 100 denomination bank notes that have a revised map of the country, including the controversial Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura territories, termed as artificial enlargement by India. The new note from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) bears the signature of previous Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari. The date of issuance of the bank note is mentioned as 2081 BS, which denotes the previous year, 2024. During the Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli-led government, Nepal had updated the map, comprising Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura territories, through a Parliament endorsement in May 2020. Clarifying the matter regarding the updated version of map, an NRB spokesperson said that the map is already there in the old Rs 100 bank note and it has been revised as per the government's decision. Among various denominations of bank notes such as Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000, only the bank note with Rs 100 denomination bears the map of Nepal, others do not, he clarified. India maintains that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to it. India had in 2020 reacted sharply, calling Nepal's revised map a unilateral act and cautioned Kathmandu that such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it. Nepal's new Rs 100 bank note has Mt Everest on its left side while there is a water mark of Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal, on the right. There is a faint green colour map of Nepal printed in the background at the centre of the bank note. The Ashok Pillar is also printed near the map with the text Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. On the back side of the bank note, there is a picture of one horned rhino. The bank note also has a security thread and an embossed black dot, which helps blind people to recognize it. Nepal shares a border of over 1850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

NGT slaps Rs 50,000 fine on Uttarakhand govt over illegal stone crusher operation near Dehradun

DEHRADUN: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Uttarakhand government after confirming that an illegal stone crusher is operating inside the ecologically sensitive Shivalik Elephant Reserve and the active floodplain of the Song River. The tribunals directive followed a petition by concerned Dehradun residents, represented by Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, highlighting severe ecological violations caused by the stone crusher in a protected zone, which threatens local wildlife. The NGT based its decision on a detailed report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which confirmed that the stone crusher sits squarely within the notified elephant reserve and lies in the active flood zone of the Song River, a key tributary of the Ganga. The WII report warned that the sites industrial activity is fragmenting critical habitats. The river and surrounding scrubland serve as vital dispersal routes for elephants, tigers, leopards, and other large mammals. The presence of this industrial unit has effectively narrowed the ecological corridor, severely compromising its functionality for wildlife movement, the report noted. In addition to the fine, the NGT directed the Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UPCB) to file a personal affidavit explaining how clearances were granted despite the sites status as a wildlife corridor and active floodplain. Advocate Bansal said the states lapse threatens the survival of elephants and other wildlife. Permitting such an industrial unit in an ecologically fragile zone reflects poorly on the states commitment to environmental governance, he told TNIE. He added, The state of Uttarakhand has a duty not only to protect the Shivalik Elephant Reserve but also the active flood zone of the Song River. What adds insult to injury is that the plant is also narrowing the elephant corridor, a serious concern that has been allowed to persist.

'Those Who Pollute Sacred': Uttarakhand CM Dhami Hails 'Bulldozer' Action Against 'Land Jihad'

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami publicly defended his government's use of ulldozer tactics as a form of punishment, targeting alleged cases of religious encroachment in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand makes written consent mandatory for women on night shifts

DEHRADUN: In a key step to support womens empowerment and ensure their safety, the Uttarakhand government has made written consent compulsory for employing female staff for night shifts in shops and commercial establishments. This crucial amendment was approved on Wednesday during the state cabinet meeting, integrating it into the Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2022. The new regulation stipulates that women employees can only be assigned night duty if they explicitly agree to it beforehand. This decision comes in response to instances where women who were unwilling to work late hours were allegedly forced into night shifts. This measure strikes a balance between providing equal opportunities and safeguarding the well-being of our female workforce, stated a spokesperson for the Labour Department. We are committed to ensuring that empowerment does not come at the cost of security. Women in Uttarakhand were first permitted to work night shifts in the organised sector in November 2022, aligning their employment opportunities with those of their male counterparts. However, the government has now placed specific conditions on this provision to prevent misuse. The mandated night shift hours are defined as between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The new rules are designed to boost economic participation among women while guaranteeing adequate safety provisions. If a woman wishes to work the night shift, she must provide prior written consent. This ensures that the opportunity for economic upliftment is truly voluntary, added a senior official involved in drafting the amendment. The government has also introduced stringent safety prerequisites that establishments must adhere to if they employ women during these hours: Minimum Staffing: Night duty cannot be assigned to a single woman. At least three female employees must be scheduled together for any night shift. Facilities: Separate rest areas must be provided for women. If a female employee has a child, the establishment must also arrange for a separate crche facility. Sanitation: Adequate women's washroom facilities are mandatory. Anti-Harassment Cell: Any workplace scheduling women for night shifts must compulsorily constitute an internal committee to prevent sexual harassment, as per existing guidelines. These layered protections aim to ensure that the expanded job prospects translate into meaningful and secure employment, effectively promoting gender equality in the workplace.

CRICKET | My role is to take the game deep and finish things off: Smaran

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | The Karnataka batter continued his prolific run with a career-best 67 (41b, 7x4, 2x6) his second T20 fifty to set up a successful chase of 198 against Uttarakhand

India & Nepal conduct hi-tech joint exercise

NEW DELHI: The soldiers of the Indian Army and the Nepalese Army on Tuesday began Joint Military exercise Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025 at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Being conducted from November 25 to December 8, 2025, the 14-day exercise is the 19th edition of this institutionalised bilateral Army exercise. Apart from the conventional training exercise, the soldiers will also be undergoing simulation of situations demanding the use of niche technology. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in counter terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics.

Ktaka face Uttarakhand in opener

Uttarakhand turns to hydroseeding to tackle persistent landslides on Badrinath highway

DEHRADUN: Facing relentless landslides in one of India's top 10 most vulnerable districts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now turning to an advanced biological solution, hydroseeding, to stabilise a critical stretch of the Badrinath Highway near Kameda in Gauchar. This shift comes after earlier engineering interventions allegedly failed to contain the erosion that has long threatened this vital route. The 120-metre stretch near Kameda, located in the highly landslide-prone Rudraprayag district, experiences significant debris flow during the monsoon season. For over five years, the slope above the highway has continually shed soil, rocks and boulders, frequently disrupting traffic for hours. For more than five years, the slope here has been unstable. When the rains hit, large boulders roll onto the highway, stated a local resident, requesting anonymity due to the frequent closures. Previously, NHAI had attempted stabilisation using conventional engineering methods. Steel netting anchored by 6 to 8-inch iron rods (anchors) was installed into the slope before the monsoon. However, heavy rains led to substantial slippage, allegedly rendering the nets ineffective. Now, the focus has shifted to Hydroseeding Mulch, a technique involving the spraying of a mixture of seeds, water and fertiliser onto the slope. We are employing Hydroseeding Mulch to prevent further landslides in this steep terrain. We anticipate this method will be effective, said JP Sharma, Project Manager at RCC Developers, associated with the project. We are currently verifying the existing anchors before fully implementing this technique, as this method has proven successful in mountainous regions. Hydroseeding is an advanced bio-engineering technique designed to rapidly establish a protective layer of grass or vegetation on steep slopes, roadsides and mining areas. The mixture includes mulch fibres that bind the soil together, preventing erosion from heavy rain or wind, while the seeds germinate to create a living root structure for long-term stability. The urgency of this stabilisation effort is underscored by recent data classifying India's most vulnerable zones. Official sources confirm that Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand are among the top 10 most landslide-prone districts in the country. Apart from Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand, the list of high-risk districts also includes: Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Jammu and Kashmir: Rajouri and Poonch. Sikkim: South and East Sikkim. The NHAI hopes that this biological intervention will finally stabilise the Badrinath route before the next monsoon season arrives.

Indian Army, Nepalese Army kick off 19th edition of bilateral exercise, focus on niche technologies

NEW DELHI: Soldiers of the Indian Army and Nepalese Army on Tuesday began the joint military exercise Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025 at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The 14-day exercise is being conducted from November 25 to December 8. It is the 19th edition of this institutionalised bilateral Army exercise. The soldiers, apart from the conventional training exercise, will also be undergoing simulation of situations demanding the use of niche technologies. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for operating in counter terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of sub conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. The scope of the exercise is to strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Medical Response, Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground-Aviation Operations, the Indian Army added. The Indian contingent of 334 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from the Assam Regiment. The Nepal side is being represented by 334 personnel represented mainly by troops from the Devi Datta Regiment. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peacekeeping operations, said the Army. Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other, it said, adding that this will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and Nepal Army.

Chardham Yatra concludes as doors of Badrinath Dham close for winters

GOPESHWAR, Nov 25: The Chardham Yatra concluded on Tuesday as the doors of the Badrinath Dham located in Uttarakhands upper Garhwal region closed for the winter season. Officials of the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee said that after special prayers, the doors of Badrinath Dham were closed for devotees at 2.56 pm on Tuesday. Despite cold weather conditions, a large number of devotees from India and abroad were present to have darshan of Badri Vishal. They said that the process [] The post Chardham Yatra concludes as doors of Badrinath Dham close for winters appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

State govt committed to safeguarding the demography and cultural values of Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the ancient Shiva temple in Lakhamandal today, where local residents and party workers gave him a grand welcome. The Chief Minister performed traditional rituals at the temple and prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state.

No Liquor, Fast Food And Costly Gifts: Uttarakhand Villages' New Rules For Weddings

Villages including Dau, Doha, Chutou, Bajau, Ghingo, and Kaitri are among those who implemented these norms.

Five killed, 13 injured in bus crash near Kunjapuri temple in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: At least five pilgrims were killed in a road accident while returning from the historic Kunjapuri Temple in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on Monday. The incident occurred as the bus was returning from the Kunjapuri Devi Temple, located about 23 km from Rishikesh. Authorities confirmed five fatalities at the scene. Five people have tragically died in this accident, confirmed ASP J R Joshi of Tehri Garhwal. A total of 17 people were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were immediately dispatched to the location, where the bus reportedly fell approximately 70 meters into the ravine near Hindolakhal. Five teams from SDRF posts, including Dhalwala and Koti Colony, were immediately deployed to the site, stated SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi. The victims who sustained injuries are reportedly from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Haryana. According to sources involved in the rescue, the accident happened when the bus lost control shortly after the driver started the engine. The vehicle, carrying 18 out of the total 28 passengers, subsequently plunged 80 to 100 meters into the gorge. Four women and one man were pronounced dead on arrival. Thirteen of the injured were initially taken to Suman Hospital in Narendranagar. Due to the severity of their condition, five critically injured passengers were later referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced care. Local officials, including Tehsildar Ayodhya Prasad Uniyal and Deputy Superintendent of Police Surendra Singh Bhandari, rushed to the site to oversee relief operations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The news of the bus accident near Narendranagar Kunjapuri Temple in Tehri is extremely heartbreaking, the Chief Minister stated. I pray that the departed souls find peace at the lotus feet of the Lord and that the bereaved families are granted the strength to bear this immense sorrow. I am in constant contact with local officials regarding the treatment of the injured. The Kunjapuri Temple is a revered spot, believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, where the chest (Kunj) of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen. Police have initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the horrific crash.

