India

Imphal, Dec 16 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday said that seven cadres of a militant outfit have been detained in connection with Saturday's killing of two migrant workers from Bihar and are now being interrogated.

Armed assailants shot dead the two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road in Kakching district when the victims, along with a few others, were going on their bicycles. The victims were identified as Sunalal Kumar, 18, and Dasharat Kumar, 17.

Interacting with the media after attending the Vijay Diwas celebrations here, the Chief Minister said that the killing of two migrant workers might be with a "political motivation".

"Seven cadres of a militant outfit have been picked up and the senior police officials are now interrogating them to ascertain whether they were involved in the killing or not. Police are active in finding out the perpetrators of the killing. Searches by different security forces are going on to nab the actual killers," he said.

A police official said that the seven detainees belong to the proscribed underground outfit, Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) (KCP-PWG).

Biren Singh on Sunday night strongly condemned the killing of two migrant workers from Bihar and announced Rs 10 lakh as an ex-gratia for the kin of each victim.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in a post on X: "I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young brothers, Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dasharat Kumar (17), from Bihar in Kakching district, Manipur. This act of terrorism is a direct assault on our values, and my deepest condolences go out to their grieving families."

At this crucial juncture, "we cannot ignore the possibility that this horrific crime is part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise our state and push it further towards chaos. We must stand together against these destructive forces and ensure that they do not succeed in creating fear and insecurity", he said.

An ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to each bereaved family, and every possible effort is underway to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible, the Chief Minister said.

"If required, the case will be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a fair and thorough inquiry."

The deceased are residents of Rajwahi village in Yadavpur police station area under Bihar's Gopalganj district.

They were engaged in some construction work and stayed in a rented accommodation in Kakching.

Earlier on many occasions, migrant workers, especially from Bihar, have been attacked in Manipur.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also expressed grief over the killings and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for family members of the deceased.

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 16 (IANS) A public awareness programme was organised in Bihar’s Motihari district about the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and its implications for the common man.

The event, organised under the Solar Energy Scheme saw participation of a large number of people.

During the day-long event, many officials associated with solar systems gave information about the Central government scheme and appealed to the people to take advantage of it.

Officials associated with various firms as well as domain experts elaborated on the benefits of solar energy and also sought to give a brief overview on how the system of migration from non-renewable energy to solar energy was simple and affordable.

They also shared arithmetic on how solar power will curtail the electricity expenses of households.

“People will be able to save on their electricity bill as well as sell the surplus electricity. For installation, they will get a subsidy of Rs 78,000,” they informed.

Solar energy expert Abhishek Lohia told newsmen that the government intends to take the scheme to every part of the country.

“A maximum subsidy of Rs 78,000 will be available on three kilo watts. If you install a three-kilo watt solar roof top, you will get a subsidy of Rs 78,000. This will come directly into your bank account. You will have to pay the balance amount. Your electricity bill will be reduced by 80 to 90 per cent,” he said.

He further said that the government is looking to cover over 1 crore households under the scheme, in the first phase.

“This will not only reduce their electricity bills but will also enable them to earn income by selling surplus electricity,” he said.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a landmark initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024.

It aims to transform India's energy landscape by providing free electricity to households.

The scheme is set to reshape the country's energy landscape by empowering millions of households with solar power. The government has set a target of reaching 10 lakh households by March 2025 and increasing its ambit to one crore by March 2027.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday remarked that it is not powerless to annul proceedings pending before Karnataka Lokayukta against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that it was not bound to accept the fait accompli after BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s counsel contended that the Lokayukta will likely file a closure report favouring Shivakumar.

The Justice Kant-led Bench also declined to pass any interim order staying the ongoing proceedings before the Lokayukta and posted the matter for further hearing in January next year.

In the meantime, it asked the Karnataka government to respond to the Special Leave Petitions filed by BJP MLA Yatnal as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioning the Congress government's decision to withdraw consent for a CBI probe.

In November last year, the state Cabinet took a decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe accorded by the previous BJP government.

Earlier, Yatnal moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government's decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe.

In his petition, Yatnal claimed that the government's move was aimed at scuttling the CBI probe, and an attempt was being made to interfere with the judiciary.

However, the Karnataka High Court, in its decision delivered on August 29, said that the CBI can move the Supreme Court, which should decide the matter between the state government and the CBI.

"It would be more appropriate if the Supreme Court examines the matter, as the High Court's decision in this connection might be inappropriate," said a Bench of Justices K. Somashekar and Umesh M Adiga.

The CBI had also questioned the Congress government's decision to withdraw the consent given to the CBI to investigate the DA case against Shivakumar by the Yediyurappa-headed BJP government on September 25, 2019.

