By BY EMILIANO RODRÍGUEZ MEGA AND ED AUGUSTIN from NYT World https://ift.tt/LNCh5Va
A Cuba Without May Day? Here’s What Happened.
By BY EMILIANO RODRÍGUEZ MEGA AND ED AUGUSTIN from NYT World https://ift.tt/LNCh5Va
Viral Picture Of Padlock On Grave Not From Pak: A Fact Check
A fact-check has indicated that an agency report about parents putting padlocks on graves of their daughters in Pakistan to save them from a rising spate of necrophilia was incorrect. Many news sites, including NDTV, ran the report of news agency ANI that has been fact-checked by AltNews. NDTV had sent a mail to ANI late this evening. A response is awaited.
The report of ANI was based on Daily Times article, and a viral tweet by Harris Sultan, an ex-Muslim atheist activist and the author of the book "The Curse of God, why I left Islam".
In the tweet, he had shared photos of a padlocked grave and accused Pakistan of creating a "sexually frustrated society", where "people are now putting padlocks on the graves of their daughters to prevent them from getting raped".
AltNews fact checker Mohammed Zubair tweeted that the photograph in question, showing a green painted grille, was from Hyderabad. The reason grilles are used is to stop people from burying bodies over the old graves without permission, he tweeted quoting locals.
The grave was that of an old woman, whose son had installed the grille. It was also meant to stop people from stepping on the grave since it was near a doorway, he tweeted.
Alt News contacted a social worker named Abdul Jaleel who is a resident of Hyderabad. On being requested by us, he visited the spot and provided us with photographs of the grave in question. pic.twitter.com/I6DYRWj8vU
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023
This issue was discussed among the Masjid committee members for eight days. Explaining the reason behind the grille, he added, "A lot of people come here and bury bodies over the old graves without permission....
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023
Alt News also spoke to a local resident whose house is near the mosque. He informed us that the grave belonged to an aged woman who had passed away in her seventies. Her son constructed the grille over the grave about 40 days after she had been buried.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 30, 2023
After the fact-check by AltNews, Harris Sultan said he was deleting his earlier tweet.
Thank you, @zoo_bear, for getting to the bottom of this. While this is not an excuse and I must apologize for the source of my initial information, which was from @SanamBalochfans.
— Harris Sultan (@TheHarrisSultan) April 30, 2023
The reason why it was believable is that necrophilia has become a serious issue in Pakistan. It is… https://t.co/1yEm5nSlB5 pic.twitter.com/euL6mei3Np
The ANI report mentioned that women's bodies were said to have been unearthed and desecrated on several occasions. A necrophilia case was reported in Pakistan in 2011 when a grave keeper named Muhammad Rizwan from North Nazimabad, Karachi was arrested after he confessed to raping 48 female corpses.
As Hospitals Close and Doctors Flee, Sudan’s Health Care System Is Collapsing
By BY LYNSEY CHUTEL from NYT World https://ift.tt/kDMcPbd
Operation Kaveri: Over 2,500 Indians Rescued From Violence-Hit Sudan
After the eighth flight of A C-130 Indian Airforce plane carrying 40 Indians reached India, the no. of evacuated Indians reached the mark of 2,300, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said on Sunday.
"A C-130 Indian Airforce flight has landed in New Delhi with 40 passengers. With this flight, around 2,300 people have reached India," EAM Jaishankar tweeted.
The number reached the 2300 mark on the 8th flight however, following it, three more flights carried 229, 288 and 135 passengers respectively, taking the number of evacuees to more than 2500.
An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers onboard New Delhi from Jeddah as 'Operation Kaveri' progresses further to evacuate stranded Indians from battle-torn Sudan.
It was the 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees that took off from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, since 'Operation Kaveri' began.
Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi wrote, "#OperationKaveri 8th flight carrying Indian evacuees takes off from Jeddah. IAF C-130J aircraft with 40 passengers is on its way to Delhi."
The 7th flight destined for Bengaluru took off from Jeddah earlier today, with 229 passengers onboard. "#OperationKaveri bringing citizens back home. Destined for Bengaluru, 7th outbound flight carrying 229 passengers departs from Jeddah," MoS Muraleedharan tweeted.
On Saturday evening, 365 Indians from Sudan arrived in New Delhi under Operation Kaveri, while a flight carrying 231 Indian passengers reached the national capital on Saturday morning. As a ceasefire has been called in Sudan, several countries, including India, are attempting to evacuate their citizens from a conflict-ridden nation.
Sudan is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.
Earlier, Indian Navy ship, INS Teg, successfully evacuated 288 stranded Indians under Operation Kaveri from the crisis-hit Sudan on Saturday. This was the 14th batch of stranded citizens headed to Jeddah to return to India.
Previously, INS Sumedha, stationed at Port Sudan, had also left the crisis-hit country with 300 passengers onboard for Jeddah.
The Indian government under Operation Kaveri, is set to evacuate about 3,000 Indian-origin passengers from Sudan.
Until Friday, more than 2,400 Indians have been evacuated from Sudan, where the country is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces.
The Indian evacuees shouted slogans like "Bharat Mata ki jai," and "Vande Mataram". Also, they lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for rescuing them from Sudan under Operation Kaveri.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Shiv Sena Launches Delhi Unit, Eknath Shinde To Visit Soon
The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Sunday launched its Delhi unit and vowed to implement the 'Maharashtra model' of development in the national capital.
Shiv Sena senior leaders Anandrao Adsul and Anshumman Joshi inducted several leaders into the party fold, asserting that the outfit would bat for the rights of the "sons of the soil" and root out corruption in the national capital.
Adsul said Shinde would soon visit the national capital to announce the office-bearers of the party's Delhi unit.
"We are reaching out to people and local leaders with our humanity, inclusiveness and good governance agenda," Adsul said, and launched the party's 'Good Governance, Maharashtra Model' and 'Apna Abhimaan, Dhanush-Baan' campaigns.
Adsul, a former Union minister, said the Shiv Sena would take forward the legacy and vision of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray with regard to inclusiveness, humanity, good governance and alliance with its old ally the BJP.
With the launch of the Delhi unit, the national capital becomes the 20th state/Union Territory to have a Shiv Sena unit, he said.
"The party will leverage experienced leadership to expand its reach nationally. Our Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has given a governance model to Maharashtra and the party's young leaders bank on that to expand the base in Delhi and other states too," Adsul said.
Adsul recalled that Balasaheb Thackeray had saved Sikhs in Mumbai and Maharashtra in the aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
Joshi said the Shiv Sena would fight against rampant corruption in Delhi.
"Only the son of the soil can understand the problems of Delhi. People are getting inflated electricity and water bills, so the promise of free water and electricity was not fulfilled," Joshi said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
'Mann Ki Baat' Live Updates: 100th Episode Of PM Modi's Radio Programme
In a "historic moment", the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' will be broadcast live at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
In the 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast hosted by Prime Minister Modi, he addresses the people of the country on different issues.
It was first aired on October 3, 2014, and is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month at 11 am on the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) network. The 100th episode of the 30-minute programme will be aired on April 30.
Here are the LIVE updates on PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat:
PM Modi's 100th Mann Ki Baat Address Today To Go Global, Live: 10 Points
- Mann Ki Baat was first aired on October 3, 2014, the year the BJP came to power after the United Progressive Alliance's 10-year rule, and PM Modi took charge. The radio talk is broadcast every month.
- BJP-ruled states have made elaborate arrangements to celebrate the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat. The party will telecast the Prime Minister's radio address at their offices and booths.
- 3. The Tourism Ministry has announced "100 days of action" to mark the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat. The activities include a design challenge for entrepreneurs to develop substitutes for single-use plastic items.
- The BJP tweeted where all people can watch tomorrow's "historic" Mann Ki Baat. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat is going global and hitting the century tomorrow. Don't forget to become witness to this historic airing as the PM directly connects with people all across the world," the party said.
- The Indian High Commission in London will also host a special screening of the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat
- Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said Mann Ki Baat is an iconic feature in itself. "I think, it's for the first time in the history of our memory that any head of government had chosen to address citizens regularly month after month without break," Mr Singh told news agency ANI.
- The Mann Ki Baat radio address has transformed into an "inspirational platform" encouraging sustainable progress on themes that are core to India's efforts towards achieving sustainable development goals, a study supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said, news agency PTI reported.
- PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat highlights government and citizen action in priority areas and in turn encourages listeners to establish or participate in change-making initiatives in their own communities, with the aim to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the lives of people and the country.
- The radio programme emphasises the role of start-ups and small businesses in achieving a self-reliant India. It encourages people of all ages to take action to promote social and environmental causes that matter most to them.