Suspended government doctor, aides involved in inter-state fake currency notes racket, arrested in Bhopal

BHOPAL:After being on the run for more than three weeks, the suspended government doctor, the alleged mastermind of the recently busted inter-state fake Indian currency notes (FICN) racket, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal. Acting on specific inputs, cops from the special investigation team (SIT) of Khandwa district police, raided a house in Bhopals Bagmugaliya area and arrested Dr Prateek Navlakhe along with his two aides. While the suspended government doctor, 43-year-old Prateek Navlakhe, hails from southwestern MPs Burhanpur district, the two other men arrested from the rented house on Sunday evening have been identified as 35-year-old Gopal alias Rahul (resident of MPs Harda district) and 43-year-old Dinesh Gore (who hails from Amravati-Maharashtra). Suspended MP doctor emerges as mastermind in inter-state fake currency racket busted in Maharashtra Dinesh Gore is the acting principal of a government school in Maharashtra, while Rahul is a property broker. FICN totalling Rs 25,000, nine cell-phones, a laptop, 32 ATM cards, 15 bank cheque books, a dryer machine and other incriminating material have been seized from the arrested trio, Khandwa district police superintendent Manoj Rai said on Monday. With this recent action, FICNs totalling over Rs 30 lakh have so far been seized by the Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh police teams from the possession of the seven arrested members of the inter-state racket and their whereabouts since October 30. Importantly, the alleged inter-state FICN racket was busted in Malegaon town of Maharashtras Nashik district on October 30 following the arrest of a Muslim cleric, Maulana Zuber and his key aide, Nazir. The Malegaon cops had seized from the duo, Rs 10 lakhs FICN, which they were to route to various parts of the western state. With Zubair being the Imam of a mosque located in Pethia village of southwestern MPs Khandwa district, the Khandwa district police raided the room where he stayed in the Imambara in Pethia village and recovered Rs 19.78 lakh FICN on November 2. An SIT was subsequently formed by the Khandwa district police superintendent into the entire case, and the two men, including Maulana Zubair, arrested in Malegaon town on October 30, were later brought to Khandwa (MP) for questioning. It was their questioning that confirmed the direction of the police investigation, about the suspended government doctor Pradeep Navlakhe being the mastermind of the inter-state racket. Navlakhes arrest from Bhopal is a breakthrough for us in the case, as he has emerged as the real mastermind of the racket. The laptop seized from the rented house in Bhopal contains details and designs of the FICNs, SP-Khandwa district Manoj Rai said. As per sources associated with the ongoing police probe, investigations strongly suggest many more Maharashtra links in the racket, including some major links in the Vidarbha region. Probe till now suggests that Dr Navlakhe was into FICNs for 4-5 months. Before that, he had also tried his hand at FICN, but failed to succeed completely. Importantly, back in 2022, Navlakhe (who was posted at the Burhanpur district hospital) was accused of opening an account in a private bank in the name of the hospital's peon and then parked around Rs 24 lakh. The account was closed after withdrawing the money. In 2022, Dr Navlakhe was suspended after he sold the hospitals equipment worth Rs 25 lakh as scrap. He was also suspected to be involved in hawala business, cricket betting and human trafficking. The suspended doctor met Mohd Zubair while being lodged in Khandwa jail. Zubair was lodged there in multiple cases of robbery and investment fraud. The Khandwa polices SIT suspect that it was at the Khandwa jail that Navlakhe convinced Zubair to become part of his network of FICN supply racket. Dr Navlakhe had tried his luck with FICN printing in the past and is accused of two to three cases of counterfeit Indian currency notes in Jalgaon and Bhusawal in Maharashtra. Barring Dr Navlakhe, the six others arrested in the case so far were possibly working as agents who searched prospective buyers of the fake currency notes and then supplied them to the customers. For every Rs one lakh, the racket got Rs 30,000 in authentic currency notes from the customers, then distributed to operatives. Ongoing investigations suggest that the finest quality wire used in the FICNs was sourced from China, while the paper was sourced from Maharashtras Vidarbha region. On October 30, when Maulana Zubair, along with an aide, was arrested with Rs 10 FICN in Malegaon (Maharashtra), Dr Navlakhe was present in Pune. With the help of his girlfriend, Dr Navlakhe first came to Bhopal via Burhanpur and later went into hiding in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), before returning and hiding in the rented flat with Dinesh Gores help. While investigations till now have revealed that the income generated from the FICN business was parked by Dr Navlakhe in his girlfriends bank account, the seizure of 32 ATM cards and 15 bank cheque books strongly suggests that the rackets mastermind was also parking alleged crime money in mule accounts.

From small-town lawyer to pinnacle of judiciary, 53rd CJI Surya Kant delivered many key verdicts

NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant, who took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday, has been part of several key verdicts, including orders on Presidential Reference on removing timelines for governors, abrogation of Article 370, Bihar electoral roll revision , the Pegasus spyware case, free speech, and citizenship rights. Coming from a middle-class family in Haryana's Hisar district, CJI Kant started his professional journey as a small-town lawyer before reaching the pinnacle of the Indian judiciary. He took oath in Hindi in the name of God, and will remain in charge for nearly 15 months, till demitting office on February 9, 2027, on attaining the age of 65. Delineating his top two priorities as the head of the judiciary, CJI Kant recently told the media that dealing with a huge backlog of more than five crore cases across courts and promoting game changer mediation as an alternative mode of dispute resolution will be his two important goals. CJI Kant was recently part of a five-judge Constitution bench headed by his predecessor Justice B R Gavai, which ruled that the court cannot impose any timelines on governors or the president to grant assent to Bills passed by the state assemblies, but at the same time said governors do not have unfettered powers to sit on the Bills for perpetuity. CJI Kant also penned several notable judgments in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and was appointed the chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018. His tenure as a Supreme Court judge is marked by verdicts on the abrogation of Article 370, free speech and citizenship rights. He was part of the bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be registered under it until a government review. CJI Kant also nudged the Election Commission to disclose the details of 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the poll panel's decision to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in the poll-bound state. In an order that emphasised grassroots democracy and gender justice, he led a bench that reinstated a woman sarpanch unlawfully removed from office and called out the gender bias in the matter. He is also credited with directing that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women. CJI Kant was part of the bench that appointed a five-member committee headed by former top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab in 2022, saying such matters required a judicially trained mind. He also upheld the 'One Rank-One Pension' scheme for defence forces, calling it constitutionally valid, and continues to hear petitions of women officers in the armed forces seeking parity in permanent commission. In another notable case, he upheld the Char Dham project in Uttarakhand, emphasising its strategic importance for national security, while balancing environmental concerns. His bench also observed that freedom of speech is not a licence to flout societal norms while cautioning podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia for his derogatory remarks. CJI Kant headed a bench which pulled up several stand-up comedians, including 'India's Got Latent' host Samay Raina, for ridiculing disabled people on their shows, and directed the Centre to come up with guidelines for regulating online content. Holding that freedom of speech is not absolute , CJI Kant led a bench which pulled up Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for his remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence for media briefings on 'Operation Sindoor', saying every word uttered by a minister has to be with a sense of responsibility. He has repeatedly underscored that corruption undermines governance and public trust. In a 2023 verdict, he called it a serious societal threat and ordered the CBI to probe 28 cases exposing an unholy nexus between banks and developers that defrauded homebuyers. He also led a bench that granted bail to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the CBI excise policy case, saying the agency must work to dispel the notion of being a caged parrot. His bench flagged the absence of a legal framework for domestic workers, directing the Centre to form an expert committee to propose protective measures for the vulnerable workforce. He has been part of more than 300 benches since his elevation to the Supreme Court. CJI Kant was also on the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University verdict, opening the way for reconsideration of its minority status. He was also part of the bench which in 2021 appointed a three-member panel of cyber experts to probe the alleged use of Israeli spyware Pegasus for surveillance of certain people in India, saying the state cannot get a free pass every time the spectre of national security is raised and it cannot be the ugbear that the judiciary shies away from. High Courts must respond quickly and accurately, just like emergency wards in hospitals: Justice Surya Kant

Three held in Uttarakhand for transporting youngsters to Myanmar to force them into cybercrime

Preliminary investigations revealed that Indian agents contacted the victims in person or through mobile applications such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and after extorting money, sent them to Bangkok.

Dehradun Diary | CM lauds Almora star Lakshya Sens triumphs

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally called badminton sensation Lakshya Sen, hailing his victory at the Australian Open Super 500. Sen, a native of Almora, was lauded by the CM for bringing glory to both Uttarakhand and the nation. Lakshyas hard work and dedication are an inspiration to our youth, Dhami stated. He emphasised that the win proves every difficult goal can be achieved through discipline and hard work. CM Dhami wished the champion a bright future, anticipating continued global success for the Devbhoomi star. Lakshya, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, had last won a Super 300 title at the Syed Modi International in Lucknow in 2024. Vlogger Sourav Joshi seeks security cover Haldwanis prominent YouTuber and vlogger Sourav Joshi, known for his massive following of 3.75 crore subscribers, has formally requested police protection in the run-up to his wedding. Sources indicate that the police have already activated their intelligence network in anticipation of potential trouble. Surveillance is being set up around the wedding venue to monitor any suspicious activity. Joshi, who faced an alleged `5 crore extortion threat last September involving gangster Himanshu Bhau, is set to marry Avantika Bhatt, a resident of Haldwani, soon. To avoid any untoward incident, family members recently met with police officials. Noted Dehradun city qazi passes away at 74 Dehradun is mourning the sudden demise of its long-serving city qazi, Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Qasmi, who passed away on Saturday evening at 74. The veteran cleric, who served for 44 years since 1981, collapsed while attending a wedding in Najibabad. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. A massive crowd gathered for his funeral prayers in Dehradun on Sunday. His passing is a huge loss for the entire community, remarked Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana. Qazi Qasmi had led his final Friday prayers in Dehradun just a day prior. Narendra Sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

Gelatin Sticks Found Near School in Uttarakhand's Almora

The incident came to light on November 21, when Subhash Singh, acting principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, Dabhra, located in the Salt area, spotted some suspicious packages in the bushes near the campus and informed the police

161 Gelatin Sticks Found Near School in Uttarakhands Almora; Police Begin Probe

Uttarakhand Police recovered 161 gelatin sticks near a school in Almoras Dabra village, triggering a major investigation. Bomb squads secured the explosives, and police have registered a case under the Explosive Substances Act with four special ...