It was alleged that Shivakumar amassed properties worth Rs 74 crore between 2013 and 2018, which were deemed disproportionate against his known sources of income.

In November last year, the Karnataka HC had allowed Shivakumar to withdraw his petition challenging the CBI investigation against him in the DA case following the state government's move to withdraw consent for the probe by the CBI.

The incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government handed it over to the Lokayukta for investigation following the withdrawal of the consent to the CBI.

--IANS

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Amaravati, Dec 16 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh’s main opposition party YSR Congress on Monday said that smuggling of red sanders is "going on unabated" under the TDP-led NDA government while it was under check when it was in power.

YSRCP spokesperson Putta Sivasanakar Reddy told media persons that there are neither check-posts nor raids against red sanders smugglers while there was stringent action against them when Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister.

He recalled that even the Preventive Detention Act was invoked by the previous government to check red sanders smuggling.

When Peddiredi Ramchandra Reddy was Forest Minister, forest rangers were equipped with men and materials for proper functioning and the auction of seized red sanders fetched revenue, he said.

The YSRCP spokesperson said ever since N. Chandrababu Naidu became Chief Minister, there have been no cases against smugglers. He alleged that the smugglers are working in the garb of TDP workers and carrying the material in heritage vehicles. He claimed that earlier, logs of red sanders were found in his native village.

Sivasankar Reddy said during Naidu’s previous term, there was a large smuggling of red sanders and a leader from Kurnool made hay out of it. He alleged that the leader produced a film with ill-gotten wealth and married the heroine of the film.

The coalition government has been feeding stories in the media to divert the attention of the public from its failures, he alleged, and asked Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan to spell out the action taken to check the smuggling of forest wealth.

Data shows that red sanders smuggling was rampant during the TDP term and it was contained after Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took over, he said.

Meanwhile, former MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has condemned the "undemocratic and vindictive actions" of the coalition government.

He alleged in a clear attempt at political vendetta, the government attempted to demolish the River View resort at Sri Kalahasthi under false pretexts, despite valid permissions being in place.

Former MLA and senior YSRCP leader Madhusudhan Reddy intervened to prevent this unjust action, Karunakar Reddy said, adding that the government filed fabricated cases against him, falsely accusing him of obstructing officials.

The incident is part of a larger agenda to suppress YSRCP leaders who actively oppose the government’s unfair practices, he said. Madhusudhan Reddy, a vocal critic of the government’s atrocities, has been unfairly targeted. Lawyers presented clear evidence of the restaurant’s permissions, exposing the government’s baseless claims.

"We stand firmly with former MLA Madhusudhan Reddy and all those resisting these undemocratic acts. The party will continue to fight for justice and uphold the democratic rights of the people of the state," Karunakar Reddy said.

--IANS

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Guwahati/Agartala, Dec 16 (IANS) The Bangladesh Assistant High Commissions (AHC) in Guwahati and Agartala celebrated the 53rd anniversary of ‘Vijay Diwas’ on Monday in a very low-key manner.

Sources said that the officials of the AHCs in Guwahati and Agartala only attended the closedoor celebration and no guest was invited to the programme this year.

In previous years, the AHCs in Guwahati and Agartala celebrated the ‘Vijay Diwas’ with much fanfare and important Indian dignitaries and intellectuals were invited while singers and performers from India and Bangladesh performed various cultural functions on the occasions.

Renowned writer Debabrata Deb Roy said that in view of the changed political situations in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League regime on August 5, the Bangladesh missions might have organised Monday's events in a very low-profile manner.

“For the past many years, I myself and many other Indian intellectuals, poets, writers and singers participated in the ‘Vijay Diwas’, Bangladesh National Day (on March 26) and other important celebrations, but this year in view of the changed situation in the neighbouring country the Monday’s event was held in a subdued style,” Roy told IANS.

After the breach of security at the Bangladesh AHC office in Agartala on December 2, the mission suspended all visa and consular services for an indefinite period.

The breach of security at the Bangladesh AHC reportedly took place during a protest by an organisation against the atrocities on the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

West Tripura District Superintendent of Police suspended three Sub-Inspectors -- Dilu Jamatia, Debabrata Sinha, and Joynal Hossain -- and Assistant Commandant (a DSP rank officer) Kanti Nath Ghosh was withdrawn from his posting due to their negligence of duty during the December 2 protests against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh.

The Tripura government also ordered an enquiry into the December 2 incident and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Southern Range, will conduct the probe.

In view of the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh and the arrest of ISKCON preacher Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, various organisations have been holding a series of protests, demonstrations and rallies in different states of the northeast region almost daily.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 16 (IANS) Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should follow his Haryana counterpart and promptly resolve the issues of protesting farmers.

“Since the Haryana Chief Minister is providing minimum support price (MSP) on all crops, the Punjab government should also follow the Haryana government’s policy in the interest of Punjab’s farmers,” the Agriculture Minister said in a statement.

