India

Bengaluru, July 18 (IANS) Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's wife, Chennamma (85), passed away at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday. She had been undergoing treatment for severe respiratory complications at the hospital for the past few days.

According to hospital sources, Chennamma passed away at around 4 p.m. following a heart attack. The family is yet to decide on the venue for the final rites.

Members of the Deve Gowda family indicated that a decision is likely to be taken to conduct the funeral rites in Hassan, the former Prime Minister's home district.

BJP Karnataka State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra expressed profound grief over the demise of Chennamma.

In a condolence message, Vijayendra said that Chennamma played a significant role in supporting Deve Gowda throughout his political journey and made an invaluable contribution to his public life and achievements.

He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. "May God grant strength to the members of the family to bear this irreparable loss," he said.

According to family sources, a team of specialist doctors was closely monitoring her condition. While her vital parameters were stated to be stable in the morning, she faced breathing-related complications.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy cancelled all his scheduled programmes in view of his mother's health. His elder brother, Holenarasipura MLA H.D. Revanna, and Revanna's wife, Bhavani Revanna, remained at the hospital throughout the night.

Chennamma's health reportedly deteriorated suddenly on Thursday (July 17), prompting concern among family members. Deve Gowda, along with his sons Kumaraswamy and Revanna, rushed to the hospital and held discussions with doctors overseeing her treatment.

Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy recalled a major health crisis his mother had survived nearly 25 years ago. "Twenty-five years ago, following an acid attack, there was very little chance of her survival. By God's grace, she recovered then. The doctors at Manipal Hospital are administering the best possible treatment now. Ultimately, beyond medicine, it is her faith in Goddess Rajarajeshwari that will save her and bring her back home," he said.

Family members said Chennamma had been admitted to the hospital for the past three days and was under constant observation by specialists. Bhavani Revanna has been attending to her mother-in-law and stayed at the hospital overnight.

The emotional strain on the family was evident on Friday, with Deve Gowda reportedly breaking down while speaking about his wife's condition. The 93-year-old former Prime Minister is said to have remarked that "everything is now in the hands of God."

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board member S. Naresh Kumar has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Chennamma Deve Gowda (85), wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

In his condolence message, Naresh Kumar said, "Chennamma was a personification of simplicity, grace, and strong family values. She stood as a pillar of strength behind former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda throughout his public life and admirably guided and nurtured the family.

Her service and sacrifices will always be remembered. Her passing is an irreparable loss not only to the Deve Gowda family but also to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her closely."

He further said, "I pray that Lord Venkateswara grants eternal peace to the departed soul and gives all members of the Deve Gowda family the strength to bear this profound grief."

S. Naresh Kumar conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family through his message.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, July 18 (IANS) At least five people were killed, and nine others were injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Vastral area on Saturday, triggering a major fire and a large-scale rescue operation, officials said.

Authorities said the death toll could rise as search operations continued into the evening. The explosion occurred at the factory on Ramol-Gatrad Road behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp.

The blast was so powerful that it was heard up to five kilometres away and caused extensive damage to the structure.

Firefighters said the building suffered significant destruction, with debris trapping several workers inside.

Personnel from the nearby RAF camp rushed to the site immediately after hearing the explosion and began rescuing people trapped under the debris before fire brigade teams arrived.

More than five fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze, which was later brought under control, while cooling operations continued to prevent any fresh flare-ups.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, including L.G. Hospital and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Officials said several victims were admitted with burn injuries and trauma, while rescue teams continued searching the damaged premises.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Sector-2) Jaipal Singh Rathore told IANS that, at the time of his briefing, "Five people are dead. Eight to nine injured have all been rushed to hospital. The fire has been brought under control. It is not a big establishment."

Senior civic and police officials, including Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officers, Zone-8 Deputy Commissioner of Police Mayur Patil and JCP Rathore, visited the site to oversee rescue and relief operations.

Police said preliminary findings indicated that the firecracker unit was operating illegally.

