Focus

New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Delhi will continue to sizzle under a scorching heatwave on Thursday as the mercury is expected to remain dangerously high, prompting the issuance of a red alert across the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD said that temperatures ranged from 40.9 to 45 degrees Celsius across various weather stations on Wednesday, while the heat index -- a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is taken into account -- reached an alarming 51.9 degrees Celsius.

At 5:30 p.m., Ayanagar was the hottest location in the city, recording a blistering 45 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of the capital were not far behind: Ridge 43.6 degrees Celsius, Palam logged 44.5 degrees Celsius, Pitampura 43.5 degrees Celsius, Safdarjung -- Delhi's base weather station -- 43.3 degrees Celsius, and Lodhi Road 43.4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Mayur Vihar reported a relatively lower yet severe 40.9 degrees Celsius.

The soaring temperatures are forecast to persist until the end of the day, with a gradual decrease expected from Friday, June 13, onward.

The IMD bulletin observed that these temperatures are three to four degrees Celsius higher than usual, contributing to ongoing heatwave conditions expected to persist until Thursday.

The red alert, the highest warning level issued by the IMD, advises residents to take action by staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure, and limiting outdoor activities, especially during peak afternoon hours.

Looking ahead to Thursday, the weather department has predicted maximum temperatures between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely, accompanied by a possibility of very light to light rain or thunderstorms in the evening or night.

Relief is expected from June 13, when the severity of the heatwave is anticipated to ease, prompting the IMD to downgrade the warning to an orange alert.

Between June 14 and 17, Delhi may see a notable dip in temperatures, ranging from 37 to 42 degrees Celsius.

The drop will likely be accompanied by light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds, which could alleviate the ongoing heat stress to some extent.

--IANS

sd/

Jaipur, June 12 (IANS) In a shocking incident, Army Havildar Vikram Singh (40) was allegedly beaten to death by two youths in Palota Ka Bas village, under Surajgarh police station limits in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district.

The incident was reported late Tuesday night as the jawan was leaving home to rejoin duty.

According to police, Vikram Singh, who was serving in the 18 Raj Rifles and posted in Abohar, Punjab, had come to his native village on leave on June 7. As per the complaint filed by his brother Vinod Kumar, Vikram left for duty on Tuesday night, but was intercepted on the way by two local youths in a Scorpio SUV. The accused allegedly forcibly took Vikram to their house, where they brutally assaulted him.

Later, they dumped him outside their home in a critical condition. Upon receiving information, the victim’s family rushed to the spot and took Vikram to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Station Officer Hemraj Meena confirmed that a case of murder has been registered based on the family's complaint.

Two suspects were detained on Wednesday for questioning, and police are currently analysing their mobile locations, call records, and other electronic evidence to ascertain the motive behind the killing. Sources indicate that Havildar Vikram Singh was nearing retirement, with just one year of service left.

The incident has sent shockwaves across the village and armed forces community, as the police continue their probe to ensure justice for the slain soldier.

Police station officer Hemraj Meena said that a case of murder has been registered on the complaint of the family, and two youths have been detained and are being questioned. Mobile location, call details, and other electronic evidence of the accused are also being investigated regarding the murder.

--IANS

arc/uk

Bhopal, June 12 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will transfer Rs 150 crore with a single click under the 'Sambal Yojana' in 6,821 cases of ex-gratia assistance during a programme in Jabalpur on Friday.

The Sambal Yojana is a welfare scheme for millions of workers in the unorganised sector in Madhya Pradesh. Since its inception, over 1.76 crore workers have been registered under the scheme, and the registration process is ongoing. Under the scheme, the government provides Rs 4 lakh in case of accidental death, and Rs 2 lakh in case of natural death. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh is given for permanent disability, and Rs 1 lakh for partial permanent disability.

Additionally, it also provides Rs 5,000 for funeral expenses and Rs 16,000 for women as maternity assistance. All Sambal beneficiaries are also enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat - Niramay Yojana, enabling them to avail free annual medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the state government informed that following direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labourers working at railway platforms in the state have also been included under the Sambal Scheme. Sambal beneficiaries also receive a ration eligibility slip, allowing them to access subsidised food grains provided by both the central and state governments, according to the MP government.

