India

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) More than a week after the Chinese government approved the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, India on Friday vowed to "take necessary measures" while urging Beijing to ensure that the interests of downstream states are not harmed by the decision.

The river, also known as Yarlung Zangbo, flows through Tibet into Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and is known as the Brahmaputra in India. The hydropower project is located in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

"We have seen the information released by Xinhua on 25th December 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, we have consistently expressed, through expert-level as well as diplomatic channels, our views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in their territory," Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

"These concerns have been reiterated, along with the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries, following the latest report. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests," he added.

As a lower riparian state, with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, the Indian government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects.

In its 12th Five Year Plan for the period 2011-2015, China had planned to develop three more hydropower projects on the main stream of Brahmaputra River in Tibet Autonomous Region. Of the three, the first unit of the hydropower project at Jiacha was operationalised in August 2020.

In March 2021, China adopted its 14th Five Year Plan which mentioned plans for hydropower development on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra river.

"The Chinese side has conveyed to us on several occasions that they are only undertaking run-of-the-river hydropower projects, which do not involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra. Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of the institutionalized expert-level mechanism as well as through diplomatic channels. We intend to remain engaged with China on the issue of trans-border rivers to safeguard our interests," V Muraleedharan, the then Minister of State for External Affairs, had said while replying to a question in Lok Sabha in July 2021.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has also reacted strongly to Beijing's announcement of establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China, parts of jurisdiction of which fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh.

"We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India's longstanding and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same. We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels," stated the MEA spokesperson.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 3 (IANS) The parents of the junior woman doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, who became a victim of a ghastly rape and murder within the hospital premises in August last year, have now decided to move the Supreme Court of India to highlight the "grey areas" in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the matter.

The decision on the part of the parents to approach the apex court had been taken since last month, the Calcutta High Court had held that their petition demanding fresh enquiry in the matter would not be entertained unless certain things in the matter are clarified.

A single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had observed that his bench would act on the matter only if it was clear whether the CBI probe in the matter was court-monitored or not.

Although another hearing in the matter is scheduled this month where the bench is expected to make it clear whether it will finally act on the petition or not, the victim’s parents now have preferred to approach the Supreme Court also in the matter.

The victim’s father informed a section of the media persons on Friday that they, in all probability, will be approaching the apex court next Monday in the matter and they are constrained to take this decision since there are uncertainties on whether the Calcutta High Court will hear the matter or not.

"CBI had identified civic volunteer Sanjay Roy as the ‘sole prime accused’ in the rape and murder. He is surely guilty. But we are not sure whether CBI will be able to file supplementary charge sheets in the case, which their officials failed to do within 90 days against the two accused of tampering with evidence," he said.

Recently, a special court in Kolkata granted “default bail” to the former and controversial principal of R.G. Kar, Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal since the CBI failed to file supplementary charge sheets against them within 90 days from the date of their arrest.

The charges against Ghosh and Mondal were for misleading the investigation and tampering with the evidence when the initial investigation in the matter was carried out by Kolkata Police.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Jan 3 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the state government is working with the 'Antyodaya' resolution through various development works to provide roads, water, electricity, health and basic facilities to the common people.

He instructed the officials to set a timeline for completing these development works and complete them on time.

Sharma said this while addressing the review meeting of development works of Sanganer Assembly constituency held at the Chief Minister's residence on Friday.

The progress of various development works related to the Energy Department, PWD, Medical and Health, Revenue, PHED, Autonomous Governance, Water Resources and Urban Development Department was reviewed on the occasion. He instructed all the departments to complete the work by coordinating with each other.

The Chief Minister said that all the departments should regularly monitor their projects so that the common people do not have to face problems.

He also gave necessary guidelines to officials regarding the construction of 132 KV GSS in Pratap Nagar and laying power lines beneath the ground.

He said that PWD and NHAI should coordinate with each other and complete the Bhankrota flyover soon so that the traffic system can be smooth. He directed the PWD to ensure quality construction of the flyover, underpass and Bilwa flyover to be built at a 200-feet intersection.

He said that the road widening work from RICO culvert to Malpura Railway Gate should be completed soon so that traffic flow is smoothened.

Sharma said that pending applications for water connection should be disposed of in a timely manner by running a campaign under Prithviraj Nagar Project. He also reviewed the strengthening and improvement works of the drinking water distribution system in Jaipur Municipal Corporation area under Amrit 2.0.