Gelatin Sticks Found Near School In Uttarakhands Almora, Investigation Underway

Champawat (UKD), Nov 23: About 160 gelatin sticks were found hidden in bushes near a school in Almora district of Uttarakhand, police said on Sunday. Preliminary investigations have ruled out any terrorist links and it appears that the explosive were left behind by a contractor during construction of a road, Almora Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha said. The incident came to light on November 21, when Subhash Singh, acting principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, Dabhra, located in [] The post Gelatin Sticks Found Near School In Uttarakhands Almora, Investigation Underway appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Another explosive scare! Uttarakhand Police seize 20 Kg Gelatin Cache outside school in Almora; check details

A new explosive scare has gripped Uttarakhand's Almora district after a huge cache of gelatin sticks was found outside a government school. The stockpile weighs more than 20 kg and was found stuffed inside polythene bags. Police have arrested four people from Delhi's Rohini in connection with case.

Uttarakhand: Explosives found near Almora schools spark major security alert amid Delhi blast aftermath

Explosives were found near schools in Almora, Uttarakhand. Children discovered the cache of gelignite sticks. Authorities launched a search operation and increased security. A case has been registered against unknown individuals. The explosives may be linked to a past road construction project. Forensic teams are investigating the origin and purpose. The seized material will be destroyed after court clearance.

Huge Cache Of Explosives Found Near Uttarakhand School; Almora Police Launch Probe

A major security scare erupted in Uttarakhand after police recovered 161 gelatin sticks near a school in Almora, prompting a detailed investigation.

Large Quantity Of Explosives Found Near School In Uttarakhand's Almora

A large quantity of highly explosive gelatin sticks has been found near a school in a village in Uttarakhand, putting the police on alert in the Almora district.

Three Almora teachers killed in car crash in Uttarakhand

NAINITAL: Three persons were killed and one injured after a car plunged into a 60-feet-deep gorge near Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand. The three deceased have been identified as school teachers from Almora, who are said to have been returning from a wedding party. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) received the distress call from the Khairna Police Post regarding the accident site near Ratiaghat, a treacherous stretch along the route from Almora to Haldwani. The SDRF team, led by Inspector Rajesh Joshi from the Khairna post, mobilised immediately. Despite the extreme difficulty of the terrain, the deep ravine, and the heavy blanket of darkness, the rescue operation commenced without delay. The conditions were perilous. A 60-foot fall onto rocky ground, combined with the darkness, presented a major challenge to our team, stated Inspector Joshi. However, our primary focus was securing any survivors. The SDRF successfully extracted one critically injured survivor from the wreckage. He was stabilised at the scene and immediately transferred via a 108-ambulance to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention. Tragically, the bodies of the three deceased occupants were recovered from the deep gorge and handed over to local police officials for further legal formalities. The deceased have been identified as residents of Almora, and initial reports suggest they were returning with the wedding party. The dead have been identified as Sanjay Bisht, Surendra Bhandari and Pushkar Bhaisoda, all from Almora. The sole survivor airlifted to the hospital has been identified as Manoj Kumar, also a resident of Almora. Local police have initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the accident. The loss of three teachers in the accident has sent shockwaves through the educational community in the Almora district.

Amid bear terror in Uttarakhand hills, CM orders free treatment for injured, doubling of compensation

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhands mountainous regions are currently gripped by a terrifying surge in bear attacks, escalating concerns for both the forest department and the state government. In recent months, the number of recorded attacks has risen sharply, prompting immediate action from the highest levels of administration. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an urgent meeting with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Forests on Saturday. Directing swift measures, the CM declared, Providing timely and quality medical care to every individual injured in a wildlife attack is the state government's highest priority. He instructed officials that treatment must not be delayed and necessary resources must be made available immediately, with the government bearing the entire cost of treatment for those injured by bears or other wildlife. The government has already doubled the compensation for families of those killed in wildlife attacks, raising it from 5 lakh to 10 lakh. However, the statistics remain grim: over the last five years, bears have claimed 16 lives and injured 438 people in Uttarakhand. Locals in the affected hills are expressing growing frustration, particularly as attacks are now being reported in areas previously considered safe. Forest officials attribute the increased aggression to food scarcity, noting that a lack of adequate sustenance, including shortages in certain crops, is driving bears into human settlements. A recent alarming incident occurred in Harshil, Uttarkashi, where a Nepali national working in apple orchards was severely mauled. Hari Bahadur sustained deep wounds to his face and body before being rescued and rushed for treatment. Forest Range Officer Yashwant Chauhan confirmed the severity of the attack, stating the injured man was referred to the District Hospital Uttarkashi for specialized care. The fear is palpable. In areas like Bhatwadi, residents are hesitant to venture into forests for essential resources like fodder. Disaster Management Officer Shardul Gosai confirmed nine incidents in the district recently, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries. Locals suggest this level of bear aggression is unprecedented in the last decade. The administration is now focused on enhancing safety protocols and public awareness campaigns amidst the escalating human-wildlife conflict.

Uttarakhand villages impose Rs one lakh fine on liquor, fast food at weddings

DEHRADUN: In a dramatic move to curb extravagance and preserve cultural heritage, 25 villages in the remote Jaunsar-Bawar tribal belt of Uttarakhand have collectively resolved to ban all forms of liquor and modern fast food from social functions, backing the decree with a stringent penalty of Rs 1 Lakh for non-compliance. The sweeping set of nine unanimous resolutions, finalised in a recent village council meeting, targets perceived social inequality and unnecessary expenditure associated with contemporary celebrations, particularly weddings. The resolutions cover the entire Khat Saili region. If anyone dares to treat guests with items like 'chowmein', 'momos', 'tikkis', pizza, or pasta, they will face a penalty of Rs 1 Lakh, confirmed a village elder following the crucial meeting held in Doha village under the chairmanship of Rajendra Singh Tomar. The ban is comprehensive. It strictly prohibits the serving of alcohol, including beer, at all marriages and celebratory functions. The community leaders emphasised that the primary goal is to foster social parity among attendees. People are actually happier with these decisions, noted a source close to the council, highlighting the unusual local support for such rigid restrictions. These measures are squarely aimed at preserving our traditional culture and preventing frivolous spending that often strains families. Instead of expensive modern tokens, gifting between the bride and grooms families will now be restricted to traditional staples. The customary exchange will now involve only goat meat, flour, and rice. Furthermore, the practice of a married daughter gifting a goat has been explicitly halted. In weddings, only goat meat, flour, rice, and traditional homemade liquor will be permitted, stated the resolution draft. The exchange of silver coins, dry fruits, and other expensive gifts has been strictly disallowed. This latest decree builds upon an earlier measure implemented in October within the broader Jaunsar-Bawar region, specifically targeting women's attire at functions. Previously, villages in Chakrata had imposed a rule limiting women to wearing no more than three pieces of traditional jewelry at weddings or other events. This restriction has now been adopted by the 25 Khat Saili villages. Under the new guidelines, women are permitted to wear only three specific traditional ornaments: the nose ring (phulli), earrings (jhumki or tungul), and a necklace (kandudi or mangalsutra). The Panchayat stated that all these decisions were taken with the objective of safeguarding traditional culture and imposing a check on unnecessary expenses, an official spokesperson explained. The collective decision sends a powerful message across the tribal belt: future celebrations must revert to indigenous culinary and gifting practices, effectively drawing a clear line against globalisations influence on their deeply rooted social fabric. Any family violating these nine new collective norms risks not only a hefty fine but also social boycott, as neighbors have agreed not to attend functions hosted by violators.

Uttarakhand receives Rs 200 crore incentive for mining sector reforms

The Union ministry of mines has awarded Uttarakhand an additional incentive of Rs 100 crore under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI) for the year 2025-26, recognising the state's achievements in minor mineral reforms.

CBSE warns of decline in teen etiquette amid rising online abuse

DEHRADUN: Officials from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have issued a stern warning about a noticeable decline in conversational etiquette and conduct among teenagers from affluent backgrounds attending affiliated schools, particularly in regions like Uttarakhand. The board is urging parents to closely monitor their childrens language and the content they consume online. The concern was formally documented in a letter circulated by Dr Anupam Jagga, Principal of a prominent Haridwar school and CBSE Regional Coordinator. The advisory highlights a troubling rise in profanity and inappropriate material shared among students. The most worrying aspect is the sharp drop in the standard of language used, Dr Jagga said, citing observations from recent counselling sessions. He noted that students preparing for IIT entrance exams, while acknowledging the importance of discipline and six to eight hours of daily self-study, are increasingly diverting this time to online media rather than books and newspapers. In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in students using abusive language in casual conversations, Dr Jagga observed, identifying web series on OTT platforms as a major catalyst for the shift. Short-term observational checks conducted by the school reportedly revealed habitual use of abusive language, harassment of peers, and the sharing of explicit content. Reacting to the trend, law student Chetna Thapliyal expressed concern over content creators priorities. OTT filmmakers need to realise that dialogue can be powerful without relying on profanity. In this rush for monetisation, the content being served is eroding the speaking style and basic courtesy of the younger generation, she said. Echoing the need for intervention, NEET qualifier Arnav Gandhi emphasised the role of schools. Institutions must immediately start mandatory counselling sessions and classes focused on teaching students to overcome the tendency towards abusive language, he suggested. Guidelines for Parents: Dr Jagga outlined key recommendations for parents to help re-establish behavioural norms: Digital Dialogue: Engage in regular discussions about what children watch, share, or write online. Language Policing: Encourage polite and respectful language, including on digital platforms. Digital Footprint: Explain that every post or comment leaves a permanent digital record. Device-Free Zones: Set aside times and areas, especially during meals and before bedtime, where devices are prohibited. Balance Trust: Monitor social media usage while maintaining a healthy balance between supervision and trust. Promote Real Interaction: Encourage reading, sports, and real-world social engagement over excessive screen time.