"The Sambal Yojana stands as a lifeline for unorganised sector workers, offering financial support from birth to death. It is support for labourers, and the credit for implementing this welfare scheme goes to the state government," the MP government said. Moreover, several schemes are being run for registered construction workers through the Construction Workers Welfare Board. These include ex gratia assistance in case of death and support in cases of permanent or partial disability.

--IANS

pd/uk

Bhopal, June 12 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janasta Party Chief V.D. Sharma has said that former Congress MLA Laxman Singh was punished for daring to "speak truth" which was not received well by the "sycophants" of the Lok Sabha's Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

He added that Congress says that it gives freedom to its party workers to express their views, but the reality is quite the opposite, and expelling former MLA Laxman Singh from the party was an example of it.

The BJP leader made these remarks responding to Congress' decision to expel former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh's younger brother Laxman Singh for his repeated anti-party activities.

"Through expelling Laxman Singh from the party, Congress has sent a message to its party cadre that those who would dare to speak truth will be shown the exit door. Congress wants slaves, and not the leaders, who dare to speak truth," he added.

The Congress Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday expelled Laxman Singh from the party for six years, citing repeated instances of anti-party activities.

The decision came nearly more than a week after Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bhopal on June 3 in which he said that those creating hurdles should step aside on their own or will be expelled from the Congress.

On April 25, Laxman Singh criticised the party leadership following the Pahalgam terror attack.

"Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra are naive. The country is suffering the consequences of their immaturity," he said during a condolence meeting organised to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack.

In another striking statement that very day, Laxman Singh alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was colluding with terrorists.

Taking note of his remarks, the Congress Disciplinary Action Committee issued him a show cause notice on May 9, demanding an explanation within 10 days.

In the notice, member secretary Tariq Anwar said, "This is to bring to your attention that a complaint has been received from Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary In-charge of Madhya Pradesh Harish Chaudhary regarding your repeated public statements, which have caused serious damage to the image and dignity of the Congress."

"It has further been noted that your recent statement has crossed all acceptable limits, particularly the derogatory and disrespectful remarks directed at senior party leadership, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi," the notice said.

Defiant in his stance, Laxman Singh challenged the Congress to expel him immediately if it deemed his comments unacceptable.

However, his response was found unsatisfactory, prompting the party's disciplinary wing to recommend his removal.

Following approval from the Congress high command, Tariq Anwar formally announced Laxman Singh's expulsion on Tuesday.

The princely state of Raghogarh has long wielded influence in Madhya Pradesh politics, with Digvijaya Singh serving as the Chief Minister before moving to the Rajya Sabha.

His son, Jaivardhan Singh, represents Raghogarh in the State Assembly, while Laxman Singh has served as both a Member of Parliament and a legislator from Chachauda.

Despite his political tenure, he has often been perceived as receiving less prominence than Digvijaya Singh's immediate family.

He also had a brief stint with the BJP.

Tensions simmered in 2018 when Congress returned to power in Madhya Pradesh after 15 years.

Laxman Singh had expected a Ministerial position, given his seniority, but was overlooked in favour of Digvijaya Singh's son, Jaivardhan Singh.

Though he refrained from public dissent at the time, he continued to express his grievances intermittently.

--IANS

pd/khz

Patna, June 12 (IANS) As Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National President Lalu Prasad Yadav turned 78 on Wednesday, a stream of well-wishers — party workers, supporters, and leaders — flocked to the 10 Circular Road residence of Rabri Devi to wish him on his birthday.

While many greeted the veteran leader in person with gifts and warm messages, others flooded social media with prayers for his health and longevity.

However, all eyes were on Lalu’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, who remained conspicuously silent throughout the day — until late evening, when he finally broke his silence on social media.

At around 5 p.m., Tej Pratap posted a heartfelt birthday message on the social media platform X.

“Heartiest birthday wishes to the leader of the people, voice of the poor, my guide Lalu Prasad. You are not just my father, but you are a movement that inspires justice, courage, and change. Taking your ideology forward is not only my responsibility but my religion,” Tej Pratap posted.

The timing and tone of the message were closely watched, especially amid the strained relationship between father and son.

Lalu Yadav is reportedly upset with Tej Pratap over the controversial Anushka Yadav episode, which led to the latter's six-year expulsion from the RJD and his exclusion from the family. Since then, the two have not met publicly.

Sources close to the family indicate that Lalu Yadav appeared visibly disappointed during the day, possibly due to Tej Pratap’s absence — a sentiment evident on his face as numerous guests came and went without any sign of his elder son.