- Home Minister Amit Shah, who attended an event on Mann Ki Baat on Wednesday, said it is a unique experiment that has strengthened the foundation of democracy in India. The event also marked the release of a stamp and coin commemorating 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat.
"Isn't He Ashamed?" Ashok Gehlot Targets BJP Minister Over Sanjeevani Scam
Training his guns at Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat over the Sanjivani Credit Society scam, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the former was not taking any steps to get the money people and should be sacked.
Referring to the case, the chief minister claimed that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and his family are linked to it and misappropriated the people's money in the state.
"He (Gajendra Singh Shekhawat) is a cabinet minister, isn't he ashamed that he is not taking any steps to get the money of two and a half lakh people? His people are sitting in jail. Doesn't he have a moral duty to talk to the victims," said Gehlot.
He further said that victims met him thrice and shared their pain.
"If Gajendra Singh does not want to meet the victims in person, I can send him the videos of the victims," said CM Gehlot.
Earlier in March, Union Minister has recently moved to Delhi Court and filed a defamation case against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and stated that Ashok Gehlot has called him and his dead mother 'an accused' in the Sanjeevani Scam.
Defamation complaint stated that the said false, uncalled, derogatory and defamatory statements have been made by the accused with the aim to tarnish the image of the complainant in the eyes of the general public, the voters and his relatives, with the object of gaining an undue political mileage.
The complainant Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also stated that the accused is frustrated because the complainant defeated the son of the accused in the last elections by a huge margin and thus, as per the complainant, the statements made by the accused are a political vendetta.
Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appeared for Shekhawat who sought prosecution against Gehlot for allegedly making defamatory speeches against him.
Senior advocate Pahwa submitted that it is a complaint moved by the Union Minister against the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and said that "There is irreparable damage caused to his reputation."
This matter pertains to a case in which FIR was registered in 2019. Three charge sheets have been filed.
"Shekhawat's name has not appeared anywhere. He was not called by the Investigation officer. Despite this Gehlot said the allegations against Shekhawat have been proven," Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa told to ANI.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Operation Kaveri: 365 Indians Brought Back Home From Sudan
India on Saturday brought back home a fresh batch of 365 people under its mission to evacuate stranded Indians from strife-torn Sudan.
"More Indians come back home under #OperationKaveri. 365 passengers have just landed in New Delhi," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
The return of the fresh batch of Indians came a day after 754 people arrived in India in two batches under the evacuation mission.
The total number of Indians who were brought back home now stands at 1,725, according to official data.
The Indians were brought back home from the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah where India set up a transit camp for the evacuees.
The first batch of 360 evacuees returned to New Delhi in a commercial plane on Wednesday.
The second batch of 246 Indian evacuees arrived in Mumbai in a C17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF on Thursday.
Under Operation Kaveri, India has been taking its citizens in buses from conflict zones of Khartoum and other troubled areas to Port Sudan from where they are being taken to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah in Indian Air Force's heavy-lift transport aircraft and Indian Navy's ships.
From Jeddah, the Indians are being brought back home in either commercial flight or IAF's aircraft.
India has set up separate control rooms in Jeddah, Port Sudan and the India embassy in Khartoum has been coordinating with them besides being in touch with the MEA's headquarters in Delhi.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group that has reportedly left around 400 people dead.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Monday announced the launch of the mission to evacuate 'Operation Kaveri' to bring back the stranded Indians from Sudan.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Criminals Now "Begging For Their Lives" In UP: Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday claimed that mafias and other criminals used to forcibly occupy the land of the poor and demand "goonda tax" under previous governments, but the state is free of anarchy under the BJP and there is rule of law.
Yogi Adityanath, who was addressing public meetings in eastern Uttar Pradesh - one of poorest regions and a hotbed of mafias and gangsters, sought to woo voters for the upcoming urban body elections by harping on the planks of law and order and development.
The chief minister asserted that security was now guaranteed in the state. "Earlier, the mafia used to demand goonda tax, but today, they are begging for their lives," he said.
The BJP leader alleged that earlier, the SP, BSP and the Congress used to hand out pistols to the youths of the state, but the incumbent government gives youngsters tablet computers.
"SP and BSP used to spread corruption and encouraged criminalisation of politics, diversion of funds and embezzlement in welfare schemes, but today the benefits of development schemes reach every poor," the chief minister said at an election meeting in Deoria.
He charged the previous governments with turning Deoria from a sugar bowl to a bowl of bitterness.
"These people sold the sugar mills at a throwaway price... Because of their disgusting politics, they also created an identity crisis for the youth of the state and forced the farmers to commit suicide.
'But we will restore Deoria to its existence again. A distillery will also be set up here along with ethanol plants," he said.
The chief minister said that the atmosphere of fear that used to be created during festivals till six years ago is no longer there.
Addressing a conference of traders in Gorakhpur earlier, Yogi Adityanath said, "Earlier, the ruling party's goons or the mafia used to forcibly occupy the property and the lands of the poor, but now, Uttar Pradesh has become free of anarchy and there is rule of law in the state." The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has maintained that it follows a zero-tolerance policy against the mafia and over 18O criminals have been killed so far in encounters with the police in the state. However, it has been accused by the Opposition and others of high-handedness and bias.
The criminals killed in encounters in the six years of Yogi Adityanath government included gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's son Asad and his accomplice.
The UP Police data shows that more than 10,900 police encounters have taken place in the state since March 2017, when Adityanath took over as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time. In these encounters, 23,300 alleged criminals were arrested and 5,046 were injured.
Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also listed the development works of the central and state governments.
Speaking in Maharajganj later at an election meeting, the chief minister claimed, "Earlier, traders used to walk with their heads bowed while criminals and mafia used to go around fearlessly, but now that has been reversed. Cities are being made safe." The BJP's 'double-engine' government is leading the state on the path of progress, he said and urged voters to form a "triple-engine government" by electing its candidates in the civic polls.
He spoke of medical facilities being enhanced in the state.
Those who divide the society in the name of caste are not going to succeed at all, Adityanath said, adding that the BJP government has completely checked such divisions.
There is a double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh and development work is going on at double speed, he added.
Before 2017, most of the districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Maharajganj, used to suffer from encephalitis, but now, this disease has been brought under control. Vantangia villages of the district has also joined the mainstream of development, the chief minister said.
The Vantangiya community comprises people brought from Myanmar during colonial rule to plant trees for afforestation.
The chief minister also sought votes for BJP candidates in a public meeting in Kushinagar.
“Earlier infectious disease on one side and hunger on the other troubled the people. Nine years ago, when the public blessed PM Modi, he changed the picture of the country. The Kushinagar people who were stranded in Sudan were safely transported here,” the chief minister said.
He maintained that willpower is necessary to bring change.
“There was once an atmosphere of fear and panic during the festivals six years ago. Today, there is no nuisance in UP. Festivals shape the identity of the new Uttar Pradesh.” He pointed out that under the SP-BSP regime, water was supplied by installing generators and electricity was only available for a scant 2-4 hours per day.
We are working to provide water to every household in UP. “Kushinagar is our top priority,” he asserted.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Extending crackdown on dissent, Russia imposes harsher penalties for treason.
By BY DANIEL VICTOR from NYT World https://ift.tt/lOG1X69
Case Against Congress MLA's Gunman For Thrashing Toll Plaza Staff
A gunman of a Congress MLA allegedly thrashed a toll plaza employee on Gurugram-Faridabad road, forced him into his car, and drove him to a police outpost, according to a police complaint filed by the toll plaza management.
The incident happened at the Bandhwari toll plaza when NIT-Faridabad MLA Neeraj Sharma stopped there with his staff and a row erupted between them and the toll workers, police said on Friday.
The entire incident was captured in CCTV footage which is purported to have shown the MLA's gunman and other staff thrashing a toll worker and forcing him into the MLA's car.
The gunman, Constable Virendra, in his complaint, accused the toll booth worker of being drunk on duty and misbehaving with him when they reached the toll plaza.
Both parties filed complaints against each other Thursday at DLF Phase 1 Police Station on Thursday, with police filing two FIRs on the basis of these complaints.
As per the first complaint filed by Chetan Sharma on behalf of the Bandhwari toll plaza management, on April 9 at around 1.30 am a Toyota Innova stopped in lane number 7 on its way to Faridabad from Gurugram.
Sumit Sirohi, who was manning the booth in the lane, asked the driver to pay the toll, but the driver replied the car belonged to MLA Neeraj Sharma, the complaint read.
The car had three other people, with one sitting in the front passenger seat beside the driver.
According to Chetan Sharma, when Mr Sirohi asked the driver to show the MLA's id card, he got furious and started abusing him.
"After that…. the gunman of MLA barged into the toll worker's booth and not only abused catching his collar but also threatened to kill him.
