The Chhattisgarh

Category: India

  • 4 Kanwariyas Killed After Being Hit By Vehicle In Bihar’s Banka District |

    At least four Kanwariyas died and several others were injured after a vehicle ran over them on Friday night in Bihar’s Banka district, police said.
    All the Kanwariyas were heading to Jast Gaur Nath Mahadev temple after taking Ganga Jal from Sultanganj.

    The injured have been admitted to a hospital, police added. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Bipin Bihari says, “Some Kanwariyas were hit by a vehicle…4 people have died. There was some law & order situation initially but the situation is normal. Police are present at the spot…”

    After the incident, irate villagers also set a police vehicle on fire. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Avinash Kumar who reached the spot said, “We immediately reached the spot… Around 10-11 people have been injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment… 4 people have died.

    The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The situation is peaceful and the administration is cooperating fully… We will investigate the incident …”

    Meanwhile, two individuals lost their lives and 20 others were injured when a private bus returning from a religious site lost control and plunged into a ravine on the Balrampur road in the Dheberua police station area in UP’s Siddharthnagar on Friday night. The victims were all residents of Mahankola village in the Shohratgarh tehsil.

  • Vistara’s Delhi-London Flight Diverted To Frankfurt After Bomb Scare |

    New Delhi: A London-bound Vistara flight from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt on Friday following a bomb threat.

    In a statement early Saturday morning, an airline spokesperson said the flight landed safely at the Frankfurt airport and mandatory checks are being conducted. The flight will continue to its destination once cleared by the security agencies.

    “Vistara flight UK17 operating from Delhi to London on October 18, 2024 received a security threat on social media. In line with the protocol, all relevant authorities were immediately informed and as a precautionary measure, the pilots decided to divert the flight to Frankfurt,” the spokesperson said.

    According to an official in the know, the flight had received a bomb threat.

    Meanwhile, Akasa Air said its flight QP 1366 scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Mumbai on Friday received a security alert shortly before departure.

    “Hence as per safety and security procedures, all passengers had to be deplaned as the local authorities followed necessary procedures. We request your understanding as our team on ground did everything possible to reduce inconvenience,” the airline said in a post on X.

    In the past few days, nearly 40 flights operated by the Indian carriers have received bomb threats which later turned out to be hoaxes.

    The Civil Aviation Ministry plans to put in place strict norms to prevent incidents of hoax bomb threats to airlines, including placing the perpetrators in the no-fly list.

  • Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin Asks Modi Govt To Recall Governor Ravi Amid Anthem, Hindi Row |

    In a fresh row between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi, Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to the Union Government to recall the governor over Hindi imposition and removing the ‘Dravida’ word from the Tamil anthem. Now, CM Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the centre to recall the governor for insulting national unity.

    The incident pertains to the Chennai Doordarshan’s golden jubilee celebration event alongside the culmination of the Hindi month. CM Stalin said that the celebration of Hindi month in the non-Hindi-speaking state is an attempt to belittle other languages.

    In Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Thai Vazhthu – the Tamil anthem, is sung at the beginning of every government programme. However, during the Doordarshan event, the artists singing the song skipped the line with the ‘Dravida’ word. While Doordarshan Tamil has apologised for the mistake saying that the error happened due to the singers being distracted, the political row continues over the incident.

    I strongly condemn the celebration of Hindi Month valedictory function along with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Chennai Doordarshan.

    Hon’ble @PMOIndia,

    The Constitution of India does not grant national language status to any language. In a multilingual nation, celebrating…
    — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 18, 2024

    CM Stalin alleged that skipping the word is a violation of state law. He also accused the governor of insulting national unity by celebrating Hindi in a non-Hindi state.

    “Will the governor who suffers from a Dravidian allergy ask them to leave out ‘Dravida’ in the national anthem? The Union Government should immediately recall the Governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu,” Stalin said on X. 

    On the other hand, Governor Ravi said Hindi should be celebrated alongside other languages and it should not be viewed as an imposition.

    “First, when I came here, Hindi was not a welcome language in Tamil Nadu but when I started meeting students, I was happily surprised that their Hindi was better than mine. There is a greater acceptance of Hindi among the people of Tamil Nadu… Hindi is not a language of imposition of language in Tamil Nadu,” he told ANI.