AI cant replace books: CM Dhami stresses need to preserve local culture and languages

DEHRADUN: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday unveiled Uttarakhand Rajya Ka Naveen Rajnitik Itihaas (The New Political History of Uttarakhand State), a comprehensive book authored by senior journalist and acclaimed writer Jai Singh Rawat. The volume meticulously documents the political, administrative and developmental journey of the state since its formation. No matter how advanced AI becomes, there is no scope for it to replace books, Chief Minister Dhami said, emphasising the enduring value of literature while praising the effort to capture the states history in print. The Chief Minister noted that although extensive literature exists on Uttarakhands history and culture, synthesising two and a half decades of post-formation events based on facts, documents and analysis was a monumental task. Divided into five parts, the book is expected to be particularly useful for researchers, students and those preparing for administrative services. CM Dhami commended Rawat for presenting an authentic account of the states initial phase of political instability using rare documents and press clippings. Highlighting the seriousness of the task, Dhami said, Writing history is a serious responsibility requiring facts, vision and honesty. Jai Singh Rawat has preserved this era with journalistic integrity and fearlessness. Appealing for a cultural shift, he added, At any function, please give a book, not a bouquet, suggesting the practice would encourage greater interest in literature and inspire writers. Addressing the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Chief Minister stressed the collective responsibility to safeguard regional languages such as Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari. Language, culture and customs are not just means of expression; they are the foundation of our identity and heritage, he asserted, urging students to promote literature and content in local languages. Dhami confirmed that the government is actively introducing initiatives to encourage and honour young content creators producing material in local languages, including writing, song collections, research and digital content. Concluding his remarks, he reiterated the irreplaceable value of books: No matter how advanced AI becomes, there is no scope for it to replace books. Books are not just a source of knowledge; they are a deep process of thinking, understanding and learning. He added that the government is prioritising the digitisation of local dialects to ensure these cultural treasures remain accessible to future generations.

Probe says over 20 crore spurious Tirumala laddus sold between 20192024

Investigators trace these adulterated consignments to Bhole Baba Dairy (Uttarakhand) and its associated firms, AR Dairy (Tamil Nadu), Vyshnavi Dairy (Andhra Pradesh) and Mal Ganga Dairy (Uttar Pradesh).

48 fake domicile certificates cancelled in Uttarakhand'after CM Dhami orders statewide review

DEHRADUN: A statewide review of potentially fraudulent domicile certificates in Uttarakhand has led to the cancellation of 48 bogus documents in Haldwani, following a directive from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to examine all such certificates issued over the past three years. The action stems from an ongoing investigation into forged documents after an initial gang involved in creating fake paperwork was exposed. The first phase of the inquiry, conducted by the Nainital District Magistrates office, focused on certificates issued in the Haldwani tehsil over the past five years. Early scrutiny of nearly 200 documents revealed major inconsistencies. During the first phase of verification in the Banbhulpura area, our team found suspicious elements in the supporting documents of 48 domicile certificates, Rahul Shah, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Haldwani, told TNIE. We have cancelled all 48 immediately. SDM Shah said the verification process is rigorous, involving cross-checking everything from the phone numbers provided to the authenticity of the supporting paperwork. The ongoing drive accelerated after a high-profile complaint surfaced during a recent public grievance hearing (Janta Darbar) conducted by Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat. A complainant alleged that an individual who had recently moved from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, managed to secure a residency certificate in Haldwani using forged documents just two months earlier. Commissioner Rawat then launched a discreet inquiry, which traced the application back to a local deed writer operating within the Haldwani tehsil. This investigation exposed the clear involvement of middlemen actively facilitating fraud, a source close to the Commissioners office said. The probe led Commissioner Rawat to raid a Common Service Centre (CSC) in the Banbhulpura area. Officials recovered several incriminating documents, leading to the registration of a case against the alleged document writer, Faizan, and the beneficiary, Laik. Police investigations later revealed the alleged complicity of an employee from the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). Banbhulpura police subsequently arrested all three accused individuals, who have since been sent to jail. The administration has stated that the investigation is ongoing. We are scrutinising documents daily, SDM Rahul Shah added. Our aim is to conclude the verification of all targeted certificates within the next 10 to 15 days, the figure of which is expected to be around 1,200. Authorities are also monitoring several other deed writers suspected of involvement in similar rackets. Several have already been issued official notices by the district administration as efforts continue to clean up residency records across the district.

Uttarakhand: Elderly NRI womans ancestral land grabbed in Dehradun; 27 booked for fraud

DEHRADUN: A shocking case of land grabbing has surfaced in Dehradun involving an 80-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) woman. A land mafia allegedly forged documents to seize her six-bigha ancestral property in Bharuwala Grant and sold it to multiple buyers. The woman, Neelam Misal, discovered the fraud after noticing construction activity on her land. She subsequently filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of a case against 27 accused individuals. Misal learned that her six bighas (approximately 5,400 square yards) of inherited land had not only been illegally occupied but also subdivided into plots and sold for crores of rupees while she was living abroad. According to police sources, upon returning to Dehradun, Misalwho currently resides in Maharani Bagh, South Delhi, and has lived in the US for many yearswas shocked to find the entire tract of land in Bharuwala Grant already developed, with houses, foundations, and demarcated plots in place. I couldnt believe my eyes, Misal stated through her appointed representative, Zeeshan of Saharanpur, who is handling the legal proceedings in India. My ancestral home was gone, replaced by a massive, illegal construction project. This was not just theft; it was a systematic, organized attack on my heritage. A probe into property records at the Sub-Registrars office has uncovered a large-scale forgery operation. Police sources say the fraud involved fake sale deeds and other forged documents that were meticulously planned and executed. Following the discovery, Misal registered a formal complaint at the Clementown Police Station in Dehradun. In a significant development, the police have filed a case against 27 individuals under serious sections related to fraud, forgery, and illegal land grabbing. Mohan Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Clementown, confirmed the registration of the First Information Report (FIR). The complaint names 27 individuals, including key figures such as Sheikh Saad Ullah, Irfan Haider, Nadeem Khan, Sheikh Farukh Ullah, and Imran Faridi, among others, SHO Singh said. We have initiated a thorough investigation into all allegations of document forgery and conspiracy. Police sources indicate that the entire incident is being treated as the work of a highly organized land-mafia network operating within Dehradun and surrounding areas. Initial findings suggest that the gang has been actively involved in forging documents and seizing land, often targeting properties belonging to people living outside the state or abroad. The sophistication of the forgery suggests a well-established criminal enterprise, remarked a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity. We are currently tracing the financial transactions related to the plot sales and expect the investigation to uncover more individuals involved in this deep-rooted racket.

Leopard menace intensifies in Uttarakhand as 48 dangerous felines held in rescue centres

DEHRADUN: Wildlife activity in the diverse and heavily forested state of Uttarakhand, which spans 54,483 square kilometres, is increasingly dominated by the threat posed by leopards, authorities confirm. While tiger populations are surveyed every four years jointly by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India, accurate census data for leopards remains elusive, though officials estimate the population at roughly 1,200. However, recent trends indicate a significant escalation in leopard aggression, leading to some animals being classified as man-eaters. This increased ferocity has resulted in 48 leopards currently being held in four state rescue centres across Uttarakhand. The fear generated by these predators is widespread, affecting nearly every region of the state. In addition to the captured man-eaters, officials are actively trapping leopards observed near populated areas and relocating them to remote, dense forest reserves in an attempt to prevent their return to human settlements. Data on wildlife attacks consistently show leopards responsible for the majority of incidents affecting local residents. The animals are reportedly venturing into human habitations with the same frequency as domestic livestock. The rising number of attacks is a major challenge and a source of significant concern for residents, noted a senior Forest Department official. According to Dr Vivek Pandey, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), only those leopards confirmed as man-eaters are being permanently housed in the rescue facilities. Leopards active near human settlements that have not been declared man-eaters are captured and released into distant, dense forests, Dr Pandey explained. The clear intention behind this is to ensure they do not return to the area from which they were captured. The inherent skills of the leopard contribute to its success as a predator, according to wildlife experts. Wildlife expert and former Forest Department Deputy Director Ranganath Pandey offered a concise profile of the leopards characteristics to this newspaper. Behaviourally, Pandey highlighted their versatility. They are excellent climbers, swimmers, and hunters, he stated, adding that their nocturnal activity, combined with keen senses and stealth, makes them formidable predators.

71 deaths since 2000: Rising bear attacks in Uttarakhand spark fear as locals avoid venturing out after dusk

DEHRADUN: The picturesque mountain regions of Uttarakhand, already vulnerable to natural disasters, are now facing a terrifying new threat: escalating human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving bears. Residents across the Garhwal region, long accustomed to occasional encounters with leopards and tigers, are grappling with a sharp surge in bear attacks, fueling widespread panic. Villagers are reportedly avoiding venturing out after dusk for fear of attacks. This year alone, bear encounters have claimed the lives of seven people. Officials admit that containment efforts are proving challenging, as strategies implemented in one district often leave other areas exposed to attacks. These massive animals are attacking people with such ferocity that locals are either being maimed, losing limbs, or losing their lives, said a local, describing the predatory nature of bears that strike day and night. The latest incident occurred on Monday morning in Pauri Garhwals Bironkhal block, where 40-year-old Lakshmi Devi was severely injured while cutting grass with other women. A bear, concealed in dense bushes, launched a sudden attack, leaving her with critical injuries to her head and right eye. Witnesses said Devis face was covered in blood before the bear was scared away by the screams of others. She was initially treated at Bironkhal Community Health Centre and later referred to a higher facility for specialized care. Similar attacks have been reported in Paithani and Thalisain, with bears repeatedly targeting victims heads and faces. Between 2000 and November 17 this year, Uttarakhand has recorded 71 deaths and 2,009 injuries in bear attacks, highlighting the gravity of the situation. R.K. Mishra, PCCF Wildlife, attributed the unusual aggression to climatic shifts. This year, there has been very little snowfall in the high-altitude regions, and winter arrived late. Normally, bears hibernate by early November, but the lack of snow and scarcity of food are keeping them active, leading to increased restlessness and aggression, he explained.