According to reports, investigators identified the operator as Mehul Dodiya and said the factory's licence had previously been cancelled, but manufacturing activities were allegedly continuing.

Authorities have launched an investigation into both the cause of the explosion and the alleged illegal operation of the unit.

The identities of several victims were still being verified late on Saturday as rescue operations continued.

--IANS

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Alappuzha (Kerala), July 18 (IANS) The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), already facing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in a recent recruitment process, was dealt another blow on Saturday after it was forced to cancel a statewide recruitment examination following a question paper mix-up at an examination centre in Alappuzha. 

The examinations cancelled were the Last Grade Servants (LGS) and Storeman recruitment tests, scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. for posts requiring SSLC as the minimum qualification.

The PSC announced the cancellation citing technical reasons.

The lapse occurred at the Lajanath School examination centre in Alappuzha, where officials mistakenly distributed the question paper meant for the afternoon session to candidates appearing for the morning examination.

The tests had been split into two sessions because of the large number of candidates appearing for the preliminary examination for various government posts.

The error reportedly came to light only after the morning examination had concluded, leaving the PSC with little option but to cancel the afternoon session across the state.

The Commission has said that fresh dates for the examinations will be announced later.

The cancellation has caused severe inconvenience to thousands of candidates who had spent months preparing for the examination and had already reached their respective centres.

The incident has also sparked demands for a detailed inquiry into what is being viewed as a major administrative and security lapse in the conduct of the examination.

The latest embarrassment comes at a particularly sensitive time for the PSC, with the Crime Branch currently investigating allegations surrounding the controversial recruitment to the Kerala State Planning Board.

The controversy erupted after it emerged that 10 answers were allegedly left unevaluated before the rank list was finalised, even as a leader of a Left-affiliated organisation secured the first rank.

The State Information Commission recently directed the PSC to hand over all documents related to the recruitment that had earlier been withheld from candidates under the Right to Information Act within seven days.

The order was followed by the registration of a Crime Branch probe.

Against that backdrop, Saturday's examination fiasco is likely to further dent public confidence in the constitutional body, which has already been battling questions over the transparency, credibility and integrity of its recruitment process.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday virtually flagged off the inaugural service of the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, marking the commencement of the first-ever direct 'Express' train connecting these areas.

The new train fulfilled a long-pending demand of the people of the region and will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, according to an official statement.

It will provide convenient same-day connectivity to Dehradun and Haridwar, enabling passengers to complete official, educational, business and personal work before returning home.

Passengers will find it more convenient to access the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, through onward connectivity from Haridwar and Dehradun.

The train (15310) will operate every Wednesday and Friday and it will depart Ramnagar at 5:50 am and arrive at Dehradun at 12:40 pm.

On the return journey, train (15309) will depart Dehradun at 3:55 pm and reach Ramnagar at 11:30 pm.

The train will halt at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar en route.

The train will comprise AC Second Class, AC Third Class, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting and General Second-Class coaches, offering comfortable travel options for passengers across different categories.

The new service will benefit residents of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun districts in Uttarakhand, as well as Moradabad and Bijnor districts in Uttar Pradesh, including students, farmers and traders.

The train is also expected to promote tourism and pilgrimage in the region by improving connectivity to Jim Corbett National Park, the Girija Devi Temple, and the ancient religious sites of Sitamadhi or Sitavani.

Vaishnaw mentioned that Rishikesh railway station will be developed as a feeder station to ease pressure on Haridwar. The minister said that a master plan is being prepared to create additional capacity and improve connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Vaishnaw highlighted that the redevelopment of railway stations in Uttarakhand is progressing rapidly, and that 11 stations in the state are being redeveloped, including Dehradun, Haridwar Junction, Harrawala, Kashipur Junction, Kichha, Kotdwar, Roorkee, Kathgodam, Lal Kuan Junction, Ramnagar and Tanakpur.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted that the rail connectivity in Uttarakhand has improved significantly in recent years.

