200 Members of Sindhi Community from Pakistan to Visit Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya Today

Today, a special event unfolds as 200 members of the Sindhi community from Pakistan are set to pay homage to Ram Lalla at the revered temple in Ayodhya. This visit marks a significant cultural exchange between India and Pakistan. The delegation, hailing from Pakistan's Sindh province, embarks on a month-long religious journey across India. Their pilgrimage takes them through historic sites, with Ayodhya being a pivotal stop. Accompanying them on this sacred journey are 150 members of the Sindhi community from India. Together, they symbolize the spirit of unity and faith transcending borders. Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, extends a warm welcome to the visiting delegation at Ram Ki Paidi. Here, amidst festivities, they'll be embraced with open arms and reverence. Their itinerary includes visits to revered sites such as Bharat Kund and Guptar Ghat, steeped in mythology and spirituality. Special arrangements await them at Udasin Rishi Ashram and Shabari Rasoi, ensuring their comfort and hospitality. As dusk falls, they'll partake in the soul-stirring Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi, accompanied by members of the Ram Mandir Trust, including Champat Rai himself. Beyond the temple precincts, a special reception awaits them at the Sindhi Dham Ashram, where various Sindhi associations from across India will extend their heartfelt greetings. Accompanying them is Yudhishthir Lal, the Peethadeshwar of Sant Sada Ram Darbar, Raipur. After their enriching visit to Ayodhya, the delegation will journey to Lucknow, marking the next chapter of their spiritual odyssey. From there, they'll proceed to Raipur, carrying with them the blessings and memories of their pilgrimage. Read More: India Sends Sacred Sarayu River Water to Sri Lanka for Seetha Amma Temple President Murmu offers prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple, Ayodhya Film 'Laal Ayodhya' directed by Dushyant Pratap Singh unveiled, Emotionally deep and Unique concept

AP politics delayed Polavaram project: Gadkari

Visakhapatnam : Union minister for roads, Nitin Gadkari, has said politics in Andhra Pradesh delayed the prestigious Polavaram project that was sanctioned by him while he was minister for water resources. Addressing election meetings in Venkampeta as a part of his campaign for Araku Assembly candidate Kothapalli Geetha and Anakapalli LS candidate C.M. Ramesh in Vepagunta area on Thursday, Gadkari said the project cost of Polavaram was then estimated at Rs 60,000 crore. Gadkari said he visited the project site four times when Chandrababu Naidu was chief minister. It was the responsibility of the state government to complete the project, he stressed. When the new government came in 2019, it initiated several inquiries and the end result was the project was delayed, Gadkari said. He said originally three schemes were proposed when 1,300 tmc of water from Godavari was going into the sea as waste. The first scheme was to take water from Godavari to Krishna, Krishna river to Penna and Penna to Kaveri, and taking the tail end to Tamil Nadu. This could have solved the water problem of the entire South India, Gadkari said, blaming the previous governments for wrong policies that led to water disputes. He said as a corrective measure, the NDA government launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchay Yojana to focus on big and medium dams and water conservation measures that would bring socio-economic changes in the rural economy. Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to GDP, manufacturing 22-24 per cent and services 52 to 56 per cent. He said 90 per cent of the population lived in rural areas and later 30 per cent of the population migrated to bigger cities due to the wrong policies of the government that existed after the time of Independence, he said. Now we are focusing on diversion of agriculture to energy and power sector that would save the foreign exchange in importing crude oil and enrich the rural youth, Gadkari said. He said already trial runs were on to make bitumen from broken rice and bio-fuel and aviation fuel from sea molasses, bamboo, broken rice and corn. Very soon vehicles would run on ethanol. Speaking about his contributions to north Andhra as minister for roads, Gadkari said work on Visakhapatnam-Raipur express highway covering a distance on 595 kilometres worth Rs 35,000 crore was on and similarly the Rajamahendravaram-Vizianagaram green express highway covering a distance of 688km was nearing completion. This project costs Rs 22,000 crore. These two roads would be game changer as new developmental activities would be initiated providing employment to thousands of people, Gadkari said.

Amit Shah Warns Kharge Against Defending Gandhi Family Amid Poll Tensions

RAIPUR : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday cautioned Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge against telling lies on behalf of the Gandhi family. He warned that Kharge would ultimately be sacrificed by the Gandhi family if the Congress loses the elections on June 4. Amit Shah's remarks were in response to Kharge's criticisms of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah defended the government's record, asking Kharge, Kharge ji says, if Modi comes to power, the poor will be destroyed. I want to ask Kharge ji, didn't 25 crore poor people benefit when they were lifted out of poverty? Didn't 80 crore poor people benefit from receiving ration? Didn't the construction of 12 crore toilets, the distribution of gas cylinders to mothers, provision of tap water, and treatment of 7 crore people through health insurance benefit the poor? Amit Shah questioned why the Congress president would lie for the Gandhi family. He warned Kharge that if the Congress loses the elections on June 4, the brother-sister duo of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi would remain unaffected, but Kharge would be blamed. Shah made these comments at a campaign rally in Katghora, Chhattisgarh. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's Lawyer Denies Sharing Controversial Amit Shah Video Rajnath Singh Revives Mahatma Gandhi's Call to 'Abolish Congress' Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections Kharge's 'Ram vs Shiva' Remark Stirs Political Controversy in Chhattisgarh

Five Maoist Top Leaders of Maad Division Gunned Down in Bastar

Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Raipur: Tuesdays encounter in a forest in Abujhmad in south Bastar in Chhattisgarh has led to elimination of five top leaders of Maad division of Maoists while shattering the myth that the area, considered safe sanctuary of ultras, is beyond reach of security personnel, police said on Wednesday. Ten Maoists including three women cadres were killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest near Kakur village under Abujhmad (loosely translated in English as incomprehensible) along the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts in Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Some senior Naxal leaders from Maharashtra, Telangana and Bastar were among the ten Maoists slain in the April 30 encounter near Kakur, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. Prominent among the Maoist leaders killed in the encounter included Jaganna alias Ghissu alias Cheemala Narsaiah (66), a resident of Jayyaram under Ramagundam police station in Karimnagar district in Telangana. He was military commander of Maad division of Maoists and carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. Other senior Maoist leaders slain in the incident were Mallesh alias Unga Madkam (41), a resident of Bastar. He was a divisional committee member and carried a bounty of Rs eight lakhs. Two other senior Maoist leaders, Vinay alias Kasaraboina alias Ravi who hailed from Chennur under Adilabad district in Telangana and Suresh, were killed in the incident. Both the Maoists were in the rank of divisional committee members and carried a reward of Rs eight lakh each on their heads. Another slain Maoist leader has been identified as Sangita Donge Atram who was in the rank of commander of an area committee. She carried a reward of Rs five lakh on her head. The counterinsurgency operation in the forest near Kakur village on Tuesday was very significant as it has shattered the long-held myth of Maad being an impregnable sanctuary for Maoists, the police officer said. Significantly, there was no casualty among the security forces in the encounter. A huge cache of arms and ammunition and explosives was recovered at the encounter site. Meanwhile, a jawan of DRG identified as Mangal Mandvi was injured in the bear attack during the encounter. This was the first of its kind incident in Bastar. A herd of bears pounced on the jawan and injured his legs when he was taking position during the encounter with Maoists. He however managed to escape from them. He was airlifted to Narayanpur for treatment.

Modi government didnt use majority to scrap quota in 10 yrs: Shah

RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has refuted allegations levelled by the Congress that the BJP would abolish reservations after gaining a majority in the forthcoming elections. Addressing a poll rally at Katghora in the Korba Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday, he stated, After remaining in power for 10 years, we didnt remove reservations nor will we allow anyone to do so in the future. Modiji used the majority to scrap Article 370 (in Kashmir), construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, triple talaq, and introducing Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Eulogizing the achievements of the BJP-led Centre, he said PM Narendra Modi has a 10-year track record and a 25-year agenda for Viksit Bharat, while seeking the peoples support for his straight third term. Shah claimed that in the second term, the Modi government has eliminated Naxalism from the country but couldnt do so in Chhattisgarh owing to the hindrance of the Congress-led Bhupesh Baghel government. He held the Congress accountable for nurturing terrorism and Maoism in the country for years to win polls. Despite Maoists accepting they suffered a huge loss, the Congress called the encounters fake. After the BJP came to power in the state, 95 Maoists have been neutralized, and 350 cadres surrendered in four months, he added. Reiterating the commitment to get rid of Maoists, Shah assured that the third term for PM will wipe out the banned outfit from Chhattisgarh in the next two years. Shah professed that PM Modi has already scored a century in the first two phases of polling as the BJP surges ahead towards a stage of 400 seats. Citing Korba as a tough seat, he asked the people to support the BJP candidate Saroj Pandey, whom he cited as an accomplished parliamentarian.

Kharge's 'Ram vs Shiva' Remark Stirs Political Controversy in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR : A political controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made a remark during a campaign rally comparing a Congress candidate's name, Shivakumar Dahariya, to Lord Shiva, stating he could compete with Lord Ram due to his name. Kharge also warned the BJP against using religious rhetoric to influence voters, emphasizing the need for people to avoid being misled by religious discussions. - , Ram vs Shiva ? After attacking Sanatan, Shakti, Ram & Ram Mandir now Anti Hindu Congress which always wants to divide & rule - intends of dividing even our Bhagwan Caste, pic.twitter.com/DJYbMTvxjV Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 1, 2024 However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not take kindly to Kharge's comments. Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress for what he perceived as divisive and anti-Hindu rhetoric, accusing the party of trying to pit deities against each other and divide Hindus for political gain. Poonawalla also claimed that the Congress aims to unite its Muslim vote bank by dividing Hindus. The incident has intensified the political tension between the Congress and the BJP, with accusations of promoting religious divisions while trying to sway voters. Poonawalla argued that Congress's approach was rooted in a broader agenda of opposing Prime Minister Modi rather than genuinely serving the interests of the people. Potential Showdown: Wickremesinghe and Rajapakshe Eye Presidential Bid in Sri Lanka India's SMART System Test Marks Advancement in Defense Capabilities Gold Prices Retreat Ahead of US Fed Meeting; Analysts Eye Hawkish Signals

Ten Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh; second success for security forces in two weeks

RAIPUR, Apr 30: Ten Naxalites including three women were killed in an encounter with security forces on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday morning, police said. This was a second major blow to the Naxalites within 15 days. The site of Tuesdays encounter was 30 km south of Kalper village in Kanker where 29 Naxalites were killed in a gunfight with security forces on April 16, said a senior police official. Deputy Chief Minister and [] The post Ten Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh; second success for security forces in two weeks appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Chhattisgarh: ED arrests ex MARKFED MD in rice miling scam

RAIPUR, April 30: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested former Chhattisgarh MARKFED managing director Manoj Soni in a money laundering case linked to an alleged rice milling scam worth Rs 175 crore, official sources said. Soni was taken into custody and produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur where []

Summer trains between SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur and Surat, Brahmapur

Visakhapatnam : To accommodate the extra passengers in summer, special trains will run between SMV Bengaluru-Sambalpur and Surat Brahmapur. Train No. 08321 Sambalpur, the SMV Bengaluru special train, will leave Sambalpur on Thursdays at 6.45 pm on May 9 and 16, reach Duvvada on the next day at 4.55 am and leave at 5 am to reach SMV Bengaluru at 11.30 pm. In the return direction, Train No. 08322 SMV Bengaluru, Sambalpur special train will leave SMV Bengaluru on Saturdays at 1.30 am on May 11 and 18, reach Duvvada at 8.30 pm, and depart at 8.35 pm to reach Sambalpur on the next day at 6.30 am, according to a statement issued by K. Saandeep, senior divisional commercial manager of Waltair Division. These special trains will have stoppages at Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Kothavalasa, Pendurthi, Duvvada, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Ongole, Gudur, Renigunta, Tirupati, Katpadi, Jolarpettai and Krishnarajapuram. Similarly, Train No. 09069 Surat Brahmapur Special will leave Surat at 2.20 pm on Wednesdays from May 1 to 26 and reach Rayagada at 2 pm. In the return direction, 09070 Brahmapur, Surat special will leave Brahmapur at 10 pm on Thursdays from May 22 to June 27 and reach Surat at 6.30 am on Saturdays. This train will have stoppages at Nandubar, Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Akola, Wardha, Nagpur, Tumsar Road, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Mahasamund, Khariar Road, Kantabanji, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Singapur Road, Rayagada, Parvatipuram, Bobbili, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road and Palasa.

10 Maoists gunned down in Bastar in a major security strike

Raipur: In the second major strike on the Leftwing insurgents in Bastar in Chhattisgarh in the last fortnight, security forces on Tuesday gunned down ten Maoists including three women in a forest in Abujhmad, a Naxal stronghold in the western tip of the state. An encounter took place between the security forces and Maoists at around six in the morning in a forest across Narayanpur and Kanker districts falling under Abujhmad area of Bastar, leading to the killing of ten Maoists, Bastar inspector general of police P Sunderraj told this newspaper. The encounter site is around 30 km from Chhotebetia in Abujhmad, where 29 Maoists were killed in the biggest ever strike on the ultras in Bastar by security forces on April 16. Abujhmad, a 4,000 sq km area extending from south Bastar to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, is considered a safe haven for Maoists. The area is run by Maoists jantana sarkar (peoples government). Tough terrain and dense foliage in this area is conducive for Maoist hideout and dump, Mr Sunderraj said. A senior police officer revealed to this newspaper that security forces have discovered some tunnels dug by Maoists to use as their hideout during an attack on the security forces. Details would be known after the search party returned to their camp, the police officer said, unwilling to be quoted. According to the police, acting on specific intelligence inputs on the gathering of a large number of Maoists in the forest between the villages of Tekmeta and Kakur in Narayanpur district, a joint team of district reserve guard (DRG), a tribal counterinsurgency wing of Chhattisgarh police, and Special Task Force (STF) launched search operation in the area early on Tuesday morning. A fierce encounter ensued between them when Maoists hiding in the forest opened fire on the search party. Security forces recovered bodies of ten Maoists including three women cadres along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition and explosives at the spot after the encounter ended. The weapons recovered at the encounter site included one AK 47 and one INSAS assault rifle, police said. The recovery of AK 47 and INSAS rifle indicates that some senior Maoists may have been killed in the encounter, police said. Security forces have recovered all the ten bodies of Maoists. The slain Naxals are yet to be identified, the police officer said.