The Chief Minister said that the concerned department should prepare an action plan indicating all the development works of Sanganer Assembly constituency.

He said that encroachments should be removed around the gates of archaeological importance in Sanganer and their beautification work should be done in accordance with the gates of the rampart.

CM Sharma said that due to the increasing population of Jaipur, proper urban planning should be done, so that the pressure of increasing resources can be resolved. He said that the Urban Development Department should complete all its development work in a timely manner.

Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Additional Chief Secretary Water Resources Abhay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Akhil Arora, among others, were present at the meeting.

--IANS

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Gurugram, Jan 3 (IANS) The Gurugram police have arrested two people for allegedly duping a Dundahera resident of Rs 26 lakh on the pretext of a job for his sister at Delhi University (DU), police said.

Complainant Ankur Rao told the police that two persons fraudulently extorted Rs 26 lakh in the name of getting his sister's job as an Assistant Professor at Delhi University during the year 2023/24.

Upon receiving the complaint, a case was registered under the relevant sections at the Udyog Vihar police station in Gurugram.

The complainant alleged that Omkar Yadav (30), a resident of Kherki Baghanki village, came to his house and claimed that he had acquaintances with higher officials in DU.

The accused claimed that he would get his sister cleared in the interview and get her employed.

He also introduced Ankur to Sandeep Kumar (38), a resident of Sampla in Rohtak, who compromised a deal for Rs 32 lakh.

During this the complainant's sister received an email from the university for an interview scheduled on January 10, 2024; Sandeep told her that it was postponed.

Thereafter, she received another email on March 23 for document verification.

Later, the complainant and his sister found that there was no schedule for document verification.

The complainant told the police that in the meantime, the accused extorted a total of Rs 26 lakh from him.

When Ankur asked them to return his money the accused threatened to kill him, he alleged.

Following an investigation conducted by the Economic Offences Wing, an FIR was registered against accused Omkar Yadav and Sandeep Kumar at the Udyog Vihar police station, Gurugram.

During the investigation, the accused duo was arrested from Sampla, Rohtak, on Wednesday.

"The accused were produced before the court on Thursday, and it took them four days for police remand. Further action is being taken in the case as per law," said Gurugram police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar.

--IANS

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Jammu, Jan 3 (IANS) Kanav Sharma, president of the BJP J&K Yuva Morcha and a practicing advocate, was shot at on Friday following an altercation over a parking spot in Jammu's Sarwal area.

According to official sources, the incident occurred when Sharma was parking his car, leading to a heated argument with a local resident over the parking slot. The individual, whose identity is known to authorities, fired two shots at Sharma during the altercation.

Sharma was initially rushed to the emergency ward of Sarwal Hospital. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu for specialized treatment.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law and have launched an investigation to apprehend the assailant. "We are probing whether the attack stemmed purely from the argument or if there was a premeditated conspiracy behind it," a police official stated.

Kanav Sharma, who is engaged in an anti-drug campaign, is the son of senior advocate and BJP leader Chander Mohan Sharma.

This incident comes against the backdrop of BJP's strong electoral performance in Jammu. In the last legislative assembly elections, the BJP secured all 29 assembly seats in the Jammu division, marking a big win.

Additionally, the party represents both Lok Sabha constituencies in Jammu and Udhampur, with Dr Jitendra Singh serving as MoS (PMO) and Jugal Kishore Sharma as the MP for Jammu.

The National Conference (NC) remains the largest party in the 90-member assembly with 42 seats, followed by the BJP's 29. Other parties, including Congress (6), CPI(M) (1), AAP (1), Peoples Conference (1), and independents (7), make up the remainder. Notably, six independents later aligned with the NC.

Police efforts to determine the exact motive and apprehend the shooter are going on.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The Delhi BJP on Friday wrote to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, seeking a probe into an alleged discrepancy related to the name of Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khichi's wife in the voters' list of Karol Bagh constituency.

Alleging wrongdoing, BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor claimed that two women, with separate EPIC cards, are listed as the ‘wife’ of Mayor Khichi, a prominent Dalit leader of the AAP.

In the letter, Kapoor stated that Mayor Khichi lives at F-12, Nehru Nagar, Karol Bagh, and is in the voter list of Karol Bagh Assembly Constituency’s Part 40.