    Responding to the protests by the DMK and comments of CM Stalin, the Governor said that it was an attempt to isolate Tamil Nadu from the rest of India. He termed anti-Hindi protests and remarks a ‘toxic and separatist policy’.

  • AAP Leader Satyendar Jain Gets Bail In Money Laundering Case |

    In another relief for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), senior party leader Satyendar Jain has got bail in an alleged money laundering case. The former Delhi Cabinet minister was granted bail by  a Delhi Court over ‘delay in trial’ and ‘long incarceration’ in the prison without trial.

    Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 30, 2022, for allegedly laundering money through four companies connected to him. He remains in judicial custody.

    “Considering the delay in trial and long incarceration of 18 months, and the fact that the trail will take long to start, let alone conclude, the accused is favourably suited for the relief,” said Special Judge Vishal Gogne.

    The judge granted bail with a bond of Rs 50,000, requiring two sureties of the same amount. The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) case originates from a 2017 FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jain under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

  • Bihar Hooch Tragedy: 10 More Die After Consuming Spurious Liquor, Death Toll Rises To 35 |

    Ten more people have died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Bihar’s Siwan and Saran districts, raising the death toll to 35, according to officials. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Nilesh Kumar, confirmed that 28 deaths were reported in Siwan, while seven fatalities occurred in Saran. Victims in Siwan were primarily from the Maghar and Auriya panchayats, while those in Saran were from Ibrahimpur village under the Mashrakh police station’s jurisdiction.

    More Victims Fighting for Their Lives

    Several people are still in critical condition across various hospitals in Siwan, Saran, and Patna. Though locals claim the victims consumed illicit liquor, the exact cause of death will be determined after post-mortem examinations. The identities of the deceased and those receiving treatment have not yet been disclosed by officials.

    Special Investigating Teams Formed

    In response to the tragedy, Director General of Police Alok Raj announced that two Special Investigating Teams (SITs) have been set up. One team, operating at the local level, will focus on the criminal aspects of the incident, while another team from the Department of Prohibition will study similar cases across the state to devise a strategy to prevent future occurrences. So far, 15 individuals have been arrested in connection with the tragedy, and three chowkidars from the affected areas have been suspended.

    Government and Political Reactions

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed the state’s police chief to closely monitor the investigation and ensure strict action against those responsible. He has also tasked top officials from the Department of Prohibition and Excise to visit the affected areas for a thorough inquiry.

    Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing it of institutional corruption. In a post on X, he labeled the incident as a “mass murder” and questioned the efficacy of the liquor ban, which was imposed more than eight years ago.

    Political Blame Game Intensifies

    The tragedy has sparked a political war of words, with opposition parties criticizing the liquor ban’s enforcement. Tejashwi Yadav has accused the state government of allowing a black market for illegal liquor to thrive, claiming that the nexus between politicians, police, and the liquor mafia has resulted in a flourishing illegal trade worth over ₹30,000 crore. 

    Yadav also pointed to government data, which suggests that more than 300 people have died due to spurious liquor consumption since the ban was implemented.

    BJP Defends Liquor Ban

    Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal defended the state’s prohibition policy, calling it essential for reducing crime, particularly against women. He condemned those calling for the ban’s removal, accusing them of having ties to the liquor mafia. Jaiswal reassured the public that those responsible for the latest deaths would be brought to justice and reiterated the state’s commitment to maintaining the liquor ban for the safety and well-being of its citizens.

    Suspension of Police Officers

    As part of the response, show-cause notices have been issued to five police personnel, and senior police officers have been directed to personally oversee the investigation. The government aims to tighten enforcement of the prohibition policy and prevent future incidents of illicit liquor consumption.

    With Inputs From PTI

  • New Threat To Salman Khan From Bishnoi Gang: ‘Pay Rs 5 Cr…Or Face Fate Worse Than Baba Siddique’ |

    Mumbai Police received a threat via an anonymous WhatsApp number last night, demanding Rs 5 crore to “end the enmity” between gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Bollywood actor Salman Khan. 

    The WhatsApp message threatened that if the payment was not made, Salman Khan’s fate would be worse than that of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was recently murdered, allegedly by members of the Bishnoi gang. 

