India

Raipur, Aug 19 (IANS) Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao on Wednesday launched a sharp counterattack on Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s remarks on “Dimagi Naxals,” asserting that such elements are deeply hurt by the near‑elimination of armed Naxalism from the state and the country.

Responding sarcastically, Sao said the “Dimagi Naxals” were saddened by the success achieved in wiping out left‑wing extremism from Chhattisgarh, particularly Bastar. He cautioned people to remain vigilant against their ulterior motives.

“It is clear from the statements of Congress leaders that they never want Naxalism to end in the country and in Bastar,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Sao claimed that armed Naxalism has been completely eradicated from Bastar. He said anyone visiting Bastar today could easily feel the change, noting that ordinary people’s lives, lifestyles and temperaments had transformed.

He alleged that Congress leaders have consistently worked against national unity and the Constitution, sometimes secretly and sometimes openly, undermining the country’s systems.

“It is time to protect the country from people with this mentality,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister further stated that the people of Bastar deserve prosperity, progress and better education. He alleged that Congress leaders never wanted this and had never done anything for it.

“They do not even want tribals in Bastar to receive any benefits. That is why they continue to make statements in support of Naxalism in various ways and on various platforms,” Sao charged.

Turning to the Congress’s allegations regarding a “transfer industry” in the state, Sao launched a scathing rebuttal. He said the entire state of Chhattisgarh knows at whose behest the so‑called transfer industry operated in the past.

“Those who ran the transfer industry should introspect before making such allegations. The reality is that transfers are made purely on administrative grounds and based on administrative needs. That is exactly what has happened,” he asserted.

Sao’s remarks come amid a political slugfest over the declining influence of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh and the state’s administrative decisions.

The Deputy Chief Minister maintained that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)‑led government remains focused on development, security and the welfare of tribal communities in the once violence‑hit regions.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 19 (IANS) A day before the start of the Assembly session scheduled for Thursday, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma called upon Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators to actively participate in proceedings of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and effectively highlight the state government’s achievements, development initiatives and future vision.

Addressing a meeting of the legislative party at his residence on Wednesday, Sharma said the government was fulfilling promises made to the people at an unprecedented pace.

He urged MLAs to ensure that welfare‑oriented policies and development programmes are prominently presented during Assembly discussions.

The Chief Minister said public welfare remains the BJP government's guiding principle, and it has successfully implemented a wide range of projects and schemes across Rajasthan.

He asserted that the government had accomplished “unparalleled work” in just two and a half years compared with the five‑year tenure of the previous Congress government.

Sharma added that the BJP government’s “double‑engine” approach has given Rajasthan a clear roadmap for comprehensive development.

According to him, the state has made significant progress across key sectors, including water, electricity, industry, employment and road infrastructure.

He called on party legislators to communicate these achievements effectively to the public and counter what he described as misinformation and political criticism of the government.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Sharma alleged that the party was associated with corruption and appeasement politics and had a record of reneging on promises made to the people.

He urged BJP legislators to make the public aware of what he termed the Congress’s political record and cautioned against trusting the opposition party.

The Chief Minister emphasised that legislators have an important role in strengthening the government’s connection with the people by raising public issues in the House while also showcasing the impact of government initiatives.

He said the government would continue working to make Rajasthan a leading state through sustained development, effective governance and delivery of welfare schemes.

Sharma urged party MLAs to remain united, proactive and focused on communicating the government’s vision and achievements during the Assembly session.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) The Gir East Forest Division has registered 75 offences linked to wildlife protection and forest violations and recovered more than Rs 13.30 lakh in fines over the past four months, as the Gujarat Forest Department steps up action against unauthorised entry, hunting, illegal timber transport and activities that could disturb wildlife.

The action was taken on the instructions of state Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, with the department focusing on the protection of Asiatic lions and forest resources in the Gir landscape.

Of the 75 cases, 38 were registered against people who entered the sanctuary area without authorisation.