"The gunman forcibly removed the barrier and made the car pass. Soon after the gunman came back to the toll booth, dragged toll worker Sumit into their car and took him to Mangar police chowki," he said in his complaint.
When contacted, MLA Neeraj Sharma said that the toll worker was drunk and misbehaved with them.
The Congress MLA also accused the state BJP government of trying to frame him into the matter.
DLF Assistant Commissioner of Police Vikas Kaushik said police are exploring the CCTV footage to verify the facts.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Spain Bakes in Summer-Like Heat, and Worries About What Comes Next
By BY CONSTANT MÉHEUT from NYT World https://ift.tt/0Vx3ksF
Conducting Caste-Based Survey Not A Crime, Says Bihar Chief Minister
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday reacted with exasperation over the opposition faced by the 'head count of caste' underway in the state, saying that holding such a survey is not a crime.
He asserted that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people's economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.
"The ongoing caste survey is a good initiative taken by us. People will be hugely benefited after the recognition of their economic status, whether they belong to the upper caste, backward caste or extremely weaker sections of the society.
"I don't understand why a section of people are against this exercise... They are challenging it. Is it a crime? No, it is not," Mr Kumar said while addressing a conference of Civil Servants in Patna.
An organisation had claimed that it was not a survey for a sample population but a census involving house-to-house enumeration of all people, which only the Centre can undertake. The organisation had moved the Supreme Court against the state government's decision but it refused to entertain the plea.
The top court, however, on Friday allowed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court and directed it to decide the petition expeditiously.
"Data related to people's economic status and their caste will be collected during the headcount so that the state government could know how many people are poor and what sort of steps needs to be taken to bring them into the mainstream," said the chief minister.
All parties in Bihar had the same view when the state government decided to hold the caste-based survey, he said.
The first round of caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21. The second round started on April 15 and will continue till May 15.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The wrong Mr. Kozlov: How sanctions are spelling trouble for regular people.
By BY MONIKA PRONCZUK from NYT World https://ift.tt/D0q4I8E
How A Plastic Bag Was Key In Pinning Gurugram Man Who Cut Wife Into Pieces
A polythene bag became the key evidence in the solving of the murder of a woman, whose headless, half-burnt bust was found at a farm here last week.
The woman missing her head with her both legs chopped off was found in a room at a farmhouse in a village in Manesar on April 21.
The investigation led police to a 34-year-old Jitender, a former navy cook and the woman's husband, who later confessed to killing her over an illicit affair with another woman.
"During the search of the room where the torso was found, police also found a polythene bag bearing the name of a Vishakhapatnam-based company. On enquiry, the vendor of the company informed us that they supply that type of polythene bag to the Indian Navy," Vijay Pratap Singh, DCP, Crime, said.
Following the lead, police began searching records for missing person reports and found that a man named Jitender had reported his wife, a 28-year-old Sonia Sharma, missing on April 21.
They found that Jitender, now a suspect, worked as a navy cook and had taken retirement in 2022.
"Jitender was seen in CCTV footage carrying a fully-packed trolley bag and backpack on a bike, and returning with a deflated bag. He was apprehended and during interrogation, he confessed to the murder of his wife and was arrested," Singh said.
According to police, Jitender revealed that he had killed his wife, with whom he has an eight-year-old, because she had got to know about his extramarital affair.
He also revealed that he had secretly married the other woman.
Sonia Sharma's body was found from one of the two rooms built on a farm leased by Kukdola village resident Umed Singh.
According to police, Umed Singh had leased eight acres of land located by a road leading from Pachgaon Chowk to Kasan village.
The inspection of the spot revealed that the woman had been killed elsewhere and an attempt had been made to burn the torso in that room to prevent her from being identified.
After two days, police found her legs from Kherki Daula and sent them for DNA test.
Her head was recovered from a place in Manesar on Thursday in presence of the Executive Magistrate on the disclosure of the accused yesterday, police said.
A police team led by Sub-Inspector Lalit Kumar, Manesar Crime Unit in-charge, investigated the case.
According to police, Jitender killed his wife by strangling and then got down to destroying evidence.
"My wife had come to know about my extramarital relationship. To get rid of her, I decided to kill her. After strangling her, I cut her body into pieces and packed them in polythene bags. I then disposed of the body parts in different places so that the body couldn't be identified," he told police.
Jitender was produced in a city court on Friday and has been taken on a three-day police remand, Lalit Kumar, the Investigating Officer, said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Case Against 2,000 People For Offering Eid Namaz On Road In UP: Police
More than 2,000 people were booked in three FIRs for offering namaz without permission on a road outside the Eidgah on Eid last week, police said on Thursday.
The FIRs were registered separately at Bajaria, Babu Purwa, and Jajmau police stations on Wednesday. No arrests have been made so far.
A video of the people offering namaz on road was made by the police.
"People offering namaz will be identified on the basis of video after which legal action will be taken against them," said an officer requesting anonymity.
Angry with the police action, Mohammad Suleman, a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, told the media that they were being targeted on the basis of religion.
He said that a few people did pray on the road outside the Eidgah because they were late and there was no space left inside the premises. One of the FIRs was lodged at the Bajaria Police Station against 1,000-1,500 unknown persons including some members of the Eidgah management committee at the complaint of Senior Sub Inspector (SSI) Omveer Singh.
Omveer Singh in his complaint said a large number of people got down to offer namaz on the road as soon as a call for it was made on Eid, violating Section 144.
About 300 people were booked by Jajmau Police, while the third FIR was made at Babu Purwa Police Station in which over 50 people were charged with offering prayers on a public road without permission.
The people were booked under IPC sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharging duties), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 283 (Danger in public way), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).
Another police officer said that guidelines on Eid prayers had been issued after a meeting with the peace committees and strict instructions were given that prayers should not be held on the street.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
It’s OK to Be Single, the Church of England Says: So Was Jesus.
By BY LAUREN MCCARTHY from NYT World https://ift.tt/oJKD93b
5 Of 10 Cops Killed In Chhattisgarh Were Once Maoists, Wanted Better Life
Of the ten police personnel who lost their lives in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, five had joined the force after quitting the Maoists, a senior official said on Thursday.
Ten personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and their civilian driver were killed after Maoists blew up a vehicle, which was part of a convoy carrying security personnel in the Aranpur police station area of Dantewada on Wednesday afternoon, using a powerful improvised explosive device (IED). The blast site is located around 450km from state capital Raipur.
Of them, Head Constables Joga Sodi (35), Munna Kadti (40), Constables Hariram Mandavi (36) and Joga Kawasi (22), and Gopniya Sainik (secret troopers) Rajuram Kartam (25) were once active as Maoists and joined the police after surrendering, Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI.
Sodi, a resident of Arlampalli village in neighbouring Sukma district, and Kadti, a native of Muder village in Dantewada, joined the police in 2017. Similarly, Mandavi and Kartam, residents of Dantewada, were inducted into the police force in 2020 and 2022, respectively, he said.
Another jawan Kawasi, a resident of Bade Gadam village in Dantewada, joined the DRG just last month, added the IPS officer.
Dubbed as "sons of the soil", DRG personnel are recruited from among local youth and surrendered Maoists in the Bastar division, a Maoist hotbed. The DRG, an arm of the state police, was raised over different periods of time in seven districts of the Bastar division, spread over an area of around 40,000 sq kms, to fight the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) that has troubled the state for the past three decades.
The unit was first set up in Kanker (north Bastar) and Narayanpur (comprising Abhujmad) districts in 2008 and after a gap of five years, the force was raised in Bijapur and Bastar districts in 2013. Subsequently, it was expanded in Sukma and Kondagaon districts in 2014, while in Dantewada, the force was raised in 2015.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Russian forces intensify fight around Vuhledar, a town where they have faced notable setbacks.
By BY MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ from NYT World https://ift.tt/n2DKw0B
Aligarh Muslim University Teachers' Association Polls To Be Held In June
The Aligarh Muslim University Teachers' Association election will be held in June, three years after the term of previous office-bearers ended.
Prof Imrana Naseem, who was designated as the chief election officer at the general body meeting of the association on March 16, said although the term of office bearers ended in April 2020, elections could not be held on one pretext or the other.
Teachers at the university had been raising this issue for the past two years. Yet the university authorities kept postponing the election citing various reasons, including the Covid pandemic.
Polling for various posts in the teacher's body will be held in the first week of June, Prof Naseem said on Thursday.
A group of senior faculty members on Thursday launched a mass contact drive to highlight their demand for holding elections to various governing bodies of the university.