    According to Mumbai Police’s statement cited by ANI, the message read, “Don’t take it lightly, if Salman Khan wants to stay alive and wants to end the enmity with Lawrence Bishnoi, then he will have to pay Rs 5 crore.” The text further warned, “If the money is not given, Salman Khan’s condition will be worse than Baba Siddique. Investigation has been started in this matter.”

    A threatening message has been received on the WhatsApp number of Mumbai Traffic Police, in which Rs 5 crore has been demanded from actor Salman Khan. The sender claimed, “Don’t take it lightly, if Salman Khan wants to stay alive and wants to end the enmity with Lawrence Bishnoi,…
    — ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2024

  • ‘Sent 26 Extradition Requests…’: India Flags Canada’s Ignorance Over Action Against Lawrence Bishnoi’s Gang Members |

    India-Canada Row: Amid the strained ties with Canada, India on Thursday revealed that there are 26 extradition requests pending with the north american country since over a decade. The requests include those of some hardcore Khalistani extremists and criminals wanted by India.

    During a weekly briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that besides these requests, there are several provisional arrest requests which are also pending with the Canadian side of several criminals.  

    “There are 26 extradition requests pending with the Canadian side. These are over the last decade or more. Along with it, there are several provisional arrest requests which are also pending with the Canadian side of several criminals. Some of the notable ones, who have been charged with terror and related crimes, are Gurjeet Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Lakhbir Singh Landa and Arshdeep Singh Gill. We have shared the security-related information with the Canadian government,” he said.

    It is pertinent to mention that the extradition requests pending with Canada include those of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with the Indian government requesting the Justin Trudeau government to arrest them or take due action against them as per the law.

    “We had shared some requests with the Canadian side for the arrest of those from Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. They haven’t taken any action on our core concerns. There is a political motive also behind this,” Jaiswal said.

    “So far no action has been taken by the Canadian side on our requests. This is very serious. Also we find it very strange that the people we asked to be deported, on whom we asked action to be taken, we are being told – the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is blaming the Indian side – that these people are committing crimes in Canada for which India is to be blamed. So, this is a contradiction which we don’t understand,” the MEA spokesperson further stated.

    In what has been one of the lowest points in relations between the two countries, New Delhi on Monday decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada following Trudeau’s continued “hostility” towards India.

    The MEA had stated earlier this week that India has conveyed to Canada that it reserves the right to take further steps in response to the Trudeau Government’s support for extremism, violence and separatism against India.

    “India-Canada economic ties are robust and strong. We have a large diaspora in Canada. Our students form the largest cohort of international students in the country. Several large Canadian pension funds have invested in India and Canada remains the major beneficiary of these linkages and ties. The current crisis in the relationship has been precipitated by the Trudeau government’s baseless allegations,” asserted the MEA spokesperson on Thursday.

  • Onion Sets To Get Cheaper In Delhi-NCR As 1,600 Metric Tonnes Shipment Brought-In: Centre |

    New Delhi: The government on Thursday announced that 1,600 metric tonnes (MT) of onions are set to arrive from Nashik in Delhi-NCR via the rail route by October 20 to stabilise the prices of the staple food in the festive season.  

    The Department of Consumer Affairs said that 42 covered wagons (approximately 53 trucks) with onions, procured by the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) under the price stabilisation fund, was being shipped by rail by the Kanda fast train from Nashik to Delhi-NCR.

    The department said that it is the first time that bulk transport of onions by rail rake has been adopted under price stabilisation intervention. Once it reaches, the stocks will be released in Delhi-NCR which will substantially increase the availability to consumers during this festive season.

    “Railways as a mode of onion transportation is set to gain importance as more destinations are being added to bolster the pace of disposal. Shipments by rail rake to Lucknow and Varanasi will be scheduled in the next few days,” Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said.

    The Secretary also said the recent surge in tomato prices is because of excess rains and high moisture levels in major tomato-producing areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

    “The supply situation is set to improve in coming days with increased arrivals from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh which would bring down the tomato prices,” she said.

    The department has also requested Indian Railways to allow transportation of onion rakes from Nashik to multiple locations across the northeastern region which would include New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), Dibrugarh, New Tinsukia, and Changsari. The government had procured 4.7 lakh tonnes of rabi onion for the price stabilisation buffer this year, and started the release from September 5 through retail sales at Rs 35 per kg and also through bulk sales in major mandis across the country.