Fines totalling around Rs 7,76,400 were imposed in these cases, according to the Forest Department.

Eight of the cases involved the hunting of wild animals.

Court proceedings are underway in four of these cases, while punitive action has been completed in the remaining four.

The department has recovered Rs 2,20,000 in fines in those cases.

The division also registered 16 offences against people allegedly transporting timber without a valid permit or transit pass.

A fine of Rs 3,03,000 was recovered in these cases.

A further 17 offences were registered for activities including dumping plastic waste and illegally grazing livestock in reserved grassland, with Rs 32,500 recovered in fines.

The department said the action was intended to maintain the environmental cleanliness of the sanctuary and protect its forest resources.

The Forest Department has urged people to report any incidents involving harassment of wild animals, illegal hunting, unauthorised entry into restricted forest areas or timber theft to the nearest forest office or forest staff.

The Office of the Gir-East Deputy Conservator of Forests in Amreli has also asked citizens to report social media content showing the harassment of lions or other wildlife, illegal lion shows or sightings, entry into prohibited areas or hunting.

The department said details of any such reels, photographs or videos should be shared with it so that appropriate action can be taken.

The latest enforcement figures come amid continued efforts by the department to prevent unauthorised activities in and around Gir.

In July, forest officials had detained eight people in connection with alleged harassment of Asiatic lions and unauthorised entry into restricted forest areas after videos of the activities circulated on social media.

The Forest Department has reiterated that citizens should not promote or circulate content depicting wildlife harassment or illegal activity and should instead alert forest officials so that violations can be investigated and dealt with under the applicable law.

--IANS

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Chennai, Aug 19 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Chennai on Wednesday night to chair the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at Kovalam near Chennai on Thursday, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay serving as vice-chairman.

HM Shah landed at Chennai airport around 9 p.m. and was received by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran, senior party leaders Pon Radhakrishnan and Vanathi Srinivasan, among others.

Former Ministers Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy, O.S. Manian and N. Thalavai Sundaram represented the AIADMK, while School Education Minister Rajmohan welcomed him on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.

The Union Home Minister later travelled to a star hotel near Mamallapuram, where he was received by CM Vijay. It was Vijay’s first meeting with HM Shah after taking oath as Chief Minister.

The Southern Zonal Council meeting, organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, will be held for about four hours from 10 a.m. on Thursday.

The Tamil Nadu government is hosting this edition of the conference.

Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are expected to participate, along with representatives of Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Lieutenant Governors, Administrators and two Ministers from each member State or Union Territory will also attend.

The Council, a statutory body constituted under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, is expected to discuss issues of common concern to the southern States, including inter-State coordination, development and security. Its recommendations are advisory.

Tamil Nadu will also be represented by Energy Resources and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar and School Education Minister Rajmohan as Council members. Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar and Additional Chief Secretary for Home, Prohibition and Excise K. Manivasan will participate as adviser and second adviser, respectively.

Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan welcomed HM Shah and recalled attending an earlier Council meeting as Lieutenant Governor. She expressed confidence that the deliberations would strengthen cooperative federalism and contribute to the development of the southern States.

Officials said the discussions would focus on resolving pending regional matters through consultation and closer cooperation among governments. HM Shah is scheduled to leave Chennai around 5.40 p.m. on Thursday after the meeting.

--IANS

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Amaravati, Aug 19 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will raise several key issues concerning the State during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting on Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. It will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will also discuss coordination among southern states, resolution of inter-state issues, implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, pending bifurcation-related matters and major infrastructure projects, said a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The Chief Minister will urge the Centre to take the necessary initiative to settle issues relating to the division of institutions listed under Schedules IX and X, distribution of assets and liabilities, and pending financial matters. He will also raise issues concerning the revenue gap and taxation.

The Chief Minister will bring to the Centre’s attention infrastructure projects mentioned in the State Reorganisation Act, including the Dugarajapatnam Port, Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada Metro projects, railway connectivity, airport development and industrial corridors.

