India

New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) A massive fire broke out at the multi-storied Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, officials said.

Three people were rescued and taken to the hospital, while a search for others is underway, they added.

Upon receiving the information, ten fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The fire was soon brought under control.

Taking to X, AAP leader Somnath Bharti said, "Massive fire in a multi-storied building in Hauzrani, my assembly constituency, today around 8.30 a.m., casualties possible. Majorly South African nationals."

Search and rescue operations are still underway, and further details are awaited.

This comes a day after ten people were injured after a suspected LPG cylinder explosion led to the collapse of a building in Delhi's Mukundpur area on Tuesday morning.

The Delhi Fire Service received a distress call at around 9:37 a.m. reporting what appeared to be an explosion, followed by the collapse of a residential structure. Emergency teams were immediately mobilised to the site as rescue operations got underway.

According to fire department officials, five fire tenders were rushed to the location soon after the information was received. Rescue personnel and local authorities launched a search operation to check for people trapped under the debris and to prevent any further mishap.

Preliminary information suggests that the incident occurred in a building that was being used as a utensil polishing facility.

The exact cause of the blast is yet to be officially established, though initial investigation indicates that an LPG cylinder explosion may have triggered the collapse.

Officials said the blast was powerful enough to bring down a single-storey structure spread across an area of nearly 250 square yards.

Officials said further details regarding the cause of the explosion and the condition of the injured are awaited.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (IANS) The investigation into the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials after their search at the residence of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic monthly payment case has now shifted focus towards the alleged conspiracy behind the violence, with both the state police and the central agency intensifying their probes.

A 30-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the direct supervision of the Cantonment Assistant Commissioner to investigate the case. Museum Station House Officer R. Prasanth is heading the probe, supported by five inspectors and seven sub-inspectors.

The team has already recorded statements from ED officials in Kochi, including Assistant Director Sanith Reddy, and collected key documents, including the search warrant related to the raid.

ED officials have reportedly told the SIT that the attack was not a spontaneous protest but a planned assault.

The agency has maintained that the incident involved a larger conspiracy aimed at obstructing its official duties.

The SIT is now examining whether political leaders or local party functionaries played a role in mobilising the attackers.

Investigators are focusing on digital evidence, including phone records and WhatsApp messages of those who allegedly took part in the attack.

The calls made immediately before and during the raid, and communications between leaders and workers, are being examined with the help of the cyber cell.

Officials believe these records could reveal whether there was a coordinated plan behind the violence.

So far, around 300 identifiable persons have been named in the case registered by the Museum Police, while 25 people have been arrested.

Police have identified 46 people from visuals of the incident and are attempting to track down others.

The ED, however, has raised concerns that the investigation should not remain limited to lower-level workers and should extend to those who allegedly directed the attack.

The agency is also considering intervening in the bail proceedings of the arrested accused before the Sessions Court.

It has begun collecting video footage and other evidence to oppose bail and establish the alleged conspiracy.

The ED has informed the Union Home Ministry about the incident and is exploring the possibility of seeking a CBI investigation, citing the attack as a serious assault on a central agency.

The agency has pointed to similar instances where the CBI took over investigations after attacks on ED officials in other states.

The case has triggered political controversy after R. Prasanth, the SIT head, was appointed as the investigating officer.

As the state president of the Kerala Police Officers Association, he is considered close to Left organisations, prompting Opposition criticism over possible bias. However, the officer now faces the challenge of ensuring a fair investigation in a politically sensitive case.

A Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram had observed that the incident was not merely a public protest but an organised attack targeting ED officials and CRPF personnel.

With the ED, state police and courts closely monitoring the developments, the investigation is expected to become a major political flashpoint in Kerala, especially as the probe moves towards identifying those allegedly behind the attack.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, dismissing her allegations of 'illegal houses' in Gujarat and criticising her recent protest.

Reacting to Banerjee’s claim that 70 per cent of houses in Gujarat are illegal, Ghosh questioned the basis of her remarks. “Did she go and check it herself whether it is legal or illegal? Their own house is illegal; keep this in mind first,” he said.

Ghosh also took aim at Banerjee’s protest meeting in Kolkata, where she vowed to continue fighting the BJP. Rejecting claims that the gathering drew significant support, he said, “It wasn’t massive; it was forced. Neither the party’s MPs nor MLAs attended. Only those with no other place to go, people enjoying privileges, were present…”

In another swipe at the Trinamool leadership, Ghosh said, “Those people who used to abuse our leaders by taking their names are now the same ones who are garlanding them and offering prayers. Time does change, but the public knows what all they have done. When the public evaluates and judges, that will be right. Who are we to decide otherwise?”

The remarks came after Banerjee addressed a protest organised against what she described as attacks on Trinamool workers following the Assembly election verdict that brought the BJP to power in West Bengal.