No live-in: All-caste khap makes parental consent must for love marriages

LUCKNOW: An all-caste Sarv Khap Panchayat in Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, unanimously passed 11 resolutions against what it called the prevalent social evils, including opposition to live-in relationships and homosexuality and making parental consent for love marriage mandatory. The panchayat also recommended ending traditional 13-day death feast. Notably, it set up a committee to enforce the decisions, with the next meeting scheduled for 2035. Organised in Sorum village of Shahpur Nagar panchayat area on Tuesday, it saw former Union minister Sanjeev Balyan and present Uttar Pradesh minister Kapil Dev Agarwal among the prominent attendees that attracted around 15,000 people. The khap, which witnessed the participation of khap chaudharis and thumbedars of around 36 communities, along with farmers and common people, held three-day deliberations on what the organisers called social evils, traditions, and vices spreading in the society. Participants came from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The chaudhary of the Balyan Khap and Bharatiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait and national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also attended the event. Budhana MLA Rajpal Balyan and Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik also participated in it. Its leaders decided that an all-caste panchayat should be held once in a decade to address social evils. What the Sarv Khap Panchayat resolved Ban on death feasts, female feticide, and dowry system Initiative for de-addiction Opposition to live-in relationships, homosexuality Parental consent for love marriage Girl child education Environmental, cow protection

Reversing migration trends: Youths return to Uttarakhand villages, majority self-employed

DEHRADUN: In a heartening trend, a significant number of youths returning to their villages in Uttarakhand to start anew. According to the State Migration Commission's survey report on reverse migration, a total of 6,282 migrants have returned to their villages, with 43 per cent of them belonging to the 25-35 age group. We are seeing a positive trend of people returning to their villages and starting afresh. Many are adopting agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, and self-employment as their primary occupation, said a senior official. The survey reveals that 39 per cent of the returnees have started farming, horticulture, and allied activities, while 21.5 per cent have ventured into tourism-related businesses. Pauri district tops the list of districts with the highest number of returnees, followed by Almora and Tehri. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a game-changer in this trend. Many people who had migrated to other states or countries are now returning to their villages, said an expert. The survey also highlights that 169 migrants have returned from foreign countries, with Tehri district recording the highest number of returnees. Additionally, 4,769 migrants have returned from other states in the country, while 1,127 have returned from other districts within the state. The State Migration Commission's report highlights the need to support these returnees and provide them with the necessary infrastructure and resources to sustain their livelihoods. As one returnee Vimal Kumar in Tehri Garhwal said, We are happy to be back in our village and start anew. We hope the government will provide us with the necessary support to make our ventures successful. With the right support, these returnees can become the backbone of the state's economy and help reverse the trend of migration. Breakdown of returnees by age group: - 25-35 years: 43% - Below 25 years: 28.66% - Above 35 years: 29.09% Occupations Adopted by Returnees: - Agriculture: 39% - Tourism: 21.5% - Animal Husbandry: 18%

MGNREGA employment declines for second year in a row

Lib Tech tracker shows 11.7% fall in persondays in FY 2025-26; States such as Uttarakhand and Telangana see steep drops

Uttarakhand again bags Rs 100 crore central incentive, becomes No. 1 in mining reforms

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has once again succeeded in securing a major incentive from the Central Government due to remarkable performance and continuous reforms in the mining sector. The Ministry of ...

Sweet life? Leopards in UPs sugarcane fields are turning soft and fatter, refusing to return to the wild, say forest officers

Leopards in western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are being deemed unfit for release due to their adaptation to sugarcane fields, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict. These big cats have become heavier, slower, and accustomed to humans, prompting officials to send them to zoos instead of back into the wild.

UKMSSB Nursing Officer recruitment 2025 notification out for 690 posts at ukmssb.org, apply here

The Uttarakhand Medical Service Selection Board (UKMSSB) has released the Nursing Officer (NO) recruitment 2025 notification for 690 posts across the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Medical Education Department. Eligible candidates with B.Sc. Nursing or GNM qualifications can apply online at ukmssb.org. Vacancies are available for both male and female candidates across SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and general categories. Applications are open until December 22, 2025, for some posts, with selection through written exam, document verification, and medical examination.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Sikkim to review operational preparedness

NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), arrived in Sikkim on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. This follows his comment on Monday that relations between India and China have improved a lot over the last year . He attributed this change to a rise in communication at various levels between the two countries. General Dwivedi will be meeting the commanders posted there and review the operational preparedness of the force. The Trishakti Corps based in Sukna, West Bengal, is mandated to defend the 220-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) along Sikkim. There has been disengagement of Indian and Chinese forces from all standoff points in October 2024. But the troops, along with their equipment and armaments, remain deployed close to the 832-km LAC in eastern Ladakh. China had carried out a massive force deployment in eastern Ladakh after PLA soldiers clashed with Indian Army troops at Finger 4 in May 2020. Around a year after the May 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, a new hotline between the two countries was established. The New Indian Express earlier reported that the new hotline was established between Indian Army in Kongra La, North Sikkim, and PLA at Khamba Dzong in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to further the spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders. The armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at ground commander level. There are now six hotlines, with two in eastern Ladakh, two in Sikkim and two in Arunachal Pradesh. The other five hotlines have been established along the meeting points at the LAC at Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, and at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. India shares a 3488-km border with China that runs along the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The length of the border along Sikkim is 220 km. Sikkim also shares borders with Nepal and Bhutan To the south of Sikkim lies the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch adjoining Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, measuring about 170x60km, and at its narrowest, around 20-22km, which holds tremendous geopolitical importance. Functioning as a crucial link connecting the northeast of India with the rest of the country, it accommodates major national highways, railway lines, pipelines, and optical fiber connectivity. In 2023, it was announced that border guarding forces are set to play a pivotal role in fortifying the security of the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chickens Neck, during peacetime.

Kedarnaths record rush leaves behind 2,324 tonnes of waste, raising concerns over Himalayan ecology

DEHRADUN: The recent pilgrimage season at the revered Kedarnath Dham witnessed an unprecedented surge, with over 17.68 lakh devotees allegedly flocking to the world-famous shrine for darshan . While the spiritual turnout was historic, it has also cast a harsh spotlight on a monumental waste management crisis, with authorities collecting a staggering 2,324 tonnes of garbage. The Kedarnath shrine, which saw the closing of its portals on 23 October after a nearly six-month season, is now grappling with the consequences of this massive influx. The volume of waste this year has significantly surpassed previous seasons, stated a senior official from the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB). We collected over 325 tonnes more waste this year compared to the last pilgrimage cycle. The sheer scale of the litter, comprising plastic bottles, discarded raincoats and other non-biodegradable material, necessitated an intensive ten-day post-season clean-up drive across the temple premises and the arduous trekking routes. Responsibility for sanitation along the route, stretching from Sonprayag and Gaurikund up to the high-altitude temple, rests primarily with Sulabh International, which deploys over 450 Paryavaran Mitras (Environmental Friends) annually. The waste is meticulously segregated. Animal waste from mules and ponies ferrying supplies and pilgrims is collected separately from plastic and organic refuse. While plastic and animal dung are processed near Sonprayag, the organic waste must be transported nearly 70 km to the district headquarters in Raintoli, incurring massive logistical costs. Environmental experts are voicing serious concerns over the escalating impact of unchecked tourism on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Chandan Nayal, an environmentalist, told this newspaper, The 325-tonne increase is deeply worrying. Rising human activity in these sensitive zones is severely disrupting the ecological balance. We are seeing similar spikes in trash during trekking and adventure tourism as well. Nayal highlighted a critical issue, The most unfortunate aspect of plastic waste here is how it accelerates snow melt, further destabilising the environment. Tourism, whether religious or adventure-based, must become strictly eco-friendly. Dhananjay Pathak, in charge of Sulabh Internationals operations, confirmed the logistical strain. The waste is moved from the Dham down to Gaurikund via mules and our ground staff. From there, the organic waste is transported by vehicles to Rudraprayag district headquarters. Our team of over 450 workers strives tirelessly throughout the season.

Tiger poaching probe: SC lifts seven-year freeze on CBI investigation in Corbett park

DEHRADUN: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Central Government, the Uttarakhand State Government, and a former senior wildlife official, signalling a possible revival of the long-stalled CBI probe into alleged tiger poaching and collusion within the Corbett Tiger Reserve. A bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai agreed to examine a plea seeking the removal of a seven-year-old interim stay that has effectively frozen the Central Bureau of Investigations inquiry into the suspicious deaths of tigers in the renowned national park. The matter was brought before the court by environmental activist Atul Sati, who has consistently campaigned for a transparent investigation. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora and advocate Govind Ji argued that the stay, imposed in 2018, must be lifted without delay. Evidence gathered during the initial CBI investigation pointed towards collusion between forest officials and poachers, Govind Ji submitted. Despite these serious preliminary findings, this investigative freeze has remained in place for seven years. Uttarakhand activist seeks lifting of SC stay to revive CBI probe into Corbett tiger poaching The controversy originates from a 2018 Uttarakhand High Court order directing the CBI to investigate tiger deaths over the preceding five years, specifically examining whether there was a nexus between forest officials and organised poaching gangs. Following the High Courts directive, the CBI registered a preliminary inquiry around October 2018, assessing technical reports from institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). However, the investigation was soon halted after D.S. Khati, then Chief Wildlife Warden, approached the Supreme Court, claiming he had not been given a fair opportunity to present his case. On 22 October 2018, the Supreme Court issued an ex-parte interim stay, suspending the CBIs work. Environmental activist Atul Sati, who has now petitioned the apex court to lift the stay, maintains that crucial information was not disclosed when the stay was first granted. Speaking to TNIE , Sati said, The initial CBI probe indicated that some forest officials were actively working in tandem with poaching syndicates. A thorough and impartial investigation is critically needed in this matter. The lawyer representing the officials accused in the case opposed the immediate removal of the stay, requesting time to file a comprehensive response due to the seriousness of the allegations. The Supreme Court acknowledged the gravity of the issue and granted the Union Government, the State Government, and former Chief Wildlife Warden D.S. Khati three weeks to file their replies. The bench stated that further action would be determined after hearing all parties. The case is expected to be heard next in three weeks, tentatively on 12 December. It is noteworthy that tiger poaching in the Corbett Tiger Reserve came to light in 2015 after a tiger skin was found with smugglers arrested in Nepal. An investigation revealed that the skin had been smuggled from Corbett. In 2016, the Haridwar STF recovered five tiger skins and 125 kilogrammes of bones, four of which were confirmed to have come from tigers in Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Uttarakhand Nursing Officer recruitment 2025: Notification released for 587 posts at ukmssb.org; check steps to apply here

The Uttarakhand Medical Service Selection Board is recruiting 587 Nursing Officers. Applications open on November 27, 2025, and close on December 17, 2025. Both diploma and degree holders can apply for these Group C positions. This recruitment offers a significant opportunity for healthcare professionals in Uttarakhand. Interested candidates should visit the official website for details and application procedures.

50% quota cap cant be breached in Maharashtra local body polls: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra government not to exceed the 50% reservation policy in local body elections that are scheduled for next month, warning to stay the polls if the quota limits are breached. The SC was hearing a batch of pleas concerning the Maharashtra governments decision to implement a fresh OBC reservation matrix for local body elections based on the Banthia Commissions findings. The Maharashtra government had set up the Banthia Commission to carry out this exercise. A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said that the local body elections in the state can only be held as per the situation prevailing prior to the 2022 J K Banthia Commission report, which recommended a 27% quota in Other Backward Class (OBC) categories. During the course of the hearing on Monday, the court asked, How can reservation exceed 50%? It questioned theSolicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra. The commissions report and the states attempt to implement a revised reservation matrix on its basis are now under scrutiny before this court, it said. On the request of the Mehta, the bench fixed the matter for hearing on November 19. Meanwhile, it asked the state government not to exceed the 50% ceiling. The top court added, We never meant to exceed the 50% reservation cap set by the constitution bench. We cant do so sitting in a two-judge bench. The Banthia Commission report is still sub judice; we allowed holding elections as per the situation prevailing earlier. If the plea is that nomination has begun and the court should stay its hand, then we will stay the elections. Dont test the powers of this court, the top court said. Also in top court Response sought on soaring airfares The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice. Uttarakhand government asked to do damage control The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttarakhand government to undertake restoration measures in the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. A bench headed by CJI B R Gavai directed the chief wildlife warden to ensure demolition of all unauthorised structures within three months.