A spokesperson of the association said, "Teachers would intensify their protest in the coming days if the university authorities do not concede their demand for restoration of democratic rights of teachers at AMU."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Antilia Bomb Scare: Court Rejects Sachin Waze's Plea For Home-Cooked Food
Dismissed policeman Sachin Waze's plea seeking "specialized diabetic home-cooked food" in jail was on Wednesday rejected by a special court here, which said he was being provided a balanced diet in the prison.
Mr Waze, a former Mumbai police officer, is an accused in the case of an explosives-laden sports utility vehicle (SUV) found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.
On Monday, he filed an application in the special court hearing cases related to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for home-cooked food, citing his health condition.
In his plea, Mr Waze claimed that a doctor from the state-run J J Hospital in Mumbai asked the jail superintendent to provide him a strict diabetic diet, and also advised the former police officer to consume medicines without fail.
Mr Waze submitted that the prison administration would not be in a position to provide a special diet as advised by the ophthalmologist and diabetic medical experts.
The court, upon perusal of a report of the jail authority, said that it is seen that the prison is providing a balanced diet and therefore there is no necessity to allow him to take home-cooked food.
Considering the grounds raised by the jail authority, it would not be proper to allow Mr Waze to take home-cooked food.
In a related development, Mr Waze told the court on Wednesday that he has no objection to the application of another former policeman and co-accused Sunil Mane, seeking pardon in the case.
However, the NIA, probing the case opposed Mr Mane's plea.
The probe agency has submitted that it is "crystal clear" that applicant (Mane) is directly involved in the crime of this case along with his co-accused persons and it cannot support his plea.
Mr Mane, in his handwritten application sent to the court in February, stated that he had realised his mistake and the court should consider his "outstanding record" in his police career and give him a chance to "repent his mistake" by tendering pardon in the case.
On February 25, 2021, an explosives-laden SUV was found near Mukesh Ambani's residence 'Antilia' in south Mumbai. Hiran, who said he was in possession of the SUV before it was allegedly stolen, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane on March 5, 2021.
Mr Waze is the main accused in the case in which few other police officials were also involved.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Same Pay For Ayurveda Practitioners And Allopathic Doctors? Court Said...
The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that practitioners of alternative systems of medicine such as Ayurveda are not entitled to equal pay with allopathic doctors as they not are involved in performing emergency duties and complicated surgeries.
Setting aside a Gujarat High Court order, the top court said the emergency duty that allopathy doctors are capable of performing and the trauma care that they are able to provide cannot be performed by Ayurveda practitioners.
It noted that even post-mortem or autopsy is not carried out by Ayurveda practitioners.
The apex court was hearing a batch of appeals challenging a 2012 Gujarat High Court order which had held that Ayurveda practitioners are entitled to be treated at par with doctors with MBBS degrees.
While recognising the importance of Ayurveda practitioners and the need to promote alternative or indigenous systems of medicine, the top court said that it cannot be oblivious of the fact that both categories of doctors are certainly not performing equal work to be entitled to equal pay.
A bench of Justice V Ramasubramanian and Justice Pankaj Mithal said allopathy doctors are required to perform emergency duties and provide trauma care.
"By the very nature of the science that they practise and with the advancement of science and modern medical technology, the emergency duty that allopathy doctors are capable of performing and the trauma care that they are capable of providing cannot be performed by Ayurveda doctors," it said.
The apex court said it is also not possible for Ayurveda practitioners to assist surgeons performing complicated surgeries while doctors with MBBS degrees can perform the task.
"We shall not be understood to mean as though one system of medicine is superior to the other. It is not our mandate nor within our competence to assess the relative merits of these two systems of medical sciences. As a matter of fact, we are conscious that the history of Ayurveda dates back to several centuries.
"We have no doubt that every alternative system of medicine may have its pride of place in history. But today, the practitioners of indigenous systems of medicine do not perform complicated surgical operations. A study of Ayurveda does not authorise them to perform these surgeries. Similarly, a post-mortem or autopsy is not carried out by/in the presence of Ayurveda doctors," it said.
The apex court said it is common knowledge that during out-patient days in general hospitals in cities or towns, doctors with MBBS degrees are made to attend to hundreds of patients, which is not the case for Ayurveda practitioners.
"Therefore, even while recognising the importance of Ayurveda doctors and the need to promote alternative/indigenous systems of medicine, we cannot be oblivious of the fact that both categories of doctors are certainly not performing equal work to be entitled to equal pay," it said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Ukraine Has Nearly All Combat Vehicles Allies Promised, NATO Says
By BY ERIC SCHMITT from NYT World https://ift.tt/Dz3sbj1
Gujarat Sanitation Worker Inhales Toxic Gas While Cleaning Sewer, Dies: Cops
A 23-year-old sanitation worker died apparently due to inhalation of poisonous gas while cleaning a sewer in Tharad town in Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Wednesday, police said.
The dead worker was hired on contract by Tharad municipality for cleaning sewers. The incident occurred in the afternoon when two sanitation workers entered a manhole to clean the sewer, a police official said.
"When these workers did not come out, local people informed the fire brigade. While one of them died on the spot, another worker was pulled out alive. He was rushed to a nearby hospital," he said.
As per the preliminary probe, the victim died due to asphyxiation. A case of accidental death has been registered by the police.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
CBI Registers Case In Alleged West Bengal Civic Body Recruitment Scam
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR in connection with allegations of irregularities in municipal recruitments in West Bengal. The CBI registered the case on April 24 following the Calcutta High Court's order to probe the allegations.
A single-judge bench composed of Justice Abhijit Ganguly passed the order based on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) findings on the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The Enforcement Directorate informed the court that it came across the alleged scam in municipal recruitments in West Bengal while investigating the money trail in the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The high court had directed the CBI to submit a report on April 28 about the steps taken based on this order.
The CBI has named Ayan Sil as an accused. Sil was arrested on March 20 by the CBI in connection with the alleged teachers' recruitment scam. The ED claimed that the agents, including Ayan Sil, involved in the school jobs bribery scam case, were also allegedly involved in the recruitment of clerks, peons, sweepers, and drivers in various municipalities.
The probe agency asked for a separate FIR for investigation of the fresh allegations by a predicate agency. Additionally, the ED also mentioned allegations of irregularities in recruitments in several civic bodies in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.
After the ED submitted its status report to the Calcutta High Court, the West Bengal Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said, "We will welcome any team that comes. We have worked honestly and have nothing to hide."
The ruling-Trinamool Congress opposes probes by agencies like the CBI alleging that these agencies do not function independently and are used by ruling parties to target opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress also alleges that these agencies regularly leak details of ongoing investigations. This results in media-trials before a court has arrived at a conclusion of wrong-doing or guilt.
The BJP has alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress has been running a corrupt government and a thorough probe is required in the matter by a central agency.
West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, "Ayan Sil is Bhaipo's trusted mercenary. The high and mighty within the TMC are beneficiaries of the nefarious deeds committed by Sil and his associates. The illegal appointments made in municipalities across West Bengal is a huge scam waiting to be unearthed."
'Bhaipo' meaning nephew (brother's son) is a term that the BJP uses to refer to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Abhishek Banerjee claims the BJP does not use his name while making allegations to avoid criminal defamation lawsuits.
Manish Sisodia Likely To Get Bail In Liquor Policy Case Today
A Delhi court is likely to deliver its order on the bail application of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam today.
Special Judge M K Nagpal had reserved the order after hearing arguments on Sisodia's application seeking relief claiming that his custody was no longer required for investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the application, asserting the investigation was at a "crucial" stage and claiming the former Delhi deputy chief minister had planted fabricated e-mails to show there was public approval for the policy.
The federal anti-money laundering agency had also said it has found fresh evidence of his complicity in the alleged crime.
The court had on March 31 dismissed Sisodia's bail application in the corruption case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying he was "prima facie the architect" in the criminal conspiracy behind alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government.
The court had observed the release of the senior AAP leader, at the moment, will "adversely affect the ongoing investigation".
The CBI and the ED had arrested Sisodia for alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and for laundering the money so generated.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Murdoch’s News Group Paid Settlement to Prince William, Court Filing Shows
By BY MARK LANDLER from NYT World https://ift.tt/ptQY7FK
Murdoch’s News Group Paid Settlement to Prince William, Court Filing Shows
By BY MARK LANDLER from NYT World https://ift.tt/baKY3oP
The stakes for Ukraine’s spring offensive? ‘Everything.’
By BY JULIAN E. BARNES, ERIC SCHMITT, ADAM ENTOUS AND THOMAS GIBBONS-NEFF from NYT World https://ift.tt/3ARgxO9
"Criminals Begging For Mercy Now": Yogi Adityanath On UP Law And Order
Criminals in Uttar Pradesh walked around with their heads held high but now they hang placards around their necks begging for their lives, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday while campaigning for the urban local body elections.