He will express gratitude to the Centre for its support in establishing the South Coast Railway Zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam and for funding the Polavaram Project. At the same time, Naidu will seek approvals, funding and Central support for several projects, the CMO said.

The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is the vice-chairman of the council.

The meeting will be attended by chief ministers, lieutenant governors and administrators of the member states and Union Territories, along with two senior ministers from each state.

Telangana is likely to be represented by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is leaving for London on Wednesday night for a 10-day visit to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 19 (IANS) Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday launched the Revenue Grievance Redressal System through the ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot, stating that the new initiative would bring Revenue services closer to the people and ensure a transparent, accountable and citizen‑centric administration.

Launching the new system, the Minister said the grievance redressal mechanism has been introduced through the ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot as a simple, convenient and transparent digital platform for citizens to lodge complaints relating to various Revenue Department services and track their status.

He added that, in keeping with changing times, the Revenue Department is strengthening and modernising itself to make public services simpler and more accessible. Pujari said this innovative initiative would be a landmark step for the Government of Odisha and further strengthen public trust in the administration.

Under the new system, citizens can select the appropriate grievance category through WhatsApp, submit the required details, and upload supporting documents. The complaint will then be forwarded to the concerned authority based on its nature.

For general grievances, the Tahasildar will initially examine the complaint and take necessary action. Where field‑level verification or additional information is required, the Tahasildar may forward it to the concerned Revenue Inspector (RI).

Following submission of the RI’s report, the matter will return to the Tahasildar for further action. Grievances requiring higher‑level intervention may be escalated to the Sub‑Collector and subsequently to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and District Collector.

According to the department, it will monitor grievances against prescribed timelines to ensure timely action and disposal. Complainants will receive WhatsApp updates at various stages, including submission, progress, verification, escalation, resolution or rejection. They will also be informed of the outcome and can rate the service and provide feedback.

The system provides facilities for digital submission of grievances, category‑wise registration, online tracking, field verification by Revenue Inspectors, escalation to higher authorities, citizen notifications and digital record‑keeping and monitoring.

The department said the initiative would enable citizens to lodge complaints without first visiting Revenue offices in person, while giving officials a structured digital workflow, transparent tracking, and clearly defined responsibilities.

Discussions are also underway to digitise grievances submitted physically at Revenue offices and integrate them into the unified grievance management system, allowing online and in‑person complaints to be managed and tracked through a single platform.

The ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot is already providing several Revenue services. Citizens can access the services through WhatsApp number 9437292000, including mutation, conversion of land classification, marriage registration, society registration, registration‑related information, certified copies of registered documents, caste, income and residential certificates, among others.

On the occasion, the administration demonstrated how citizens from Rayagada, Jharsuguda and Cuttack districts can lodge grievances through WhatsApp, followed by their management and resolution.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) More than 950 delegates from India and abroad will gather in Gandhinagar from August 20 to 23 for the 16th annual conference of the Clinical Infectious Diseases Society (CIDSCON 2026), with antimicrobial resistance, infection control and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical practice among the key areas of discussion.

The four-day conference will be held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre and will bring together infectious disease specialists, clinicians, researchers, microbiologists and other healthcare professionals.

The programme is aimed at sharing advances in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, while examining challenges specific to India.

The official CIDS programme confirms the August 20-23 dates and venue.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya will inaugurate the conference and unveil a book on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) written by an eminent infectious diseases specialist.

The conference will open on August 20 with specialised workshops covering different aspects of infectious disease practice.

These will include "ID 360: Mastering the Basics", "Microbiology 360: Diagnostics, Stewardship and Infection Control", "The Zero Defence Challenge: Mastering ID in the Immunocompromised", "AI and Technology in ID Practice" and "ID Issues in Surgical Practice".

The workshops will include expert sessions, case-based discussions and hands-on learning.