Bank Holidays May 2024: Banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the list of holidays here

Now only a few days are left for April to end. After this, the month of May will begin, but do you know how many days banks are going to remain closed this time in May? Probably not, but like every time, this time too there will be bank holidays. In such a situation, it is obvious that you should plan your bank-related work according to bank holidays. Otherwise, you may face problems later. So let us know when the banks of your city will be closed in May. You can see the complete list of holidays for May in the next slides... Banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the complete list:- Due to May 1st being May Day, there will be a bank holiday in all the states. At the same time, banks will remain closed in Maharashtra also on 1st May due to Maharashtra Day. Then 5th of May is Sunday, so banks across the country will remain closed. May 8 is the birth anniversary of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, due to which there will be a holiday for the banks of Kolkata. Banks will remain closed in Bengaluru on May 10 due to Basava Jayanti/Akshay Tritiya. Banks will remain closed across the country as May 11 will be the second Saturday. There will be a Sunday holiday on 12th May in all the banks of the country. Banks to remain closed in Gangtok on 16th May due to Statehood Day There will be a Sunday holiday on 19th May in all the banks of the country. Banks will remain closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhopal, Belapur, Dehradun, Itanagar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla and Srinagar due to Buddha Purnima on 23 May. May 25 is the fourth Saturday, hence there will be a holiday in banks across the country. (PC: ISTOCK)

ED Detains Former Markfed MD in Rs 140 Crore Custom Milling Scam Case

Raipur: In Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained the former Managing Director (MD) of Markfed in the custom milling scam case. Manoj Soni, accused in the Rs 140 crore scam case, was arrested by the ED team and brought to their office for questioning. Soni was earlier summoned to the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) office for interrogation in connection with the custom milling scam case. After questioning, the ED team took him into custody and transferred him to the sub-zonal office. According to the ED, the scam involves an illegal recovery of Rs 140 crore, with several officials, from officers to members of the Millers Association, allegedly involved. It is believed that crucial information related to the custom milling case may emerge during Manoj Soni's interrogation, potentially aiding ED in reaching more associates involved in the matter. Initial investigations by the ED suggest that Manoj Soni and his associates had been running this operation for the past two years. The scam involved a team comprising Markfed officers and officials from the Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association. Allegedly, the funds were embezzled under the pretext of custom milling, thinning, and thickening of paddy, and converting it into FCI rice. With the arrest of Manoj Soni, the former MD of Markfed, ED is expected to intensify its investigation into the case. The agency has found that the custom milling scam was operated with the collusion of officials, with Manoj Soni allegedly orchestrating the entire operation. Investigations have revealed how officials were instructed by Soni regarding the payment of rice millers' bills and the timing of recovery from them. The Rice Millers Association of the concerned district played a significant role in facilitating this scam. ED estimates that the scam amounts to Rs 140 crore, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Arvind Kejriwal's Health is Fine, Says Bhagwant Mann After Meeting Jalandhar Police Seizes Gold Worth 60 Lakhs in Phillor Area Tragic Suicide: NEET Aspirant Found Dead in Kota

ED Arrests Former MARKFED MD in Chhattisgarh Rice Milling Corruption Case

ED Arrests Former MARKFED MD in Chhattisgarh Rice Milling Corruption Case Chhattisgarh MARKFED managing director Manoj Soni in a money laundering case linked to an alleged rice milling scam worth Rs 175 crore, official sources said. Soni was taken into custody and produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur where the agency will seek his custody for interrogation. The federal agency had last year said in a statement that Rs 175 crore bribes were generated through this alleged scam for the ''benefit of higher powers''. It last raided Soni, some officers bearers of the state rice millers association, including treasurer Roshan Chandrakar, district marketing officers (DMOs) and a few rice millers in October last year as part of a custom rice milling special incentive 'scam' in the central Indian state. The agency has earlier said in a statement that its case stems from a complaint filed by the Income Tax department before a court Raipur where the tax department had alleged that the office bearers of the Chhattisgarh rice millers association ''colluded'' with officers of the state marketing federation Ltd (MARKFED) and ''hatched a conspiracy to misuse the special incentive where Rs 40 per quintal of paddy was paid by the state government to rice millers for custom milling of rice''. The state is known as the rice bowl of the country due to its high volume of paddy production. The ED said this amount of Rs 40 was ''exorbitantly'' increased to Rs 120 per quintal of paddy and this was paid in two instalments of Rs 60 each. ''The office bearers of Chhattisgarh state rice millers association under the leadership of its Treasurer Roshan Chandrakar, in connivance with Manoj Soni MD of MARKFED, started collecting kickbacks amount of Rs 20 per installment for each quintal of paddy milled from the rice millers.'' ''The details of rice millers who have paid the cash amounts were sent by the district rice millers association to the concerned DMO,'' the ED found. The DMOs, upon receiving the bills of rice millers, cross-checked them with the details received from the concerned district rice millers association and this information was then passed on to the head office of MARKFED, it said. The bills of ''only those rice millers who have paid cash amount'' to the association were cleared by the MD, MARKFED for payment, it alleged. Probe found, the ED said, the increase in the special allowance from Rs 40 to Rs 120 per quintal, payments of Rs 500 crore were released, generating ''kickbacks'' of Rs 175 crore which were collected by Roshan Chandrakar with active assistance of MD MARKFED (Soni), for the benefit of 'higher powers'. The agency said it seized ''incriminating'' documents, digital devices and ''unaccounted cash'' of Rs 1.06 crore during the raids. The ED, over the last few months, has claimed to have unearthed a coal levy, a liquor duty and an illegal online betting app (Mahadev app) ''scam'' in the state which is currently being ruled by the BJP after it defeated the Congress party led by chief minister Bhupesh Baghel in the assembly polls held last year. In all these cases, the ED has claimed, kickbacks worth crores were generated through a nexus of local politicians and bureaucrats. It has arrested a number of IAS officers, a police official and some others in these above mentioned cases till now.

Chhattisgarh: Rahul talks about reservation, PSU assets and rights of poor

RAIPUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that the ongoing Lok Sabha polls are not ordinary elections but meant to stand up to protect the Constitution, democracy, reservations, public sector undertakings and the rights of the poor. Seeking support in a rally for the party candidate in Chhattisgarhs Bilaspur seat, he said that the Constitution is not just a book but ensures the rights of the people, particularly the poor, Dalits, tribals, and the backward. While BJP and RSS want to abolish the Constitution, the Congress is committed to safeguarding it. Many BJP leaders had said that if they retain power, the Constitution and reservation will be abolished. Without the Constitution nothing (rights or voices) will remain for the poor, Dalits, and tribals, he claimed. He further promised to remove the 50% quota cap if the Congress is voted to power at the Centre. Gandhi dared the BJP leaders to pledge they will not privatise PSUs, will end the system of contract workers, and waive off farmers loans. They will never do so because their ideology is not those of Ambedkarji, Gandhiji and Nehruji but instead to help only select 20-22 billionaires. People of India have now understood that the BJP and PM Mod intend to put an end to the Constitution. When we used to talk about it earlier, not many believed us, he said. He said that eventually the people have realised that the attack by the BJP is on the democracy, Constitution, reservations, PSUs and now the present elections have turned into contests for safeguarding them. Earlier PM Modi said 400 paar but now not saying beyond 150 as the people have come to realise that the Constitution will be changed or eliminated by them.., he said. The third phase polling in Chhattisgarh will cover the remaining seven Lok Sabha seats on May 7.

Cgarh: 9 killed, 23 injured as van rams into truck

Raipur : At least nine people, including five women and four children, were killed and 23 others injured when a van carrying them rammed into a mini truck parked roadside in a village under Bemetara district, police said on Monday. The incident took place in the village of Kathia under Bemetara police station at around 2.30 am on Monday, police said. The victims were returning home in the village of Pathre after attending a family function in the nearby village of Tireya when the incident took place, police said. Bemetara district collector Ranveer Sharma and local superintendent of police Ramkrushna Sahu rushed to the spot to oversee the rescue operation. The injured people were admitted to the nearby government hospital.

Cgarh LS polls: This poll is to save Constitution: Rahul Gandhi

Raipur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the current general elections are not merely to elect the MPs, but to save the Constitution. Addressing an election rally at Sakri in Takhatpur falling under Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh, Mr Gandhi said the Constitution of India is facing serious threat from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). BJP and RSS want to change the Constitution to abolish the reservation system in the country, he said, and added that This poll is very significant as far as preservation of our Constitution is concerned. Mr Gandhi declared that the Congress, if voted to power in the general elections, will remove the 50 percent cap on reservation and increase the quota to accommodate Dalits, tribals and backward classes suitably. He pledged to waive farm loans and accord legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP) of various crops if Congress won the polls. The Congress leader also declared that the Congress, if voted to power, will solve the unemployment problem by bringing the right to apprentice law. He said that the unemployed youths would be provided skill development training and employed for a year for an annual package of Rs one lakh each. Mr Gandhi further said that a woman member in each family would be provided an annual assistance of Rs one lakh under Mahalaxmi Yojana. The Congress leader accused BJP of trying to abolish the reservation system by privatising public sector units in the country. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to visit Janjgir-Champa in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday while AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is scheduled to address an election meeting in Korba in Chhattisgarh on May two. The final round of the three-phase Lok Sabha polls in Chhattisgarh is going to be held on May seven. BJP had won nine out of 11 LS seats in 2019 while Congress bagged the remaining two seats.

Centre to deploy CISF cover at ED offices amid growing security concerns

NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the recent attacks on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and also based on a recent threat assessment report issued by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to permanently deploy personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the ED's offices across the country to provide security cover, officials said on Monday. The officials said that initial deployment of personnel of the paramilitary force would focus on select cities, including Mumbai, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ranchi, Raipur and Kochi. A senior MHA official said, High-level deliberations are going on in the Ministry to extend the CISF cover to ED offices in other states, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhance security measures in and around the agencys premises. The agency maintains a robust pan-India presence, operating from 21 zonal and 18 sub-zonal offices spanning 40 cities across five regions - west, east, central, south and north. The headquarters located on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in Delhi already has CISF protection. Officials said the urgency to step up security arrangements at ED offices was felt following the incident on January 5 this year when a mob attacked a team of ED officers from the Kolkata unit in West Bengals Sandeshkhali. Three officers were injured in the attack. This incident served as a stark reminder of the risks faced by officials of the enforcement agency in carrying out their duties. Earlier, on December 1 and 2 last year, Tamil Nadus Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested an ED officer Ankit Tiwari for extortion and then raided the agencys sub-zonal office in Madurai. The agency filed a complaint with the state police chief alleging that sensitive documents from its office were stolen. Later, the Intelligence Bureau submitted a threat assessment report to the MHA about the security needs for the agencys personnel and its establishments across the country, the officials said, adding that following this the ministry sent a note to the CISF to draw up a plan for regular deployment. The CISF is the only paramilitary force deployed at central government establishments on a cost-reimbursement basis. During the past 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, the ED has registered an average of 500 cases every year under various provisions of the the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The cases involved political personalities and also high net worth private individuals. The ED on its part, however, argues that of the total over 5,100 PMLA cases registered in the last 10 years, only about 2-3% are linked to politicians. The agency has attached properties worth Rs 1.21 lakh crore and arrested 755 people in the last 10 years, compared to Rs 5,086 crore worth attachments and 29 arrests during the 10 years of the UPAs rule.

BJPs roadshow ignites enthusiasm in Jharsuguda

JHARSUGUDA: The town witnessed a massive display of BJPs election campaign as the party took out a grand roadshow, led by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday. The event, which began at 7 pm, saw a huge turnout of supporters and enthusiastic participation from BJP leaders, including Bargarh Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Purohit and Jharsuguda Assembly nominee Tankadhar Tripathy. Soon after Sai reached Jharsuguda airport, Pradhan along with other BJP leaders welcomed him. The procession, accompanied by tight security, proceeded to Manmohan ME School ground, where BJP supporters eagerly awaited. Traversing through the towns main thoroughfares, the roadshow culminated at Gandhi chowk near the old bus stand, drawing thousands of spectators. The atmosphere was electric, with enthusiastic chants of Modi, Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai resonating throughout the town as BJP workers and supporters waved party flags. Sai and Pradhan were greeted with flower bouquets at various junctures along the route. After the road show, CM Sai returned to Raipur. Extensive security arrangements were made including the suspension of vehicular movement within the town from the afternoon.

Come home to vote, Chhattisgarh district makes video calls to migrants

RAIPUR : The Mungeli district authorities in Chhattisgarh are contacting people from the area who have migrated to other places in search of a livelihood through video calls and encouraging them to return to exercise their franchise in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Over 22,000 workers, away from their home districts, have been contacted. The vision remains to meet the mandate of the Election Commission under the Systematic Voters Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, but with a unique touch. Mungeli, under the Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency, is about 125 km from Raipur. While analysing the previous polls voter turnout, we found that with many migrant workers being away, the desired high polling could not be achieved. Then a strategy was put into action to connect with such people and encourage them to return and be a part of the festival of democracy, Rahul Deo, Mungeli collector, told this newspaper. The mission Shat Pratishat Matdan Mungeli Ka Abhiman (100% voting for Mungelis pride) was floated among the migrant labourers as the government officials continued to connect with them on video calls. The data of such workers away is available to the election booth-level officers and the gram panchayat secretaries. Why video calling? Such calls by authorities make the receivers realise the significance of voting in democracy besides elevating their self-esteem. The video connected to mobile phones ensures the officials are convincing the right persons during a visit to their habitations. Its heartening to see that the responses have been extremely positive as they pledged to return to vote, said the collector. It was a pleasant surprise when officials called to remind us about our democratic rights. We will come back to vote, said Sampat Marawi, a native of Lormi working in Hyderabad. We acknowledge the efforts of the local authorities to strengthen the voters participation, Krishna Sahu from Patharia tehsil. As an incentive to these migrants for their willingness to return to their polling places, the district has planned to welcome them all.

Bemetara communal flare-up in Chhattisgarh last year: CBI takes over youths murder case

RAIPUR, April 27: The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into the murder of 22-year-old Bhuneshwar Sahu in communal violence in Chhattisgarhs Bemetara district in April last year. A statement from the Press Information Bureau said the CBI on Friday re-registered a case in connection with the incident on a request of []

Chhattisgarh: Maoists brutally kill Congress leader in Dantewada

Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Manjhi was the eighth BJP leader to have been killed by Maoists in the state in the past one year. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM) Raipur: Maoists brutally killed a local Congress leader by slitting his throat in front of his family members in a village in Dantewada district under Bastar in Chhattisgarh, police said on Saturday. A group of suspected Maoists armed with sharp weapons stormed into the house of Joga Podium, former member of the local janpad panchayat, in the village of Potli under Aranpur police station at around 11 pm on Friday and dragged him out of his house, a senior district police officer said. The ultras then attacked him with sharp weapons and also slit his throat killing him on the spot, police said. The slain tribals family members were forced to remain mute spectators to the macabre incident. The rebels later fled into the nearby forest. A team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) rushed to the spot from their nearby camp and launched a combing operation in the area, the police officer said. However, no Maoist pamphlet was found at the crime scene, police said. Maoists usually leave a pamphlet assigning the reason for killing their target after committing a crime.

LS polls: Brisk Polling in Chhattisgarh, Moderate in MP, Baghel Heckled

Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was on Friday allegedly heckled by some BJP workers when he was visiting a booth under Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh. Rajnandgaon along with Kanker (ST) and Mahasamund LS constituencies went to polls in the second phase polling in Chhattisgarh on Friday. The incident happened when Mr Baghel who is seeking election from Rajnandgaon seat was visiting the polling booth at Dedesera under his constituency after learning about a clash between workers of BJP and Congress there, a Congress leader in Raipur said. In his post in X, formerly Twitter, Mr Baghel alleged that he was prevented from visiting the booth by some BJP activists who indulged in hooliganism. An average voter turnout of 72.15 percent was recorded in the three LS constituencies that went to polls in the second phase, according to the chief electoral officers office in Raipur. The second phase polling in Madhya Pradesh however recorded moderate voter turnout of 54.83 percent by five pm on Friday. However, the polling percentage may increase since many voters were still seen waiting to exercise their franchise. Six LS constituencies in Madhya Pradesh went to polls in second phase polling on Friday.

Beyond Borders, A Soldiers Perspective on Naxalism

New Delhi (India), April 26:Dr. Vinod Kumar Tandonwas born on July 12, 1981 in Jaitpur village of Raipur district (presently new formed distt. Sarangarh-Bilaigarh). Author completed Graduation from Chhattisgarh College Raipur in the year 2001, Post-Graduated in Public Administration, in 2004 & qualified UGC (NET-JRF). After Completion of Education, the author selected as first Class []

Tragic Accident: Chhattisgarh Cop Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing at Former MLA's Residence

Tragic Accident: Chhattisgarh Cop Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing at Former MLA's Residence A policeman was killed and another injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in the bungalow of a former Congress MLA in Chhattisgarhs capital Raipur on Friday, police said. The incident occurred between 7 am and 8 am when the two personnel of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force were cleaning their service weapons in the barrack at the bungalow of former MLA Devti Karma here in the Civil Lines area, a police official said. As per preliminary information, a bullet accidentally discharged from a pistol pierced through a palm of assistant platoon commander Ram Kumar Dohare and hit the chest of head constable Ajay Singh, he said. The two were shifted to a government hospital where Singh succumbed to the bullet wound. Dohare is undergoing treatment, he said. While Singh belonged to Bijuri, Dohare hails from Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, he said. The two were posted on security duty of Ashish Karma, son of Devti Karma. Prima facie the incident seems to be a case of accidental firing. However, the investigation into it is underway, the official said. On Thursday, a District Reserve Guard (DRG) constable was killed and another policeman injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in the states Dantewada district.

