Regional

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has filed a chargesheet before a special Ranchi court against Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Bachhu Yadav and Prem Prakash in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to illegal mining and extortion in Jharkhand and Bihar.

The court has taken cognizance of the matter.

The ED said that during investigation, 47 search operations were conducted throughout India on several dates resulting in the seizure of Rs 5.34 crore in cash, freezing of bank balances amounting to Rs 13.32 crore, freezing of an inland vessel MV Infralink -III, reg. No- WB 1809, 5 stone crushers, two Hyva trucks besides the seizure of incriminating documents along with two AK 47 assault rifles.

Earlier, the ED had arrested Pankaj Mishra, Bachhu Yadav and Prem Prakash. They are presently in judicial custody.

The agency initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of the FIR registered at the Barharwa police station in Sahebganj district of Jharkhand under various sections of the IPC, against Mishra and others.

Later, several FIRs regarding illegal mining lodged under the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act were also taken into the ambit of the offence.

Till date, the ED has identified PoC relating to illegal mining to the tune of more than Rs 1000 crore in this case.

The PMLA investigation revealed that Mishra, who enjoys political clout being the representative of the Chief Minister, controls the illegal mining businesses as well as inland ferry services in Sahebganj and its adjoining areas through his accomplices.

"He exercises considerable control over the mining of stone chips and boulders as well as installation and operation of several crushers, set up across various mining sites in Sahebganj. Proceeds of Crime (PoC) amounting to Rs 42 crore acquired by Mishra have been identified till date," said the ED official.

--IANS
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Shimla, Sep 21 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday urged the Union government to freeze the input power cost at Rs 2.30 per KWh for the Kishau dam project, proposed across the Tons river, a tributary of Yamuna, located on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

He said that this rate would serve the purpose of keeping the power component cost on lower side.

Thakur was participating in a virtual meeting which was chaired by Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Gajindra Singh Shekhawat.

The Chief Ministers of Himachal, Haryana and Uttarakhand participated in the meeting.

Thakur said that the power generated from this project would be shared equally by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Union government has to bear 90 per cent cost of the water component, while the rest by the beneficiary States. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have requested the Union government to fund 90 per cent cost of the power component also due to limited budget resources of hilly states.

Thakur also urged the Union minister to expedite this case to avoid cost escalation in this project as all the issues related to relief and rehabilitation also have to be borne by Himachal and Uttarakhand.

Union Minister Shekhawat urged the Chief Ministers of all the stakeholder states to ensure effective coordination so that the work on this project of national importance could be taken in hand soon.

--IANS
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Gandhinagar, Sep 21 (IANS) The state Assembly on Wednesday unanimously withdrew the Gujarat Cattle Control (Keeping and Moving)In Urban Areas bill (GCCUA) which was aimed at controlling the movement of stray cattle from wandering on the roads and public spaces.

The move has come as a partial victory to pastoralists who had opposed the bill by not contributing milk to the dairies or selling it in the open market.

Last week, the Governor returned the bill passed in a hurry on March 31 with a majority vote.

Announcing the decision, Education Minister Jitu Vaghani informed the media that the state Assembly unanimously withdrew the GCCUA bill on Wednesday.

The said bill was hurriedly passed by the state government in March as the High Court had pulled up the state over stray cattle menace and increasing fatal accidents in the urban areas. It had asked the government to take strict action against the 'maldharis' who are leaving their cattle on the roads.

Maldhari Mahapanchayat and its member pastoralists were agitating against the bill saying it was an harassment to them, said Nagji Desai, president of the Mahapanchayat. In protest, the mahapanchayat had given a call to not contribute milk in dairies or sell it in the open market on Wednesday, and it has received a very good response.

Commenting on the pastoralists boycotting milk contribution to dairies, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Managing Director R.S Sodhi told IANS, "There was no impact on milk procurement, our normal daily milk procurement is 190 lakh litre milk per day and on Wednesday too the procurement remained same, there will be no shortage of supply on Thursday too."

Some people faced shortages not because of short supply, but because of panic buying by customers.

--IANS
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Shivamogga (Karnataka), Sep 21 (IANS) Two arrested suspected terrorists have revealed that they carried out explosion trials on the banks of Tungabhadra River in Shivamogga district of Karnataka, police sources said on Wednesday.