The Mayor is listed as Voter Number 280 in the voter list’s Part 40. His wife, Nidhi, is listed at Serial Number 281 with EPIC Number RJNI365741.

Shockingly, the same voters list also registers another woman, Mamta, at Voter Number 285 with EPIC Number 15915026, as the Mayor’s wife.

Kapoor said that while he has no personal knowledge about the name of the Mayor’s wife, there seems to be an alleged error or discrepancy in either the records or the filing of details by residents of the house where the Mayor is living.

Kapoor said it was improper for the Mayor, a public representative, to allow such a discrepancy to exist in the voters' list.

He said that if it turns out to be a case of one woman being registered with two different names, that, too, will constitute a legal violation.

The Delhi BJP spokesperson emphasised that as an elected representative, the Mayor cannot claim ignorance about two women being registered as his ‘wife’ against the same address.

Kapoor urged the Lieutenant Governor to order a probe into the matter and explore legal action against the Mayor for allegedly having ‘two wives’ or for having his wife listed twice as a voter with two different names.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Jan 3 (IANS) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday that five times the budget allocation every year was increased for the northeast after the BJP government came to power at the Centre.

Three new trains were flagged off in Guwahati on Friday by Union Minister Vaishnaw.

During the occasion, he said, "More than five times yearly budgetary allocation has been increased for railway infrastructure development work in the Northeast region for the current year in comparison to the period 2009-14."

He also said that the flagging of new train services is expected to bolster regional connectivity and improve travel options for passengers across Assam and neighbouring areas.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita were present at the Guwahati Railway Station, apart from other MPs and MLAs at various other locations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between NIELIT and Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. and exchanged in the presence of the Ministers present on the occasion.

National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), a premier institution under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has been recognised as a deemed to be university under a distinct category by the University Grants Commission.

According to an official statement, the main campus in Ropar, along with its 11 constituent units in Agartala, Aizawl, Ajmer, Aurangabad, Calicut, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Gorakhpur, Patna and Srinagar, NIELIT deemed to be university is set to redefine learning.

"It will provide undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes in emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductor design & manufacturing, Cyber Security and Forensics, Internet of Things, Automotive Electronics, Machine Learning, Blockchain Technology etc. The curriculum would be developed with the industry and for the industry, ensuring that the workforce will acquire skills as per industry needs," the official statement said.

The newly introduced trains include Guwahati-New Bongaigaon daily passenger, Tinsukia-Naharlagun tri-weekly Express and Guwahati-North Lakhimpur Bi-weekly Jan Shatabdi Express.

A new FM Transmitter at Akashvani Kokrajhar was also inaugurated.

This will benefit more than 30 lakh residents in the region, including those in Dhubri, Bongaigaon and Chirang districts, providing them with access to clearer and high-quality FM broadcasts, an official statement noted.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Jan 3 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a six-year-old tribal girl was allegedly raped and then brutally murdered in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district, the police said on Friday, adding the accused has been apprehended.

Police recovered the minor girl's body from near a canal in Nayapura village surrounded by a dense forest area in Seoni around 4.30 p.m. on Friday.

The girl had been missing from home since morning. She was abducted from her house while she was sleeping.

The police, after tracing and recovering the minor girl's body, went to a community health centre where the post-mortem was conducted.

The post-mortem confirmed that the toddler was first raped and then smothered to death.

Accused Ajay Dhurve, a resident of Kharda, has been arrested. He used to work on the farm in the village of Nayapura, police said.

"During the questioning, he confessed to his crime and admitted that he abducted the girl while she was sleeping, raped her in the forest, and killed her. Later, he dumped the body near the canal," Nayapura police station in-charge Anup Uike said.

Enraged over the brutality to which the minor girl was subjected, family members of the victim and others from her village staged a protest.

They placed the girl's body at Gandhi Chowk on a road (Seoni-Malwa) and demanded a death penalty for the accused.

After receiving the information, the police reached the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.

The police have already registered a case against the accused under the relevant sections of BNS.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Saroj Singh Parihar talked to the angry protesters and assured them of harsh punishment for the accused.

They agreed to end their protest after receiving a written assurance from the local area police that the chargesheet in the case would be filed within two weeks.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday announced the names of 27 awardees selected for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2025 for their vital role in shaping the global landscape.