Dhami said work on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line is progressing rapidly and would become a lifeline for the social, economic, religious and tourism development of Uttarakhand.

—IANS

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Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), July 18 (IANS) In a setback to jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, the MP-MLA Special Court (Sessions Trial) here on Saturday rejected his appeal against a two-year sentence awarded by a lower court for his objectionable remark against a district magistrate in 2019.

After the court’s decision to uphold the sentence awarded to the SP leader, Prosecution Officer Seema Rana said, "An appeal was filed in the court of the Special Judge (MP-MLA/Sessions Court) Vijay Kumar. This appeal was lodged against the conviction order passed by the lower court. Today, Mohammad Azam Khan's appeal has been dismissed, and the order of the lower court has been upheld."

On May 16, Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal handed down a two-year sentence to the SP leader for the objectionable remark against the then District Magistrate during the Lok Sabha election campaign in 2019. The court had also slapped a penalty of Rs 5,000 on him.

Soon after, Azam Khan had appealed against his conviction in the MP-MLA Special Court (Sessions Trial), which rejected his plea on Saturday.

The case pertains to a roadshow held in the Bhot police station area of Rampur during the 2019 election campaign, when Azam Khan was contesting as the Samajwadi Party candidate.

According to the prosecution, a video of Azam Khan’s statement, in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks against the then District Magistrate, had gone viral on social media, following which the Election Commission took cognisance of the matter and sought a report.

During the alleged incident in Mankara village in Rampur, Azam Khan had called the DM a ‘Tankhaiya’ (salaried person) and urged people not to take him seriously. He also said that after the election, he will make the officials clean his shoes.

Subsequently, a case was lodged at the Bhot police station on the complaint of the then SDM of Tanda and Assistant Returning Officer of Chamraua Assembly constituency, Ghanshyam Tripathi. After the investigation, the police filed a charge sheet, and the trial proceeded in the MP-MLA court.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, July 18 (IANS) Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Kuldeep Dhaliwal on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state was a “flop show”.

He said the visit was not only disappointing for Punjab but also that his statements were hollow and intended to mislead the people.

Dhaliwal launched a direct attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying those who can steal donations in the name of a sacred place like the Ram Mandir can never be honest towards the nation. He told the media in Amritsar that the BJP openly stole donations by exploiting the faith of people across the country in the name of the construction of the Ram Mandir.

Dhaliwal said the Union Government has withheld thousands of crores of the state’s Rural Development Fund (RDF) and other funds.

“When we take loans for Punjab’s development, they accuse us of mismanagement, whereas the truth is that the Union Government is sitting on Punjab’s rightful funds,” he said.

He added that every loan being taken by the State Government “is not meant to benefit any industrialist, but is being spent on hospitals, schools, colleges, roads, healthcare facilities, pensions for the poor and public welfare schemes. Punjab’s money is being spent only on the people of Punjab.”

On the issue of blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol, Dhaliwal termed it another burden on the common people’s pocket.

He questioned under which law “this is being imposed on the people”. He said it was claimed ethanol blending would make fuel cheaper, but instead prices have increased further, placing a direct burden on the common man.

He said this policy “is benefiting a few selected companies while the common people are paying the price”.

He added that instead of delivering speeches in Punjab, the Prime Minister should tell the nation under which law this arrangement has been implemented and what benefit the public has received from it.

On the issue of drugs, Dhaliwal held the BJP accountable, saying that drugs spread in Punjab during the BJP–Shiromani Akali Dal alliance government.

He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been continuously urging the Union government to install modern anti‑drone systems along Punjab’s 532‑km international border to stop the smuggling of drugs and weapons through drones from Pakistan. Still, the Centre has not taken any effective step in this direction till date.

Dhaliwal said the Prime Minister remained completely silent on the issue of farmers as well. Despite the martyrdom of 720 farmers and the promise of Rs 1,600 crore for flood victims, the Union Government has not given even a single penny till date.