The team was planning to carry out bomb strikes all over the country once they got the handy explosives ready. One of the accused Syed Yasin, studied Electrical and Electronics along with another suspect Maaz, was trying to develop an improvised explosive device, police said.

The probe has indicated that Syed Yasin and Maaz jointly conducted the trial blasts at isolated locations in various places of the state and police suspect that they have joined hands with others in the state in this connection and chosen a few to train them to make explosives.

Yasin is believed to have conducted about 17 such trail blasts on the banks of Tungabhadra River in Hale Gurupura region of Shivamogga. The police have recovered materials from the spot, according to sources.

The investigations have also shown that the accused used a new app called WireApp to communicate. The police have gathered information that more than hundred persons are using this app and in touch with the accused persons.

The arrest of Jabiulla, who was shot in the leg after trying to attack policemen, was the turning point in the investigation. As soon as his arrest, the accused who are presently in police custody, had left the group.

All accused persons conspired and worked jointly to carry forward the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation's activities.

The police have slapped cases as per IPC 1860, under Sections 120B, 121, 121A, 34. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1957, Under Sections 18, 38, 39 and the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act, 1971 Under Section 2.

--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) The Coimbatore district head of the BJP, Balaji Uthamarasamy was arrested by the police on Wednesday for threatening DMK leader and former Union Minister, A. Raja.

The BJP leader had threatened Raja on the latter's remarks against Hinduism during a function held to felicitate Dravidar Kazhagam leader, K. Veeramani.

On Monday also Raja had come out against Sanatana Dharma and had reportedly said, "Only Upper caste Hindus speak about Sanatana Dharma. It is based on Manusmriti which calls backward classes as Shudras".

The BJP leader had dared Raja to step into Coimbatore without police escort.

In the speech Balaji Uthamarasami said, "I challenge DMK to bring A. Raja anywhere, what do you know about Sanatana Dharam, senseless ..."

Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam leaders had filed a petition in the Peelamedu police station against Balaji Uthamarasami stating that he had threatened former Union Minister A. Raja as well as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and used derogatory words against these leaders as well as the ideologue of the Dravidian movement, late E.V. Ramasamy Naicker aka Thanthai Periyar.

Uthamarasami was called to the Peelamedu police station for questioning on Wednesday morning and later arrested. The BJP cadres were thronging in large numbers to the police station against the arrest of the party district leader.

The Hindu Munnani had called for a hartal in the Nilgiris Parliament constituency of A. Raja against his derogatory remarks against Hinduism. The hartal was a huge success with almost all the shops in Nilgiris, Connor shut down and fifty per cent of shops and establishments in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) also closed down. Several foreign and domestic tourists were stranded due to the shutdown call.

--IANS
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Amaravati, Sep 21 (IANS) A proposal by the Andhra Pradesh government to rename NTR Health University as YSR Health University has kicked up a row with the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) hitting the streets to strongly oppose the move.

The State Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council witnessed ruckus on Wednesday as the TDP legislators stalled the proceedings demanding the government to drop the move.

All TDP members were suspended from the Assembly as they disrupted the proceedings. On the orders of Speaker Tammineni Seetharam, marshals physically lifted them out of the House.

As soon as the Assembly met for the day, TDP members were on their feet to lodge their protest against 'The Dr NTR University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill 2022'.

They rushed to the well and raised slogans of 'NTR Amar hai' and 'Johar NTR'. Holding placards, the agitating legislators tore papers and threw them on the Speaker.

The health university is currently named after the late TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, who was popular as NTR.

YSR Congress Party proposes to name the university after former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy who was popularly known as YSR. Incumbent Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is YSR's son.

TDP president and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu slammed the Jagan Mohan Reddy government for its move to change the name of the university. He said that the move shows the bankruptcy of the government.

Demanding that the name of the university should remain unchanged, Naidu vowed to strongly oppose any attempt to rechristen it.

Naidu questioned the move to rename NTR Health University that was founded in 1986. "The university was formed by NTR, how can you rename it after your father," Naidu asked Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Naidu, who is son-in-law of NTR, told the Chief Minister that changing name of the existing institutes will not give him popularity and advised him to bring new institutes to the state.