Artificial intelligence will be a particular focus, with a dedicated workshop examining the current AI landscape and applications beyond large language models.

Participants will explore how AI could be used in infectious disease practice and how its role compares with human clinical decision-making.

The workshop will also include practical projects and problem-solving exercises.

The main scientific programme will cover antimicrobial resistance, tropical infections, tuberculosis, HIV, fungal infections, virology, infection control, antimicrobial stewardship and infections in immunocompromised patients.

Sessions will also examine emerging technologies including next-generation sequencing, phage therapy and AI-enabled clinical practice.

A special session on August 22 will focus on efforts to strengthen antimicrobial resistance containment in Gujarat.

It will examine state initiatives, the Gujarat State AMR Surveillance Network (GUJSAR-N), monitoring of antimicrobial stewardship programmes and laboratory-data-based disease surveillance through an AMR dashboard.

The programme will also include challenging case discussions, interactions with experts, award presentations and poster rounds, along with dedicated sessions for postgraduate students and fellows.

The conference will feature national experts as well as international faculty from countries including the United States and Singapore.

CIDS President Subramanian Swaminathan, Secretary Neha Gupta, Treasurer Kavitha Saravu, Organising Chairman Atul Patel, Organising Co-Chairman Harsh Toshniwal and Organising Secretary Surbhi Madan will be among those associated with the event.

Co-Organising Secretaries Vipul Shah, Manoj Sevakani and Swati Gohel will also be present.

The conference will conclude on August 23 with a valedictory session.

--IANS

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Guna, Aug 19 (IANS) The Bina‑Ruthiyai MEMU train will depart from Ruthiyai at 8:30 pm from August 20, providing an onward rail connection to passengers arriving by the Indore‑Kota Express, according to a railway notification issued on Wednesday.

The Indore‑Kota Express reaches Ruthiyai at around 8:20 pm. The revised timing will allow passengers to board the MEMU for onward travel towards Guna, Ashoknagar, Mungaoli, Bina and adjoining areas.

The development followed intervention by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia after the Railways' revised MEMU timing, decided on August 11, was not being implemented. The issue came to Scindia’s notice after the train continued to run without the revised departure time.

He subsequently took up the matter with railway authorities, after which the department issued a notification to implement the new schedule from August 20.

“The revised timing of the MEMU train will provide better connectivity to passengers arriving at Ruthiyai by the Indore‑Kota Express. I took up the matter after it came to my notice that the revised schedule was not being implemented,” Scindia said in a statement.

Under the revised schedule, the MEMU will leave Ruthiyai 10 minutes after the Indore‑Kota Express arrives. The change is expected to benefit passengers travelling towards Guna, Ashoknagar, Mungaoli, Bina and nearby areas, particularly those relying on the MEMU for their onward journey.

The timing change had remained pending for several days despite the Railways having already decided on it. Scindia said the matter was taken up with railway authorities to address the difficulties faced by passengers.

“The implementation of the revised timing will provide an onward connection to passengers arriving from the Indore‑Kota route and travelling towards Guna, Ashoknagar, Mungaoli, Bina and adjoining areas,” he said.

According to the railway notification, the revised departure time will come into effect from August 20. The change is expected to improve coordination between the Indore‑Kota Express and the Bina‑Ruthiyai MEMU service and reduce waiting time for passengers at Ruthiyai.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 19 (IANS) The Rajasthan Police has stepped up its fight against drug abuse with a new weekly review mechanism, with anti‑narcotics operations now set to be reviewed every Wednesday.

Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar Sharma has directed officers to take strict action against drug trafficking networks, identify their sources and supply chains, and target the entire network rather than limiting operations to seizures and arrests.

Officials said the Rajasthan Police has adopted a special strategy to combat drug abuse and will now conduct weekly reviews of enforcement activities. Under Sharma’s directions, a special review meeting on state‑level anti‑drug campaigns and operations will be held at Police Headquarters every Wednesday. He chaired the first weekly review meeting on Wednesday.