The minister also expressed concerns over the deteriorating health of agitating farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. He said the Punjab government should take care of Dallewal’s health and efforts should be made so that he could end his hunger strike.

On the farmers’ call to resume the Delhi march on December 18, the minister said Punjab and Haryana are the biggest producers of foodgrains for the central pool and farmers of both states were getting the benefit of MSP.

He said the Punjab government should also ensure that all farmers of Punjab could sell their produce on MSP like they do in Haryana.

The Punjab Chief Minister should play his role and come forward to talk to the farmers so that they can return to their homes. The minister said the Supreme Court had already formed a committee of experts to resolve this issue but the farmer leaders did not attend the meeting with the committee appointed on this matter.

A day earlier, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav along with the director of Union Ministry of Home Affairs Mayank Mishra met farmer leader Dallewal, who is on fast unto death to press the Centre in support of their demands, enquired about his health and requested him to end his 20-day-long fast.

This has been the first meeting between the Union government and a farm leader since talks with farmers remained inconclusive in February.

The 70-year-old cancer patient Dallewal has been fasting at Khanauri, the border point between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26 in support of their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector.

After meeting the farmer leader, Yadav told the media, “We came to enquire about the health of Dallewal.”

Without mincing words, he said, “We have heard whatever his (Dallewal) demands are. There was no proposal of any kind (over the demands). I came here to hear him and also for implementation of the Supreme Court order.”

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has announced to halt trains in Punjab on December 18 to lodge their protest.

--IANS

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Gurugram, Dec 16 (IANS) With the aim to make Gurugram polythene-free, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is installing vending machines at 10 places in the first phase under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in collaboration with RSPL Welfare Foundation.

MCG officials said that five machines have already been installed at five places, while more machines will be installed at other five places this week.

"Cloth bag automatic vending machine will prove helpful in giving more momentum to the polythene-free Gurugram campaign. This initiative has been started by the MCG to eliminate the use of polythene and motivate citizens in this regard. Under this, the work of installing cloth bag automatic vending machines has started at 10 places," Additional Commissioner Dr Balpreet Singh said.

He said that under the campaign, machines have been installed at five places at the MCG Office in Sector-34, Sheetla Mata Mandir, Vyapar Kendra Palam Vihar, Ambience Mall and Suncity Township Sector-54.

Apart from this, machines will be installed in MGF Mall, Glaria Market, Sushant Vyapar Kendra, Sector-14 Market, Railway Station and Area Mall this week.

He said that a cloth bag can be obtained from the vending machine for Rs 10. For this, a Rs 10 coin has to be put inside the machine.

He said that bags can also be obtained from the vending machine by paying through UPI. One machine has the capacity to hold 500 bags.

"We appealed to the citizens to use cloth bags instead of polythene and work to save their health along with saving the environment," Singh said.

He informed that the MCG has also established the state's first cloth bag bank in Gurugram on December 14, 2020, with the cooperation of Buland Awaaz Welfare Society, in which 35 needy women are also earning their livelihoods by preparing cloth bags.

The cloth bag bank has distributed more than 20 lakh bags so far. According to an estimate, this has curbed the use of about 1 crore polythene bags.

--IANS

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Wayanad, Dec 16 (IANS) In an unfortunate incident, tourists in Kerala’s Wayanad dragged a tribal man on the car’s bonnet following a verbal duel between two groups with the Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi calling for stringent action against the accused.

Mathan, the tribal man, was a bystander when the two tourist groups at the check dam site in Koodal Kadavu were engaged in a verbal duel. When Mathan questioned the wrongdoers, he was taken to task by one of the groups.

Mathan, a resident of Mananthavady in the hilly district of Wayanad, was dragged for nearly half a kilometre along the road by the tourists.

CCTV footage of the incident has also gone viral on social media which shows the inhuman way in which Mathan (49) was dragged on the road.

Later speaking to the media at the hospital, Mathan said that he suffered injuries on his hands and legs. “One of the occupants in the car was holding my hand when I was on the car’s bonnet,” he said.

The police have registered a case and also seized the car used in the crime. However, police are yet to arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi the Wayanad MP said the authorities should ensure that stringent action should be taken against the accused.

“The Kerala government should ensure speedy justice in the case and stringent action should be taken against them,” the Wayanad MP said.

Kerala Minister for SC, ST & BC Minister O R Kelu, a tribal himself and hails from Wayanad said this is a very serious issue and the authorities will take action soon.

He also informed that the victim would be given all the medical facilities.

Former State Minister of SC/ST and present Lok Sabha member K. Radhakrishnan said that generally, these things don’t take place in Kerala.