Celebrating the achievements of the Indian diaspora, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is scheduled to take place in Odisha's Bhubaneswar from January 8–10.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, conferred by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu will be presented during the valedictory session of the momentous event.

The prestigious award recognises the exceptional contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), or organisations run by them, acknowledging their extraordinary achievements both in India and abroad.

The awardees, selected by the esteemed jury-cum-awards committee, represent the finest accomplishments of the Indian diaspora in various fields.

"The committee, chaired by the Vice-President of India, with the External Affairs Minister as Vice-Chair and other distinguished members, carefully reviewed nominations before announcing their unanimous selections," the MEA stated on Friday.

The awards highlight the significant impact of Indians living abroad and their vital role in shaping the global landscape.

"The 2025 awardees exemplify excellence and dedication across a wide range of sectors, underscoring the strength of India's global influence and the outstanding contributions of its people worldwide," the ministry stated.

This year's awardees include Ajay Rane (Australia) for his community service, Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria, education), Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados, medical science), Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji, community service), Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana, community service), Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan, science and technology), Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Republic, medical science), Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos, business), Krishna Savjani (Malawi, business), 'Tan Sri' Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia, politics), Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius, community service), Abhaya Kumar (Moldova, business), Ram Niwas (Myanmar, education), Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania, business), Hindustani Samaj (Russia, community service), Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia, education), Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia, medical science), Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore, education), Robert Masih Nahar (Spain, community service), Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania, medicine), Christine Carla Kangaloo (Trinidad and Tobago, public affairs), Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE, business), Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda, community service), Usha Kumari Prashar (UK, politics), Sharad Lakhanpal (USA, medicine), Sharmila Ford (USA, community service) and Ravi Kumar S (USA, business, IT and consulting).

--IANS

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Dhanbad, Jan 3 (IANS) The date January 3, 1991, remains etched in the collective memory of Dhanbad as the day when an extraordinary act of bravery and sacrifice unfolded right at the centre of the city. On this day, IPS officer Randhir Verma, then serving as SP of Dhanbad district, laid down his life to thwart the plans of Khalistani terrorists, ensuring the safety of several lives.

On Friday, a tribute ceremony was held here at the memorial dedicated to this courageous officer. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, along with several dignitaries, including late Randhir Verma's wife and former MP Rita Verma, joined a large gathering to pay homage. Floral tributes were offered as the crowd remembered his unparalleled dedication to duty.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Gangwar said, "Randhir Verma set the highest standards of duty and patriotism by foiling the bank robbery. His sacrifice inspires generations and reminds us of the paramount importance of duty and love for the nation."

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Khalistani terrorists sought to expand their influence beyond Punjab by targeting financially significant regions. Dhanbad, then a vital hub in Bihar due to its coal wealth, became a target.

On January 3, 1991, a report reached SP Randhir Verma about armed dacoits raiding the Bank of India in Hirapur Binod Market. These were no ordinary robbers but Khalistani terrorists planning a heist to fund their operations.

Without hesitation, Verma, armed only with a pistol, rushed to the scene with a bodyguard. The bank, located on the first floor, was surrounded by terrorists wielding AK-47s. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Verma climbed the stairs and confronted the attackers. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he was struck by a bullet. Even as he fell, Verma managed to shoot and kill one of the terrorists, showing remarkable courage.

During the encounter, another brave soul, Shyamal Chakraborty, an employee of the Indian School of Mines, lost his life, and Verma's bodyguard sustained injuries. Reinforcements from the Dhanbad police soon arrived, killing another terrorist and forcing the remaining assailants to flee.

On the same day, another group of Khalistani terrorists staged an attack in Balrampur, Purulia district, West Bengal. In a fierce police retaliation, all the terrorists were neutralised. Documents recovered from the scene confirmed their association with the Khalistan Commando Force.

For his unmatched valour, Randhir Verma was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award. He became the first civilian officer in India to receive this honour. In 2004, the Government of India further recognised his sacrifice by issuing a postage stamp in his memory.

The Bihar government also renamed the Dhanbad Golf Ground in his honour. A life-size statue of Verma stands proudly at a prominent crossroads in the city, serving as a constant reminder of his heroism. Each year, on his martyrdom day, a special programme is held at the memorial to celebrate his legacy.

Randhir Verma's story is one of unmatched bravery, selflessness, and devotion to duty, inspiring generations to uphold the ideals he lived and died for.

--IANS

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