Just a day before the birthday, Tej Pratap shared a symbolic message on Instagram, posting a picture of himself gazing at a photograph of his father with the caption: “The darker the darkness, the closer the morning.”

His message on Wednesday, while emotionally resonant, did little to dispel the public perception of a deep rift within the political family.

As the RJD gears up for the coming Bihar Assembly elections, the strained personal ties between Lalu Prasad and Tej Pratap could have wider implications — both politically and emotionally — for the party.

--IANS

ajk/uk

Kolkata, June 12 (IANS) Shweta Khan alias Fultusi, the prime accused behind the West Bengal porn racket case, was finally arrested by the West Bengal Police on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the policemen first arrested her son Aryan Khan and then her daughter Zoya Khan, a co-accused in the porn racket case.

Based on the questioning of Aryan and Zoya, state police sources said the whereabouts of their mother were available and based on that she was also arrested late Wednesday evening from a hideout in the Alipore area in south Kolkata.

The main charges against Shweta, Aryan, and Zoya are holding a woman from the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal captive for six months and brutally assaulting her with an iron rod after she refused to participate in pornographic video shoots allegedly orchestrated by the three accused.

Since Zoya is a minor, her case will be processed under the Juvenile Justice Act and referred to the Juvenile Justice Board.

Meanwhile, Aryan has denied his involvement in the porn rackets and said that he had a relationship with the victim woman who wanted to marry him.

Police action has intensified after the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the incident and wrote to the West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, demanding immediate arrests under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The NCW also instructed the state police to ensure that the victim receives free medical treatment and psychological counselling.

Additionally, the Commission has directed the DGP to submit a detailed action-taken report within three days.

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister, Sukanta Majumdar, has alleged that Shweta Khan has close links with several senior leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress has not yet responded to the allegations.

--IANS

src/khz

New Delhi, June 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, her cabinet colleagues, and all elected BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) members of Parliament and MLAs from the national capital.

The gathering, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, marked the first such interaction since the BJP’s sweeping victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, which ended nearly three decades of non-BJP rule in the city. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, focused on strategies to enhance the quality of life for Delhi’s residents.

Discussions revolved around urban infrastructure, pollution control, public transport, sanitation, and the implementation of the ‘Clean Delhi, Green Delhi’ initiative. Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of coordinated governance between the Centre and the Delhi government, calling for a “triple-engine” model—Centre, state, and local bodies working in unison.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi shared, “Interacted with Delhi BJP MPs, MLAs and other leaders. We had extensive discussions on ways to improve the quality of life for the people of Delhi.” He also posted photographs from the meeting, which included BJP national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.

The meeting also served as a review of the first 100 days of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s administration.

Sources indicated that PM Modi encouraged legislators to increase grassroots engagement and ensure that government schemes reach every household. He also urged them to focus on sustainable development, traffic decongestion, and water management—key issues affecting the capital.

Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, Mohan Singh Bisht, described the meeting as both symbolic and strategic, noting that it reflected the BJP’s commitment to transforming Delhi into a model capital. BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya highlighted that the Prime Minister’s vision had played a pivotal role in the party’s recent electoral success, with Delhi voters endorsing the “Modi model” across both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to deliver transparent, efficient, and people-centric governance in the capital.

--IANS

sktr/uk

Bhubaneswar, June 11 (IANS) With the sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in different areas of Odisha's Jajpur district, the state Health and Family Welfare department, on Wednesday, launched an intensive field operations in the district on a war footing to contain the outbreak that has so far claimed three lives.

"Upon receipt of reports from the Jajpur district regarding people affected with diarrhoea getting admitted to hospitals, we have constituted a state-level multi-sectoral team comprising doctors, microbiologists, food safety inspectors and sent them to Jajpur. They have already reached there and started an investigation to find out the cause of the outbreak," said health department secretary, Aswathy S.

She also added that additional teams of doctors have been sent to the district for treatment of patients admitted to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital and other peripheral hospitals.

The Director of Public Health Services, Nilaknatha Mishra, has also rushed to the district to ensure coordinated efforts by all the stakeholders to rein in the sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in different parts of Jajpur district.

As per an official statement of the health department, different teams are in action in the affected and surrounding areas of Dharmashala, Vyasanagar municipality, Danagadi, Rasulpur and Korei blocks of Jajpur district.