Meanwhile, the police have beefed up security at NTR Health University in Vijayawada as large number of TDP leaders and workers were reaching there to stage a protest.

TDP leader Devineni Uma and other leaders were arrested by the police for staging protests.

It was in 1986 that NTR formed a separate health university to promote medical education in united Andhra Pradesh. After the death of NTR, then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu named the university after the late leader.

Naidu said no chief minister including Jagan's father YSR thought of changing the name of the university.

The TDP leader said the chief minister who failed to set up a single new institute in the state during the last three-and-a-half years was changing the name of the university.

He alleged that the government took away Rs 450 crore funds of the university and did not conduct even a single convocation.

--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) Fishermen in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram area were protesting against the Sri Lankan Navy chasing away fishers and destroying the fishing nets.

The protests started on Tuesday.

Recently, eight Indian fishermen from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The fishermen association leaders told IANS that the protest was against the destruction of fishing nets and boats and the Sri Lankan Navy creating hurdles for the Indian fishermen from fishing in the sea.

Jesuraj, President of All Mechanised Fishing Boats Association while speaking to IANS said, "The fishermen from Rameswaram had commenced fishing on Monday night after a week of protest against the arrest of Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy. However, on Tuesday early morning when they were fishing near the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), the fishermen were chased away by the Lankan Navy officers. This led to the destruction of fishing nets and damage to boats."

He said that each fishing boat had lost around Rs 1 lakh in damages and 25 fishing boats returned to the shores empty-handed.

R. Christopher, a fisherman from Rameswaram while speaking to IANS said, "Our life is going through a difficult phase. The Sri Lankans are turning more and more aggressive by the day. If the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu do not take any immediate action, our lives will become miserable and we don't know how to go ahead."

Eight Indian fishermen from Pudukottai, who were arrested on Tuesday by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the IMBL, are in custody and their mechanized boats are also under siege.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, Sep 21 (IANS) The decision of the ruling BJP in Karnataka to include teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in schools and colleges from December has triggered a debate.

Announcing it in the Assembly on Monday, Education Minister B.C. Nagesh stated that the teachings of the holy Hindu scripture would form a part of the 'Moral Education' syllabus.

"There is no proposal before the government to teach 'Bhagavad Gita' to students along with the present syllabus as a special subject," he said.

However, Professor, an activist and educational expert Niranjan Aradhya V.P, told IANS on Wednesday that the decision to make an announcement in this regard before the committee's report is "premature" and "hasty''.

"The decision of the government is incorrect. Whether it helps students or not is a different matter. In the academic quarter, bodies will prepare the syllabus for students. Principles of every religion should be inculcated in the book," he said.

Once the committee is formed and its recommendations are out, then discussion could be held. Without a committee making any decision, how can the minister announce that the Bhagavad Gita would be taught from December? Niranjan Aradhya questioned.

During the Legislative Council session, M.K. Pranesh, M Ravi Kumar, both BJP MLCs raised the question in the Legislative Council pressing for commencing the teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students.

"The government says there is no proposal to implement teachings of Bhagavad Gita to students in Karnataka in the present syllabus. There is no opposition to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Why is the government hesitant to teach Bhagavad Gita? Where has the interest shown by the government earlier while issuing statements evaporated? BJP MLC Pranesh had asked.

Clarifying the question, the Minister had said he stated in the written answer that there is no proposal to teach Bhagavad Gita with the present syllabus this year. But, Bhagavad Gita would be included with the Moral Science subject. For the same purpose a committee has been formed and as per the recommendations of the committee from December, Bhagavad Gita will be included there as per everyone's demand, Minister Nagesh stated.

He also said that many mistakes in the school syllabus have been rectified so far regarding historical facts and the exercise would continue in future.

However, the issue is likely to stir a controversy with various minority groups and individuals opposing it when the announcement was made earlier.

Minister Nagesh had earlier stated that as per the National Education Policy (NEP), on the lines of Gujarat state, Bhagavad Gita will be introduced in the state after consulting educational experts.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had tated that it is the government's stand to include Bhagavad Gita, the holy scripture of Hindus, into the syllabus as a part of moral science subject.