Adityanath addressed elections rallies in Unnao and Rae Bareli ahead of the polls, scheduled to take place in two phases on May 4 and May 11.
Addressing an election rally in Rae Bareli, Adityanath said, "BJP ki ek hi yukti, pradesh ko dilai mafia se mukti (The BJP has only one solution which has rid the sate of criminals)'. The mafia are begging for mercy to lead regular lives and earn livelihood by honest means due to zero tolerance against crime." He also took a dig at the previous regimes, saying people associated with a particular party would brandish country-made pistols while the youths now are working on smartphones and tablets.
Adityanath was referring to the Uttar Pradesh government's drive to distribute tablets and smartphones free of cost to one crore undergraduate and postgraduate students as part of a push to the link the state's youths with the Digital India campaign.
Addressing another rally in Unnao, Adityanath said, "Before 2017, traders were exploited and extorted. Today, they are benefitting from the PM SVANidhi scheme. Prior to 2017, there was terror of miscreants while today, cities are being made safe.
"Earlier, there were heaps of garbage but cities are becoming smart today. Now, there is no place for mafia-criminals, crime, corruption and corrupt people in Uttar Pradesh." The BJP defeated the Samajwadi Party to form the government in Uttar Pradesh in 2017. Adityanath became the chief minister for the second consecutive term after assembly polls last year, a feat achieved in India's most populous state after over three decades.
Speaking in Unnao, he said, "This is the new Uttar Pradesh. Government facilities are being given as per eligibility. We consider every citizen of Uttar Pradesh to be a member of our family, so no one can claim that there was caste or religious discrimination." "No extortions or kidnappings for ransom, Uttar Pradesh is no longer anyone's fiefdom," the chief minister said.
He also criticised the previous regimes for creating law and order problems that prevented girls from going to school.
"(Earlier) the youths faced an identity crisis. The nation's reputation suffered and scams became prevalent. The perception of India has changed since 2014. People now look at the youth of India with respect. Today, India is making progress in every field," Adityanath said.
Adityanath said India has transformed in the last nine years and that transformation has become the centre of attraction for the world. The dream of 140 crore people in India is being fulfilled without any discrimination under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Similarly, there has been a change in how Uttar Pradesh is perceived inside India in the last six years, he added.
In the last six years, the "double engine government" has provided a house each to more than 54 lakh poor people in rural and urban areas while toilets have been built for 2.61 crore underprivileged.
Adityanath said the civic elections are not a small matter and are meant to add a "third engine" to the existing "double engine government" of the BJP in the state to accelerate its development.
The prime minister's vision is the mission of Uttar Pradesh, he said. The Ganga Expressway is being constructed to connect western Uttar Pradesh with the state's central and eastern parts and will benefit the people of Unnao, the chief minister said.
The expressway will allow people to travel to Delhi in six hours and Prayagraj in two, he added.
Unnao and Rae Bareli will go to the polls in the first phase on May 4. The votes will be counted on May 13.
The elections are seen as setting the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 lawmakers to Parliament.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Russian-Led U.N. Meeting on Peace Draws West’s Accusations of Hypocrisy
By BY FARNAZ FASSIHI from NYT World https://ift.tt/8Q3Gvu0
The U.N. proposes extending and expanding the Black Sea grain deal to a reluctant Russia.
By BY ANDREA KANNAPELL AND FARNAZ FASSIHI from NYT World https://ift.tt/D5m2cC1
"Don't Make Us Fight": Ashok Gehlot To Media Amid Tussle With Sachin Pilot
Amid a tussle over leadership with his former deputy Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said the media should not make people fight.
Addressing reporters here, he asserted that the Congress' election campaign in the state would focus on the schemes and programmes launched by his government.
The veteran Congress leader also expressed confidence of his government returning to power on the basis of the works done in the last five years.
Mr Gehlot's comments come in the backdrop of an ongoing tussle with Pilot.
The duo has been at loggerheads over the chief minister's post ever since the Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in December 2018.
Recently, Mr Pilot opened another front against CM Gehlot by holding a day-long fast while alleging that the state government did not take action against the alleged corruption during the tenure of the BJP regime led by Vasundhara Raje, as promised before the 2018 assembly polls.
Mr Gehlot, however, has not offered any direct reaction to Pilot's attack.
On Monday, he said without naming anyone that the media should not make people fight.
"The media should stick to the truth and the facts… The media should not make us fight with each other. They (mediapersons) should fulfil their duty and it is in the public interest… The media should support the government in repeating on the basis of truth," he said.
"I do not say 'present false figures or praise us falsely' but I would like the media to run on the basis of truth. The media is under the pressure of the central government but they should see the interest of the public," Mr Gehlot told reporters here.
Speaking about his government's schemes and the upcoming assembly elections, the Congress leader said the party's campaign would focus on the schemes of his dispensation.
"In the elections, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah will come and take part in big road shows, spend money and do everything to win the elections but we have decided that we will move forward on the basis of the (state) government's works," he said.
Assembly elections in Rajasthan are due later this year.
The state government has taken many decisions, Mr Gehlot said, and lauded it for its excellent fiscal management and step to not impose any tax.
"We will move forward with these things. Our campaign will revolve around this. BJP leaders who come will speak so many things but we will not pay attention to them. We will do our work," he said.
The government is fulfilling the pledge of serving the public and fulfilling promises, Mr Gehlot said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Pilot Unions Threaten To Go To "Any Extent" Over Air India's Pay Revision
Indicating that they are ready for a showdown with the Tata Group-owned Air India management over its "unilateral" decision to revise the salary structure and service conditions, the two pilot unions at the airline warned the management of going to "any extent" to protect their members.
On April 17, Air India rolled out a revamped compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew, which has since been rejected by the two unions -- Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG).
"It has been resolved by the IPG and ICPA that if any member/s of our union/s is/are terminated by the management for not signing the revised terms and conditions, the ICPA and IPG have pledged in unison to go to any extent to protect member/s till they are reinstated," a joint ICPA-IPG resolution stated.
A query sent to Air India did not elicit a response.
Immediately after Air India circulated the revamped salary structure and service conditions, the two unions urged their members not to sign on the document, saying that the terms and conditions were being imposed on them.
Besides, the two unions also termed the airline management's move to promote senior pilots with over 4 years of experience to the management cadre as the one aimed at killing the unions at the airline.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Men in Military Uniforms Killed at Least 60 People, Burkina Faso Says
By BY ELIAN PELTIER from NYT World https://ift.tt/nroMCU4
Doctors At Delhi AIIMS Remove Whistle Stuck In 4-Year-Old's Throat
Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences removed a whistle which had got stuck in the airways of a 4-year-old child after he accidentally aspirated it, through endoscopy. "Shahin, a native of Nuh district in Haryana, was brought to the Mother and Child Block of the hospital Sunday morning," Dr Prabudh Goel, Additional Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery said.
He said the child's father had bought him a pair of slippers which had an inbuilt whistle. The whistle got dislodged and Shahin put it inside his mouth and it landed in his airways, Goel added. "The child was coughing when he was brought to the emergency ward. He was also in respiratory distress because the airways were compromised... the child was also making a whistling sound while breathing," the doctor said.
The left main bronchas was okay, the left lung was being aerated and that is the reason the child survived. Additionally, there was movement of air into and out of the right lung through the whistle. The parents told us that it took them about one-and-half hours to reach the hospital.
A foreign body lodged in the main trachea blocking the main airway is an emergency of the highest order, Goel said.
"The child was directly taken to the operation theatre from emergency where we did a bronchoscopy. The bronchoscopy per say is a life and death challenge. Besides that it runs a risk of damage to the brain. There is a possibility we might need to do treacheostomy or a thoracotomy (open chest surgery) in such children," he said.
AIIMS director Dr M Srinivas was also present during the surgery. Dr Meenu Bajpai, Head of Department, Paediatric Surgery said such incidents of children coming to the emergency ward after swallowing peanuts, pieces of almonds, beads, safety pins, buttons and batteries are common mostly in children aged below 5-7 years. He said the hospital encounters approximately 100 such cases in a year.
"Through this case presentation, we want to spread awareness that parents should keep such items such as buttons, batteries, small toy whistles, necklace beads, peanuts, almonds and shirt buttons out of the reach of children," he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
United States Says Wagner Has Quietly Picked Sides in Sudan
By BY ERIC SCHMITT AND EDWARD WONG from NYT World https://ift.tt/TRnFCx1
Here are the latest developments.
By BY DECLAN WALSH, ABDI LATIF DAHIR AND CHARLIE SAVAGE from NYT World https://ift.tt/M1FRxQO
Maharashtra Records 545 Fresh Covid Cases, 2 Deaths
Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 545 fresh coronavirus cases and two fatalities, the health department said.