SC directs Uttarakhand to undo environmental damage in Corbett Tiger reserve

The Supreme Court has issued firm directions to the Uttarakhand government to undo the ecological harm caused in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, ordering that all illegal constructions inside the protected area be demolished within three months. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justices Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, made it clear [] The post SC directs Uttarakhand to undo environmental damage in Corbett Tiger reserve appeared first on India Legal .

Supreme Court judgment makes Uttarakhand liable to restore, repair Corbett Tiger Reserve

Supreme Court orders Uttarakhand to restore the Corbett Tiger Reserve after illegal tree-felling, mandating demolition of unauthorised structures and a restoration plan within months

SC directs Uttarakhand govt to take steps to restore Corbett Tiger Reserve

Issuing a slew of directions, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai directed the chief wildlife warden to work in consultation with the apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee to ensure demolition of all unauthorised structures within three months. The CEC shall supervise the ecological restoration plan developed by Uttarakhand, the bench directed.

SC issues directions on conservation measures at Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a slew of directions to ensure conservation measures at the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, ordering Uttarakhand to undertake restoration work to compensate for illegal tree felling and to demolish all unauthorised structures within three months. In the nutshell, we have held that if tourism has to be promoted, it has to be eco-tourism. We have directed special treatment to those working in the core area away from their families, said a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai. The other judges on the bench were Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria. While delivering the verdict, the top court listed activities to be banned in the buffer zone and catchment areas. The judgement followed a plea by TN Godavarman seeking directions to ensure conservation measures at the reserve. The ruling relates to permissions for the planned Pakhro Tiger Safari project at the park. The infrastructure of the forest camp must receive facilities like clean water etc, the Court said, directing the chief wildlife warden to ensure the demolition of unauthorised structures within three months. Highlighting the need for special treatment for staff posted in the core area away from their families, the Court asked the court-appointed panel to supervise the ecological restoration plan prepared by the Uttarakhand government. It also criticised former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Divisional Forest Officer Kishan Chand for damage caused to the park. The Court issued further guidelines, stating that any tiger safari activity must comply with the National Tiger Conservation Authoritys 2019 rules. It ordered the establishment of rescue centres and regulation of vehicle numbers. The Court also clarified that there should be no outsourcing of staff functions, and suggested awarding medals to staff members as an incentive.

Uttarakhand Police bust cybergang swindling victims of Rs 3.37 crore

NAINITAL: Uttarakhand Police have arrested four members of a major interstate cybercrime network for allegedly hacking into people's phones and transferring money from their bank accounts. The gang allegedly used to send links on social media to gain access to victims' phones. All transactions were made to mule accounts to keep their identities hidden, police said on Sunday. According to a preliminary probe, transactions of Rs 3.37 crore have been found to be suspicious. Tallital police intercepted a car at Bhediyapakhad mod in Do Gaon on Saturday during a checking drive conducted by Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra and Deputy Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar. Police said the four occupants of the car were found suspicious, and a thorough search revealed 11 phones, nine SIM cards, several Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, QR codes, and several debit and credit cards. During interrogation, they revealed that they sent APK files via social media to access victims' phones. After hacking the devices, they transferred money to various mule accounts. Police said that a QR code was linked to a bank account related to a case in Delhi. Shubham Gupta from Alwar, Rajasthan; Piyush Goyal from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh; Rishabh Kumar from Ghaziabad, UP and Mohit Rathi from Gurugram, Haryana have been arrested. Several high-end smartphones and a car used by the accused have also been confiscated.

Uttarakhand Police bust cybergang swindling victims of 3.37 crore

The gang allegedly used to send links on social media to gain access to victims' phones

Saffron sunset will begin in Uttarakhand: Former CM Harish Rawat on Congress revamp for 2027 polls

DEHRADUN: In a strategic move signaling the commencement of preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the Congress High Command has initiated a significant overhaul of the state party organisation. Ganesh Godiyal has been appointed as the new President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC). Harish Rawat, the former Chief Minister, hailed the changes as extremely significant and entirely positive. He noted that the changes have brought a fresh wave of energy. Just as transformation began from Uttarakhand in 2002, the beginning of change will once again originate from this state this time, Rawat asserted. The BJPs sunset will occur from Uttarakhand. Once again, the sun will rise for Congress in Uttarakhand. The reshuffle also sees former State President Pritam Singh elevated to the post of Campaign Committee Chairman, while senior leader and former cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat has been tasked with leading the Election Management Committee. These organisational adjustments have reportedly injected a fresh wave of enthusiasm among the party cadres across the state. The formal assumption of charge by the new leadership on Sunday saw a major congregation of senior party figures at the state headquarters in Dehradun. Former CM Rawat was prominently present, lending his weight to the new structure. Addressing the media, Rawat welcomed the changes, describing them as entirely positive. He highlighted the palpable energy surrounding the transition. Today, the enthusiasm among Congress workers to welcome our new President is unprecedented, Rawat stated. From the airport right up to the Pradesh Congress office, there is a massive gathering of workers. The Congress hand and the tricolour are visible everywhere. Rawat further congratulated the party workers for displaying such vigor, especially in the wake of the recent electoral setback in Bihar. He emphasised that the current unity sends a clear message: The party still possesses full strength and vigour. In an exclusive conversation with TNIE , former CM Rawat drew parallels with the past, predicting a decisive victory in the next polls. Just as transformation began from Uttarakhand in 2002, the beginning of change will once again originate from this state this time, Rawat asserted. He concluded with a powerful declaration aimed at the ruling party: The BJPs sunset will occur from Uttarakhand. Once again, the sun will rise for Congress in Uttarakhand. The ceremony marking Godiyal's taking charge was attended by several key stakeholders, underscoring a unified front within the state unit.

Uttarakhand activist seeks lifting of SC stay to revive CBI probe into Corbett tiger poaching

DEHRADUN: A prominent environmental activist from Uttarakhand has formally requested the Supreme Court to vacate a seven-year-old stay order and revive a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged tiger poaching rackets operating within the Corbett National Park. Atul Sati, based in Joshimath, applied in early November, arguing that the Supreme Court was misled in 2018 when it halted the investigation ordered by the Uttarakhand High Court. Speaking to the TNIE , Satis counsel Govind Jee alleged that critical evidence, including findings from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the NTCA report, and an internal report by then HoFF Jairaj, was deliberately withheld from the apex court. The stay was granted in October 2018 on a petition filed by the then Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden, D.S. Khati. Khati had contended that the High Court ordered the CBI probe solely on the basis of newspaper reports and without hearing the states perspective. Khati misled the court, Satis application states. The CBI probe had been ordered after damning facts emerged about the scale of poaching. The recovery of tiger skins in Nepal, later authenticated by WII as originating from Corbett tigers, suggested a sophisticated cross-border poaching network requiring a federal-level investigation. A CBI affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court in October 2020 revealed evidence indicating connivance between forest officers and poachers, as well as failures to follow NTCA guidelines in tiger death cases. Further inquiry is needed to confirm allegations of evidence tampering by officers. Notably, the Supreme Court had stayed the earlier CBI probe (SeptemberOctober 2018) following Khatis petition. The application, filed through advocate Govind Jee, directly counters the claim that the state was unheard. It points out that Khati himself had previously filed an affidavit in the High Court, contradicting his later claim that he was denied an opportunity to present the states response. The original High Court order in 2018 arose from proceedings concerning illegal constructions in Corbett, which also called for a high-level probe into poaching. An RTI reply submitted during the case showed that Uttarakhand Police had seized 55 tiger and leopard skins between 2014 and February 2017. Sati argues that Khati exploited an inadvertent clerical errororders from a 2017 poaching plea were mistakenly typed under a 2012 construction petitionto claim before the Supreme Court that the probe was ordered without due process for forest officers. Sati urged the immediate lifting of the stay, warning of serious consequences. The prolonged stay has effectively stymied chances of detecting and dismantling the transnational and inter-state network behind the poaching of tigers in the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), which was found to be active in Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, and which may still be operational. Sati said he pursued the issue after successfully monitoring another court-supervised inquiry into illegal tree felling for a safari project, which led to sanctions for prosecution against several officers.

Corbett vultures fly 1,000 km for food: Study

BAGESHWAR: In a remarkable display of endurance, vultures native to Uttarakhands famed Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) are undertaking massive migratory journeys, travelling up to 1,000 kilometres in search of food, according to a joint study with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The research, aimed at understanding the lifestyle and behaviour of these ecologically vital scavengers, suggests that the local vulture population may be showing signs of recovery. The study kicked off last year when researchers fitted radio tags on approximately five vultures roosting within the reserve. The goal was to map their movements and understand their needs. The initial data showed that these vultures were initially sticking close, circling within a 50- to 100-kilometre radius of Corbett, stated a source within CTR. However, the tracking soon revealed astonishing long-distance flights, with tagged birds being located as far away as the remote regions of Nepal. Locations tracked included areas stretching from the nearby Rajaji National Park all the way across the border into Nepal, confirming extensive foraging ranges. Saket Badola, Director of CTR, confirmed the significant findings. The research has revealed that these vultures are covering distances exceeding 1,000 kilometres. We have received location pings from tagged birds extending into Nepal, Dr Badola remarked. Our research into their specific habitat needs and behaviour remains ongoing. Bird experts note that such long-distance travel is not entirely unusual for vultures, who are built for aerial efficiency. Rangnath Pandey, former Deputy Director of the Uttarakhand Forest Department, highlighted their preferred local environment. Vultures around Corbett prefer open plains and riverbanks near human settlements, Pandey explained, adding, Normally, they cover distances of 400 to 500 kilometres when foraging. Pandey further elaborated on the sophisticated techniques these birds employ while airborne: Vultures spend most of their day soaring high in the sky, utilising thermal updrafts to conserve energy. They have exceptional eyesight, allowing them to spot carcasses or the behaviour of other scavengers on the ground from great heights. He also pointed to their highly social foraging tactics: Vultures often rely on the behaviour of other vultures. If one vulture suddenly circles downward, others quickly follow, knowing that a food source has been located. The successful tracking of these long journeys provides crucial data for conservationists working to protect Indias critically endangered vulture populations, offering hope that adequate food sources might be available across a wider geographical area than previously assumed.