Ex-IAS Officer Anil Tuteja Accused of Masterminding Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ED

Ex-IAS Officer Anil Tuteja Accused of Masterminding Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ED Retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja is the ''kingpin'' of the liquor syndicate that was operating in Chhattisgarh leading to generation of proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 2,100 crore, the Enforcement Directorate alleged on Thursday. Tuteja, a 2003-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was arrested by the federal anti-money laundering agency in the state capital Raipur last week and is currently in the ED custody. Probe found that Tuteja is the ''kingpin'' of the liquor syndicate operating in Chhattisgarh, the agency claimed in a statement. ''Evidence documenting his direct involvement in managing the state administration for unhindered operations of the syndicate have been gathered and he was also found to be actively engaged with Anwar Dhebar, another co-accused in this matter,'' it said. Anwar Dhebar is the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar. The agency claimed it has gathered evidence that while Tuteja ''was not officially a part of the Excise Department, yet he was actively involved with operations of this department.'' Digital evidence relating to receipt of Rs 14.41 crore by Tuteja has also been discovered during investigation, it said. The agency added that his role in the appointment of Arunpati Tripathi, a co-accused in the case, as the managing director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited has also allegedly been found. The ''complicit'' actions of Tuteja resulted in ''massive loss'' to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of the liquor syndicate with more than Rs 2,100 crore illegal proceeds of crime, the ED claimed, adding that Tuteja also received a ''substantial share in this loot''. The IAS officer retired from service last year. His last designation was that of joint secretary in the Industry and Commerce Department of Chhattisgarh. The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR that was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. The apex court ruled there was no scheduled offence, and hence the money laundering case does not stand. The agency, just before this ruling, had shared details of its probe in the case with the Chhattisgarh EOW/ACB seeking registration of a criminal case and once they filed a FIR, the ED registered a new money laundering case taking cognisance of that complaint. The EOW/ACB registered this FIR on January 17, about a month after the BJP defeated the incumbent Congress government in the assembly polls, and named 70 individuals and companies, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, former chief secretary Vivek Dhand and others. As per the ED's estimate, the ''proceeds of crime'' in the case stands at Rs 2,161 crore. Money was ''illegally'' collected from ''every'' bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh and evidence of ''unprecedented'' corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar has been unearthed, the ED had alleged. The alleged liquor scam, which ran between 2019 and 2022, was perpetrated in three broad ways, as per the ED. First was ''commission'' where bribe was collected from the distillers per bottle of liquor procured from them by the CSMCL (the state body for purchase and sale of liquor). The second was 'kacha' (off the books) sale of country liquor where ''not even a single rupee reached the state exchequer and all the sale proceeds were pocketed by the syndicate.'' This country liquor was sold from the state-run shops only, the ED alleged. The third part was ''bribes'' taken from distillers to allow them to make a ''cartel'' and have fixed market share apart from commission from FL-10A License holders who were introduced to earn in the foreign liquor segment, the ED said.

Congresss loot wont stop even after you die: Modi

RAIPUR/BHOPAL/BENGALURU: Congress leader Sam Pitrodas faux pas on inheritance tax in the US gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi fresh ammunition on Wednesday to attack the party over its proposed wealth redistribution. Indian Overseas Congress chairman Pitroda, in an interview, said that in the US, 55% of a persons wealth is grabbed by the government when he or she dies and only 45% goes to children. He called it an interesting law. Addressing a campaign rally in Chhattisgarh, Modi cited Pitrodas comment and said the Congress will loot people during their lifetime and even after death. Congress ka mantra hei Congress ki loot zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi, Modi said borrowing the Life Insurance Corporations famous tagline. To control the damage, the Congress distanced itself from Pitrodas comments. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said Pitrodas comment on inheritance tax does not reflect the partys views on the subject. I would like to categorically state that Congress has no plan on the inheritance tax, Ramesh said. In Madhya Pradeshs Sagar and Betul, both reserved constituencies for tribals, Modi recalled a three-decade-old Congress decision in Karnataka to add all Muslim castes to the backward caste basket. Congress has always been working at snatching the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs to bolster its vote bank, he charged. In his sharp riposte, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described it as an irresponsible statement. Siddaramaiah said based on the Chinnappa Reddy Commission report and taking consideration of the social and economic status, Muslims were brought under 2B of the OBC category in the state. But this has been there for the past three decades. During this period, the BJP in the state or Centre never questioned it, he pointed out. My own views Congress leader Sam Pitroda said his views on inheritance has nothing to do with the Congress party. I mentioned US inheritance tax in the US only as an example in my normal conversation on TV. Can I not mention facts? he asked

DRG Constable Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

DRG Constable Killed, Colleague Injured in Accidental Firing in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada A District Reserve Guard (DRG) constable was killed and another policeman injured due to an accidental discharge of a firearm in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, officials said on Thursday. The incident took place at around 11 pm on Wednesday when a joint team of the DRG and Bastar Fighter, both units of state police, was out on an anti-Naxal operation in Barsoor police station limits, a statement issued by the police said. Acting on an input about the presence of armed Naxalites in Handawada and Hitawada villages along the Dantewada-Narayanpur districts border, the security personnel had launched the operation, it said. ''During patrolling, two DRG constables - Jograj Karma and Parsuram Alami - suffered bullet injuries in an accidental firing,'' the release said. While being evacuated, Karma succumbed to his injuries due to excessive bleeding. Alami was administered preliminary treatment and then airlifted to Raipur for further medication, the police said. The statement did not specify whose weapon accidentally went off and said more details will be shared later.

Mild tremor felt in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh

JAGDALPUR: A 2.6 magnitude tremor was recorded in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district on Wednesday evening, officials said. No damage or casualties were reported from the area, they said. The tremor was recorded around 8 pm with its epicenter located 5 km deep and 2 km in the north-east direction from Jagdalpur, the headquarter of the district, a meteorological department official said in Raipur. Aftershocks were also felt in Jagdalpur town, he said.

Mahadev app: Chhattisgarh probe agency arrests 2 persons

Raipur: Chhattisgarhs Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on Wednesday said it has arrested two persons in connection with the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involved senior politicians and bureaucrats from the state. The duos arrest, made from New Delhi and Goa, came after the state probe Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Chhattisgarh Investigative Agency Nets Suspects in Mahadev Online Betting App Scam

Chhattisgarh Investigative Agency Nets Suspects in Mahadev Online Betting App Scam Chhattisgarh's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on Wednesday said it has arrested two persons in connection with the alleged illegal operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application that purportedly involved senior politicians and bureaucrats from the state. The duo's arrest, made from New Delhi and Goa, came after the state probe agency lodged a case on March 4 based on a report submitted to it by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating money laundering angle in the scandal since more than a year. The ED has separately arrested nine persons so far as part of its probe. ''While (accused) Rahul Vakte was located in Delhi, (co-accused) Ritesh Yadav was found in Goa,'' an ACB/EOW statement said. The two were produced on Wednesday in a Raipur court which sent them to custody of ACB/EOW for six days, officials said. The duo was absconding since August last year when an assistant sub-inspector of state police, Chandrabhushan Verma, was arrested (by the ED) in the alleged scam, the statement said. ''Vakte was allegedly engaged in delivering money received through hawala (illegal channel for fund transfer) to Verma. Three firms were registered in the name of Vakte wherein huge amount of cash was deposited. Yadav was allegedly operating panel of the online betting app (Mahadev) and aided Verma and another man Satish Chandrakar after receiving money through Hawala. Rs 43 lakh of hawala money has been frozen,'' it said. Chandrakar was arrested by the ED last year in its money laundering case. Yadav was operating Mahadev betting app panel in Pune (Maharashtra). The state's ACB with support of the Pune police conducted raids there and arrested eight people involved in operating betting app panel. Further action against them is being taken by Pune police, the statement said. The ACB/EOW, in its FIR lodged in the alleged Mahadev betting app scandal, has named former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress along with promoters of the app Ravi Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni and Anil Kumar Agrawal and 14 others as accused. The case was registered under sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and others of the IPC and sections 7 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, the ACB/EOW earlier said. The FIR, citing the ED report, had stated that Mahadev book app promoters Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni and Anil Agrawal created online platform for live online betting and indulged in gambling through WhatsApp, Facebook and telegram and other social media platforms. The promoters created different platforms and conducted illegal acts of online betting through panel operators/branch operators. They kept 70 per cent to 80 per cent of illegal earnings with them and distributed the rest of the money to panel operators/ branch operators, the FIR said. The promoters and panel operators garnered around Rs 450 crore per month through the online betting app after the lockdown was imposed in 2020 (following COVID-19 outbreak), it said. The panel operators transferred illegal money to app promoters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through various bank accounts, it said. Several police personnel, administrative officers and influential political persons have misused their positions and acquired illegal assets in the form of protection money from the promoters of Mahadev book app, it said. Provisional attachment of many immovable properties has been done by the ED, it said. In January, former CM Baghel, who lost power in December 2023, had termed the ED's action in the Mahadev betting app case as a ''political conspiracy'' and accused the federal agency of acting at the behest of its ''political masters''. So far, the ED has arrested nine people in the money-laundering-linked case. The ED has filed two chargesheets till now in a Raipur court, including against the two main promoters of the alleged illegal betting and gaming app, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. It had conducted multiple raids earlier. The projected proceeds of crime in the money laundering case have been pegged at about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.

May Bank Holidays: Get your important work done, banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the list of holidays here

Now only a few days are left for April to end. After this, the month of May will begin, but do you know how many days banks are going to remain closed this time in May? Probably not, but like every time, this time too there will be bank holidays. In such a situation, it is obvious that you should plan your bank-related work according to bank holidays. Otherwise, you may face problems later. So let us know when the banks of your city will be closed in May. You can see the complete list of holidays for the month of May in the next slides... Banks will remain closed for so many days in May, see the complete list:- Due to May 1st being May Day, there will be a bank holiday in all the states. At the same time, banks will remain closed in Maharashtra also on 1st May due to Maharashtra Day. Then May 5 is Sunday, so banks across the country will remain closed. May 8 is the birth anniversary of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, due to which there will be a holiday for the banks of Kolkata. Banks will remain closed in Bengaluru on May 10 due to Basava Jayanti/Akshay Tritiya. Banks will remain closed across the country due to May 11 being the second Saturday. There will be a Sunday holiday on 12th May in all the banks of the country. Banks to remain closed in Gangtok on 16th May due to Statehood Day There will be a Sunday holiday on 19th May in all the banks of the country. Banks will remain closed in Agartala, Aizawl, Bhopal, Belapur, Dehradun, Itanagar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, Ranchi, Shimla and Srinagar due to Buddha Purnima on 23 May. May 25 is the fourth Saturday, hence there will be a holiday in banks across the country. (PC: ISTOCK)

SCR Announces Cancellation, diversion and Rescheduling of Trains

Visakhapatnam : The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of trains due to non-interlocking works for the commissioning of the 3rd line between Bona Kalu-Chinta Kani-Pandillapalli and Errupalem-Tondalagopavaram-Madhira stations over the Kazipet-Vijayawada section. Diversion of trains: Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 20805 (Visakhapatnam-New Delhi) and Train No. 20806 (New Delhi-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted from their existing routes to pass through Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, and Nagpur. Stoppages will be eliminated at Anakapalle, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Balharshah, and Chandrapur stations. Train No. 20803 (Visakhapatnam-Gandhidham) and Train No. 20804 (Gandhidham-Visakhapatnam) will also follow this diverted route, with Stoppages were eliminated at certain stations. Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 18519 (Visakhapatnam-LTT) and Train No. 18520 (LTT-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted through Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad route instead of the existing route via Kazipet. Stoppages will be eliminated at Kazipet station. Similarly, other trains like Train No. 18045 (Shalimar-Hyderabad), Train No. 18046 (Hyderabad-Shalimar), Train No. 11019 (CSMT-Bhubaneswar), and Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT) will be diverted via this route, with specific stoppages eliminated. Diversion via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nandyal-Guntakal-Ballari: Train No. 18112 (Yeshvantpur-Tata) will follow this diverted route with stoppages eliminated at Raichur, Yadgir, Chittapur, Tandur, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Warangal, and Khammam stations. Elimination of stoppages: Stoppages at Madhira Station for certain trains, including Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Exp), Train No. 12861 (Visakhapatnam-Mahbubnagar Exp), and Train No. 12862 (Mahbubnagar-Visakhapatnam Exp) will be eliminated on specific days. Rescheduling of trains: Additionally, there will be rescheduling of trains, including Train No. 20833 (Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat) and Train No. 20834 (Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat) with varying reschedule times at Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad stations on specific dates. The South Central Railway advises passengers to check updated schedules and plan their travel accordingly, considering the diversions and rescheduling of train services due to the ongoing non-interlocking works.

Cgarh: Congress instigates violence to cover up its corruption, wherever it is in power: PM Modi

Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Congress instigated violence to cover up its corruption wherever it was in power. That is why corruption and violence reach their peak wherever Congress is in power, Mr Modi said, while addressing a public meeting at Shyam Tharai under Dhamtari district, part of Mahasamund Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh.The Prime Minister cited the case of the Bhupesh Baghel government to drive his point home. Naxal violence increased during the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh, he said, and added that incidents of Maoist violence and corruption have however been curbed when BJP came to power in the state. What is the connection between violence and Congress? The answer is corruption. Congress increases violence to hide its corruption, Mr Modi said. He said that when Congress was in power in the North East, violent activities could not be checked and as long as it ruled Chhattisgarh, Maoist violence kept on increasing. People kept dying, but Congress kept on filling its coffers, he said. Congress and development cannot go hand in hand. Mr Modi reaffirmed his commitment to root out Naxalism in Chhattisgarh. Maoism has been declining rapidly in Chhattisgarh. I give a guarantee to the parents that I will root out Naxalism. I assure mothers that the lives of their children (those slain Maoist violence) will not go to waste. To protect your child, I assure every mother that I will eliminate Naxalism and Maoism, he said. Training his gun at INDIA bloc, he said that the recent rally held by the grouping in Ranchi in Jharkhand had witnessed violent incidents in which activists of alliance partners were seen breaking each others heads in public.This is the situation in the INDIA bloc, he said. He said that in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, the country has made its mind clear that a strong government is needed to build a development nation and Thats why people have faith in BJP to take the country to the path of development. Mr Modi is going to spend the night in the Raj Bhavan in Raipur on Tuesday.He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Ambikapur under Surguja Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Congress in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday moved the Election Commission registering its opposition to Mr Modis night stay in Raj Bhavan, terming it violation of model code of conduct of elections.

PM Modi LIVE: Narendra Modi Steps Up Campaigning Ahead Of Phase 2, Rally In Chhattisgarh

As the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections approaches, political parties are intensifying their campaign efforts to win over voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold rallies in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, Mahasamund, and Janjgir-Champa on Tuesday and Wednesday.On Tuesday afternoon, PM Modi will arrive in Raigarh and then proceed to the Janjgir-Champa constituency to address a rally in Baradwar village. Following this, he will visit Shyamtarai village in Mahasamund district for another public gathering.After staying overnight at Raj Bhawan in Raipur, PM Modi will head to Ambikapur in Surguja on Wednesday morning for another rally. Later, he will depart for Madhya Pradesh via Raigarh.