After the new additions, the state's COVID-19 tally rose to 81,61,894 and the death count to 1,48,504.
A day earlier, Maharashtra recorded 850 cases and four fatalities.
Mumbai saw 141 fresh cases and one fatality while another person died of COVID-19 in Ratnagiri.
The case fatality rate in Maharashtra stands at 1.81 per cent.
A total of 655 patients recovered from coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative recoveries in the state to 80,07,335. The current recovery rate is 98.11 per cent, a health department bulletin said.
The state is now left with 6,055 active cases.
With 8,278 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the count of samples tested so far in Maharashtra has gone up to 8,68,93,709.
The dominant variant of COVID in circulation is Omicron XBB.1.16. A total of 789 cases were found to be infected with this variant so far in Maharashtra, while five patients infected by this variant have died, the health department said.
It said since January 1 this year, 86 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra. 72.09 per cent of the 86 fatalities occurred in individuals above 60 years of age, while 84 per cent of the dead had comorbidities. 13 per cent did not have any comorbidity.
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally is as follows:
Fresh cases 545;
fatalities 2;
active cases 6,055;
and tests 8,278.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Police Among Injured In Stone Pelting Between 2 Rajasthan Communities
Stone pelting broke out between people of two communities in Malpura in Tonk district of Rajasthan on Sunday, said officials.
Sub-Divisional Officer Malpura, Mahipal Singh said that police officials were also injured in the incident.
Giving details, Mr Singh said, "At the Malpura sub-division headquarters of Tonk district, the situation worsened after a scuffle in Nagori locality led to stone pelting between the two communities in which many people were injured and many vehicles were damaged by the miscreants, while some police personnel were also injured."
Mr Singh also informed that the top officials of the police have left Tonk with the police force to check the situation at Malpura and they'll try to pacify the groups in the area.
SDM Singh said, "In Malpura today, the day after Eid, the situation worsened after an argument developed between children. Stones were pelted at the police personnel who reached the spot, in which some police personnel were also injured."
"It is reported that the situation is very tense, Malpura is a sensitive town where many big communal riots have happened in the past," he added.
Malpura Deputy Superintendent of Police said that restoration of peace should be the first priority.
DSP Sushil Mann said, "Along with the people of two communities, some policemen were also injured, whose treatment is going on in the hospital. The first priority of the police was to bring the situation under control."
"Action will be taken as per the law," he added.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Madhya Pradesh Man Dies By Suicide Over Family's Financial Situation: Cops
A 24-year-old man died by suicide by bursting a firecracker in his mouth in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district on Sunday, police said.
Prima facie, the dead Brajesh Prajapati was tense as he couldn't pursue higher studies in a big city as his family's financial condition was not good. A police officer said the Prajapati took the extreme step as he was tense over some issues.
"Prajapati burst a 'sutli' bomb cracker in his mouth when he was in the toilet at around 9 AM. After hearing the sound, his family members rushed in. They shifted the injured man to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead," he said.
A case was registered and further investigation is underway.
Hridyesh, the elder brother of the dead, said Brajesh was good in studies and a student of B.SC in a local college.
He claimed the financial condition of the family was not good and they couldn't send Brajesh to a big city for studies.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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| TISS iCall | 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) |
| (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) | |
"Will Take Firm Stand": Sharad Pawar's Message Amid Buzz About Ajit Pawar
Following the buzz of Nationalist Congress Party leader (NCP) Ajit Pawar joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said there was no discussion about the matter in the party.
"If someone is trying to break away (Ajit Pawar from NCP), then, it is their strategy and they must be doing that. If we have to take a stand, then we will take a firm stand. It is not right to speak anything on it as we have not had any discussions regarding this," Mr Pawar said.
Earlier on Sunday, NCP leader Supriya Sule backed Ajit Pawar over his statement that he is prepared for the Chief Minister's post in the state and said that there is nothing wrong to have ambition in politics.
"There is nothing wrong to have ambition or a dream in politics, everybody has it, so I don't think there is anything wrong with saying openly about it. In fact, he is very honest in talking about his ambition," NCP leader Supriya Sule told ANI.
Earlier in an interview, reacting to the question of whether he aspires to the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister in the 2024 elections, NCP leader Ajit Pawar asked why 2024, he is prepared for the CM post even now.
When asked about why there are speculations about Ajit Pawar leaving NCP to join BJP, Sule replied and said, "I find it very amusing. I am very busy with the development works of the state. I hate to say this but there is a lot of gossip going on right now it's unfortunate that nobody is focusing on agrarian crises and farmer issues. These issues should be high on the agenda instead of rumours and speculation about Ajit Pawar in the media."
Speaking about his aspiration for the CM post, Ajit Pawar said, "Why 2024, even now prepared for the post."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
'Ram Rajya' Only Possible With Caste-Based Census: Akhilesh Yadav
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav once again called for a caste-based census on Saturday and claimed that only with caste-based census 'Ram Rajya' is possible.
"'Ram Rajya' and 'Samajwad' is only possible if a caste-based census will take place. Only with the caste-based census Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas will happen, it will bring brotherhood, end discrimination, and strengthen democracy," said SP Chief.
As the former CM of country's most populous state makes demand for a caste-based census the neighbouring state of Bihar is undergoing its second phase of the caste-based census.
Bihar started the first phase of the caste-based census on January 7 which ended on January 21. Now the state is undergoing its second phase which will continue till May 15, said Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, DM, Patna.
The decision of a caste census was taken by the Bihar cabinet on June 2, last year, months after the Centre ruled out conducting such an exercise nationally.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on April 17 also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the decennial Census that should have been conducted in 2021 be done immediately and a Caste Census be made its integral part.
In his letter to PM Modi, Mr Kharge said, "I am writing to you to once again place on record the demand of the Indian National Congress for an up-to-date Caste Census. My colleagues and I have raised this demand earlier in both Houses of Parliament on a number of occasions as have leaders of many other Opposition parties."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
BJP Misleading People: Trinamool Minister On Alleged Rape, Murder Of Teen
West Bengal Women and Social Welfare Minister Shashi Panja on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misleading people and doing divisive politics over the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in the North Dinajpur district.
"They are misleading people and doing divisive politics. We condemn this. BJP is using this matter for their own publicity. They came with press deliberately," TMC Minister said.
This comes after a video has been shared on Twitter alleging that a minor girl was raped and murdered by a group of men in North Dinajpur's Kaliaganj, West Bengal. Further, in the video police can be seen dragging the body of the victim ruthlessly and inappropriately.
Minister Panja further alleged, "BJP created obstruction on the road that's why police had to get the body of the girl. They made a video and made it viral."
"Why would police hide anything? BJP doesn't care a girl has died and that she must get justice," the TMC minister added.
Informing about the investigation, Women's Minister said, "Two persons have already been arrested. An investigation is underway."
Earlier in the day, BJP leader Bharati Ghosh lashed out at police officials and said that they overlooked all the rules.
Criticising the police officials for overlooking the sensitiveness of the case, the BJP leader said, "Police dragged the body in a very insensitive manner. Police have become active participants in the whole process of crime. They are trying to cover the crime scene, destroy evidence and save culprits."
Bharati Ghosh also demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation should investigate the matter.
Talking on the allegation of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari that the police didn't allow them to meet the victim's family, Bharati Ghosh said, "BJP MLAs were not allowed to meet the victim's family. However, the president of TMC was allowed. This is not done. We expected the criminal justice system to be neutral."
The BJP leader also alleged that the silence of higher police officials in the matter is dangerous for the state's democracy.
She said, "The victim was raped and murdered but the police are quiet. Higher officials of the police, including the District Magistrate (DM), Collector, and Chief Secretary all are silent. This silence is dangerous for the state's democracy."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Autopsy Revealed...": Bengal Cops After Dalit Girl Allegedly Raped, Killed
Amid the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Dalit girl in North Dinajpur district's Kaliagunj, SP North Dinajpur Sana Akhtar on Saturday said that the victim's post-mortem report given by doctors reveals that death was due to a poisonous substance.
This comes after a Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal. On Thursday, the locals found the body of the minor, who had gone missing. On Friday, locals staged a protest demanding justice for her.
Giving details about the incident, SP Dinajpur said, "We found a body of a girl, and police reached the spot. Probe began. The Main accused, and his father was detained. The case was registered based on the family's complaint. Both accused were sent to 14-day police custody"
SP also informed about the post-mortem report of the victim and said that the death was due to a poisonous substance, however, they'll ask doctors to clarify if there's any sexual injury.
"Victim's post-mortem report given by doctors reveals that death was due to a poisonous substance. No major injury. We will again ask doctors to clarify if there's any sexual injury," said SP North Dinajpur.
Earlier in the day, clashes also broke out between the locals and police in the district over the rape and murder of a minor girl.