Chauni village in Uttarakhand becomes ghost town as residents migrate for better opportunities

BAGESHWAR: In a heart-wrenching tale of migration and abandonment, Chauni village in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district lies deserted, its once vibrant life reduced to an eerie silence. Located just 23 kilometres from the district headquarters, the village, which was once home to 25 families, is now a shadow of its former self. Our village was once filled with the sound of children's laughter, and smoke would rise from chimneys every morning and evening, recalled a former resident. But now, the silence is deafening. Part of the Chamdthal gram panchayat, Chauni saw a gradual decline in population over the years. By 2015, the number of families had fallen to 15, and in January 2025, the last remaining family locked the doors and left, marking the end of an era. The last resident, a woman, was forced to leave due to lack of opportunities and basic amenities, said a local official. Many villages in our region are facing similar challenges. The primary drivers of this exodus are the absence of essential amenities. Residents cited a lack of roads, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities as reasons for the steady migration that accelerated after 2015. Retired Principal Vanshidhar Joshi placed the blame squarely on governance. Both old and new state and central governments are responsible for Chaunis condition, he stated. Recalling his own struggles, he said, I was the first graduate from the area, but I had to leave due to the lack of facilities. My fight for better amenities continues even today. Local resident Ganesh confirmed the trend. People started leaving because facilities were never provided. Some are now in Delhi, others in Lucknow. Our family stayed until last year, but we have now moved closer to the main road. Lalita Prasad Joshi added that if proper infrastructure existed, villagers could have thrived through horticulture, cultivating kiwi, ginger, oranges, and fish farming. Bageshwars Chief Development Officer, R.C. Tiwari, acknowledged the crisis. Under the migration prevention scheme, we have selected affected villages for employment-generating projects. We will hold a meeting to investigate the specific reasons for Chaunis complete emptying and will strive to repopulate it, Tiwari assured. Despite official promises, Chauni sees life only once a year. Locals believe their ancestral deities reside in their native homes. Every summer, those who migrated return for eight to ten days to perform rituals. During this brief period, paths are cleared, hearths are lit, and the village briefly awakens, before sinking back into profound silence.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami returns to ancestral village after 45 years, vows to prioritise development

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami returned to his ancestral village, Dandi-Barmo in Pithoragarh, after nearly 45 years, accompanied by his mother, Vishnu Devi. He received a rousing traditional welcome from villagers with dhol-nagadas (drums), devotional songs, and auspicious chants. During the visit, villagers highlighted pressing local issues, especially the absence of a local hospital, which forces them to travel 35 km to the district hospital for medical care. Addressing their concerns in Kumaoni, CM Dhami assured residents that development in the region would be prioritised. He pointed to a major upcoming project as a solution to the healthcare gap. The state-of-the-art medical college being built in Pithoragarh at a cost of Rs 700 crore will be a game-changer for this region. It will feature modern facilities to ensure quality treatment reaches people in remote villages. Work is progressing rapidly and will be completed soon, Dhami said. The Chief Minister grew emotional as he recalled his childhood in the village, where he studied up to the third grade. He shared memories of walking barefoot from Tundi to Barmo during harsh winters without warm clothing, his fingers going numb from the cold. Whatever I am today is because of the blessings of this very land, he said, reminiscing about earlier times. Upon arrival, Dhami first visited the Brahmachari temple, his family deitys shrine, offering prayers and applying sacred soil (mitti) to his forehead. He later visited the Khandenath temple, where villagers and party workers welcomed him with garlands. Local priests (Dev Dangaris) performed traditional rituals to bless him. Dhami also touched the feet of village elders to seek their blessings, shared sweets with the women, and interacted warmly with all residents. Villagers expressed great joy at welcoming back their son who returned home. Beyond healthcare, the Chief Minister highlighted improvements in air connectivity, noting that the Naini-Saini Airport now handles both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. We have sanctioned Rs 450 crore for the expansion of the airport. The runway extension will make travel easier and provide relief to distant villages, he added. CM Dhami spent nearly two hours in the village, actively listening to grievances and aspirations before departing.

Aadhaar no longer the sole ID as Uttarakhand expands UCC registration norms

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has approved significant amendments to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) rules, notably broadening the definition of identity proof for registrations, including those related to live-in relationships, and strengthening safety measures within the code. The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has given its final approval to the Uniform Civil Code (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025. The Home Department accordingly issued the notification, making the changes effective immediately. The most notable change concerns the identity documents required for UCC registration on the official portal. Earlier, the Aadhaar card was the primary, and often the sole, document mandated. The definition of proof of identity has been substantially broadened, a government source confirmed. Under the new notification, registration will now accept a wider array of documents alongside the Aadhaar card. These include a passport, voter ID, ration card, PAN card and driving licence, in addition to other valid identification documents issued by central or state governments. Crucially, wherever the text previously specified the Aadhaar number or the word Aadhaar, it has now been replaced with the more inclusive term proof of identity. In addition to offering more flexibility on identity requirements, the amendments also address procedural timelines for registration processes, particularly those concerning marriage registration and the declaration of legal heirs. The Sub-Registrar is now granted five days to request additional information from registrants in standard cases. For urgent matters requiring immediate processing, this timeline has been reduced to 24 hours. Speaking on the development, Secretary of the Home Department, Shailesh Bagoli, stated, The Chief Minister has approved the Uniform Civil Code (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025, through the deviation process. It will be presented in the next Cabinet meeting for formal ratification. Uttarakhand is the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code, which officially came into effect on 27 January this year. This latest revision marks the fourth amendment to the UCC rules since its enactment. Officials indicate that these continuous adjustments are being made based on ground-level feedback and administrative necessities to ensure the smooth functioning and accessibility of the code. An official spokesperson confirmed, The government emphasised that while the registration process has been simplified, security measures related to live-in relationships have simultaneously been strengthened.

UAE deports Indian national wanted in cheating case

New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deported an Indian national wanted in a cheating and criminal conspiracy case registered in Uttarakhand, following coordinated efforts led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In a statement posted on X on Friday, November 14, the CBI confirmed the return of the fugitive, Jagdish Punetha, who 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 .

Video: Bungee jump rope snaps mid-air, man severely injured

Dehradun: A major accident took place in an amusement park when a mans bungee jump rope snapped while it was mid-air on Tuesday, November 12, in Uttarakhands Rishikesh, leaving the man severely injured. A content creator, Sujal Thakral, posted the video of the incident, in which he called for the boycott of bungee jumping. He 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 .

Uttarakhand Tightens Security Along International Borders

District administration and police must remain alert and more vigilant in light of recent incidents in the country

Uttarakhand agent part of international human trafficking, cybercrime arrested

DEHRADUN: An local agent linked to an international human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate that lured young men from Uttarakhand with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only to force them into illegal online operations in Myanmar, has been arrested by the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF). The arrested individual has been identified as Sunil, a resident of Jaspur in Udham Singh Nagar district. The STF is currently pursuing other members of the gang based on information extracted from Sunil during intensive interrogation. STF Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar confirmed the development to TNIE on Friday. Following recent efforts, in collaboration with the central government, approximately 21 youths from Uttarakhand, along with others from various Indian states, were successfully rescued from Myanmar (Burma) and repatriated, SSP Bhullar stated. During the investigation, the STF team learnt that these victims were trafficked through local agents operating within the state. These agents lured the young men with offers of high-paying jobs, transporting them from Delhi to Bangkok. According to sources within the STF, the victims were subsequently moved illegally from Bangkok, crossing jungles and rivers, to the K K Park area (Myawaddy) in Myanmar. There, they were held captive and forced to engage in high-pressure calling scams and other cyber-fraud activities. The breakthrough came following a complaint filed by Mohammad Azam, a youth from Jaspur, at the Jaspur police station on Thursday. Sunil was arrested in connection with this specific case. It is that Sunil deceitfully sent Azam to Bangkok, effectively enslaving him to cyber criminals, SSP Bhullar explained. Azam was promised a good life and a salary of 70,000 rupees. However, upon arrival at Bangkok airport, he was handed over to another individual and transported by boat through rivers and forests into Myanmar. Once in Myanmar, Azam was handed over to the cyber criminals, where he was forced to participate in scam calls. Azam managed to contact his father via phone, recounting his ordeal. When the father approached agent Sunil demanding his son's return, Sunil demanded four lakh rupees for his release. Against all odds, Azam managed to escape his captors on October 22. He reported his situation to Army personnel at the border, who promptly contacted the Indian Embassy, leading to the successful rescue of Azam and the other detained youths. The STF team used information gathered from Azam and other sources to arrest the local facilitator, Sunil. Further investigation is underway to trace his contacts with the overseas cyber syndicate.

Uttarakhand: Cong Trying to Come Out of Harish Rawats Shadow After Quarter Century

Party appoints triumvirate led by Ganesh Godiyal to lead it through till 2027 Assembly polls.

Digital Arrest Gang Busted: Uttarakhand STF Arrests Key Accused In Bengaluru After Rs 87 Lakh Fraud

Uttarakhand STF arrested Kiran Kumar KS in Bengaluru for leading a cybercrime gang that looted over Rs 87 lakh via digital arrest scams in Dehradun and Nainital.

UTET result 2025 released: Check UBSE result online at ukutet.com

UTET Result 2025: The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) has released the UTET Result 2025. Candidates who appeared for the exam on September 27, 2025, can now check their results online at ukutet.com using their roll number and date of birth. UBSE also provides a downloadable PDF of the result containing subject-wise marks and qualifying status. Detailed instructions are available for checking and downloading the result, ensuring candidates can access accurate information securely and efficiently.

'Mom, Fiancee Were Inside Car': U'khand Man Injured In Delhi Blast Was Shopping For His Wedding

Harshul Setia, a resident of Gadarpur in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district, had travelled to Delhi with his family for wedding shopping

Delhi-based visa operator held after four Gujarati migrants were abducted in Iran

AHMEDABAD: A human trafficking and extortion racket has been busted after the rescue of four residents of Gujarats Gandhinagar who were abducted in Iran while attempting to illegally enter Australia. The Gandhinagar Special Operations Group (SOG) has now arrested the Delhi-based agent who orchestrated the crime and is digging deeper into the network. The four victims, including a couple, are residents of Bapupura village in Mansa taluka. They were kidnapped and brutalised in Tehran under the false promise of being sent to Australia. The mastermind behind this, Delhi-based passport and visa agent Zareek Ahmed Khan Safiq Ahmed Khan, was arrested by the Gandhinagar SOG following a meticulous interstate operation led by officer police inspector V D Wala under the supervision of SP Ravi Teja Wasam Shetty, marks a crucial breakthrough in the probe into this transnational racket. Police inspector Wala told local media that the accused agents, Zareek Ahmed Khan and Safiq Ahmed Khan, were arrested a few days ago and produced before the court, which granted police remand till November 13. After frantic efforts involving political intermediaries, all four victims were finally released on October 27 and flown back to India the next day. The Gandhinagar SOG swiftly swung into action, coordinating with multiple teams in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. Their pursuit led to the arrest of Zareek Ahmed Khan, originally from Uttarakhand but operating from Delhi as a visa agent. He has been remanded in custody till November 13 for interrogation, as the police work to uncover the larger international human trafficking and extortion network behind this operation. This is not an isolated case we suspect a deeper network involving agents in multiple states and foreign handlers. Interrogation of the accused is ongoing, said PI V D Wala, confirming that the investigation has now extended beyond Indias borders.or.