Asked whether Bhagavad Gita would teach moral lessons, CM Bommai had angrily asked that if not for Bhagavad Gita, which other scripture can teach morals to children? In this competitive age, children need moral education, said CM Bommai and asked not to create unnecessary confusion in this regard. If Bhagavad Gita is made part of the syllabus, it will help children with Intelligence, he maintained.

In this country, all tall leaders, elders who have thought about the nation have talked highly about Bhagavad Gita, Minister Nagesh had stated.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani had stated that Bhagavad Gita has human values and children need to learn about those values. The government of Gujarat has taken a decision to add Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus and a decision should be taken in Karnataka also to introduce Bhagavad Gita to children, he had said.

Senior Congress leader and former minister from Mysuru, Tanveer Sait had stirred up a controversy by stating that introducing Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus of school children is dangerous. "It is more dangerous than Covid pandemic," he stated.

Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy asked the ruling BJP whether teachings of Bhagavad Gita will fill empty stomachs. The state is facing thousands of problems and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita won't provide food for people, he reiterated.

Emotional matters are gaining importance in the country. The innocents are being misled. "There is an end to this trend and we will wait until then," he said.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah stated, "We believe in Hindu religion and give equal respect to other religions. We do not have any objection to teaching Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran to children. But, children should be given quality education," he said.

--IANS
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Jalaun (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 21 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a contractor allegedly slashed a labourer's nose with a knife when the latter asked for his dues.

The police have registered a case following a complaint by the victim while the accused is now absconding.

The victim Janmesh, 50, is currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

In the police complaint, Janmesh alleged that he was hired by a local man, Lalu, 35, to work at the latter's farm.

"After working, when I asked Lalu to pay Rs 2,000 as wages, he entered into a heated argument with me," he said.

Janmesh further alleged that when he resisted, Lalu pushed him to the ground and pinned him down. "When I raised an alarm, he picked up a knife and slashed my nose. After this, he threatened me with dire consequences," the victim said.

Superintendent of police (SP) Jalaun Ravi Kumar said, "We have taken the matter seriously and an investigation has been launched. A case has been registered under relevant sections against the accused who is on the run. He will be arrested soon."

--IANS
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New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing some of the petitioners challenging the Karnataka High Court judgement on hijab, on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that hijab adds to dignity and makes a woman very dignified when she wears it, like a Hindu woman who covers her head - it is very dignified.

A bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia told Dave that the definition of dignity has changed with time, and it keeps changing. Dave replied true!

Dave argued that girls wearing hijab to the school do not violate anybody's peace and safety and there is certainly no danger to tranquillity. And, there is only one aspect of public order, which could be argued, he added.

Dave submitted that the girls want to wear the hijab, so whose constitutional right is violated? The other students'? The school? He differentiated between Sabarimala judgment and the hijab case. The bench replied that in that case petitioners did not have a fundamental right to enter the temple. Dave said now it has been established that everyone can enter the temple.

The bench queried Dave, in many schools, there can be disparity, therefore, uniform is there and one cannot see richness or poverty. Dave said I am for uniform and every institution likes identity.

The bench added that it has a very limited question - whether headgear can be allowed. Dave said uniform is an unnecessary burden in society and most can't afford it, and pointed out that he sees this with his caddies in the golf course.

Dave claimed that a series of acts in Karnataka targeted the minority community. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Karnataka government, interjected saying, "We are not in a public platform. Please stick to pleadings".

Dave submitted, why is it that suddenly after 75 years the state thought of bringing this type of prohibition? It came like a bolt from the blue. He added that Article 25 is crystal clear, and the constituent Assembly debates cement that. Dave emphasized that the test is not essential practice, but religious practice. He cited that in deciding the question, whether a given religious practice is an integral part of the religion or not, the test always would be whether it is regarded by the community following the religion or not.

Dave concluded his arguments for the day. The apex court has started hearing the Karnataka government counsel and the hearing will continue in the afternoon session.

The apex court is hearing petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court's judgement of March 15 upholding ban on Hijab in pre-university colleges.

--IANS
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