Police and security personnel were seen on the spot.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Should Be Shot On Sight": Union Minister On Those Glorifying Atiq Ahmed
Reacting to slogans glorifying murdered Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed after offering prayers, Union Minister Ashwini Choubey said that such people should be shot at sight and Bihar needs Yogi Adityanath's model of government.
This comes after Patna police on Friday said one of the men at the Jumma Namaz (Friday prayer congregations) raised slogans glorifying dead Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed after offering prayers in Patna district.
"After offering Jumma Namaz, one of the men shouted 'Atiq Ahmad Amar Rahe' and used slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Vaibhav Sharma, City SP, Patna, said.
Reacting to this, Union Minister said, "The incident is unfortunate and it is regrettable to make such statements and slogans in Bihar, such people should be immediately shot and sighted."
Hitting out at the slogans raised against UP CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi, Mr Choubey said, "The manner in which slogans were raised against the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh by taking names, is also very unfortunate."
"We need the 'Yogi' model in Bihar in which criminals like terrorism mafia are not spared," he added.
Further, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that in Bihar only the government of the uncle-nephew dynasty and casteism is running, the way Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is giving statements targeting the people of BJP, the public will give them answer by choosing the Yogi model in the state in 2025.
"In Bihar, only the government of the uncle-nephew dynasty and casteism is running, the way CM Nitish Kumar is giving statements targeting the people of BJP, the public will give them answer by choosing the Yogi model in the state in 2025. In the coming times the people of Bihar will bring the Yogi model into power, BJP government will also be formed in Bihar."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Ajit Pawar Capable Of Becoming Maharashtra Chief Minister: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was capable of becoming Maharashtra chief minister since he has vast administrative experience, the statement coming days after the two engaged in a verbal tussle.
Notably, amid speculation surrounding his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would "100 per cent" like to become the chief minister. He had also said that NCP can stake a claim to the post of chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024.
Mr Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, also said some undeserving people had gone on to become the chief minister of the state by engineering splits, an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde whose rebellion along with 40 MLAs in June last year brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Mr Raut also said there is no difference regarding the chief minister's post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, and the alliance is united and strong.
He asserted that the MVA will come back (to power) in 2024 and it "will look into it (the post of chief minister)".
"Who would not like to be chief minister? And Ajit Pawar is capable of becoming chief minister. He has been in politics for so many years now and has been a minister several times. He holds a record for having served as deputy CM the most number of times. Everyone thinks one should become CM," Mr Raut told reporters.
On November 23, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28.
Ajit Pawar went back to the NCP and was made deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray.
During an interview with a media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar on Friday responded to a query on his chief ministerial ambitions by saying "yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)".
Queried on this, Mr Raut said, "He (Ajit Pawar) has not expressed this desire for the first time. So my best wishes to him." These statements come amid intense speculation about Ajit Pawar's next political move, as the mercurial NCP leader cancelled some of his programmes recently, went incommunicado briefly and skipped the party's one-day convention in Mumbai on Friday.
While there is a buzz about his growing proximity with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar has said he will be with the NCP till he is alive, and Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also recently stated the former was not in touch with the saffron party.
Sparks flew recently between Ajit Pawar and Mr Raut after the latter's weekly column in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' dealt on a meeting between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.
Mr Raut, in his column, claimed Sharad Pawar had told Thackeray that the NCP would never align with the BJP, though "if anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue".
Hitting back, Mr Pawar, on Tuesday, trained his guns on Mr Raut and said some spokespersons of other parties were behaving like spokespersons of the NCP.
The former deputy chief minister also said he would raise this issue whenever there is a meeting of the NCP.
Mr Raut responded by saying he listens only to Sharad Pawar.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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"Why Did He Take Oath As Minister?" Congress Leader Slams Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Saturday hit back at Ajit Pawar, saying the NCP leader should have quit the government led by Congress' Prithviraj Chavan in 2010-14 itself if he was unhappy.
He also appeared making light of Ajit Pawar's remarks that he would "100 per cent like to be the chief minister", saying if the NCP leader has a majority of 145 MLAs, then he must become the CM.
The Congress is a constituent in the Maha Vikas Aghadi along with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Nationalist Congress Party.
"Ajit Pawar was in the government led by Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan from 2010 to 2014. Why did he take the oath as a minister if he was helpless? Prithviraj Chavan is our leader and it is not expected that Ajit Pawar will say this about him.
"If Ajit Pawar was unhappy in the Congress-NCP government, he should have left that time itself," Mr Patole told reporters.
Ajit Pawar had served as deputy Chief Minister from November 2010 to September 2014 when Prithviraj Chavan was chief minister.
During his interview with the Sakal Media Group in Pune on Friday, Ajit Pawar was asked whether he liked working with Congress chief minister Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the post from November 2019 to June 2022. To which, the NCP leader replied they worked "happily" with Mr Thackeray, but working with Mr Chavan was not by choice but as per the directions of seniors.
Queried on Ajit Pawar's statement regarding the post of the chief minister, Mr Patole said it is nothing wrong if a politician is nursing ambitions to lead the state.
"If Ajit Pawar has a majority of 145 MLAs (out of 288 in Maharashtra Assembly), then he must become the chief minister,'' Mr Patole said.
Amid speculation over his next political move, Ajit Pawar on Friday said NCP can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra's chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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"We Are All United": Rajasthan Congress Chief On Gehlot-Pilot Feud
Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara on Friday downplayed the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying "we are all united".
He also said if a leader is not found popular in his constituency in the party's pre-poll survey, he should not get a ticket even if it is him.
"I am a man of the organisation and will take all people of the organisation along. Today, I can say that we are all united and are strengthening the Congress," he told reporters here.
"Pilot has already said that he has conveyed his point to the high command and at the same time, the AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also conveyed his point to the high command," the PCC chief said.
"Then a third person should not comment on this." On the chances of a Cabinet reshuffle before elections, he said, "This is the prerogative of the chief minister, but there are always possibilities." On the allotment of tickets in elections, he said the party would give chances to those who are popular among the public. "Those who go among them and serve them will get the ticket." The state assembly elections are due later this year.
Last week, Mr Pilot opened a front against chief minister Gehlot.
Mr Pilot said the Congress raised the issue of corruption when the party was in opposition during the BJP rule -- from 2013 to 2018 -- and promised in the 2018 assembly polls that action would be taken in the matter if the party forms the government in Rajasthan.
However, no action was taken in over four years of the Congress government, he added. On this issue, he held a day long dharna at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur last week.
AICC in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa called it an act against the party discipline.
He also said that Pilot, who is an MLA, should have raised his demand for action in corruption cases in the Rajasthan Assembly, instead of holding the fast.
With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the party held a one-on-one dialogue with MLAs and those who are supporting it and held a one-day workshop this week. Pilot skipped these programmes.
However, on Thursday he went to a dharna here led by BJP's Rajya Sabah MP Kirodi Lal Meena with the family members of a man who committed suicide, blaming Cabinet minister Mahesh Joshi and others for the extreme step.
He demanded a fair investigation in the case.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
5 Deaths, 993 New Covid Cases Recorded In Maharashtra In 24 Hours
Maharashtra on Friday reported 993 COVID-19 cases and five deaths, which took the tally to 81,60,499 and the count to 1,48,497, a health official said.
A state health department bulletin said the XBB.1.16 is the dominant variant of Omicron that was driving the case surge in the state. So far, 681 cases caused by this variant have been detected, and five persons have succumbed.
The addition to the tally was lower than the 1,113 recorded on Thursday, which also saw three fatalities, he pointed out.
Mumbai and Pune recorded two deaths each while the fifth fatality was in Nagpur, he said.
Mumbai accounted for 226 of the new cases in the state, the official added.
The recovery count increased by 1,147 in the last 24 hours to touch 80,06,032, leaving the state with 5,970 active cases, the official said.
So far, 8,68,69,019 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the state, including 18,118 in the last 24 hours.
The case fatality rate is 1.81 per cent and the recovery rate stands at 98.11 per cent.
Since January 1 this year, 80 persons have succumbed to the infection, with 81 per cent having comorbidities, as per state health department data.
On April 20, the state had 6,129 active cases, comprising 5,834 (95.2 per cent) in home isolation and the rest 295 (4.8 per cent) in hospitals.
Of the 295 hospitalised, 57 were in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) while the remaining 238 were in normal wards.
Of the 18,118 coronavirus tests conducted in the last 24 hours, 14,877 were carried out in government labs, 2,949 in private labs and 292 through self-testing kits, the official said.