    About 92,000 MT of onion in the buffer has been dispatched from Nashik and other source centres to date to consuming centres through trucks by road transport. So far, the NCCF has covered 77 destinations in 21 states and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) covered 43 destinations in 16 states in their onion disposal drives. The government said that average retail prices of onions in major states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Jharkhand and Telangana have come down in recent days in comparison to the level in the first week of September.

  • Spurious Liquor Claims 20 Lives In Bihar’s Siwan, 4 More Dead In Chapra |

    20 people have lost their lives in Siwan on Thursday after consuming spurious liquor, as per Siwan SP Amitesh Kumar. Chapra Superintendent Kumar Ashish said that a Special Investigation Team has been formed. Three people have been arrested and an FIR has been filed against eight people.

    Additionally, the local Chowkidar and Panchayat Beat Police officers have also been suspended. An explanation has been sought from the SHO of the Masrak Police station and the Masrak Zone ALTF in charge of the departmental action.

    Legal action is being taken against the Bhagwanpur SHO and Prohibition ASI of the Bhagwanpur Police Station, as per the District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta. In another incident four people lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor in Saran district. We have formed SIT and lodged an FIR against 8 people, Three people have already been arrested: Chhapra SP, Kumar Ashish

    Speaking to ANI a relative of one of the deceased said that his relative’s health deteriorated after he had consumed alcohol on October 15. “He had consumed alcohol on October 15 and his health started deteriorating yesterday evening. He could not see anything, we brought him here to the hospital after that,” said a relative.

    Further investigation into both the cases is underway. Meanwhile, the opposition RJD has launched an attack into the Nitish Kumar government questioning how the spurious liquor was made available while there was prohibtion in the state.

    “People have lost their lives by drinking spurious liquor. It is very sad and a matter of concern that despite the liquor ban law being in force in Bihar, spurious liquor is available. Every time during Holi and Diwali, it is seen how people die due to spurious liquor.

    NDA government is directly responsible for this. The liquor mafias have the protection of the government and as long as they have the protection of the government, the prohibition law will be violated in the same way. This NDA government is not concerned about this. How is spurious liquor available in this way when the liquor ban law is in force?” RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said.

  • AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal Claims Parliament Building Built On Waqf Land, Sparks Row |

    AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) Chief Badruddin Ajmal stirred controversy on Wednesday, alleging that the Parliament building and surrounding areas in Delhi, including Vasant Vihar and even the airport, have been built on Waqf property. Speaking to reporters, Ajmal stated that using Waqf land without permission is a serious issue, warning that the government might lose their Ministry due to the ongoing Waqf Board controversy.
    AIUDF Chief’s remarks came after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s appeal on Wednesday for all MPs to back the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Rijiju emphasized that India holds the largest number of Waqf properties, which should be leveraged for the welfare of the Muslim community.

    Rijiju wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) “We appeal to all MPs to support the Waqf Amendment Bill. Parliament & Municipal buildings, Airports, cities & villages need protection. India has largest Waqf properties in the world. We must use them for the welfare of women, children & backward groups within Muslim community.” 

    BJP Slams AIUDF Chief 

    Slamming Badruddin Ajmal’s claims, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “Badruddin Ajmal is doing the politics of appeasement because his entire vote bank voted for Congress in this Lok Sabha election and he lost the polls. But I would like to tell these leaders – do not insult the Constitution of the country while indulging in your appeasement politics. Constitution speaks of secularism and secularism states that we cannot lease out the sovereignty of the country to any private body. If it is up to them, they would call every land, Waqf land. That is why, the Government is trying to bring Waqf Amendment Act, so that poor Muslims benefit…”

    #WATCH | Delhi: On AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal’s “Parliament building built on Waqf property” statement, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, “Badruddin Ajmal is doing the politics of appeasement because his entire vote bank voted for Congress in this Lok Sabha… pic.twitter.com/gVJ25xQlqS
    — ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024

    Opposition MPs Protest Bias in Waqf Committee Meeting

    In a related development, opposition MPs have accused the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 of violating parliamentary procedures. In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the MPs claimed that the Committee’s Chairperson, Jagdambika Pal, conducted proceedings in a biased and partisan manner during a meeting held on October 14 in New Delhi.