Addressing supporters, Banerjee declared that she would continue her political battle against the BJP. “For us, it’s a do-or-die battle,” Mamata Banerjee said, surrounded by supporters raising slogans against the BJP. “Some people are betraying us to break the Trinamool Congress. Anti-BJP parties will meet in Delhi to decide on our country-wide course of action,” she said.

Banerjee also alleged that she was facing an unprecedented situation after losing power. She said former chief ministers Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee never had to face protests outside their homes after electoral defeats.

The former chief minister arrived at the protest venue after her party’s request for its preferred location was denied. “We were not given permission to set up a stage or use microphones,” Mamata Banerjee said.

She further asserted that she would stand by party workers despite political setbacks and would not abandon them even if other leaders chose to leave.

--IANS

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Patna, June 3 (IANS) Students in the Musallahpur Haat area of Patna on Wednesday appeared anxious about their studies following the vandalism and gunfire at Khan Sir's coaching institution, raising concerns that it would affect their exam preparations.

The incident involved stone-pelting, vandalism, and allegations of gunfire at the Centre.

Tension gripped the Musallahpur Haat area of Patna on Wednesday morning after a violent clash late Tuesday allegedly involving students and supporters associated with the coaching institutes of educator Khan Sir and Gyan Bindu Coaching Centre.

The incident involved stone-pelting, vandalism, and allegations of gunfire at the Centre.

Speaking to IANS, a student, Mayank Yadav, said, "The most important thing is that educational institutions should never be attacked. In fact, no one should be subjected to such attacks, but an attack on an educational institution is particularly damaging as it tarnishes the image of the entire state of Bihar."

"It will affect us. We are preparing for exams, and now the coaching centre will be closed for god knows how many days. This will significantly affect our studies too. This act was condemnable, and we demand strict action against the accused," he added.

Another student, Ajay Kumar, speaking to IANS, said, "The incident happened yesterday at around 10:15–10:20 p.m. We had left from here around 10:00 p.m. After leaving, I went back to my room and then up to the terrace, where I was talking to my father. At around 10:20 p.m., I heard a loud sound that seemed like a gunshot, although I wasn't sure what it was. Later, when I was watching the news, I got to know that the coaching centre was attacked. This should not have happened."

According to a preliminary investigation, a dispute between students of the two coaching institutes escalated into a large-scale confrontation.

Groups gathered near Khan Classes and allegedly hurled stones at each other, creating panic in the densely populated educational hub.

Local shopkeepers reportedly shut their establishments, while pedestrians rushed to safety amid the chaos.

A security guard employed at Khan Classes sustained a head injury during the violence and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The coaching institute's banner was also torn down during the disturbance.

Following the incident, senior police officials, including Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K. Sharma, along with other officers and multiple police teams, reached the spot to assess the situation and restore order.

Kadamkuan police station SHO Janmejay Kumar stated that written complaints have been received from both parties.

Representatives of Khan Classes have alleged that individuals from the rival side opened fire.

Gyan Bindu Coaching Centre has similarly accused persons linked to Khan Classes of firing during the clash.

Police officials have indicated that the allegations are being investigated and that conclusions will be drawn only after examination of evidence and witness statements.

Speaking after the incident, Khan Sir claimed that the attack was linked to the growing popularity of his institute and its low-cost educational model. He questioned why some people objected to affordable education and argued that quality education should remain accessible to economically weaker students.

He further alleged that attackers vandalised the coaching office and fired shots during the incident. According to him, CCTV footage has been handed over to investigators, and the institute's security guard has identified some of the alleged attackers as persons associated with a nearby coaching centre.

Khan Sir also called for enhanced security arrangements.

--IANS

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Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States Trade Representative (USTR), under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, has proposed to impose an additional 12.5 per cent tariff on India and 59 other economies over allegations of using forced labour to produce imported goods.

In a statement, USTR claimed that 60 economies have failed to enforce rules against imported goods made via forced labour.

"Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act," the statement read.

Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the failure of “our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable”.

“This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” Greer added.

“We will no longer tolerate this disparity. Some trading partners have taken initial steps to prevent the importation of forced labor goods, including through USMCA and commitments in Agreements on Reciprocal Trade. However, each of our trading partners must do more to ensure that trade does not perversely encourage and entrench forced labor globally,” he mentioned.

For economies that impose a forced labour import prohibition, that have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or economies that have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labour goods, the US Trade Representative proposes 10% as the rate of additional duties.

For all other economies, the US Trade Representative proposes 12.5 per cent as the rate of additional duty.

The USTR also proposes a textile mechanism that would allow for a certain volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies to enter the United States at a reduced Section 301 tariff rate, said the statement.

The USTR will hold hearings about the proposed actions on July 7, 2026.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 3 (IANS) The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Wednesday alleged that the Mahayuti government came to power in Maharashtra after "buying" the votes of one crore women in the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' using government money, calling it a "global scam" in which the women were deceived in Maharashtra.