“Just because someone has money, they cannot be allowed to get away and the law should catch up with them,” said Radhakrishnan.

Wayanad MLA T. Siddique said this is the sad state of affairs the way tribals in Kerala are being treated under the present state government. “This is not acceptable and action will be taken against the wrongdoers,” said Siddique.

Popular tribal leader C.K Janu said this is a grave matter as it’s most unfortunate to see how a human being was being treated.

“The tourists are under the influence of liquor and drugs. The perpetrators should be jailed as soon as possible,” said Janu.

Meanwhile, the Police have identified those behind this incident and are expected to be taken into custody soon.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan hit out at the MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra, highlighting an alleged internal rift over the ministerial tenure policy.

Talking to IANS, Pathan referred to the arrangement of granting ministerial positions for two-and-a-half-year terms in Maharashtra as evidence of discord within the ruling coalition.

"There is a clear rift in the MahaYuti. BJP’s cabinet minister Ashish Shelar has openly criticised Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As the saying goes, ‘It’s dirty, but it’s business.’ If ministers are to serve for two and a half years, why not just rotate them every six months? Even BJP’s nine-time MLA is without a ministerial post. Chhagan Bhujbal is unhappy, and Eknath Shinde is also reportedly disgruntled. Let’s see what unfolds next," Pathan told IANS.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier stated that ministers would be assessed midway through their terms. Those who were not included in the recent cabinet expansion might be considered for induction after two-and-a-half years, he added.

In the cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis government at Nagpur on Sunday, 39 ministers were sworn in, increasing the total to 42. Of these, the BJP secured 19 positions, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena got 11, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) got nine.

Responding to questions about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carrying a bag inscribed with “Palestine,” Pathan said: "I am not a Congress spokesperson, but I will address the question. From Mahatma Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian leaders have historically supported the Palestinian cause. The atrocities in Palestine, especially the killing of women and children during Israeli attacks, are inhumane. Our faith is deeply connected to Palestine through the Al Aqsa Mosque. We have always advocated for justice for Palestine."

Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament on Monday with a ‘Palestine’ tag on her handbag, drawing the attention of fellow Parliamentarians and television cameras alike. It is seen as a move by the Congress MP to express solidarity with Palestinians amidst the months-long military face-off with Israel.

On the controversy surrounding Sambhal, Pathan accused the BJP and the RSS of spreading false narratives. "For years, propaganda has been circulated about Sambhal. The Rastogi family, who were caretakers, have said there was a temple there till 2006. Why spread lies? Such rhetoric fuels hatred. The Supreme Court has ruled against any further survey of religious sites under the Places of Worship Act, yet BJP leaders talk about carbon dating and excavations. Will you excavate all 1,400 mosques alleged to be built over temples? This is just a distraction from real issues," Pathan told IANS.

He further ridiculed the logic behind such actions, adding: "If I dream about something buried under Parliament, will you order an excavation there too?"

Reacting to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s claim that 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal since 1947, Pathan retorted: “Yogi Adityanath has completely failed as a Chief Minister. His statements reflect his inability to govern effectively.”

CM Adityanath, addressing the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of turning a blind eye to violence against Hindus in Sambhal.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government after taking suo motu cognisance of a media report about the death of a five-year-old boy on December 11 after being trapped in a 150-feet-deep bore-well for nearly 56 hours in Dausa district.

The boy allegedly fell in the bore-well while playing in a field, the Commission said while seeking details of the action taken against the lax public authorities.

The Commission observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.

“It seems that the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the Centre are not being followed by the authorities to prevent such unfortunate incidents/fatal accidents of small children falling into open/abandoned bore-wells and tube-wells. This apparent negligence not only amounts to dereliction of duty on their part but also tantamount to violation of the people's right to life,” said the NHRC.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan, calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.

The NHRC said the report from the Chief Secretary and the police chief should include the status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the responsible public authorities and compensation, if any, provided to the next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on December 12, the minor was pulled out of the borewell with a rope in an unconscious state. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

In another case, the Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report that a 10-year-old child was transfused with the wrong blood type while undergoing treatment at the JK Lone Hospital of the Sawai Man Singh Medical College (SMS), Jaipur.

The Commission has sought a report from the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan, within two weeks. “It is expected to include the status of health of the victim child, FIR, action taken against the responsible persons and compensation, if any, provided to the aggrieved by the authorities,” the notice said.

The child is reported to be in a critical condition with ventilator support. Allegedly, the boy was transfused with two different blood types on December 5, 2024 and December 7, 2024.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the boy.

Reportedly, a 23-year-old patient lost his life at the SMS hospital, Jaipur only a few months back. Two reported cases of negligence in blood transfusion at the same government-run medical facilities are indeed shocking and are a matter of concern for the Commission, said the notice.

--IANS

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