Odisha: Frauds used cloned cheques to siphon off Rs 4.5 cr from Mayurbhanj district mineral foundation account

BHUBANESWAR: A bunch of inter-state frauds reportedly from neighbouring states targetted the Mayurbhanj District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund by using cloned cheques to swindle around Rs 4.5 crore from the bank account. The DMF account of zilla parishad is maintained with the Bank of India. Preliminary probe indicated the gang of frauds sent a fabricated letterhead of Mayurbhanj Collector with his fake signature via courier to the bank requesting to link a mobile phone number with the account of DMF. The unsuspecting bank officials linked the mobile phone number of the miscreants with the DMF account of zilla parishad, Mayurbhanj, following which Rs 4.5 crore was withdrawn on April 10 and transferred to bank accounts in Kolkata and Raipur, said sources. EOW suspects the scamsters possibly came to know of the cheque numbers through statements of the bank account of DMF and deposited the cloned cheques accordingly. A few days later, they again attempted to withdraw Rs 5.5 crore, but this time the bank manager found it suspicious and informed police of the matter. When the money was not released after the second cheque was deposited, one of the gang members telephoned the manager of the bank impersonating the collector and inquired about the matter, said police sources. The bank officials immediately lodged a complaint with Mayurbhanj police but as the matter was sensitive, its investigation was handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch. A team of EOW visited Baripada on April 21 and launched a probe into the matter. Preliminary investigation suggests the gang members are based out of neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, said EOW sources. Since the frauds had got their mobile phone number linked with the bank account of DMF to receive OTPs and other information, it was easy for them to evade the notice of the DMF managers. However, how the gang members accessed the bank statement and details of cheque is under scrutiny and role of insiders is not ruled out since the fund concerns crores of rupees. This is not the first time DMF funds have been swindled by depositing cloned cheques. In November last year, a fraudster allegedly swindled around 22 lakh from the DMF account of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Sambalpur by depositing cloned cheques.

Modi Govt has eliminated terrorism from country, Naxalism on verge of ending: Shah

RAIPUR, Apr 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism from the country while Naxalism is on the verge of ending. Addressing an election rally in Chhattisgarhs Kanker town, Shah also asked Naxalites to surrender, or else they would be rooted out from the state in two years. He asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that four generations of his family were in power in the country, but what [] The post Modi Govt has eliminated terrorism from country, Naxalism on verge of ending: Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

PM Modi Starts 2-Day Whirlwind Tour of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh Today

Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make a two-day whirlwind tour of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from Tuesday to canvas for BJP for the ongoing general elections. Mr Modi is scheduled to address three public meetings in the equal number of Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh during his two-day-tour of the state. He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Shakti under Janjgir-Champa LS constituency and another election rally in Dhamtari under Mahasamund LS constituency in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Mr Modi is scheduled to spend the night on April 23 in the Raj Bhavan in Raipur. He is scheduled to address a public meeting at Ambikapur under Surguja Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday before winding up his two-day-tour of the state. Mr Modi is scheduled to leave for Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. He is scheduled to address two public meetings and hold a road show in Madhya Pradesh before winding up his days visit to the state on Wednesday night. Mr Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Bartuma falling under Sagar Lok Sabha seat in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. He had laid foundation stone for construction of a majestic Sant Ravidas temple being built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, around six months ago. He is then scheduled to address a public meeting at Abagaon under Harda district, falling under Betul (ST) LS constituency. He would hold a road show in Bhopal on Wednesday evening.

Cgarh: Congress anti-Ram, anti-Sanatan: Nadda

Raipur: BJP national president J P Nadda on Monday termed Congress as anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan.Mr Nadda recalled that the UPA government-led by Dr Manmohan Singh had filed an affidavit in the court calling Lord Ram as a fiction and also questioned the silence of Congress over Tamil Nadu minister Udaynidhi Stalins offensive remarks against Sanatan religion comparing it with dreaded diseases such as Dengue and AIDS. Addressing three election meetings in Chhattisgarh, Mr Nadda said that Congress had spurned the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 because of the partys concern for its vote bank.Congress has always been anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan, he said. He also accused Congress of patronising anti-national forces.Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi had cried when terrorists were killed in the Batla house encounter, Mr Nadda said.The BJP leader also launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, calling it a group of political dynasties who are out to promote and protect their family members.When Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for rooting out corruption, INDIA bloc leaders say save the corrupt, he said. He underlined various welfare measures undertaken by Mr Modi to uplift the weaker sections of the society such as women, farmers, dalits and tribals and said that the PM planned to create three crore Lakhpati didis (sisters) in the country. Mr Nadda said that the PM has changed the definition and style of politics in the country.Earlier, politics was done on the basis of religion and caste, he said and added that Mr Modi has destroyed it and introduced politics of development in the country. Mr Nadda addressed three rallies at Lormi in Mungeli district, Bhilai in Durg district and Chandkhuri in Raipur district in Chhattisgarh.Chhattisgarh is going to the Lok Sabha polls in three phases. While the first phase of elections was held on April 19, the next two phases are scheduled to be held on April 26 and May three.In the first phase, polls were held for Bastar (ST) Lok Sabha elections in the state .BJP had won nine out of 11 LS seats in the 2019 polls, leaving the Congress to bag the remaining two seats.

Modi Govt Has Eliminated Terrorism From Country, Naxalism On Verge Of Ending: Amit Shah

RAIPUR, Apr 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has eliminated terrorism from the country while Naxalism is on the verge of ending. Addressing an election rally in Chhattisgarhs Kanker town, Shah also asked Naxalites to surrender, or else they would be rooted out from the state in two years. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp He asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that four generations of his family were [] The post Modi Govt Has Eliminated Terrorism From Country, Naxalism On Verge Of Ending: Amit Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Priyanka alleges BJPs plan to change the Constitution, urge people to vote for change

RAIPUR: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi alleged on Sunday that the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has intentions to amend the Indian Constitution, thus undermining the rights guaranteed to the people. Speaking at an election rally in Balod, she accused BJP leaders of making grandiose promises and engaging in lofty rhetoric while sidestepping the concerns of the people. Many BJP leaders and ministers are openly stating in their campaigns that if their party achieves a Lok Sabha majority of 400 seats, they will amend the Constitution. Although PM Modi denies it, this appears to be their strategy. Otherwise, how could BJP leaders openly discuss altering the Constitution without presumed consent from Modi ji? The truth is, they can't be trusted anymore. Once they secure the numbers, they will likely proceed with altering the Constitution, she cautioned, expressing concern that such actions would strip away people's rights and dignity. BJP-ruled Centre is fascist, racist and oppressive government: Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka urged voters to exercise their franchise wisely, emphasizing that they have the power to change the government if it fails to meet their expectations. There is an urgent need for change. Otherwise, if the BJP returns to power for another five years, the country's future becomes uncertain. We may witness changes in the Constitution, restrictions on rights, increased inflation, unemployment, and challenges faced by citizens, while big industrialists gain more influence and leaders become more authoritarian, she asserted. Highlighting the achievements of the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh, she criticized the new BJP administration for discontinuing welfare schemes initiated by the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led government. Priyanka also took a swipe at the PM, questioning why Modi ji, who is seen as influential on the global stage, hasn't effectively addressed domestic issues like unemployment and inflation. This indicates that his projection of power is superficial, and there may be issues with his intentions, she alleged. Drawing a parallel between PM Modi and Indira Gandhi, she praised the former Prime Minister for her patient approach in addressing people's concerns and ensuring their rights. Indiraji continues to hold a special place in your hearts because she didn't indulge in political theatrics. People need to deeply reflect on the current state of affairs, she urged. Priyanka criticized the BJP's electoral bonds scheme, alleging that it has exposed corrupt practices, particularly after the Supreme Court's intervention. Modiji labels opposition leaders as corrupt, files cases against them, and puts them in jail. However, when corrupt leaders from other parties join the BJP, all investigations and cases are conveniently dropped, she claimed. On what basis is BJP claiming 400 seats: Priyanka Gandhi smells a rat in NDA slogan

Chhattisgarh: ED arrests retired IAS officer Tuteja in liquor scam case

Chhattisgarh: ED arrests retired IAS officer Tuteja in liquor scam case Days after filing a fresh case, the Enforcement Directorate on Sunday arrested retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with a Rs 2,000 crore alleged liquor-scam linked money laundering case in the state, officials said. The federal agency detained the 2003-batch officer from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Raipur on Saturday evening where the bureaucrat and his son Yash Tuteja had gone to record their statements in the same case. They were issued a summons by the ED at the EOW/ACB office to join the investigation and record their statements following which they were taken to the central agency's office here. The retired IAS officer was questioned and was taken into custody in the early hours of Sunday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Yash Tuteja was allowed to leave after questioning. Anil Tuteja was produced before a jurisdictional magistrate that sent him to one-day judicial custody, ED counsel Saurabh Pandey said. He added that the agency had sought a 14-day custody of Tuteja from the magistrate. However, as the special PMLA court was not working on Sunday, the magistrate court sent him to judicial custody for a day, the lawyer said. Tuteja will be produced before a special PMLA court on Monday and the ED will seek his remand afresh for custodial interrogation, he said. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer retired from service last year. He was last designated as joint secretary in the industry and commerce department of Chhattisgarh. The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR that was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. The apex court ruled that there was no scheduled offence and hence the money laundering case does not stand. The agency, just before this ruling, had shared details of its probe into the case with the state EOW/ACB seeking registration of a criminal case and once they filed an FIR, the ED registered a new money laundering case taking cognisance of that complaint. The EOW/ACB registered this FIR on January 17, about a month after the BJP returned to power in the state by defeating the Congress in the assembly polls. It named 70 individuals and companies, including former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, former chief secretary Vivek Dhand and others. The ED has estimated the alleged ''proceeds of crime'' in the case at Rs 2,161 crore. Money was ''illegally'' collected from ''every'' bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh and evidence of ''unprecedented'' corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, has been unearthed, the ED had alleged. Slamming the BJP government in the state, former chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel had earlier claimed that the EOW/ACB action was ''politically motivated''. The ED and Income Tax Department have been probing the cases for the last three years and now they have recommended the ACB to register an offence, Baghel had said. ''Earlier the names of several of our party leaders did not come up in the probe but now their names have been mentioned in the (EOW/ACB) FIRs. It has been done to defame them ahead of the Lok Sabha polls,'' Baghel had told reporters. Refuting these claims, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had said the ED is ''an independent agency and it has been doing its job. It has nothing to do with elections.'' Anwar Dhebar, businessman Arvind Singh and Arunpati Tripathi, an Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer and special secretary of the excise department, were arrested by the EOW/ACB as part of the January registered FIR. Anwar Dhebar and Tripathi were arrested by the ED as part of the quashed FIR too. In the past, the ED had also alleged that bribe was collected from distillers in the state on a per liquor case basis procured from the CSMCL (state body for purchase and sale of liquor) while country liquor was being sold off-the-books. ''In this (country liquor) case, not even Re 1 reached the state exchequer and all the sale proceeds were pocketed by the syndicate. The illegal liquor was sold from state-run shops only,'' the agency had alleged. The ED has claimed that bribes were taken from distillers to allow them to make a cartel and have a fixed market share. ''This cartel was exclusively a supplier (of liquor) for the state of Chhattisgarh,'' the ED said, adding the ''commission'' was also generated from the sale of foreign liquor in the state. It alleged the syndicate also ''manufactured and sold'' illicit liquor in the state entirely on cash with no income tax or excise duty being paid. ''The entire sale consideration was siphoned off with each person getting its share, including distiller, transporter, hologram maker, bottle maker, excise department officials and their higher echelons, Anwar Dhebar, senior IAS officers and politicians. ''ED investigation has found that between the years 2019 and 2022, this kind of illegal sale was almost 30-40 per cent of the total sales of liquor in the state,'' the probe agency claimed. It alleged that the commission generated through this illegal sale of liquor was shared ''as per the directions from the highest political executives of the state''.

Congress a synonym for scams, terrorism and Naxalism: UP CM Adityanath

Raipur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hit out at the Congress, claiming the grand old party is a synonym for scams, terrorism and Naxalism. Addressing an election rally in Chhhattisgarhs Kabirdham district, he said the wait of 500 years for Ram Lalla (installation of his idol) in Ayodhya ended because of Prime Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Retired Chhattisgarh IAS Officer Anil Tuteja Arrested in Liquor Scam

Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with an alleged liquor scam-linked money laundering case in the state, official sources reported on Sunday. According to the sources, the federal agency detained the 2003 batch officer from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Raipur on Saturday. Tuteja and his son Yash Tuteja had gone to record their statement in the same case. The IAS officer was later taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is expected to be produced before a magistrate seeking his remand. Tuteja retired from service last year.The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR, which was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. The agency shared details of its probe in the case with the state EOW/ACB, seeking registration of an FIR. Once the FIR was filed, the ED registered a new money laundering case, taking note of that complaint. According to the ED, money was illegally collected from every bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh. The agency alleged that evidence of unprecedented corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore was generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor Anwar Dhebar. Israeli Strike on Iranian Air Defenses with Supersonic Missile, Reports Claim Change in School Timings in Jharkhand Due to Heatwave Conditions Patanjali Yogpeeth to Pay Service Tax for Yoga Camps, Supreme Court Upholds CESTAT Decision

Security Forces Encounter Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, One Killed

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Police reported an encounter with Naxalites in the Keshkutul area of Bhairamgarh, Bijapur district, resulting in the death of one Naxalite. Police confirmed the recovery of weapons from the site. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav stated that the encounter operations are ongoing, and further details are awaited. This incident follows a recent encounter earlier this week in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, where 29 Naxals were killed, and three security personnel sustained injuries. Bastar Inspector General of Police (IG) P Sundarraj declared that 71 Naxals have been neutralized since January 2024, marking significant progress in the fight against Naxals. 71 Naxals have been gunned down to date since January 2024. This is one of the major breakthroughs in Chhattisgarh on the Naxal front. The fight against Naxals is at a decisive step. Our endeavor in the future will be to build on what we have accomplished against the Naxalites. Preparations have started to give a new identity to the area and its people, said IG Sundarraj. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai commended the District Reserve Guard and BSF personnel after the encounter in Kanker district, terming it a significant achievement. The operation resulting in the death of 29 Naxals is considered one of the most significant counter-Naxal operations in recent times. Father Allegedly Murders Children, Found Dead on Railway Tracks; Mother Seriously Injured BJP's Moradabad Lok Sabha Candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Singh Passes Away Enhanced Efficiency of Enforcement Directorate under NDA Government, says PM Modi

Retired Chhattisgarh IAS Officer Arrested in Connection with Liquor Scam Money Laundering Case

RAIPUR, April 21: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with a money laundering case linked to a liquor scam, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). The former 2003 batch officer from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) was []

ED arrests ex-IAS officer in liquor scam linked case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with an alleged liquor scam linked money laundering case in the state, official sources said on Sunday. The federal agency had detained the 2003 batch officer from the Economic Offences Wing/Anti Corruption Bureau office in Raipur on Saturday where the bureaucrat and [] The post ED arrests ex-IAS officer in liquor scam linked case appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .

Chhattisgarh: ED arrests retired IAS officer Tuteja in liquor 'scam' case

Chhattisgarh: ED arrests retired IAS officer Tuteja in liquor 'scam' case The Enforcement Directorate has arrested retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with an alleged liquor scam linked money laundering case in the state, official sources said on Sunday. The federal agency had detained the 2003 batch officer from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Raipur on Saturday where the bureaucrat and his son Yash Tuteja had gone to record their statement in the same case. The IAS officer was later taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is expected to be produced before a magistrate seeking his remand, the sources said. The officer retired from service last year. The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR that was based on an Income Tax Department complaint. The agency shared details of its probe in the case with the state EOW/ACB seeking registration of a FIR and once they filed a FIR, the ED registered a new money laundering case taking cognisance of that complaint. Money was ''illegally'' collected from ''every'' bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh and evidence of ''unprecedented'' corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor Anwar Dhebar, has been unearthed, the ED had alleged.

