The Uttar Pradesh Police have successfully apprehended the mastermind behind a notorious kidnapping gang that targeted celebrities, including actor Mushtaq Khan and comedian Sunil Pal. The accused, Lavi Pal, also known as Rahul Saini, was arrested following an encounter on the night of December 22-23 in Bijnor, during which he sustained injuries. According to Bijnor Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha, the incident began on October 15, when Lavi Pal, posing as Rahul Saini, invited actor Mushtaq Khan to an event in Meerut. Pal allegedly offered Khan an advance of Rs 25,000 along with a flight ticket for the event, which was scheduled for November 20. However, once Khan arrived in Delhi and was picked up for the event, he was taken to Bijnor under the false pretence of attending a gathering. Khan was confined to a house in the Chahshiri area of Bijnor, which belonged to Lavi Pal. However, Khan managed to escape from captivity on November 21 when the kidnappers were asleep. Seeking refuge at a nearby mosque, Khan was able to return home safely. The incident was officially reported on December 9 by Khan’s event manager, Shivam Yadav. As the investigation progressed, authorities discovered that the same gang had employed a similar strategy to target comedian Sunil Pal in Meerut. The gang had also used Khan’s mobile phone for transactions worth Rs 2.5 lakh during the kidnapping. While six members of the gang had already been arrested, Lavi Pal and his cousin Shubham remained at large. On December 22-23, police received a tip-off that the two men would be arriving at Jain Farm on Mandawar Road. When police attempted to arrest them, Lavi Pal and Shubham opened fire, with a bullet hitting the bulletproof vest of Station House Officer (SHO) Uday Pratap. During the subsequent encounter, Lavi Pal sustained a bullet injury to his leg, while Shubham managed to escape. Lavi Pal was arrested and taken to the district hospital for treatment. Police also recovered a country-made pistol, two cartridges, and Rs 35,050, which had been extorted during Khan’s abduction. Authorities have indicated plans to pursue strict action under the Gangster Act, and property acquired through criminal activities will also be seized. Both Bijnor and Meerut police had placed a Rs 25,000 bounty on Lavi Pal’s arrest. The authorities are now interrogating him to gather further information about his gang’s operations and any additional targets within the entertainment industry. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 01:56 PM IST | MumbaiTwo children and a man were killed and six other persons injured in the wee hours of Monday after a truck ran over people sleeping on a footpath in Maharashtra's Pune city, police said, reported news agency PTI. Police officials stated that the incident took place at around 12.30 am in the Wagholi area. Several persons were sleeping on the footpath during the incident, police said. The truck driver was detained after the incident, the police said. "There were many people sleeping on the footpath near Kesnand Phata area, most of them labourers. They were run over by a truck, leading to the death of three persons," a senior police official said. "We have detained the driver. We are checking if he was under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation is on," the official said. The deceased have been identified as Vaibhavi Pawar (1), Vaibhav Pawar (2) and Vishal Pawar (22), the police said, reported PTI. Six other persons were admitted to the Sassoon General Hospital, stated PTI. Jewellery store salesman shot dead by two bike-borne men in Shahapur area of Thane In another incident, a 25-year-old jewellery store salesman was fatally shot by two men on a motorcycle in Shahapur in Maharashtra's Thane district, a police officer said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI. The shooting took place around 10.30 pm on Saturday outside Mahalaxmi Jewellers in the Gotheghar area, where the victim Dineshkumar Manaram, his employer, and another individual were concluding their day. "Two motorcycle-borne persons fired some rounds, which hit Chaudhary, who succumbed to his wounds some time later at a hospital in Thane. He passed away in the early hours of Sunday. They stole a bag Chaudhary was carrying," the Shahapur Police Station officer said. Chaudhary was a salesman with Mahalaxmi Jewellers, Senior Inspector Jitendra Thakur said, adding the motive of the incident remains unclear, stated PTI. "A probe has begun under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Milind Shinde. Roadblocks have been set up in several places in the district to nab the assailants. CCTV footage from the area as well as stretches of Mumbai-Nashik highway are being checked to ascertain their route of escape," the official informed. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 01:01 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Uttar Pradesh Police and Punjab Police successfully conducted a joint operation, resulting in an encounter with three members of the Pakistan-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror group. During the operation, which took place in Pilibhit district's Puranpur area, the accused opened fire on the police, ANI reported. The three terrorsits identified as Gurvinder Singh, Virendra Singh alias Ravi, and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh, were believed to have been responsible for the grenade attack on Gurdaspur's police station Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, confirmed the 'breakthrough' in a post on X, stating, "In a major breakthrough against a #Pak-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module, a joint operation of UP Police and Punjab Police has led to an encounter with three module members who fired at the police party." Yadav further explained that the terror module is involved in grenade attacks at police establishments in the border areas of Punjab, ANI cited. In a major breakthrough against a #Pak-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force(KZF) terror module, a joint operation of UP Police and Punjab Police has led to an encounter with three module members who fired at the police party.This terror module is involved in grenade attacks at… — DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) December 23, 2024 The encounter took place inside the jurisdiction of the Puranpur Police Station in Pilibhit and involved joint police teams from Pilibhit and Punjab. According to reports, the three suspects were involved in a grenade attack on a Gurdaspur police post. Following the encounter, the injured were transferred to Puranpur's Community Health Centre (CHC) for immediate medical care. Investigations into the terror module are ongoing, with authorities attempting to learn more about the group's activity. Furthermore, the Punjab DGP stated that during the operation, police recovered two AK rifles and two Glock pistols suspected to have been used in the attacks. Meanwhile, on Sunday, two gangsters were detained, and four magazines and 14 cartridges were discovered when Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence team disrupted a major gangster module in Pathankot. The Punjab DSP confirmed the arrests on Saturday, ANI reported. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sunil Kumar also known as Ashu, a resident of Rauwal in Batala, and Dilpreet Singh known as Dil, a resident of Raimal in Batala. Accused Sunil known as Ashu has a criminal history, including a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. As per release, he was released on bail from Gurdaspur Jail on February 27, 2024, ANI cited. According to Yadav, preliminary investigations revealed that the accused got a consignment of guns from the Ajnala region of Amritsar on the instructions of their handlers and were told to deliver them to an unknown party. Further investigations are underway to determine the source of the weapons and identify additional people in the network. AIG CI Pathankot, Sukhminder Singh Mann, shared details of the operation, stating that secret intelligence was acquired indicating that accused Sunil Kumar and Dilpreet Singh were in communication with unknown gangsters and had recently received a consignment of rifles and ammunition. Based on this intelligence, the CI Pathankot team set up a trap and apprehended both accused men after seizing the weapons and ammunition from their hands. He further said that the efforts are underway to track previous consignments retrieved and delivered by the accused, ANI reported. In this regard, an FIR (No. 71 dated 21.12.2024) has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Amritsar. The arrested accused will be produced in court to obtain police remand, the statement added, ANI cited. (With inputs from ANI)
23 December,2024 12:02 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Monday formed a high-powered committee to amicably resolve the problems of farmers protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border at Shambhu. The panel, led by Justice Nawab Singh, a former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, sought to address farmers' concerns without politicising the Shambhu border case, reported PTI. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan urged the committee to convene its first meeting within a week and work with protesting farmers to clear the tractors and trolleys that were blocking the Shambhu border, therefore bringing respite to commuters, the news agency report stated. The court stated that the Punjab and Haryana governments are free to make proposals to the committee. Shambhu border case: SC tells committee to request farmers to remove their tractors According to the PTI report, the committee's members include retired IPS officer PS Sandhu, Devender Sharma, Professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman, and Dr Sukhpal Singh, an agricultural economist at Punjab Agricultural University. The panel was also ordered to seek the expert opinion of Professor B R Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, as a special invitee, as needed. "The High powered committee should reach out to and request the agitating farmers to remove their tractors. We hope the farmers will listen to the committee and vacate their vehicles from the border to provide huge relief to the general public...," an ANI report quoted the court as saying. The court warned the protesting farmers to stay away from political parties and avoid making unrealistic demands. It emphasised that the farmers' concerns should be addressed gradually by the committee and that they are free to move their peaceful protests to other locations, the PTI report added. Shambhu border case: SC was hearing plea from the Haryana govt This ruling came as the court heard a petition from the Haryana government appealing a high court order for the removal of barricades at the Shambhu border, where farmers have been protesting since February 13. The Haryana government first set up the barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in response to the 'Samyukta Kisan Morcha' (Non-Political) and 'Kisan Mazdoor Morcha' announcing a march to Delhi in support of their demands, which included a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. With agency inputs