--IANS

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Gwalior, July 18 (IANS) Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday inaugurated two 33/11 kV electricity substations in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashoknagar district, with the projects expected to improve power supply in 12 villages of the Chanderi Assembly constituency.

Built at a combined cost of about Rs 4.40 crore, the substations at Pathkheda and Madi‑Mahidpur are expected to benefit around 15,000 people by improving voltage levels and reducing frequent power disruptions, according to officials.

Addressing separate public meetings after the inauguration, Scindia said the Centre and the State Government were focusing on strengthening basic infrastructure in rural areas to support agriculture and improve public services.

He remarked that the prosperity of farmers was his biggest priority, adding: “Wherever I may be in the country, the flag of Ashoknagar will always be with me.”

The Union Minister said the Pathkheda substation was completed within four months of the laying of the foundation stone, adding that faster execution of infrastructure projects was necessary to meet the growing demand for electricity in rural areas.

Scindia also said the newly inaugurated facilities would help improve electricity supply for irrigation and domestic consumers and urged farmers to adopt natural farming practices.

Calling the projects important for the region, he said this was not merely the inauguration of a power substation but the beginning of a new chapter of prosperity for farmers.

Referring to other infrastructure works, Scindia said the ongoing Rs 550‑crore Chanderi Micro Irrigation Project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to around 28,000 hectares of agricultural land across 121 villages.

He further shared that the new substations were commissioned as part of efforts to strengthen the electricity distribution network in rural areas, where power demand has increased because of agricultural and domestic consumption.

Public representatives and officials of the State power distribution company attended the inauguration.

--IANS

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Imphal, July 18 (IANS) A joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police on Saturday arrested two more accused from Manipur’s Kangpokpi district for their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians, police said.

A senior police official said the latest arrests have taken the total number of accused apprehended in the case to four. All four are alleged to have been involved in the abduction and murder of six members of the Naga community in Kangpokpi district on May 13.

The official said that following investigation in the abduction and killing of six Naga individuals, a joint team of NIA, Manipur Police and CRPF arrested the two accused, identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, both residents of Kangpokpi district. Further efforts are on to arrest other individuals involved in the case, the official said.

Earlier on July 10, a joint team of NIA, Manipur Police and CRPF conducted a joint operation leading to the arrest of two accused. The arrested persons were identified as Pradip and his wife, Ayingbi, both residents of Leilon Vaiphei village of Kangpokpi district.

The bodies of the six Naga civilians were recovered on June 11 from a forested area in Kangpokpi district, nearly a month after they were allegedly abducted on May 13. The gruesome killings triggered widespread protests, counter‑economic blockades and renewed tensions between the Naga and Kuki‑Zo communities across parts of Manipur.

Meanwhile, acknowledging and expressing remorse over the killings, the Kuki‑Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki‑Zo communities, recently apologised for the incident and called for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into all acts of violence linked to the continuing ethnic unrest in the state.

Addressing the media at Churachandpur district headquarters along with three other KZC leaders, Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet admitted that members of the Kuki‑Zo community had committed a “grave mistake” by killing the six Naga civilians, stating that the act was carried out “out of emotion”.

However, several Naga organisations, including the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), rejected the apology, describing it as “insincere” and demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the killings.

At least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were taken hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the violent incidents of May 13, during which three church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district.

Following sustained efforts by the authorities, community leaders and various civil society organisations, around 30 individuals from both communities were released on May 14 and May 15. On June 10, the remaining 14 Kuki villagers were released and handed over to the police at a police station in Senapati district by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO).

The following day, June 11, the bodies of the six Naga hostages were recovered from a forested area near Kharam Vaiphei village, a predominantly Kuki‑Zo tribal settlement under the Saitu‑Gamphazol Sub‑Division of Kangpokpi district.

Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had announced that the cases relating to the abduction and killing of the six Naga villagers, along with the murder of the three church leaders in Kangpokpi district on May 13, had been handed over to the NIA for a comprehensive investigation.

The Chief Minister reiterated last week that his government is taking all necessary steps to ensure justice in connection with the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians in Kangpokpi district over two months ago. He said the State Government is committed to ensuring justice in the case involving the abduction and killing of the six Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

The latest arrests are expected to provide a significant breakthrough in the investigation into one of the most sensitive incidents linked to the recent Naga‑Kuki tensions in the hill districts of Manipur.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) The CBI arrested a sub-registrar of Delhi government’s revenue department, along with a private person, for taking a bribe of Rs 80,000 for preparing a property’s documents, an official said on Saturday.

Nand Kishore Meena, Sub-Registrar, Punjabi Bagh, Nangloi, and Subhash Gandhi, a private person, were arrested in a trap laid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, said an official in a statement.

The CBI registered the instant case on Friday against the accused, based on a complaint alleging that the accused sub-registrar demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from the complainant to execute a gift deed for the property.

The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused sub-registrar and a private person red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 80,000 from the complainant, said the statement.

In a separate case in Jammu and Kashmir, the CBI earlier said on Friday that it has arrested an Assistant Engineer working with the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during a trap operation in connection with a bribery case.

According to the CBI, the action followed a complaint alleging that the official, namely Liyakat Javed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian, had sought an illegal payment from a resident for processing and facilitating the release of compensation related to damage caused to the complainant's house during the execution of a PMGSY road construction project.

The complaint stated that the initial demand was Rs 50,000. During the verification process conducted by the CBI, the alleged demand was found to have been negotiated and settled at Rs 30,000, said a statement.

The CBI said its strict action against corrupt public servants underscores its firm commitment to curb corruption.

Citizens who come across instances of corruption or are subjected to bribery demands by public officials are encouraged to report them. They may visit the Office of CBI, ACB, Delhi, 1st Floor, CBI Building, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, or call on 011-24367887 and mobile No. 9650394847 to lodge their complaints or share any relevant information, it said.

--IANS

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Srinagar, July 18 (IANS) J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that the Chinar Book Festival is a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers.

L-G Manoj Sinha attended the third edition of the Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar. He congratulated the National Book Trust and the organisers for their commendable work.

“This festival is more than just an event. It is a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers. Our goal is to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a national hub for knowledge, culture and creativity. I hope this book festival will inspire the youth to read every day, protect endangered languages, and use literature as a way to value and respect diversity,” the L-G said.

He added that books are like living conversations, forcing us to think deeply, ask questions, challenge beliefs and inspire growth.

The L-G noted that in a short span of time, the Chinar Book Festival has become a unique celebration of ideas, transforming into a vibrant intellectual movement across J&K.

“Writers and thinkers are like glowing lamps and blooming roses. In many ways, they mirror the majestic Chinar tree, a living symbol of patience, beauty and endurance. Writers and their books share this same lasting spirit, guiding human civilisation through the ages,” he said.

He observed that the festival has become a strong national platform of ideas, debates and knowledge exchange

. “Its identity is no longer confined to stalls and book launches; it has become a means to generate new ideas, encourage dialogue and empower youth,” he said.

The L-G highlighted past editions where workshops, panel discussions and literary conversations gave new energy to J&K’s rich literary tradition.

He also pointed to efforts to revive the Sharada script and initiatives such as Tamil-Kashmiri dialogues under Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

He emphasised that the success of a book festival should not be measured by sales figures, but by the ideas and conversations it generates.

The L-G urged youth to read at least one book beyond their textbooks every month and asked young writers to resolve to write at least one page daily.

“Through the Chinar Book Festival we are ensuring that our children have roots to their identity as well as wings for future flight,” he said.

He visited book stalls, interacted with exhibitors and released several publications in different languages.

He also asked organisers to plan a similar festival in Jammu.

--IANS

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