The state and district teams in convergence are monitoring the ground situation closely.

The director of Public Health services said that all patients and sporadic cases in adjoining places are being quickly attended to by rapid action teams constituted at district level.

He along with two Rapid Action Teams consisting of medical officers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, Joint Director integrated disease surveillance programme from state level have reached the area; and have started field operation in coordination with the Jajpur Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer.

"Specialists from Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and hospital in Jajpur are looking into treatment of the critical cases. Six medicine specialists from SCB, Medical college and hospital in Cuttack have also been deputed to the district. The infected people have been admitted in Dharmashala, Jajpur Road, and Danagadi Community Health Centres and Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital. The critical patients are also being treated at SCB Medical College and hospital, Cuttack," said the state Health department.

It also added that hospitals in the districts have been equipped with additional manpower, sufficient medicines, saline fluids, injections, etc, to combat the disease.

The Superintendent of SCB Medical College has been asked to remain alert about proper treatment of the referral cases.

"The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation teams are working for disinfection of the drinking water sources. Food inspecting teams and disease surveillance teams are working at the ground level to combat water-borne disease. The grassroot level service providers like health sub-centres, ASHA Karmies, AWC karmies and multi-purpose health workers have been supplied with halogen tablets, medicines, ORS packets and awareness materials for distribution among the people," the department noted.

The state government has advised the people to take all precautionary measures, such as avoid outside foods, drink safe water, and adhere to hygienic practices.

As per the Jajpur district administration, more than 200 patients have been admitted to different hospitals of the district during the past two days while two persons from Jajpur district and one from Anandpur in Keonjhar district have died till now.

--IANS

gyan/khz

Nicosia/New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) In yet another sign of India's growing outreach to the countries in the Mediterranean region, especially those in the neighbourhood of Turkey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could make a brief stopover in Cyprus en route to Canada for participation in the G7 Summit, sources indicated on Monday.

The Summit of the Group of Seven (G7) countries is scheduled to be held in Alberta from June 15-17 and Cyprus is being strongly considered as a refuelling stopover, cited top officials. PM Modi could also hold bilateral discussions with the top leadership of the country during his short stay, they revealed.

The region remains engulfed in conflict as Greece and Cyprus have repeatedly called out Ankara's "provocative actions" and accused Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of making expansionist moves which have incensed many more countries in the continent and beyond. Turkey has been slammed for expanding its oil and gas exploration plans in Greece's territorial waters and carrying out drilling activities in Cyprus's maritime economic zones.

India-Cyprus relations have strengthened over the past 10 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has stated that both countries share rich legacies of ancient civilizations which have influenced each other through millennia. India has also maintained its principled position on the Cyprus Issue, reiterating several times its commitment for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation based on UN Resolutions as a solution.

"In modern times, our relationship goes back to the pre-independence era, when our founding fathers supported the freedom struggle of Cyprus. And, Cyprus too has always reciprocated with its warmth and friendship. India has always stood by Cyprus on all crucial issues. In 1974, India took a firm stand in support of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus . India has contributed personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Three force commanders from India served in this capacity, and it is heartening for me to know that all of them are fondly remembered in Cyprus," PM Modi said during the State Visit of the President of Cyprus to India in April 2017.

Nicosia, which shares with New Deli the common objective of bringing about an early reform of the United Nations, has been backing India's claim for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

In December 2022, during his visit to Nicosia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Mediterranean will see more of India in the future and the relationship with Cyprus will be an anchor in India's endeavours.

After signing three significant bilateral agreements in Nicosia, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence and military cooperation, Jaishankar had listed seven key areas in which Cyprus and India should work forward.

It included finance, shipping, tourism, knowledge economy, mobility flows, third-country projects and Mediterranean collaboration.

"The Mediterranean is a region of growing interest to us... If you look at our other relationships in the last few years with countries of both north and south Mediterranean, there has been very visible intensification of ties," Jaishankar said while addressing a business community event in Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus, on December 30, 2022.

"This region will see more of India in the future and when that happens, the relationship with Cyprus will be an anchor in our endeavours," he mentioned.

The EAM had also remarked that, given how comfortable India and Cyprus are with each other, both countries can also plan on working together in third countries.

"It could possibly be in Africa or other parts of the world where we both have some historical presence, some networking or comfort levels," he said at the event which was also attended by Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs and the country's Deputy Shipping Minister.

--IANS

int/as