23 December,2024 09:58 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOpposition members staged a protest for the third consecutive day at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Wednesday, accusing the government of apathy towards farmers and not providing them adequate price for crop production, reported news agency PTI. The Maharashtra assembly winter session began on Monday in Nagpur. On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, his Shiv Sena (UBT) colleagues Sunil Prabhu and Bhaskar Jadhav, Congress leaders Nana Patole Nitin Raut, Bhai Jagtap and other Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators staged a demonstration at the Vidhan Bhawan steps, reported PTI. They raised slogans claiming the government was not addressing the problems of farmers, and not paying adequate price to the cultivators for soyabean and cotton crops. Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Danve demanded that paddy farmers be paid a bonus. He claimed the cotton and soyabean farmers were not getting adequate price for their produce. Over the last two days, the MVA members targeted the BJP-led Mahayuti government in the state over various issues, including the problems of farmers, violence in Parbhani last week and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district. Maharashtra govt withdraws amendment bill to increase illegal tree felling penalty The Maharashtra government on Tuesday withdrew an amendment bill proposing a multi-fold hike in penalty for illegal felling of trees and not recognising cutting of branches as an offence. The bill to amend the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act of 1964 proposed to increase the penalty for illegal felling of trees from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly that he was under the impression that the amendments would have been implemented in urban areas. Fadnavis said he was apprised of updated information regarding redefining urban areas by including Nagar Panchayats and new townships. He said rural areas were also covered in the ambit of the bill. "Since we want to reassess the impact on rural areas, we are withdrawing the amendment bill,' he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said trees are cut in rural areas with the objective of growing more trees, and it's also a source of income for the rural population. Jadhav and Shekhar Nikam (NCP) demanded that rural areas be excluded from the ambit of the amendment bill. Meanwhile, the Assembly passed a bill to increase the number of trustees of Siddhivinayak Temple Trust in Mumbai from 9 to 15. It also extended the tenure of the trust's chairman and vice chairman to five years from two-and-a-half years. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 09:57 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentFarmers in Nashik, briefly halted auctions at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) on Thursday, the country's largest wholesale onion market due to drop in onion prices, reported news agency PTI. The farmers were protesting the significant decline in onion prices, which have been falling steadily in recent days. The farmers demanded removal of the 20 per cent export duty on onions and an aid of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per quintal of the produce, the APMC officials said, reported PTI. Approximately 1,500 onion-laden vehicles arrived for auction on Thursday. The morning session saw prices ranging from a minimum of Rs 800 to a maximum of Rs 2,900 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 1,900. When auctioneers announced prices between Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per quintal, farmers immediately stopped the auction in protest. Later, the prices improved slightly. The agitation was called off after about half-an-hour and the auctions restarted, stated PTI. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged the central government to remove 20 per cent export duties and provide relief to the growers. In a letter to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the farmers' distress, noting that unseasonal rains and changing climate have already impacted their earnings. “The onions grown here (in Nashik) are available in other states of India and also exported in large quantities. As of today, onions from the summer yield have been exhausted and the fresh crop has reached various market committees in Maharashtra,” Pawar wrote. Due to the arrival of a large stock of onions, farmers are now in distress as they are forced to sell their produce at a much lower rate since they have yet to receive any minimum support price, said Pawar. They are selling onions at an average of Rs 2,400 per quintal, Pawar said. The Centre has levied a 20 per cent duty on the export of onions due to which the kitchen staple from the state loses its competitiveness in international markets, according to farmers, stated PTI. On Wednesday, 1,950 vehicles of onions arrived at the Lasalgaon APMC. The prices were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,801 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,950 per quintal average. Prior to that, on Tuesday, 1,689 vehicles of onions arrived for auction at the APMC, with the prices being Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 3,252 per quintal maximum and Rs 2,200 per quintal average, as per officials. PTI (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 09:56 AM IST | Nashik (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentEvery year on December 23, National