The party has demanded a probe by a sitting High Court judge after around 80 lakh women became ineligible to receive benefits under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana post an e-KYC process.

In an editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party alleged that the government was involved in a scam, and for this, their property should be seized.

The editorial said that it was no secret that the Devendra Fadnavis-Eknath Shinde-Ajit Pawar won the Maharashtra Assembly elections through "manipulation". "Right in the middle of the elections, these three 'brothers' introduced the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' and the state government announced a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to 2.38 crore women. There was intense competition among the three of them to hold these women's rallies."

The editorial said that citing the non-completion of 'KYC', as many as 80 lakh women were declared ineligible. This means these individuals indiscriminately diverted government funds into the accounts of millions of ineligible women to buy their votes and win elections. “In this whole corrupt game, our Election Commission played the role of the deaf, mute, and blind. The women voted for this trio in exchange for Rs 1,500 monthly. Their vote count 'swelled' by roughly one crore, and these people came to power through such corrupt means,” it alleged.

"However, the truth behind the disqualification of the beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana is now out in the open. The government had been distributing money to these ineligible beneficiaries for the past year and a half. By December 2024, more than Rs 17,000 crore had been distributed in this manner. This money did not come out of the pockets of the ruling trio. If this distribution of money is illegal, the government will have to recover it,” remarked the editorial.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena said that the recovery should not be made from the purses of the ineligible beneficiary women. "Instead, this squandered money must be recovered from those who indulged in this extravagance and misappropriation. It is necessary to seize the movable and immovable properties of this trio -- one Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers. Anti-corruption cases should be registered against the government machinery that distributed thousands of crores to ineligible women without any verification, and those responsible should be dismissed -- especially the then-Secretary of the concerned department,” said the Thackeray camp.

According to the editorial, the trio confessed that women voted overwhelmingly because they were given benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. “Now, this distribution of money to women has proven to be corrupt and illegal. It stands proven that government money was wrongfully distributed to millions of women. Furthermore, these very women voted for the 'trio' currently in power. Therefore, the Election Commission must declare the voting by such women invalid and announce fresh elections in Maharashtra,” it argued.

The Thackeray camp further alleged that the beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Yojana and Skill Development Schemes "represent the biggest scam".

The party demanded that the misappropriation in such schemes should be investigated by a sitting High Court judge.

The editorial sarcastically claimed that there is absolutely no possibility that the ruling dispensation in the state will take or allow the aforementioned actions, as the 'KYC' reason these people are putting forward today is a process they should have completed before implementing the scheme. "But they wanted to win the election. Therefore, the scheme was implemented indiscriminately across the board. Now that there are no elections, they are remembering things like KYC, CAG audits, and CAG reports,” it commented.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, June 3 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has detained 131 individuals identified as Bangladeshi nationals during a large-scale verification drive carried out across multiple parts of the city, while interrogation is continuing for another 160 persons, police officials said on Wednesday.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sharad Singhal told IANS that the operation was not confined to any single locality but was conducted across several densely populated residential areas.

"131 confirmed out of 291," he said, adding that the remaining individuals were undergoing documentation checks and identity verification.

He confirmed that the drive covered Narol, Vatva, Naroda, Danilimda, Sola, Sarkhej, and other areas.

According to police, the action is part of ongoing verification exercises targeting suspected illegal immigrants residing in Ahmedabad.

Officials said those detained have been brought to the Crime Branch for questioning, with inter-agency coordination underway to verify documents and immigration status.

This latest operation comes amid a series of similar enforcement drives in Gujarat in recent years.

In April last year, Gujarat Police detained over 1,000 suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals across Ahmedabad and Surat in a coordinated pre-dawn crackdown, with senior officers confirming that large-scale interrogations were conducted following intelligence inputs on illegal residency clusters.

In another major operation in 2024, Ahmedabad Crime Branch detained 48 Bangladeshi nationals during raids linked to alleged forgery and human trafficking networks.

Officials stated that fake identity documents, including Aadhaar and PAN cards, were being examined as part of the probe.

Earlier enforcement actions have also resulted in deportations after prolonged legal processes.

In one such case, 16 Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Ahmedabad after being detained in previous raids, with remaining detainees kept under verification and legal scrutiny before repatriation procedures were completed.

Officials said the current operation is a continuation of periodic verification drives aimed at identifying undocumented foreign nationals and examining suspected cases of forged identity usage.

--IANS

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Kolkata, June 3 (IANS) The portfolio distribution of the new West Bengal cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will be announced later on Wednesday after a meeting of the expanded cabinet.

The meeting of the new cabinet will take place at the state secretariat of Nabanna, where the responsibilities of the ministers will be distributed. Some crucial administrative decisions are also likely to be taken at the meeting.