First day, First show and the polling begins

The first round of 7-phase parliamentary polls was held across 21 states, with sporadic incidents of violence being reported from Manipur and West Bengal. In the biggest round of the elections, all 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, 12 of Rajasthan and 8 of Uttar Pradesh went to polls. With PM Modi eyeing a third term in office, the BJP hopes to win 22 of the 25 seats in Northeast, hold on to its 2019 tally in the Hindi heartland and Maharashtra and better its show in West Bengal as well as in the South. The Opposition INDIA bloc insists that it will do well across the country, especially in the saffron bastion of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar this time. The counting of votes will take place on June 4 Rajasthan: Total seats - 25 1st phase - 12 It was subdued enthusiasm among voters in 12 seats. Voting was largely peaceful in most constituencies, though some witnessed sporadic clashes. In Kuchera, Nagaur, one of the hot seats, supporters of BJP candidate Jyoti Mirdha and INDIA Alliance candidate Hanuman Beniwal of RLP clashed with each others, injuring Tejpal Mirdha, the chairman of Kuchera municipality. Nagour is a Jat-dominated seat. In another hot seat of Jhunjhunu in the Shekhawati region, BJP candidate Shubhakaran Chaudhary fought with security personnel and in Churu, an MLA was involved in altercation with a policeman Uttar pradesh: Total seats - 80 1st phase - 8 The overall turnout seemed to be lower than the 2019 elections. The eight constituencies which went to the polls included Saharanpur (63.29%),Pilibhit (60.2%), Kairana (58.68%), Nagina (SC) (58.05%), Moradabad (57.65%), Muzaffarnagar (54.91), Bijnor (54.68%), Rampur (52.42%). No major incident was reported during the polling. Last time, a turnout of 66.47% was recorded in the eight constituencies. Overall turnout in Uttar Pradesh during 2019 was 59.21%. In the Neuria area of the district, villagers said they would not vote as they are peeved at man-animal conflict Bihar: Total seats - 40 4 A low turnout of 48.23% was recorded in four constituencies where 38 candidates were in the fray. In 2019, 53.47% voters had exercised their franchise. Gaya has the highest 14 candidates in the fray. There is a decrease of around 5.24% of turnout in 2024. According to chief electoral officer H R Srinivasa, Gaya (SC) recorded the highest 52% turnout, Jamui (SC) and Aurangabad 50% each. In Nawada, only 41.50% voters exercised their franchise. In 2019, Aurangabad had recorded 53.63% turnout, Gaya 56.16 %, Nawada 49.33% and Jamui 55.21%. Voters called for poll boycott in six stations, there was no report of clashes or violence though, according to Srinivasa. WEST BENGAL: Total seats - 42 1st phase - 3 Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase, with TMC and BJP workers clashing in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. Three reserved seatsJalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Beharin North Bengal went to polls. The TMC and the BJP lodged 80 and 39 complaints, respectively, related to violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. Union MoS Nisith Pramanik is contesting from Cooch Behar. TMC leader Udayan Guha said that the BJP, along with central forces, unleashed a reign of terror to rig the elections. The BJP, however, denied the allegations. chhattisgarh: Total seats - 11 1st phase - 1 The voters defied the Maoist threat, as the encouraging turnout eclipsed the terror that haunted Bastar zone ahead of the polling. A CRPF personnel, Devendra kumar, was killed in an IED blast at Usoor in an edgy district of Bijapur during an area domination operation. He died of his injuries while on the way to Raipur in a chopper. In the same district, an assistant commandant of CRPF was injured during a poll-related duty at Bhairamgarh. Barring the two incidents, the polling across Bastar remained peaceful. For the first time, 102 new polling stations were set up for the convenience of voters. Madhya Pradesh: Total seats - 29 1st phase - 6 Six constituencies recorded around 67% turnout till 6.30 pm and the figure is likely to go up. The six seats had registered 75.23% polling in. The high-profile Chhindwara seat (where ex-CM Kamal Naths MP son Nakul Nath took on BJPs Vivek Sahu) stood on top in terms of poll percentage with 78.67% as shared by chief electoral officer Anupam Rajan. Another key constituency Mandla-ST (where sixth-time BJP MP and Union minister Faggan Singh Kulaste was pitted against ex-minister and fourth-time Congress MLA Omkar Markam) reported 72.92% polling. The Maoist-hit Balaghat seat reported 72.60% polling Jammu & Kashmir: Total seats - 5 1st phase - 1 For the first-time in over three decades, residents at the International Border in Hira Nagar sector of Kathua district exercised their right to vote for the Udhampur seat without any fear or threat of cross-border firing. It was the first major electoral exercise in J&K since the abrogration of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories. People men, women, including young and old thronged at the polling station in Kadyala village close to International Border. India and Pakistan on February 24, 2021, announced to strictly uphold the November 2003 border ceasefire pact between the troops of two countries. Residents said due to the ceasefire, more people have come to vote in this election UTTARAKHAND 5 5 Despite clear weather and relatively low temperature, the turnout was below expectation. Villagers of Jalal in Nainital and Tehri parliamentary constituency boycotted the election for lack of infrastructure, posing risks to their travel and safety. Newlywed couples, dressed in their wedding attire, arrived at several polling stations to cast their votes. However, around 350 were not able to vote on polling day due to wedding ceremonies. Bhagwan Singh, father of the groom from village Chhedi in Srinagar, expressed regret for not being able to vote on polling day due to clash over marriage date Maharashtra: Total seats - 48 1st phase - 5 Voting for the five seats took place without untoward events in Maharashtra. The voting began on a slow pace due to the scorching heat in the Vidarbha region. The tribal and Naxalite district of Gadchiroli witnessed the highest turnout at 64.95%, while Nagpur reported lowest at 47.91% till 5pm. In Ramtek-SC seat, 53.38% turnout was reported, 56.87% in BhandaraGondia and 55.11% in Chandrapur seat. To avoid technical snags cropping up in EVMs in the remote polling booths in Gadchiroli, three spare EVMs were dispatched by a helicopter to the Sironcha area of the district, said an official. Manipur: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 Sporadic incidents of gunfire and intimidation of voters as well as Congress workers by armed miscreants marred Lok Sabha elections in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on Friday. The turnout was 72.32% in the Inner Manipur seat and 61.98% in Outer Manipur. The violence occurred in places falling under the Inner Manipur seat which straddles the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley. The armed men fired several rounds outside a polling station at Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district. Three persons were reportedly injured.The voters and the Congress polling agents were intimidated by the armed miscreants Tamil Nadu: Total seats - 39 1st phase - 39 The polling began at 7am amid tight security in most of the 39 constituencies. Argument broke out between voters and officials in some polling stations as authorities did not allow people to carry their smartphones/mobiles inside the booths. People belonging to Parandhur village with over 1,000 voters near Sriperumbudur did not turn up to vote till 9.30 am. Around 1,000 voters of Ennore who had called for boycott of the election over the ammonia gas leak incident at Ennore Creek withdrew their decision and decided to vote Puducherry: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 The Union Territory gets to elect their lone representative to the Lok Sabha. A visit to some of the polling stations in rural areas brought to the fore a mixed picture. Pink booths were the centre of attraction. The green environment at a booth housed on the premises of the more-than-century-old VOC Government Boys school in the town added to the lustre of the arrangements. Gruel, nutritious cereals, millets and buttermilk were given to the voters Lakshadweep: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Nearly 60% voter turnout was recorded until 5pm in the Lakshadweep constituency spanning across 10 inhabited islands of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, with an electorate of 57,784, as per data shared by the Election Commission. Out of this total, 28,506 are women. The polling began at 7.30am across the 10 inhabited islands and concluded at 6.30 pm. An official said that the figures provided are preliminary, as voters who were in line by this deadline were given the opportunity to cast their votes Andaman & Nicobar islands: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Around 3,15,148 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have exercised their franchise till 3pm for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Union Territory. Seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) of the Great Nicobar Islands, on Friday exercised their voting rights for the first time, an election official said. Other two primitive tribes, too, exercised their voting rights like in 2019, the CEO said Arunachal Pradesh: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 The unique Malogam polling station in Anjaw district of the state recorded cent per cent polling with the lone female voter, exercising her constitutional right on Friday, officials said. Supporters of two candidates clashed at the Bameng Assembly constituency in East Kameng. Irate mobs damaged EVMs in polling stations elsewhere in the state. Miscreants tried to snatch EVMs in three polling stations in the Nacho constituency in Upper Subansiri and in one in Kurung Kumey district, where polling was also suspended Assam: Total seats - 14 1st phase - 5 Long queues were seen outside booths since morning as polling was underway for five constituencies. Poling began at 7 am in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Kaziranga seats, and 86.5 lakh voters are eligible to vote. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of BJP and Congresss deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi were among those who cast their votes in the first hour Meghalaya: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 2 Voters at numerous polling stations were seen queuing up as early as 6 am, underscoring their enthusiasm to participate in the electoral process. The first five voters were rewarded with mementoes and first-time voters were also felicitated. Voters in a model polling station planted trees after casting their votes. Polling was being held at 3,512 polling stations in which 10 candidates are in the fray Mizoram: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 At least 6,500 polling personnel, over 3,500 policemen and 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the polls in the state. All international borders and inter-state borders have been sealed to ensure peaceful elections, a senior police officer said. Although there are six contenders, it is believed that the fight will be mainly among ZPM, MNF and Congress Nagaland: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Polling personnel in six eastern districts of Nagaland waited for nine hours in booths, but not one of the four lakh voters of the region turned up following a shutdown call given by an organisation to press for its demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT). Of the 13.25 lakh voters in Nagaland, 50.41 per cent have exercised their franchise, the officials said. Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan exercised his franchise at Model Polling Station Sikkim: Total seats - 1 1st phase - 1 Over 50% of the 4.64 lakh voters in Sikkim exercised their franchise in the 32 Assembly seats and in the lone Lok Sabha constituency till 3 pm on Friday, an official said. Thirteen companies of CAPF have been deployed in Sikkim, of which five companies are from ITBP and eight from SSB, he added. Former Indian Football captain and SDF vice president Bhaichung Bhutia who is contesting from Barfung (BL) assembly seat voted Tripura: Total seats - 2 1st phase - 1 The opposition Congress and CPM alleged that largescale rigging in several places across the constituency, with the Election Commission saying that it received some complaints and was looking into those. In the bypolls to the Ramnagar assembly seat, which was being held simultaneously, a turnout of 56.68% was recorded. Altogether 14.61 lakh people are eligible to vote in this phase of Lok Sabha polls in Tripura

Court Closes Corruption Case Against Ex-Aide Of Raman Singh

A trial court in Raipur accepted the closure report filed by the Economic Offences Wing of the Anti-Corruption Bureau after no case of disproportionate assets was made against Aman Singh - principal secretary to former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh.

Court Closes Case Against Former Principal Secretary Aman Singh To Chhattisgarh CM

The trial court in Raipur has accepted the closure report filed by the state EOW-ACB after finding no case of disproportionate assets against former principal secretary Aman Singh and his wife Yasmin Singh.

Chhattisgarh: Court accepts closure report in disproportionate asset case against Raman Singh's ex-Principal Secretary

Chhattisgarh: Court accepts closure report in disproportionate asset case against Raman Singh's ex-Principal Secretary The trial court in Raipur accepted the closure report filed by Economic Offenses Wing-Anti Corruption Bureau (EOW-ACB) in connection with an alleged disproportionate assets case against Aman Singh, the former Principal Secretary to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, after no evidence could be found to substantiate the allegations. The court, while accepting the closure report, stated that no case of disproportionate assets could be made against Aman Singh and his wife, Yasmin Singh. The ruling marks the culmination of a prolonged investigative process led by the EOW-ACB, which failed to substantiate the allegations. The FIR in the case was lodged in 2020 on the orders from former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel after RTI activisit Uchit Sharma had accused the couple of amassing unaccounted wealth. However, even after over three years of investigation, the EOW couldn't find any evidence to substantiate the allegations, following which the closure report was filed. Notably, the closure report was filed by the EOW in December last year, before the current Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government took the oath of office in Chhattisgarh. Legal circles have closely monitored the proceedings, noting the case's implications for bureaucratic integrity and legal accountability. Noted criminal lawyer and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who represented Aman Singh, has criticized the motives behind the FIR, describing it as a ool for political retribution rather than justice. Bhupesh Baghel's government was one of the most corrupt and vindictive regimes this country has ever seen, said Jethmalani. They weaponized the FIR to unjustly target Aman Singh, an honest officer, and his wife Yasmin Singh, a renowned artist, forcing them to undergo trials and tribulations for several years. Targeting an officer's wife was a new low, even by Bhupesh Baghel's standards. However, the justice has finally been served with their discharge by the court. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, who worked with both Congress and BJP chief ministers, also drew attention to the adverse impacts of political victimization on governance and the morale of public servants. It's tragic that an officer who contributed immensely to Chhattisgarh's transformative development had to face what turned out to be baseless accusations, said Kumar. Officers of integrity being targeted for political considerations is demoralising because not everyone can withstand the personal costs of incorruptibility in public service as Aman has been able to. I am happy for Aman Singh and his wife that the truth has prevailed. The case has also seen judicial scrutiny at various levels, including a notable moment when the Bilaspur High Court quashed the FIR, citing a lack of substantive evidence. However, the Supreme Court later revived the FIR on an appeal by the Congress government of Bhupesh Baghel, saying that a thorough investigation would better serve to maintain public trust and accountability. We quite appreciate that there could be cases of innocent public servants being entangled in investigations arising out of motivated complaints and the consequent mental agony, emotional pain, and social stigma that they would have to encounter in the process, but this small price has to be paid if there is to be a society governed by the rule of law, the apex court said. The trial court's closure of the case, after hearing all perspectives, including the complainant's agreement with the closure report, brings to an end a high-profile legal battle. (ANI)

Chhattisgarh: 42.57% turnout recorded till 1pm in Bastar LS seat; CRPF officer hurt in IED blast

Raipur/Jagdalpur: A voter turnout of more than 42 per cent was recorded till 1 pm Friday in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency of Chhattisgarh, which saw a CRPF officer getting injured in an explosion of a pressure IED planted by Naxalites, officials said. Amid tight security, polling in the Bastar seat started at 7am []

Remarks on modern medicine: SC asks Ramdev to...

The Patna and Raipur chapters of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have lodged complaints in 2021 alleging Ramdev's remarks were likely to cause prejudice to Covid control mechanism and may dissuade people from availing proper treatment.