Maharashtra coronavirus cases for the day: Fresh cases: 993; Fatalities: 5; Active cases: 5,970; Tests: 14,877.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Kerala Priest, 77, Arrested For Sexually Harassing Teen: Police
An orthodox church priest was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Muvattupuzha, police said on Friday. According to the press statement issued by Ernakulam Rural Police, an orthodox church priest Shemavoon Ramba, a native of Pathanamthitta and aged 77 years was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Muvattupuzha.
The priest has been removed from official duties after the alleged incident, the police said.
"The incident happened on April 3. As per the complaint received by the police, the priest allegedly molested the minor girl in the church. The police registered a case based on the girl's complaint," reads the statement.
The priest has been charged under the POCSO act, the police said.
The police said, "The priest was called to the police station this morning and arrested. The priest, a native of Pathanamthitta, came to the church in Muvattupuzha temporarily as part of the Easter celebration."
The investigation team includes Inspector PH Sameesh, Sub Inspector KP Siddhique, Additional Sub Inspector MS Manoj and Shalvi Augustine, as informed by the police.
Earlier in March this year, a priest was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district.
The accused was identified as Pondson John connected with St Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church.
The alleged incident happened on March 12 and 13. The Class 12 student was taken for counselling by the priest.
According to the police, the Class 12 student in her complaint said that the priest misbehaved with her when she went for counselling on March 12 and 13.
The police registered a case under sections 3,4,7 and 8 of the POCSO Act.
While a Kerala court in January last year acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case.
The complaint was filed by a nun wherein she alleged that she was raped 13 times by Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016 when he was a bishop in the Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar diocese.
The complaint was filed on June 27, 2018, and Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 on charges of 7 IPC sections including rape. The prosecution had examined 39 witnesses in the case.
The trial in the case began in November 2019. After three long years, it was finally completed on Monday, January 10, 2022.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Maharashtra Board Schools To Close From Today Over Heat Wave Conditions
All schools affiliated to the state board in Maharashtra will remain closed from Friday in view of the heat wave conditions, the government said.
Schools of other boards can take decision about closure after considering their curriculum and activities, said the order issued by the School Education Department on Thursday.
Except for Vidarbha, schools in the state will reopen on June 15. Those in Vidarbha will restart from June 30, the order said.
At least 14 persons died due to heat stroke after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony in Navi Mumbai on April 16.
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Vote For AAP In Place Of Congress: Arvind Kejriwal Before Jalandhar Polls
Ahead of next month's Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal Thursday appealed to people of the constituency to vote for his party if they want development, claiming the Congress did nothing for them in 60 years.
"We are doing good work and with honesty," he said, addressing a gathering here. "Vote for us in place of Congress...give us one chance," the Delhi chief minister added.
"For past 60 years, Jalandhar has been represented by a Congress MP. For 60 years, you voted for the Congress. What did you get? Did the Congress give you anything? Nothing," Arvind Kejriwal said.
He said people of Punjab gave AAP a chance in last year's assembly polls and the party formed the government with overwhelming majority. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was also present.
"And the second thing, if you vote for the Congress, what benefit will you get? In Punjab, it is our government, we have to get the work done. If you vote for the Congress, they will fight and indulge in 'Tu Tu Mein Mein'. If you want fights, vote for them, but if you have to get all your work done, get roads built, landfills cleaned, then give one chance to AAP," Mr Kejriwal said.
The Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated due to the death of Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary in January. The Congress has fielded his wife Karamjit Kaur, while AAP has fielded Sushil Kumar Rinku, a former Congress leader who recently joined the ruling party in the state.
Arvind Kejriwal told the people of Jalandhar that he was giving them a guarantee that all their work would be completed by the AAP government.
After AAP came to power in Punjab, during past one year, "we have started to fulfil these promises, guarantees", he said.
"Some people come to us and say that we don't know how to do politics. They tell us that promises and guarantees are not fulfilled so fast but only in the last year of the term so that people won't forget. We tell them we have not come here to do politics, but to serve people," Arvind Kejriwal said.
The AAP leader touched upon his party's poll promise of giving 300 units of free power every month to residents of Punjab, saying parties like the BJP, Congress and the SAD used to mock it for this.
Arvind Kejriwal said just within three months of coming to power, "we have showed them how this was done".
"I was told by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema that under every head money is coming now. Money used to come earlier too, but all this used to go into their pockets, into the Swiss bank accounts of leaders of these parties. Now, all this money is going into the government treasury. And with this money, your electricity bills are becoming zero," he said.
He said 28,000 youths have been given government jobs during past one year and in the coming years, several thousand more jobs will be given, he said.
Mr Kejriwal further said there is no big government hospital in Jalandhar. "We will set up a big hospital like PGIMER," he said, adding landfill sites will be cleaned and roads built.
He said blue (ration) card holders were facing some problems, as cards of some beneficiaries have got deleted by mistake, but he assured that everyone will get ration.
Hitting out at the previous regimes, Arvind Kejriwal said for 75 years, they have destroyed Punjab, "but we will set things right and all problems will be solved though it may take time".
"We eliminated mafia raj including sand mafia. Now, people are getting sand at affordable rates," he said.
He alleged that scholarships for Scheduled Caste students were usurped during the previous regime. "The minister in the previous government responsible has been sent to jail by our government in Punjab. Now, children are getting scholarship. I am told scholarship of some students is pending, but they too will be get it in next few days," the AAP leader added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Gold Bars Worth Rs 75 Lakh Seized From Aircraft's Toilet At Delhi Airport
Three gold bars worth around Rs 75 lakh were recovered from the toilet of an international flight at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, customs officials said on Wednesday.
"On the basis of input received and further developed by customs officers at IGI Airport, an aircraft used for international flights was searched upon completion of its international trip at Terminal 3 of IGI in New Delhi on April 17," the customs officials on Wednesday.
During the search, customs officers found two objects affixed/stuck with adhesive tape on the upper side panel of the starboard side lavatory of the flight.
"Upon removal and unwrapping, one rectangular gold bar and two unevenly shaped gold bars were recovered, collectively weighing 1400 grams were recovered," a senior customs official said.
The officials further added that the total value appraised for the recovered gold bars comes to Rs 74,92,954.
The gold, along with its packing material, has been seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and further investigation is underway, the officials added.
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Sanitation Workers In Supreme Court To Be Called Supervisor: Chief Justice
The humble sanitation worker called 'Jamadar' in the Supreme Court will now be addressed as 'Supervisor', with Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud deciding to change the nomenclature of certain posts, saying they reflected a “colonial mindset” having no place in a modern society.
While inaugurating the ‘Supreme Court Sports, Cultural & Other Events- 2023' in which 970 court employees will participate, the CJI said the purpose behind organising the events was to encourage a holistic pattern of living for the staff and to promote their physical and mental well-being.
The top court, in a statement, said 12 sports and 9 cultural events will be organised.
Justice Chandrachud also mentioned some of the welfare measures being planned for the staff, including a bigger and better equipped creche, a training centre, and a staff library among others.
He also referred to his recent administrative decisions to change the nomenclature of certain designated posts.
The CJI greatly encouraged the women staff members to participate in the upcoming sports events, emphasising that they are no less than their men counterparts.
He also distributed track suits for the events to select staff members, including persons with disabilities.
The CJI inaugurated the event by taking the first shot with the striker in a game of carrom.
Secretary General of the top court Sanjeev Kalgaonkar also spoke at the inauguration function.
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Maharashtra Records 1,100 New Covid Cases, 4 Deaths In 24 Hours
Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded 1,100 new coronavirus infections and four fatalities, the health department said in a bulletin.
The state has 6,102 active cases now.
The state's COVID-19 case tally rose to 81,58,393, and death count to 1,48,489.
The state had recorded 949 cases and six deaths on Tuesday.
Mumbai recorded 234 cases and one fatality on Wednesday.
Thane city, Pune city and Satara district recorded one fatality each.
The case fatality rate of Maharashtra is 1.82 per cent.
As per the health department, XBB.1.16 is the dominant variant of coronavirus in the state with a total of 681 cases of its infection found. There were five deaths among the cases of this variant, the bulletin said.
Since January 1, Maharashtra has recorded 72 COVID-19 deaths. Of these, 74 per cent of fatalities were individuals above 60 while 69 per cent of the deceased had comorbidities.
As of April 18, the state had 6,118 active cases, of which 5,830 (95.3 per cent) were in home isolation while 288 were hospitalised.
Of 288 hospitalised patients, 48 per cent were in Intensive Care Units.
With 1,112 patients recovering from coronavirus infection since previous evening, the total of recoveries rose to 80,03,802.
The recovery rate in the state is 98.11 per cent.
Earlier in the day, Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan said that 25 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals under his department have been activated looking at the rise in the cases.
Maharashtra's coronavirus figures: New infections: 1100, New deaths: 4, Active cases 6,102, New recoveries 1112.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