Farmer's Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, is celebrated nationwide to acknowledge and pay tribute to farmers, who are considered the backbone of the country. This day is dedicated to honoring the birth anniversary of Choudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, where agriculture is a significant occupation, actively observe National Farmer's Day. Farmers, working tirelessly year-round, contribute to the production of food to prevent starvation and hunger-related deaths. Despite their continuous efforts, many farmers face challenges in ensuring they have access to at least two meals a day. The annual celebration of Farmer's Day aims to raise awareness about the invaluable contributions of farmers to society and recognize and reward their hard work. History of National Farmer's Day: Chaudhary Charan Singh, a prominent Kisan leader who served as the President from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980, authored influential books addressing farmers' issues and proposed solutions to enhance their lives. He introduced various welfare schemes for farmers during his tenure. In 2001, in honor of Chaudhary Charan Singh's birth anniversary, the government officially declared Kisan Diwas. Also read: Maharashtra farmers to get Rs 6,000 a year under new scheme approved by Cabinet Following in the footsteps of the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, who gave the famous slogan "JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN" (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), Chaudhary Charan Singh continued to prioritize the welfare of farmers. Quotes for Farmer's Day 2022: "If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right in the country." – M. S. Swaminathan "I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world." – George Washington "The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." – Franklin D. Roosevelt "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." — John F. Kennedy "It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn." — B.C. Forbes
23 December,2024 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA coldwave gripped the national capital today, with light rain bringing a noticeable chill to Delhi and its neighbouring regions. A thick layer of fog enveloped the city, intensifying the cold conditions. According to ANI reports, the minimum temperature recorded in Delhi stood at 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature reached 20 degrees Celsius. Locals reported a significant drop in temperatures following the rain, which began early this morning at around 5 am. Residents in parts of the city sought refuge in night shelters set up on Lodhi Road to escape the biting cold. "The temperatures have dropped because it has been raining... the rain started around 5 am today," shared a local resident. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted below-normal coldwave conditions in northwestern India this winter, signalling that colder weather may persist in the coming days. However, alongside the chilly weather, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated, remaining in the 'severe' category. As per ANI, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was recorded at a hazardous 403 at 7 am today, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). AQI levels in several other areas also remained in the 'severe' range. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 439, Ashok Vihar 456, Bawana 473, CRRI Mathura Road 406, and Narela 430. For context, the AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, with values between 0-50 considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. The CPCB’s data reflects that several areas in Delhi have surpassed the 400 mark, with Alipur at 411, Anand Vihar at 427, and RK Puram at 408. To combat the deteriorating air quality, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage IV measures have been implemented across the National Capital Region (NCR) since December 16. These measures were introduced in response to the worsening air quality, aiming to reduce the level of pollutants and curb the health risks posed by such levels of air pollution. Previously, on December 22, the AQI in Delhi was recorded as 'very poor,' which had a noticeable effect on visibility across the city. The AQI was measured at 388 at 7 am, while areas such as ITO, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and IGI Airport also recorded very poor air quality. As per ANI, the air quality in Delhi continues to pose significant health concerns for its residents, especially those with respiratory conditions. (With inputs from ANI)
23 December,2024 09:06 AM IST | New DelhiAt least 10 people were killed when a small plane crashed into the southern Brazilian city of Gramado on Sunday, CNN reported. The aircraft collided with several buildings, causing widespread damage and leaving over a dozen people injured, according to official Brazilian authorities. The Civil Defence of Rio Grande do Sul confirmed that at least 17 people were injured in the crash, with many suffering from smoke inhalation due to a fire sparked by the collision. Two individuals are reported to be in serious condition, suffering from severe burns. The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from the local airport, according to the National Civil Defence. The plane first collided with the chimney of a building before crashing into a residential home and then striking a furniture store. Debris from the crash also hit an inn, reported CNN. Video footage from the scene showed the aftermath, with flames and smoke rising from the wreckage and scattered debris covering the area. The footage also showed an overcast sky with fog enveloping the city. Local authorities have expressed concerns that there were no survivors on board the aircraft. Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite indicated that initial reports suggest the plane's occupants did not survive. Preliminary information indicates the plane was carrying 10 people, but it is unclear whether all the fatalities were passengers or included individuals on the ground, CNN reported. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. The tragic incident has rocked Gramado, a small but popular resort town in southern Brazil, known for its holiday attractions, especially during the Christmas season. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 December,2024 08:58 AM IST | Gramado (Rio Grande do Sul) | AgenciesA few lockers in the Chinhat branch of Indian Overseas Bank were found broken Sunday and their contents missing, police said. They said the theft took place in the branch located in Lucknow's Matiyari. Bank manager Sandeep Singh said that he suspected the thieves stole inside the building by making a hole into a wall the bank shares with an empty plot of land, an officer said. Prima facie, it seems four people must be involved in the job, police said. Six teams have been formed to nab the robbers, they said. Though police said there was neither any alarm nor any security guard in the bank at the time of the theft, the bank said it was robbed despite "adequate security" measures. "Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) is aware of the unfortunate incident involving a robbery which occurred despite adequate security measures at our Chinhat Branch in Lucknow. "We are fully committed to supporting the authorities in their investigation and are working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the matter is resolved swiftly," the bank said in a statement. "The bank has insurance coverage in place for such incidents. The safety and security of our customers and their assets remain our top priority," it added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 December,2024 08:58 AM IST | Lucknow | PTIThe controversy surrounding the 70th BPSC examination has taken a serious turn, with Leader of Opposition in Bihar Tejashwi Yadav levelling allegations of malpractice and institutional corruption in the recruitment processes. Tejashwi Yadav has written a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar outlining eight demands, emphasising the need for transparency and fairness in competitive examinations. Yadav has alleged that the examination conducted on December 13, 2024, was marred by malpractice, pointing to systemic corruption within the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). “The cancellation of the examination at the Bapu Examination Centre in Patna and the re-examination at the same venue is a measure aimed at concealing institutional flaws,” Yadav said in his letter. The RJD leader claimed that BPSC had used employees from a private agency, rather than government employees, to conduct such a significant exam. He strongly criticised the credibility of the examination process. Tejashwi pointed out that all future exams must be conducted solely by government employees, and advocated for removing private agencies from the process. “I want to urge the Chief Minister to Identify and penalise those responsible for the malpractice in the December 13 exam. I also demand a high-level independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption in the BPSC,” he said. Tejashwi demanded a comprehensive reform in BPSC to ensure transparency and eliminate corruption in government recruitment. The state government should provide suitable remedies or compensation to candidates whose efforts were undermined by the irregularities, establish a mechanism to hold the Commission accountable for lapses and ensure the integrity of the merit-based selection process without external influences or biases. He claimed that reports of irregularities were not limited to the Bapu Examination Centre but also emerged from several other centres. The BPSC has acknowledged the lapses, which indicates systemic flaws. “I demand the cancellation of the entire 70th Preliminary Examination and the organisation of a re-examination for all candidates to ensure fairness,” Yadav said. He further said around 90,000 registered candidates were allegedly unable to complete the application process due to corruption and procedural inefficiencies. He advocated for allowing these candidates to fill out the examination form and participate in the re-examination. “Allegations levelled by students that private coaching institutes predicted more than 25 per cent of the questions in the paper raise concerns about potential leaks. A thorough investigation is needed into it. An independent and impartial judicial probe is required to investigate the widespread irregularities,” he said. Tejashwi Yadav in his letter said thousands of candidates have been protesting in harsh weather conditions, expressing discontent with the BPSC's handling of the situation. He criticised the insensitive behaviour of the state government towards the agitating students. Tejashwi urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to cancel the 70th Preliminary Examination to eliminate doubts about fairness. He said that the Commission should announce a re-examination date with clear guidelines to rebuild candidate confidence. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 December,2024 08:58 AM IST | Patna | IANSADVERTISEMENT