On June 1, a total of 35 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators took oath as ministers at a colourful programme at Lok Bhavan in Kolkata. Of the 35 new ministers, 13 were cabinet ministers, three were ministers of state with independent charge, and 19 were ministers of state.

With the swearing-in of the 35 new ministers, the total strength of the West Bengal cabinet is now 41. Six other cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, took oaths earlier on May 9.

With the induction of the three 13 new cabinet ministers, the total number of cabinet members in the new West Bengal government, including CM Adhikari, increases to 19.

There is room for the induction of three more ministers. As per the constitutional provisions, the ministry strength has a ceiling of 15 per cent of the total seats in the state Assembly concerned. So, with a 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, the state cabinet can have a total of 44 members.

With the portfolio distribution of the ministers to be announced on Wednesday, the question now is who would be allotted the crucial departments of finance and industry & commerce. CM Adhikari, immediately after taking oath on May 9, had clearly said that the two important focus areas of the new government led by him will be revitalisation of the cash-strapped state exchequer burdened with huge accumulated debt, and the necessary policy framing to attract big-ticket investment in the state.

Insiders from the state unit of the BJP said that there is a possibility that CM Adhikari will retain the finance portfolio with him for the time being till an acclaimed Delhi-based Bengali economist is included in the cabinet as the new finance minister after getting him elected in the by-elections from Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district.

In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly polls, Adhikari contested and got elected from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituencies in South Kolkata. In Bhabanipur, he defeated the previous Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, by a margin of over 15,000 votes. Later, CM Adhikari retained his membership in the state Assembly as an MLA from Bhabanipur, thus making a by-election inevitable in Nandigram.

--IANS

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Lucknow, June 3 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) recruitment examination for 3,539 teaching posts commenced on Wednesday under stringent security arrangements across the state.

More than 8.6 lakh aspirants are appearing for the competitive test.

The examination is being conducted over two days, June 3 and June 4, at designated centres spread across 36 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities have put in place elaborate monitoring and security mechanisms to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination and prevent any irregularities.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), the examination is being held in offline mode in two shifts on both days.

The morning session is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., while the afternoon session is conducted from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On the first day of the examination, candidates are appearing for papers in Social Science, Physical Education, Science, Urdu, Hindi, Mathematics, Agriculture and Music (Vocal).

The remaining subjects, including English, Home Science, Biology, Music (Instrumental), Sanskrit, Commerce and Art, will be conducted on Thursday.

To maintain the integrity of the examination process, authorities have enforced strict rules regarding prohibited items.

Electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, smart gadgets and digital watches have been barred from examination centres.

Candidates have also been directed to strictly comply with all instructions mentioned in their admit cards.

Speaking to IANS, an invigilator at an examination centre in Prayagraj said, "This examination will be conducted over two days, on June 3 and June 4. Everyone is fully alert, and the administration is strictly following all government guidelines."

Candidates appearing for the examination also expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the authorities.

One aspirant told IANS, "The arrangements are quite good, as a significant number of administrative officials and personnel have been deployed."

Another candidate said, "I am hopeful that I will clear the examination. The arrangements are good. Tight security is in place to avoid any misdeeds."

Security personnel, administrative officers and examination staff have been deployed in large numbers across centres, while surveillance measures have been strengthened to prevent cheating and other unfair practices.

--IANS

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Srinagar, June 3 (IANS) The Counter Intelligence Kashmir wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple places across the Valley in connection with terror-related cases.

Officials said that the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) started searches at eight locations across six districts of the union territory in connection with an ongoing investigation into Pakistan-sponsored terrorist networks, sleeper cells and activities related to recruitment, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorism.

The official said these searches are being conducted in connection with FIR No. 02/2015 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, Sections 15, 16, 17 and 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 7/25 of the Arms Act.

“Based on recent intelligence inputs, technical analysis and sustained investigation, eight search locations were identified, including two in Srinagar, two in Bandipora, one each in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Sopore area of Baramulla district,” the officials said.

The investigation by the Counter Intelligence suggests that the suspects were in contact with Pakistan-based terrorist handlers through encrypted communication platforms and were allegedly involved in spreading extremist propaganda, radicalisation activities and facilitating terror-related operations.

The searches are aimed at recovering incriminating material, establishing terrorist linkages, identifying associates, facilitators and overground workers (OGWs), and generating actionable intelligence to further strengthen the investigation and initiate appropriate legal action, sources added.

Officials said that all necessary legal formalities have been completed and search warrants were obtained from the competent court. The operations are being carried out in accordance with established legal procedures with adequate security arrangements and technical support.

The counterintelligence wing of the J&K Police functions under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and deals exclusively with cases related to terrorism, sabotage, subversion and terror networking in the union territory.

The counterintelligence wing has its own police station where FIRs in terror-related cases are registered and subsequently investigated.

--IANS

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