SC adjourns for July Ramdev's plea for clubbing of FIRs on his remarks on efficacy of allopathy to cure Covid-19

SC adjourns for July Ramdev's plea for clubbing of FIRs on his remarks on efficacy of allopathy to cure Covid-19 The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned for July the hearing of a plea filed by Yog guru Baba Ramdev to club FIRs lodged against him in different States over his alleged remarks that allopathy cannot cure Covid-19. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti granted two weeks' time to the states of Bihar and Chhattisgarh to inform it about the status regarding the FIRs and the chargesheet filed. It also asked Ramdev's counsel to implement the complainants in the case before the top court and posted the matter in July. Ramdev approached the top court seeking protection in criminal FIRs lodged against him in various states over his alleged remarks on efficacy of allopathy in treatment of Covid-19 pandemic. Ramdev's plea sought clubbing of FIRs and transfer of cases to Delhi lodged against him. The plea of Ramdev also sought a stay on the proceedings in multiple cases lodged against him and had also sought protection from coercive actions in FIRs lodged by Indian Medical Associations (IMA) Patna and Raipur branches and transfer the FIRs to Delhi. Ramdev has been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and other provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005. In a video, Ramdev in 2021 was allegedly heard saying, Allopathy is a stupid science and medicines such as Remdesivir, Fabiflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat Covid-19 patients. His remarks caused massive outrage and the IMA sent over a legal notice to him. Police in Chhattisgarh's Raipur had registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by the Raipur's IMA unit against Ramdev for allegedly spreading false information about the medicines being used by the medical fraternity for the treatment of Covid-19. As per the complaint, Ramdev has been allegedly propagating false information and his threatening statements on social media against medicines being used by the medical fraternity, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other frontline organisations in treatment of Covid-19 infection. The complaint had said there are several videos of Ramdev on social media in which he had allegedly made such misleading remarks. (ANI)

Remarks on Allopathy: SC asks Baba Ramdev to implead complainants in plea for stay of criminal probes

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked yoga guru Ramdev to implead the complainants, who have lodged cases against him over his alleged remarks against the use of allopathic medicines during the Covid pandemic, as party in his plea seeking stay of criminal proceedings. The Patna and Raipur chapters of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have lodged complaints in 2021 alleging Ramdev's remarks were likely to cause prejudice to Covid control mechanism and may dissuade people from availing proper treatment. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale, which was hearing Ramdev's plea seeking stay on criminal proceedings, said he needs to implead the complainants for securing relief in the matter. The bench granted liberty to Ramdev to implead the complainants and posted the matter for hearing after the summer vacations of the apex court, which are starting from May 20. The counsel appearing for the Bihar government said he needed time to file reply in the matter. In his plea, Ramdev has impleaded the Centre, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and IMA as parties. The top court had issued notice to them on October 9, last year. Patanjali ads case: Baba Ramdev, Balkrishna ready to issue public apology; next hearing on April 23 Earlier, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Ramdev, had said the yoga guru had made a statement in 2021 that he does not believe in allopathic medicines to which some doctors took offence and lodged multiple cases against him. As an interim relief, Ramdev has sought a stay on investigation on the criminal complaints. The IMA has lodged complaints in Bihar and Chhattisgarh over Ramdev's remarks against the use of allopathic medicines during the pandemic. The yoga guru has been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Ramdev, whose statements stirred a nationwide debate on Allopathy versus Ayurveda had, however, withdrawn them after receiving a letter from then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who had called his remarks inappropriate. The Delhi Medical Association (DMA), meanwhile, has sought permission to become a party to the case, alleging that Ramdev insulted Allopathy and instigated people to disregard vaccines and treatment protocols. The DMA, having 15,000 doctors as members, has claimed that Ramdev's Patanjali earned over Rs 1,000 crore by selling Coronil kits which were not approved by the competent authority.

One hurt in firing during Ram Navami procession

BERHAMPUR: Kantamal police in Boudh district arrested a 21-year-old youth who allegedly opened fire during a kirtan procession on the occasion of Ram Navami, leaving a person injured on Wednesday. The victim, Biswamitra Jani (29), was rushed to the local hospital and later transferred to Raipur as his condition worsened. The accused, identified as Balabanta Nayak (21) from Sana Manamunda village of Khatkhatiya panchayat, was detained by villagers and subsequently handed over to the police. Reports indicate that the incident occurred on Wednesday night during the Namayajna procession at Pipalpali village, where two rounds were fired into the crowd, causing panic and chaos. Following the gunfire, Jani was found to have sustained serious injuries and taken to Kantamal hospital before being transferred to the district headquarters hospital and then to Raipur after his condition deteriorated. While the motive behind the shooting has not been determined, preliminary investigations suggest a history of enmity between the two groups involved. As of now, the firearms used in the incident have not been seized. The police registered a case against Nayak and presented him before the court. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.

Chhattisgarh: Bastar goes to polls under shadow of Naxal threat

Raipur: Insurgency-hit Bastar (ST) Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh is going to polls in the first phase of elections on Friday amid unprecedented security arrangements. Around 80,000 security personnel including 35,000 Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) have been deployed across the LS constituency to blunt any Maoist threat and ensure smooth polling on the day, a senior police officer told this newspaper on Thursday. For the first time in this poll, nine choppers have been deployed in Bastar to deal with any attempt by Maoists to disrupt elections on the polling day, the police officer said. Bastar is going to LS polls four days after the killing of 29 Maoists by security forces in a jungle in the region. We have made all arrangements to ensure that the election is held smoothly and in a secured environment, Bastar inspector general of police P Sunderraj said. As many as 159 of the total 1961 polling booths established in the constituency fall under no internet network zone area, sources in the chief electoral officers office here said. Of them, 61 polling booths have been declared vulnerable while 196 others have been identified as critical booths. Ninety polling booths falling under no internet zone area have been supplied with walkie-talkies to keep in touch with them during the polling, while runners have been deployed in the remaining 69 polling booths to serve as couriers to exchange official communications during the period, an election officer said. As many as 156 polling parties comprising 919 election officials deployed in remote and sensitive polling booths have been flown to their respective booths by choppers. Significantly, Bastar is the only LS constituency in Chhattisgarh where female voters outnumber male voters. There are 7, 00,476 male voters and 7, 71,679 female voters in the LS seat. Mahesh Kashyap of BJP is pitted against former minister Kawasi Lakhma of Congress in an 11-cornered contest in the seat. Congress has dropped sitting MP Deepak Baij, who is also state Congress chief, in the seat and replaced him with Mr Lakhma.

Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals celebrates completion of 30,000 paediatric heart surgeries

Jammu Tawi: Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Raipur, Chhattisgarh; Palwal, Haryana celebrated the completion of 30,000 free paediatric heart surgeries and interventions under the Gift of Life program, in the presence of Dr C Sreenivas, Chairman and Sunil Gavaskar, Trustee and Former Captain, Indian Cricket Team.The completion of 30,000 free of cost [] The post Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals celebrates completion of 30,000 paediatric heart surgeries appeared first on Northlines .

Chhattisgarh: Naxal group releases statement, gives names of 27 of 29 slain ultras

Raipur: A frontal group of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) on Thursday released a statement giving the names of 27 of the 29 ultras who were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker in Chhattisgarh on April 16. A top police official said the Naxalites were in disarray and the statement Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Bastar battle between BJP, Congress even

RAIPUR: The Maoist-affected Bastar Lok Sabha seat in south Chhattisgarh will witness a keen contest between a relatively unknown new face from BJP and a senior Congress leader in the first phase of polling on April 19. The elections in the reserved seat with predominantly tribal population will not just decide the political fortune of the candidates but also test the leadership potential of state party chiefs from Bastar region Kiran Dev (BJP) and Deepak Baij (Congress). The BJP is strongly relying on PM Modis magic. In the 2023 Assembly polls, the party believed the religious conversion issue worked for them in nearly half of the 12 assembly seats of the Bastar zone. Apparently relying on such perception, the saffron party has picked a locally known Hinduvta face Mahesh Kashyap, a senior leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Rahul goes to Bastar, says Congress committed to caste survey The Congress candidate Kawasi Lakhma, former excise minister in the Bhupesh Baghel-led government and a six-time MLA from Konta seat, is a familiar face in Bastar. He is known to stir up rows with his remarks to remain in vogue. Since the imposition of model code of conduct, there have been three FIRs lodged against him in Bastar. Both Lakhma and Kashyap went full throttle across the constituency during the last few days before the campaign ended on Wednesday. Your vote is for Modi, not for me, Kashyap was often heard as he harped on Modi Ki Guarantee during his election campaign. Lakhma, appealing to local tribal sentiments, reiterated the five guarantees of the Congress aimed for women, farmers, youths and poor tribals. BJP added religious conversion issues to the state politics in the poll season. The Maoists threat, evidently seen as a challenge in the restive Bastar that included most of the hypersensitive areas with around 40% area of the constituency cited to have the presence of Maoists. The only military battalion of the banned outfit is said to be based in Bastar. Bastar seat covers eight assembly constituencies. Some polling booths owing to security reasons have been shifted 99 (Bijapur), 42 (Dantewada), 42 (Konta), 41 (Narayanpur), 9 (Chitrakot). Polling team for 156 booths in hypersensitive and inhospitable terrain have been air-lifted by nine choppers. Interestingly despite the poll boycott call given by the Maoists and persisting threat perception during every Lok Sabha elections, the Bastar has witnessed an increase of 27 percent on voter turnout in 2019 compared to 2004 when the first parliamentary polls were held in Chhattisgarh after the state was carved out. In 2004 the voter turnout was 43.3% and it gradually rose to 47.3 (2009), 59.3 (2014) and 70.3% in 2019. Bastar with over 60 percent tribal population also has 1,086 women voters for every 1,000 men electorate. With Adivasi voters playing a decisive role in the four scheduled tribe reserved seats of the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had addressed big rallies from the tribal heartland of Bastar the previous week.Since 1999 till 2014, the BJP remained a winner in the Bastar constituency. The Congress won the seat in 2019. Chhattisgarh: Barring Bastar in 19, 5 reserved seats have always stood by BJP The Chhattisgarh police and the paramilitary forces have jointly worked out strategies and deployment plans to ensure the polling on Friday remains free, fair and peaceful. Over 80000 personnel are to be deployed including 350 companies (around 80-90 jawans in each) of paramilitary forces. As many as 75 new operational security base camps have been set up in strategic locations during the last five years in Bastar zone. The presence of more camps as a development bubble led to building infrastructure, gaining trust of local tribals and diminishing the impact of Maoist strongholds, said Sundarraj P, Bastar range inspector general of police.

Chhattisgarh: Kanker encounter video surfaces, security forces breach Naxal-den Abujhmad for first time

Raipur: A day after 29 Maoists including two Naxal commanders were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in a forest in Kanker district under Bastar in Chhattisgarh, a video of the incident on Wednesday surfaced. The 7.08-minute-long video clip has captured the jawans advancing towards the Maoists camp in Hapatola jungle under Chhotebetiya police station while exchanging fire with the Naxals. The jawans were seen taking cover behind the trees in the jungle from time to time not to get hit by bullets fired by Maoists before scaling a small mound where the Naxals had taken position. Dont advance hurriedly....take cover behind the trees.....the forces in the back must not fire... dont get too close (to Maoists), a voice in the purported video was heard saying. The encounter site resembled a war field with bullets seen flying and hitting the trees. Sources disclosed to this newspaper that one of the jawans who took part in the search operation in Hapatola jungle may have taken the video and circulated it in social media network sites. We are verifying the authenticity of the video. But, the area captured in the video resembles the encounter site, a senior police officer of Bastar told this newspaper, unwilling to be quoted. Sources said that acting on specific intelligence inputs that around 40-50 Maoists lead by the commander of North Bastar Division of Maoists Shankar Rao had been camping in Hapatola jungle, a joint party comprising personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) launched a search operation in the area. The Naxls had barely finished their lunch when security forces surrounded them and appealed to them to surrender. However, the Maoists opened fire on the security personnel, leading to a fierce gun battle between them in which 29 rebels were killed and three jawans, including a Border Security Force (BSF) inspector, injured. As many as 22 weapons including five Ak 47 assault rifles, INSAS and Self-Loading Rifles and huge quantities of explosives were recovered at the encounter site, police said. It was the biggest ever casualty suffered by Maoists in Bastar in one encounter , so far. Tuesdays counterinsurgency operation in Hapatola jungle is viewed in the security circles as significant since it had taken place at the strategic place, a tri-junction of Narayanpur and Kanker districts under Bastar in Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. Security forces have for the first time breached Abujhmad, a 4,000 sq km area extending from Bastar in Chhattisgarh to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra '', a senior police officer of Bastar said. Abujhmad, the only patch in the country that has remained un-surveyed till date, is also considered a safe haven for Maoists.

Govt open for talks, want peace in Bastar at any cost: Chhattisgarh Deputy CM after 29 Naxals killed in Kanker

Govt open for talks, want peace in Bastar at any cost: Chhattisgarh Deputy CM after 29 Naxals killed in Kanker A day after 29 Naxals were killed in an encounter in Kanker, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said on Wednesday that the government is open for talks as we want peace in Bastar at any cost. All the Naxalites killed in the operation (in Kanker) were hardcore Naxals. A huge amount of arms and ammunition have been recovered from them. Their post-mortem is going on; it may take time.The government is open for talks and discussion, as we want peace in Bastar at any cost, he told ANI. He further said that the incident has nothing to do with the elections. This is not connected with the elections. Earlier, the Naxals used to do something or other to put pressure on officers of the election commission or the common people. But this time, the reverse has happened. We want development work to reach Bastar. Yesterday I met with the injured jawans and they are out of danger. Soon they will recover, the Deputy CM said. Earlier on Tuesday, Sharma met with injured jawans who were admitted to a private hospital in the state capital, Raipur. This operation was done like a surgical strike and 29 Naxals were killed. Some of the Naxals must have been injured and by tomorrow, the number can increase as well. Two jawans--DRGC & CRPF were injured and I had come to meet them. They are out of danger and they will be operated on Wednesday. The government is open to talks (with Naxals) at every level, Sharma had said. Meanwhile, Bastar Inspector General of Police (IG) P Sundarraj said on Wednesday that 71 naxals have been gunned down till date since January, and the fight against naxals is at the deciding step. Addressing a press conference here, Sundarraj said yesterday's encounter in the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles of Kanker district was one of the major breakthroughs in Chhattisgarh on the naxal front. Yesterday, an encounter broke out between security forces and Naxalites at 2 pm which lasted for around 4 hours. Teams of DRG and BSF cordoned off the area and as a result, 29 bodies of CPI Maoists were recovered, out of which 15 were female. Arms and ammunition were recovered in large quantities from the spot, he said. (ANI)

Chhattisgarh Encounter: 29 Maoists Including Top Naxal Commanders Killed

Raipur: In an encounter on Tuesday, at least 29 Maoists were killed in deep forests of Kanker district of Bastar region. The gunfire was exchanged between a combined squad of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police in the forest areas under Chhotebethiya Police Station. Prominent Maoist [] The post Chhattisgarh Encounter: 29 Maoists Including Top Naxal Commanders Killed appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

At least 18 Maoists killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: At least 18 Maoists were killed in a major clash with security forces in the deep forests of Kankar area of Bastar district on Tuesday afternoon. During this conflict, three members of the Border Guard and District Reserve Guard security forces were shot dead and the evacuation process is underway. The exact number of ... Read more

Chhattisgarh: Women, young voters may play crucial role in outcome

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh witnessed significant active participation of women who outnumbered men as voters in the electoral processes during the 2023 Assembly polls. Now, it will also find the youths choice as decisive factor for the contestants in the poll fray in the upcoming Lok Sabha polling. Among the voters in the state, the women and the youths have been cited to carry latent capacity that can give a boost to a political fortune of candidates in the eleven Lok Sabha constituencies. Out of the 2.05 crore voters, there are over 52.88 lakh (which is 23 per cent of the total) belonging to the age group 18-29. And the total strength of the voters is beyond the fifty per cent of the total in the age group of 18-49. In the intense battle of bipolar politics, the election campaigns by the BJP and Congress had led to a noteworthy increase in the voting turnout of women and young voters in the 2023 Assembly polls. Both the parties now kept a strong focus on women and youths while declaring their pledges for them in their recently released respective manifestos to persuade the voters ahead of the polling. The pre-election campaign for young and new voters launched by the electoral office in the state has delivered better results with now more youths to exercise their right to franchise, said Reena Babasaheb Kangale, chief electoral officer, Chhattisgarh. The women voters are 1.03 crore while men 1.01 crore out of the over 2.05 crore electorates in the tenth largest state of the country. With women playing a significant role with their choice in elections, the political parties believed they carry a strong impact in the overall poll results and consequently they attempt to woo them with focus on issues that affect them. Womens political participation Chhattisgarh did better in womens political participation. The state Assembly currently has the highest percentage of women MLAs, which is 21.11 per cent among total lawmakers, with 19 legislators in the 90-member House

Narrow Escape for 17 AS Bus Catches Fire

Hyderabad : A private bus caught fire while in motion due to a short circuit, causing panic among passengers and bystanders. The bus was en route to Raipur via Paradise and Suchitra when the incident occurred at about 8 pm. Petbasheerabad inspector K. Vijaya Vardhan said, Quick thinking of the driver saved many lives. He sensed danger and alerted the passengers to evacuate alight immediately. Despite the bus being completely engulfed in flames, no casualties were reported. Passengers' luggage suffered damage in the fire, he said. The fire erupted due to a short circuit, reportedly caused by overheating. The intense heat generated by the electrical malfunction ignited the fire which engulfed the bus in seconds. A fire engine was summoned to douse the fire. There were 17 passengers at the time of the incident, according to sources.