During the meeting, police officers were instructed to take strict and effective action against drug trafficking networks and the criminals involved. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said criminals engaged in drug abuse and the narcotics trade would not be spared under any circumstances. He emphasised the need to identify sources of trafficking, supply networks, and individuals involved, and to ensure effective action against the entire chain.

Sharma noted that, compared with the previous year, the Rajasthan Police has conducted more anti‑narcotics operations during the first seven months of the current year. He directed officers to ensure operations do not remain limited to drug seizures and arrests, but instead target the complete trafficking network through effective legal and enforcement action.

He said infrastructure is being further strengthened to accelerate anti‑narcotics activities across the state. The move will support better coordination, a stronger intelligence network, and more effective monitoring of drug‑related activities.

Officials were instructed to identify drug hotspots in their respective districts, maintain regular surveillance, and take stringent action against traffickers and their associates. Sharma also emphasised the need to continuously expand police awareness initiatives aimed at keeping young people away from drugs.

Guidelines were issued for a special awareness campaign in schools and colleges across all districts from August 19 to August 31. The DGP directed police officers to prepare a comprehensive action plan, in coordination with all relevant departments, to curb drug abuse.

He said the weekly meetings held every Wednesday would include a detailed review of district‑level actions, case status, arrests, seizures, and operations conducted against drug networks.

Police officers present at the meeting included Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch) Sharat Kaviraj, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Personnel & Principal Staff Officer) Kunwar Rashtradeep, Deputy Inspector General of Police (ANTF) Abhijit Singh, and Superintendent of Police (ANTF) Amit Jain, among others.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 19 (IANS) Cybercrime could become a bigger challenge than traditional offences such as theft and robbery over the next 10 years, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Wednesday as he called for sustained collaboration between the police, technology experts, start-ups and young innovators to strengthen the state’s cyber security capabilities.

Speaking at the national-level KANAD S.H.I.E.L.D. Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 organised by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime at the KCG Campus (i-Hub Gujarat) in Ahmedabad, Sanghavi said the growing threat could no longer be treated as an issue confined to Gujarat and required collective efforts.

“Over the next 10 years, cybercrime is likely to increase compared to traditional crime. This is no longer an issue limited to Gujarat but has become a global challenge. To prevent such serious crimes that affect society, collective and sustained efforts are essential,” he said.

Sanghavi said the hackathon was intended to go beyond a competition and help identify technological solutions that could give Gujarat Police a new direction in tackling cybercrime.

The event has brought together youth, start-ups and innovators from across the country to develop and showcase software-based solutions for law enforcement.

He said major projects were generally entrusted to corporate companies. Still, the hackathon had created an opportunity for young innovators to demonstrate their ideas and potentially contribute directly to government projects.

“One of the key requirements today is an AI-based automated software system. At present, we receive visual footage through CCTV cameras, but there is a need to introduce an AI-based automated software system,” Sanghavi said.

He said the state announced a special Rs 51 lakh challenge to integrate the state’s CCTV network and develop an AI-based system.

The initiative aims to use technology more effectively in policing and strengthen law enforcement agencies' ability to analyse surveillance data.

Sanghavi also stressed that the hackathon's objective was not limited to prize money.

“This project is not merely about winning prize money. Active consideration is also underway to provide the winning youth and their start-ups with an opportunity to work directly with the State Government in the future,” he said.

He urged the state's technology-oriented youth to participate in such initiatives and use innovation to contribute to the development of a “Viksit Gujarat”.

The hackathon aimed to strengthen cyber security in the digital era and equip law enforcement agencies with modern technological tools.

Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik, Additional Chief Secretary (Education Department) Mukesh Kumar, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Home Secretary Nipuna Torwane, Ahmedabad Range Inspector General of Police Raghavendra Vats, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal, senior police officers, cyber security experts, i-Hub representatives and IT professionals and young participants attended the event.

--IANS

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