2nd National Modern Pythian Games 2025 Conclude in Bengaluru

The National Cultural Pythian Games 2025 came to an end this evening at Bengaluru City University, Base Camp by Push Sports. For three days, the campus had the easy, steady rhythm of a festival. Students lingered around the stages, artists rehearsed steps in the corners, and visitors drifted between performances. More than 2,000 participants from 10 states and union territories took part, bringing with them dance forms, music traditions and their own ways of celebrating culture.   Mr. Anil Kumar, Mr. Bijender Goel and Mrs. Sneha Venkataramani at the conclusion of the 2nd National Modern Pythian Games, Bengaluru The revival of the Pythian Games in India is led by Mr. Bijender Goel, Founder of International Pythian Games who has been working to place art and sport on a national and global platform. Speaking at the closing ceremony, he referred to the Bengaluru edition as a step in India’s larger cultural pathway. “ The Pythian movement is about creating bridges, not boundaries ,” he said. He also mentioned the Youth Pythian Games planned for 2026 in collaboration with Russia, and India’s hosting of the first International Pythian Games in 2027. One of the highlights this year was the introduction of a national-level Pittu (Seven Stones) competition, a childhood street game that many in the audience recognized instantly. The energy around the arena shifted; people cheered in a way that was spontaneous and familiar.   In the boys’ category, Madhya Pradesh secured Gold, Madhya Pradesh also earned Silver, and Odisha claimed Bronze.   In the girls’ category, Madhya Pradesh again took Gold, with Odisha receiving Silver and Rajasthan taking Bronze.   In the girls’ category of the National-level Pittu (Seven Stones) competition, Madhya Pradesh once again clinched the Gold medal At one point, even Mr. Bijender Goel, Mrs. Lalitha Goel, Shri B. H. Anil Kumar (Chairperson) and Mrs. Sneha Venkataramani (Organising Secretary) joined in briefly to try their hand at striking the stone pile. The moment drew laughter and applause from the sidelines — a reminder that cultural memory lives not only in stage art, but in simple games once played in school courtyards and narrow streets. The final day saw performances and recognitions across categories.   In the Junior Group Dance category, Laya Dhwani Academy from Karnataka secured the Gold medal. In the Sub-Junior Dance Solo section, Pavika Kumar (Delhi) won Gold, marking her third straight victory at the National Pythian Games. Maya Krishna (Karnataka) received Silver, while Nikitha S and Tashya B.K (both from Karnataka) shared Bronze. In the Junior Group Dance category, Laya Dhwani Academy (Karnataka) earned Gold, Sheffield Stars (Uttarakhand) took Silver, and the Harshit Naik Group (Karnataka) won Bronze. The stage saw a mix of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Coorgi traditional dance and folk pieces from Uttarakhand. Each performance carried the particular pace and character of the region it represented, which kept the audience attentive through the day. In the Sambo wrestling competitions, in the boys (18-20yrs) 71 kg category, B Sri Kali Saran from Tamil Nadu bagged the Gold medal while A M Omkar from Karnataka bagged the silver medal. In the boys (under 24) 58kg, R Balaji Naik from Andhra Pradesh won the gold medal and Kishore Kumar from Tamil Nadu won the silver medal. In the girls (14-16yrs) 44 kg category, P Sri Dharanisha from TN won the gold medal and S. Sana from AP won the silver medal. In the girls (8-9yrs) 34kg category, S Nithila and A Riya Sri from TN bagged the gold and silver respectively. Mr. B.H. Anil Kumar, Retired IAS officer said, “ As we conclude the Second National Cultural Pythian Games, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every participant, artist and organiser. Over these days, we have witnessed India’s cultural brilliance in its purest form. May this spirit of creativity, unity and excellence continue to inspire us long after the Games end ." Mr. Gunaranjan Shetty, President of the Karnataka Wrestling Association, attended the closing ceremony and congratulated the participants. He spoke briefly about Karnataka’s long tradition of supporting artistic and athletic talent in equal measure. The festival was coordinated by a team led by Shri B. H. Anil Kumar, Retired IAS (Chairperson), Mr. Shantanu Agrahari, IAS (President, PCI), Mrs. Sneha Venkataramani (Organising Secretary) and Mr. S. Siva Kumar (Secretary General). Their work ensured that schedules ran on time and that artists and visitors had the support they needed across the venue. As the event concludes, Bengaluru adds another chapter to its identity as a city where older cultural forms and contemporary expression continue to meet. The Pythian Games leave behind a quiet but clear message: traditions stay alive when they are shared, practiced and passed to younger hands.

Nithari horror: No celebrations in acquitted Surinder Koli's village, family fled out of shame years ago

DEHRADUN: As news of the Supreme Court's acquittal of Surinder Koli, the main convict in the horrific 2006 Nithari serial killings, spread through his native village in Uttarakhand, no family members remain to celebrate. The infamous case, which shook the nation, has left a permanent scar on Mangrukhal village in Almora district. Koli, originally from the remote village, worked as a domestic help for businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Noidas Sector-31 when the gruesome discovery of skeletal remains of at least eight children was made in a drain behind the house on December 29, 2006. The subsequent excavation revealed remains belonging to poor children and young women who had gone missing from the area. While Koli is legally free, his family has been decimated by the infamy. His mother Kunti Devi passed away three years ago, still waiting for her son to return, while his wife Shanti Devi fled the village around a decade ago with their two children, choosing anonymity over social ostracism. The disgrace was too much to bear, a local source commented on the family's plight. When Surinder went to jail, his daughter was young, and his wife was pregnant with their son. They faced constant humiliation. Nithari killings: SC acquits Surendra Koli in last pending case Shanti Devi reportedly settled in Haryana, never visiting her husband in prison nor returning home. Her current whereabouts are not known. Kolis brothers have also severed ties with the village, leaving behind a legacy of shame and sorrow. The family's ancestral home now stands as a crumbling ruin. The legal reprieve was secured through persistent efforts by former Zila Panchayat member Narayan Singh Rawat. Rawat recounted the crucial intervention in 2014 when Kolis death warrant was imminent after the Allahabad High Court upheld the death penalty. I contacted lawyers and managed to get the court opened late at night, Rawat stated. We argued that since Koli was an accused in 14 separate cases, executing him for one would jeopardize justice in the remaining thirteen. The court agreed to review the matter. This legal maneuver ultimately led to the Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday to acquit him.

Congress Appoints Ganesh Godiyal as Chief of Its Uttarakhand Unit

Kharge reshuffles state unit; Karan Mahara made CWC invitee, new committees formed

Uttarakhand: 16-year-old Sachin Kumar, who conquered Mount Everest, meets CM Dhami

Supreme Court raps Uttarakhand High Court for staying prosecution of former Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve over illegal tree-felling

Earlier, the Bench had directed the Indian Forest Service officer to appear before it on November 11 to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for moving the High Court despite being aware that the matter was pending before the Supreme Court

Himalayan bears turn aggressive as erratic weather disrupts hibernation patterns

DEHRADUN: Wildlife experts in Uttarakhand are raising serious alarms as Himalayan black bears, who typically enter hibernation by November, remain unusually active this year. The result has been an increase in aggressive human-wildlife conflicts across several mountain districts. The primary cause appears to be erratic weather patterns allegedly linked to climate change. The delayed onset of winter and significantly reduced snowfall have disrupted the bears natural life cycle. This year, snowfall in the high-altitude regions has been minimal, and the cold arrived late, stated Ranjan Mishra, PCCF (Wildlife). Normally, a thick blanket of snow by early November sends the bears into their dens. The lack of snow and reduced food availability in the forests have kept them abnormally active. This lack of sleep is making the bears more aggressive. Reports from areas such as Joshimath and Ghat in Chamoli district detail numerous attacks on livestock, leaving local farmers terrified. Bears are being sighted near fields and habitations, even at night. Retired Professor Kamar Qureshi from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) suggested that the issue transcends mere security concerns. This is a clear signal of severe ecological imbalance, he noted. Wildlife specialist Ranganath Pandey, former Deputy Director of the Forest Department, confirmed that the bears are descending from higher altitudes in search of sustenance. Year Bear Attack Fatalities People Injured 2020 10 99 2021 13 95 2022 1 57 2023 0 53 2024 3 65 2025 (Up to Oct) 4 41 This deviation from natural behaviour causes stress, leading to aggression, Pandey told TNIE . He stressed the urgent need for detailed research in Uttarakhand to quantify the exact impact of climate change on these apex predators. Ranganath Pandey, who possesses deep experience due to intensive study of the behaviour of bears, elephants, and other wildlife, told this newspaper, The scarcity of food and the declining yield of crops have also exacerbated the problem. Cultivation by farmers in the hilly regions is continuously decreasing, which has reduced the natural food source for bears. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, which were previously a primary source of diet for them, are now diminishing. Furthermore, heavy rains and landslides have also damaged the natural habitats of bears in several areas. This behavioural shift is statistically significant. Official data reveal a troubling trend in human fatalities due to bear attacks over the past few years, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. According to departmental sources within the Forest Department, the statistics reveal the severity of the human-wildlife conflict. The figures show that in 2020, ten people lost their lives due to bear attacks. This number rose to 13 fatalities in 2021 before dropping significantly to just one death in 2022. The year 2023 saw no recorded fatalities from bear attacks. However, the danger escalated again in 2024, when three individuals were killed. As of October 2025, four people have already succumbed to bear attacks this year. Experts warn that if these climatic trends continue, the bears may permanently abandon their traditional life cycle, signalling a dangerous escalation in human-wildlife conflict across the Himalayan foothills.

Arunachal Pradesh minister Dasanglu Pul visits Tehri Dam to study rehabilitation and resettlement policies

Arunachal Pradesh minister Dasanglu Pul visited Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand. She studied the Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy. This is for the upcoming Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project in Anjaw district. The visit aimed to learn best practices for land acquisition and livelihood restoration. Pul stated learnings from Tehri will guide a socially responsible roadmap for Kalai-II.