Maoists will be ousted in 3 yrs, SC/ST quota to stay, says Shah

RAIPUR: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the menace of Maoists in Chhattisgarh will get eliminated in the next three years if the BJP is voted to power led by PM Narendra Modi. Addressing a poll rally at Khairagarh in Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency, Shah accused the Congress of spreading lies that Modi will abolish the Constitution and the reservations policy will be terminated. Rajnandgaon is cited as the BJPs citadel where the former CM Bhupesh Baghel is pitted against the saffron partys sitting Lok Sabha member Santosh Pandey. As long as BJP remains in politics, we will not allow the reservations for dalits, tribals or backward classes to end. Today is the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. We cannot forget his work towards upliftment of dalits, backwards, tribals and poor. But the Congress continues to spread canards. After losing Assembly polls for Congress, Baghel is yet again in the fray. The people should now defeat him with a bigger margin, Shah said. During his speech, he congratulated the chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the state home minister Vijay Sharma for eliminating over 53 Maoists besides 150 cadres arrested and more than 250 surrendered during a short span after the fight against the left-wing extremists intensified. The campaign against the Maoists had weakened under the Bhupesh Baghel government, he added. Chhattisgarh remains the worst Maoist-hit state. Shah said that the nation has never witnessed any scam committed in the name of a God (Mahadev). Baghel didnt spare the name of Mahadev (in reference to Mahadev online betting app probed by agencies) and a scam of Rs 508 crore committed under his tenure. In Chhattisgarh there have been several scams in coal levy, public service commission, liquor, district mineral funds, ration, Gauthan, sand among others. With so many scams committed during his regime, Baghel has now come to Rajnandgaon to contest polls, he stated. Citing the achievements of the Modi government on Article 370, Ayodhya Ram temple, against terrorism, Shah claimed the country now has been secured and strengthened. Shah also talked about the BJP manifesto highlighting uniform civil code, one nation one election, all elderly to get medical benefits as he exhorted the people to vote for his party. Will implement UCC under Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the BJP will never allow reservations to end and nor will it let Congress do so. Speaking on the BJPs manifesto released earlier in the day, he said when Narendra Modi becomes PM for the third time, UCC will be implemented and One Nation One Election will be introduced. Shah asked people to give Modi a third term as prime minister to eliminate Naxalism can be eliminated.

Heart-Wrenching Night: Three Siblings Perish in Ambikapur Hut Fire

Raipur: In the village of Barima, located within the Kamleshwarpur police station area of Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded late one Saturday night. The tranquility of the evening was shattered by a devastating fire that engulfed the humble hut of a family, claiming the lives of three innocent siblings. As the night settled in, Sudhani Bai, the mother of the children, lit an earthen stove within their modest dwelling around 9 p.m. She then stepped out momentarily, perhaps to attend to a task or seek assistance from a neighbor. Little did she know that this brief absence would lead to an unimaginable tragedy. During her short absence, a raging inferno erupted within the confines of the hut, consuming everything in its path with merciless ferocity. Bai returned around 3 a.m., only to be met with a scene of utter devastation. Her cherished home was now a charred shell, and her beloved children were nowhere to be found. The grief-stricken mother's worst fears were realized as she discovered the fate of her three precious offspring. The flames had mercilessly claimed the lives of Kumari Gulabi, just eight years old, her younger sister Sushma, aged four, and their two-year-old brother, Ram Prasad. Upon receiving word of the tragic incident, authorities swiftly responded, dispatching a team of police officers to the scene. Initial investigations pointed to the earthen stove as the likely source of the fatal blaze, which rapidly engulfed the entire structure. Authorities launched a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak, seeking answers to the harrowing questions that lingered in its wake. Amidst the devastation and loss, the tight-knit community rallied together to offer support and solace to the grieving family. Yet, the scars left by this unfathomable tragedy would endure long after the embers had faded. Escalating Tensions: Indian Airlines Consider Suspending Flights to and from Israel Nisha Bangre's Political Disillusionment: Former Deputy Collector's Exit from Congress Amid Ticket Denial Fatal Car Accident Claims Four Lives in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar District

Rahul goes to Bastar, says Congress committed to caste survey

RAIPUR : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the Lok Sabha polls are an ideological war to protect the Constitution and democracy. Modi-led regime and the RSS are aiming to knock down the Constitution but the Congress remains firm to protect it along with other democratic forces, Gandhi said at a poll rally in Bastar, one the four reserved tribal seats in Chhattisgarh. Highlighting how the Congress brought in Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act to safeguard the tribal rights, anti-poverty scheme MGNREGA, tribal rights and land acquisition bills, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP for calling the adivasi as vanvasi. On Maharashtra tribal turf, Rahul Gandhi raises pitch for caste survey The BJP discredits tribal communities as the expression vanvasi is also an attack on their culture, history, beliefs and rights, he said, We call them adivasi that signifies the original inhabitants with rights over jal, jungle, zameen. Congress intends to give you (tribals) your deserving rights. Gandhi said if the Congress is voted to power, it will conduct a caste census. We will make recruitments to 30 lakh vacant government posts, start apprenticeships for the youth. Youth will be given the right to apprenticeship before getting a job. All the educated youth will get one years apprenticeship in government or private companies, and Rs 1 lakh annual stipend, he said and promised to abolish contractual recruitment in government companies and waive crop loans.

DevX aims to double co-working office portfolio to 2 mn sq ft

The company currently has operational centres in key cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Noida, Raipur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Last week, it set up a new co-working centre spread over 25,000 sq ft with 300 seats in Udaipur.

Digi Yatra Likely at 14 More Airports

New Delhi : Digi Yatra is likely to be rolled out at 14 more airports by the end of this month and efforts are on to make the facility more user-friendly with certain changes in the architecture, according to a top executive. Based on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), Digi Yatra provides for contactless, seamless movement of passengers at various checkpoints at airports and currently, there are nearly 5 million users. The facility is now there at 14 airports for domestic passengers and discussions are ongoing with various stakeholders concerned to make it available for international travellers as well. Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi said that Digi Yatra is expected to be available at 14 more airports by the end of April. A not-for-profit entity, the foundation is the nodal agency for Digi Yatra, which was introduced in December 2022. The 14 new airports where the facility is to be rolled out soon are Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dabolim, Indore, Mangalore, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar, Trivandrum and Vishakhapatnam. While Digi Yatra is slowly gaining traction, there have been concerns expressed in various quarters about the privacy of the data of the passengers. Seeking to assuage the concerns, Khadakbhavi said Digi Yatra does not have any passengers data. It is only in the phone (of the user) that the data is residing and it is in the control of the passenger himself or herself, he said. The data shared by a passenger for Digi Yatra is stored in an encrypted format. To avail of the service, a passenger has to register his or her details on the Digi Yatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. In the next step, the boarding pass has to be scanned and the credentials are shared with the airport. At the airport e-gate, the passenger has to first scan the bar-coded boarding pass and the facial recognition system installed at the e-gate will validate the passengers identity and travel document. Once this process is done, the passenger can enter the airport through the e-gate. The passenger will have to follow the normal procedure to clear the security and board the aircraft. Personnel at the airports have been directed to enrol passengers only with their informed consent. Khadakbhavi said work is going to ensure a more user-friendly experience for Digi Yatra users.

The Man With A Golden Hand

New Delhi (India), April 11: Dr. Sunil Kalda is an Indian plastic surgeon practicing since 1990, who specializes in burn, cosmetic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeries. He runs a private surgery practice, Kalda Hospital, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and is in charge of the Kalda Burn & Plastic Surgery Center in Raipur. He is a pioneer in []

Chhattisgarh: Death toll in Durg accident rises to 14, President, PM express grief

Raipur, April 10 (UNI) The death toll in a bus accident in Kumhari of Durg district in Chhattisgarh has increased to 14 after more injured succumbed, police sources said on Wednesday. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh CM expressed grief and condoled the loss of lives in the Tuesday evening accident. According... The post Chhattisgarh: Death toll in Durg accident rises to 14, President, PM express grief first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Home Minister Amit Shah expresses grief over loss of lives in Chhattisgarh road accident

Home Minister Amit Shah expresses grief over loss of lives in Chhattisgarh road accident Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief on Wednesday over the loss of lives in the Chhattisgarh road accident that killed 12 passengers and injured 14 others in the Kumhari area of the state's Durg district. The bus accident in Durg, Chhattisgarh, is sad. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. 12 people lost their lives in the accident, posted Amit Shah on X. At least 12 passengers were killed and 14 injured after a bus overturned and rolled over into a ditch in the Kumhari area of the Durg district, an official said. The incident took place at 8.30 pm on Tuesday, the official informed. Sharing details of the incident, Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary said 12 passengers were killed and 14 grievously hurt after the bus, packed with workers, fell into a ditch in Durg. The bus carrying labourers fell into a ditch near Kumhari around 8.30 pm, resulting in the deaths of approximately 12 individuals while 14 others were injured and admitted to a hospital, Choudhary said. Twelve of the injured were referred and shifted to AIIMS (Raipur), while the remaining two are receiving treatment at a private hospital. All of them are currently in stable condition and we are providing them with the best possible care, the collector added. The process of evacuating passengers still trapped inside the bus was underway, she had said, adding that the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained. (ANI)

Leaders line up to defect, Chhattisgarh Congress back to drawing board

RAIPUR : In the wake of several party leaders defecting to the arch-rival BJP in the state, the Chhattisgarh Congress has initiated a damage control strategy ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The party has established a state-level samvad evam sampark samiti (dialogue and communication committee) aimed at engaging extensively with Congress members. As per the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), the newly formed 14-member committee, led by former state president Dhanendra Sahu as its coordinator, will immediately take action to facilitate regular amicable discussions and maintain strong connections with party leaders and cadres across the state. The committee includes three former PCC presidents, six former state ministers, the PCC vice-president, chairman of the PCC war room, two former MLAs and an AICC member. It has been ensured that the committee comprises members representing various regions of the state, enabling them to maintain regular communication with party leaders and workers in their constituencies. In recent weeks, several disgruntled Congress leaders, office-bearers and senior party members have joined the BJP in the state. Responding to this apparent exodus, Congress spokespersons have stated that some leaders left the party due to self-centered motives, while others were allegedly either enticed or pressured into joining the BJP. For instance, Chintamani Maharaj, who joined Congress in 2013 from BJP, returned to the saffron fold after being denied a Congress ticket in the 2023 assembly polls, citing it as a Ghar Vapsi for him. The departing leaders from Congress have cited grievances such as not receiving adequate attention, lack of recognition from party leaders, dissatisfaction with election management, and disappointment over ticket allocation both in the current and previous assembly polls. Party general secretary Chandrashekhar Shukla, who left Congress after remaining associated with the party for over two decades, said that brokers and people with the leftist mindset have intruded the party and the workers felt demoralised as their voices were being suppressed.

Tragic accident: Bus transporting distillery employees plunges into soil mine pit in Durg, resulting in 12 fatalities

Tragic accident: Bus transporting distillery employees plunges into soil mine pit in Durg, resulting in 12 fatalities At least 12 people were killed and 14 injured -- all employees of a private firm -- as a bus they were on fell into a 'murum' soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday night, officials said. The incident took place around 8.30 pm near Khapri village under Kumhari Police Station limits when the victims were returning home after work from a distillery, Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla said. According to preliminary information, the bus with more than 30 people onboard skidded off the road and plunged into the 40 feet deep 'murum' mine, he said. ''12 people, including three women, were killed in the accident,'' he added. Shukla had earlier confirmed the death toll to be 15. Murum, a type of soil, is mostly used for construction. Soon after being alerted, a police team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation along with the teams of State Disaster Response Force and locals, Shukla said. Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary told reporters a magisterial probe had been ordered into the incident. ''The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in Kumhari area. So far the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur ,while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here,'' she said. The company has offered compensation to the victims, the collector said, adding, they will also get similar help from the administration. A magisterial enquiry will be conducted into the incident and action will be taken against the guilty, Choudhary said. Visuals of the spot showed bus turning turtle after falling down. Amid darkness, the rescuers had to toil hard initially President Droupadi Murmu in in a message on social media platform X said, ''I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of several people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured.'' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ''The bus accident that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh is very painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration has been engaged in providing all possible assistance to the victims.'' Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for treatment of the injured people. ''Received the news about the death of employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members,'' Sai said.

Tragic Accident: Bus carrying distillery employees plunges into soil mine pit in Durg, claiming 12 lives

Tragic Accident: Bus carrying distillery employees plunges into soil mine pit in Durg, claiming 12 lives At least 12 people were killed and 14 injured -- all employees of a private firm -- as a bus they were on fell into a 'murum' soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday night, officials said. The incident took place around 8.30 pm near Khapri village under Kumhari Police Station limits when the victims were returning home after work from a distillery, Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla said. According to preliminary information, the bus with more than 30 people onboard skidded off the road and plunged into the 40 feet deep 'murum' mine, he said. ''12 people, including three women, were killed in the accident,'' he added. Shukla had earlier confirmed the death toll to be 15. Murum, a type of soil, is mostly used for construction. Soon after being alerted, a police team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation along with the teams of State Disaster Response Force and locals, Shukla said. Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary told reporters a magisterial probe had been ordered into the incident. ''The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in Kumhari area. So far the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur ,while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here,'' she said. The company has offered compensation to the victims, the collector said, adding, they will also get similar help from the administration. A magisterial enquiry will be conducted into the incident and action will be taken against the guilty, Choudhary said. Visuals of the spot showed bus turning turtle after falling down. Amid darkness, the rescuers had to toil hard initially President Droupadi Murmu in in a message on social media platform X said, ''I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of several people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured.'' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ''The bus accident that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh is very painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration has been engaged in providing all possible assistance to the victims.'' Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for treatment of the injured people. ''Received the news about the death of employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members,'' Sai said.

PMLA case against Chhattisgarh IAS officer, son quashed

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday quashed the money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash Tuteja in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, saying there were no proceeds of crime. A two-judge bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan quashed the case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), after noting that since no ex-facie scheduled offence (main offence) exists against the accused, no offence was made out by the probe agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It pronounced the order after hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by six accused, including IAS officer Tuteja, his son and some other personnel. Mondays court order has come as a major blow to the ED, which failed to gather evidence against the accused. As there is no scheduled offence, there cannot be any proceeds of crime as defined under clause 2(u) of the PMLA. If there is no proceeds of crime, the offence under PMLA is not made out, the bench of the top court said in its order. The court also made it clear that it was quashing the case, as the complaint and case filed by the ED, was based on an IT act offence, which is not a scheduled offence as per the PMLA. There is no predicate offence, therefore there cannot be proceeds of crime, the SC said in its order. In its complaint the probe agency claimed that a person named A Tiwari was the mastermind behind the multi-crore liquor scam. The ED has named around 50 people, including the then excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, former IAS Vivek Dhandh, Congress leader Anwar Dehbar, IAS officer Anil Tuteja, his son Yash Tuteja and others. The ED has in its complaint, alleged money laundering in the case in which it has named Anwar Dhebar brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar; Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Arunpati Tripathi, liquor businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon, hotelier Nitesh Purohit and Arvind Singh as accused. The probe agency maintained that the accused persons pleas for quashing of the case, could not be maintained, in view the 2022 apex court verdict which upheld the EDs power to search, seize and arrest. Section 50 gives ED the power to summon people. Also in top court Maha reply sought on ex-cops bail In a relief to former Mumbai Police officer Pradeep Sharma, the Supreme Court on Monday said he need not surrender till further orders to undergo the life sentence awarded to him in a 2006 fake encounter killing case. The apex court also sought a response from the Maharashtra government on his bail plea in the case. SC favours release of lifer in terror case The Supreme Court favoured remission to an ailing 96-year-old convict who is serving life term in the 1993 train blast case in Rajasthan and is currently on parole, saying continued incarceration is like capital punishment. Habib Ahmed Khan had moved the SC seeking permanent parole given his deteriorating health condition and age.

Ex-CM Baghel claims SC ruling in Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' has exposed Centre and ED

Ex-CM Baghel claims SC ruling in Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' has exposed Centre and ED Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has claimed the Supreme Court's decision in connection with the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh had exposed the Centre for using the Enforcement Directorate to target opposition parties. The apex court on Monday quashed the money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam, saying there were no proceeds of the crime. In a post on X on Monday, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Baghel said the commitment of agencies like the ED should be towards the Constitution and not any political party. ''Shameful political misuse of ED has been proved and the Modi government has been exposed. Today's decision of the Supreme Court has proved that at the behest of BJP, the ED has been conspiring to defame the opposition parties by making every case a case of money laundering,'' Baghel claimed in the post. The ED registered a case in the alleged liquor scam just before the 2023 assembly polls to defame the previous Congress government and give a political weapon to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he alleged. It has become clear from the SC ruling that the BJP was only spreading lies, the former CM claimed. The conspiracy of the BJP-led Centre to defame its political opponents by misusing democratic institutions has been unearthed and the public will see that cases lodged to defame the Congress will also be quashed in a similar manner, he said. In July last year, the ED submitted a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) in the alleged liquor scam case in a PMLA court in Raipur in which it claimed Rs 2,161 crore of corruption money was generated in the alleged 'liquor scam' that began in 2019 in Chhattisgarh and the amount should have gone to the state exchequer. A criminal syndicate led by Anil Tuteja and businessman Anwar Dhebar (brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar) had turned these objectives upside down, the ED claimed. This syndicate comprises senior bureaucrats of the state, politicians, their associates and officials of the excise department, it had said. Early this year, Chhattisgarh's Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau also registered a case in the alleged liquor scam against 70 persons, including Congress leaders, and companies based on a report of the ED. The ACB/EOW last week arrested Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh, who was an employee of the Bhilai Steel Plant, in connection with the alleged scam.

From Maoist terrain, Modi says government working for welfare of poor

RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government remained committed to the empowerment of the poor, and targeted the Congress over corruption. Addressing the BJPs Vijay Sankalp Shankhnad rally at Narayanpur district of Bastar which will go to polls on April 19, Modi said that as a son of the poor he can better realise their pressing needs. He said his governments welfare schemes enabled the poor people to save their money for a better, as he sought their support saying every vote for the lotus symbol will strengthen Modis power to develop the nation as a Viksit Bharat. He listed welfare programmes, such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Jan Aushadhi centres, Eklavya residential schools, MSP for nearly 100 forest produce, Mahtari Vandan Yojana, and separate ministry for tribal welfare. The PM said his government after coming to power at the Centre in 2014 has cancelled the Congress licence to loot. When I initiate action against corruption, some people get upset and protect the corrupt. But Modis guarantee will ensure that the corrupt individuals will have to go to jail, he said. The priority of a stable strong government of BJP was the welfare of the poor. After independence, the Congress government ignored the needs of the poor for decades and never bothered about their problems or existence, he alleged. In reaction, Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij asked, Why PM Modi is silent on rising inflation, unemployment, and problems faced farmers and tribal? Citing the upcoming Ram Navami, the PM drew the attention of the people towards the Ram Temple built in Ayodhya. Instead of a tent for our Ram Lalla, now there is a magnificent temple. The Congress and the INDI Alliance expressed discontent over the temples construction that shows Congress inclination towards appeasement. The Congress manifesto carried the imprint of Muslim League, he said. He added it was natural for people of Chhattisgarh, the nanihal (birthplace of maternal grandparents) of Lord Ram, to be most happy on this dream (of a grand temple) being fulfilled after 500 years. Reiterating his guarantee to ensure a better life for tribal families, Modi said, It was the BJP that not only facilitated a tribal woman to become President of the country but also appointed the states first tribal chief minister. Welfare schemes enable poor to save money Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his governments welfare schemes enabled the poor people to save their money for a better, as he sought their support saying every vote for the lotus symbol will strengthen Modis power to develop the nation as a Viksit Bharat. He listed welfare programmes, such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Jan Aushadhi centres, Eklavya residential schools, MSP for nearly 100 forest produce, Mahtari Vandan Yojana. said his government after coming to power at the Centre in 2014 has cancelled the Congress licence to loot

Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam': Chief Minister Baghel accuses Centre and ED of corruption following SC ruling

Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam': Chief Minister Baghel accuses Centre and ED of corruption following SC ruling Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Monday said the Supreme Court's decision in connection with the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh had exposed the Centre for using the Enforcement Directorate to target opposition parties. The apex court earlier in the day quashed the money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam saying there were no proceeds of crime. In a a post on X, Baghel said the commitment of agencies like the ED should be towards the Constitution and not towards any political party. ''Shameful political misuse of ED has been proved and the Modi government has been exposed. Today's decision of the Supreme Court has proved that at the behest of BJP, the ED has been conspiring to defame the opposition parties by making every case a case of money laundering,'' Baghel said on X. The ED registered a case in the alleged liquor scam just before the 2023 Assembly polls to defame the previous Congress government and give a political weapon to the BJP, Baghel alleged. It has become clear from the SC ruling that BJP was only spreading lies, he added. The conspiracy of the BJP-led Centre to defame its political opponents by misusing democratic institutions has been unearthed and the public will see that cases lodged to defame the Congress will also be quashed in a similar manner, the former chief minister said. In July last year, the ED had submitted a prosecution complaint (charge-sheet) in the alleged liquor scam case in a PMLA court in Raipur in which it claimed Rs 2161 crore of corruption money generated in the alleged 'liquor scam' that began in 2019 in Chhattisgarh and the amount should have gone to the state exchequer. A criminal syndicate led by Anil Tuteja and businessman Anwar Dhebar (brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar) had turned these objectives upside down, the ED had claimed. This syndicate comprises senior bureaucrats of state, politicians, their associates and officials of the excise department, it had said. Early this year, Chhattisgarh's Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau also registered a case in the alleged liquor scam against 70 persons, including Congress leaders, and companies based on a report of the ED. The ACB/EOW last week arrested Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh in connection with the alleged scam.

Congress overlooked needs of poor for decades since independence, never understood their pain: PM Modi

RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit out at the opposition Congress, saying it overlooked needs of the poor for decades since independence and never understood their pain. Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, which will go to polls on April 19, he also said that the Congress' manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections has the Muslim League imprint. During the Congress regime, corruption had become the country's identity, he said. Since independence, the Congress overlooked needs of the poor for decades and never understood their pain, the PM said. People said what will happen to the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I said I will give free vaccine and ration to them, he said, adding that due to my government's efforts, 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line. The prime minister said he had come to thank the people for supporting his government in the last 10 years. Crores of my countrymen, my mothers and sisters have become my raksha kavach (protective shield), he said.

Chhattisgarh: Barring Bastar in 19, 5 reserved seats have always stood by BJP

RAIPUR: In the Lok Sabha elections held in Chhattisgarh so far, the BJP held the sway over the five reserved constituencies, the Election Commission data shows. Of the 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, four are reserved for the scheduled tribes (ST) and one for the scheduled caste (SC). Barring the victory by Congress candidate Deepak Baij from Bastar ST-reserved seat in the 2019 polls, the grand old party drew a blank in the reserved constituencies in the four Lok Sabha elections held in the state in the last two decades. Baij, now the state Congress president, is not contesting this time. The BJP has been winning the reserved tribal seats of Kanker, Raigarh, Sarguja and Bastar, and the SC-reserved constituency of Janjgir-Champa. According to analysts, the poll battle in Bastar, where the Congress stalwarts like Shankar Sodhi and Mahendra Karma couldnt win, seems evenly poised this time with six-time Congress MLA Kawasi Lakma pitted against the BJPs first-timer Mahesh Kashyap who is closely associated with VHP. The BJP has been wining Kanker and Bastar seats from the 1999 elections onward. The Raigarh seat remains a BJP stronghold with present CM Vishnu Deo Sai winning from there three times in a row from 2004. The BJP has given ticket to Congress turncoat Chintamani Maharaj, who was earlier named as a beneficiary by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged coal levy scam, to contest from Sarguja in north Chhattisgarh. All the reserved seats in Chhattisgarh have more women voters than men, EC data shows. More women exercising their franchise shows the level of awareness among the voters, analysts say. In the 2023 Assembly polls, the BJP returned to power in the state getting 46.27 per cent vote share. Analysts in the know of the state politics said the BJP hopes to make inroads into the Congress vote bank as several leaders have defected to the saffron party.

Himachal: 3 boys drown while bathing in pond in Una

Himachal: 3 boys drown while bathing in pond in Una Three boys drowned while bathing in a pond in a village in Una district on Sunday, officials said. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in Raipur Soharan village, according to the state emergency operation centre. The deceased were identified as Pankaj (8), Sonu (11) and Mukesh (11), they said. The children had gone to take a bath in a fish pond. When they did not come out for some time, locals jumped into the pond to search for them. The kids were immediately rushed to Una Hospital where doctors declared two of them dead while the third boy died during treatment, police said. Una Police have taken the bodies into custody for conducting post-mortem.

Chhattisgarh's Durg district takes centre stage ahead of Lok Sabha polls

Chhattisgarh's Durg district takes centre stage ahead of Lok Sabha polls Chhattisgarh's Durg district, a bustling metropolis which played a key role in the state's economic and educational growth, has turned into a political hotspot ever since the declaration of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Four candidates of the opposition Congress, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, and two of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Lok Sabha elections hail from Durg district, bringing it to the centre stage ahead of the polls. Durg district was founded in 1906 after being carved out from Raipur. In 1973, the district was divided and a separate Rajnandgaon district came into existence. Durg was bifurcated again in 2012 and two new districts - Bemetara and Balod - came into existence. With the establishment of the Bhilai Steel Plant, a flagship unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), in 1955 in Durg district, it has grown rapidly and become a hub of economic activity, attracting people from all over the country. After the formation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, Bhilai city developed as an educational hub with the setting up of technical institutes and coaching centres for engineering and medical entrance exams. With the announcement of candidates by the BJP and Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the political significance of the district has become a point of discussion among experts in the state. Congress's candidate Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, Devendra Yadav from Bilaspur seat, Tamradhwaj Sahu from Mahasamund seat and Rajendra Sahu from Durg seat, all hail from the Durg district. Former chief minister Baghel is an incumbent MLA from Patan assembly seat (Durg district) and Yadav is the sitting legislator Bhilai Nagar seat (Durg). Tamradhwaj Sahu was the home minister in the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh and lost the assembly polls from Durg Rural seat. Similarly, BJP candidates Vijay Baghel from Durg Lok Sabha seat and Saroj Pandey from Korba seat are also natives of Durg district. Vijay Baghel is the sitting MP from Durg, which Pandey earlier represented in the Lok Sabha from 2009-14. ''The district has been politically relevant since long as it had been the home turf of late political stalwarts like Chandulal Chandrakar and Motilal Vora of the Congress and BJP's Tarachand Sahu (who later quit the BJP),'' political analyst R Krishna Das told PTI on Sunday. After the formation of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh in 2018, Durg hogged limelight as a political hub with then CM Bhupesh Baghel and his then two cabinet colleagues Tamradhwaj Sahu and Guru Rudra Kumar elected from different assembly constituencies of the same district, he said. Durg is also a revenue division comprising seven districts - Durg, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Bemetara, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandei and Kabirdham. Three other leaders, Mohammad Akbar, Ravindra Choubey and Anila Bhedia, who were ministers in the previous Congress government, belonged to different districts in Durg revenue division, Das noted. Even Raman Singh, who has served as Chhattisgarh's chief minister thrice, has been elected four times from Rajnandgaon seat which comes under Durg revenue division, he pointed out. Singh is currently speaker of the Chhattisgarh assembly. The focus of the ruling BJP and opposition Congress on Durg while choosing nominees for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls shows the district's crucial role in the state politics, Das said. Prof DN Sharma, a renowned educationist from Bhilai, said, ''Durg district has been politically significant for a long time. Motilal Vora from the district had served as chief minister of undivided Madhya Pradesh and governor of Uttar Pradesh.'' One of the best things is that Durg has never seen communal violence as leaders from the district never did politics on communal lines, Sharma said. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls have once again brought Durg to centre stage in the state politics as the two main parties have shown faith in leaders from the district in the selection of candidates, he added. Elections to the 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh will be held in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7, and votes will be counted on June 4.

Fake online ads: Man held in Raipur for duping people

NEW DELHI: A 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly cheating people on the pretext of selling machines and spare parts by posing as a wholesale trader and posting fraudulent advertisements on social media, the police said on Saturday. The accused Raushan Kumar, resident of Bihar, was arrested on Friday from Raipur in Chhattisgarh. DCP (Northeast) Joy Tirkey said the accused posed as a wholesale trader, posting ads on social media for machine tools and spare parts at cheaper rates. He would provide fake invoices from reputed firms in Raipur to the victims. During the investigation, all the invoices and courier slips were found to be forged, the officer said, adding that the cheated amount was withdrawn through ATMs in Raipur. A police team was dispatched to Raipur and after a 3-day chase, the suspect Raushan Kumar was nabbed. Under interrogation, the accused confessed, revealing he had cheated over 20 people in the past year.

Chhattisgarh: Leader of Oppn booked for 'objectionable PM remark

RAIPUR : A case has been registered against Congress leader of opposition Charan Das Mahant for his alleged objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally. An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station in Rajnandgaon where Mahant, during an election rally held in support of the former CM Bhupesh Baghel, said that the people need to choose a person who has the guts to carry a lathi and strike, boldly take a stand against Modi while raising issues as a protector. According to the Kotwali police station in Amen Sahu, an FIR has been lodged against Mahant under the IPC section 506 (criminal intimidation). Baghel filed his nomination papers from the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat for the second phase of polling scheduled on April 26. Citing it as a hate speech, the state BJP complained to the chief electoral officer (CEO), alleging that by giving such undignified statements, the Congress leader targeted the elected PM, provoking the Congress workers and the people towards violence and attempting to influence the polls. This is a violation of the model code of conduct, the complaint letter stated. The Election Commission (EC), taking cognisance of the complaint and the remark, recommended action by the rules. Mahant, though tendered his apology for his statement, argued that the media and the BJP have distorted his remarks. What I said was in the context of the Chhattisgarhi proverb; my words were misinterpreted. I didnt intend to accuse anyone and am fully aware of the dignity of the PMs position, the Congress leader said as he also asked his party cadres to remain cautious as there are attempts to poach upon the party leaders and workers owing to fear among the rival party about the defeat in the upcoming elections.

Delhi police cyber cell arrests fraudster from Chhattisgarhs Raipur

The News Mill

Breaking! Fire Breaks Out at NTPC's Kaniha Power Plant in Odisha's Talcher

Fire erupted at NTPC's Kaniha power plant in Odisha's Angul district, causing damage to a section of the conveyor belt and engulfing the area in smoke, according to fire service officials. The incident occurred in the Talcher region of the district. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries so far. Two fire tenders have been dispatched to douse the flames. NTPC officials have yet to provide any comments regarding the incident. Local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which originated from the coal transporting conveyor belt at the plant. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures at the facility. Firefighters are working diligently to contain the blaze and prevent further damage to the area. Residents in the vicinity have been advised to stay indoors and avoid the affected area until the situation is under control. Efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage caused by the fire and to ensure the safety of nearby communities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in industrial settings. Authorities are urging NTPC officials to provide a statement regarding the incident and to cooperate fully with the investigation. As the situation develops, updates will be provided to keep the public informed. Massive Blaze Engulfs Power Company in Raipur: Residents Evacuated Heartbreaking Tragedy: Two Brothers Burnt Alive in House Fire

Chhattisgarh: 3 Naxalites killed in encounter with security forces along Telangana border

Raipur: Three Naxalites were gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces in a dense forest in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district bordering Telangana on Saturday, a senior police official here said. The encounter took place in Pujari Kanker forest along the interstate border when a team of Greyhounds, Telanganas elite anti-Naxal force, was out Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .