Seven people lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. This also includes the four deaths in Vijayawada's Mogalrajapuram area owing to landslides, officials reported. The landslide fatalities occurred when large boulders, loosened by heavy rain, crashed onto houses. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the victims. In response to the incident, the Chief Minister directed officials to relocate residents from areas that are at a risk of landslides, as heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the state for the next two to three days. In another tragic incident at Pedakakani village in Guntur district, a teacher and two students lost their lives when their car was swept away while crossing an overflowing stream. "The incident occurred around 12.30 pm. After classes were suspended owing to the rains, the teacher and the two students were returning to a nearby village when their car was washed away," Guntur district Superintendent of Police S Satish told PTI. Though the stream was not large, the light hatchback could not withstand the force of the water. The police later recovered all the three bodies. In the past 24 hours, several areas in Andhra Pradesh, including Vijayawada, experienced continuous heavy rainfall, PTI reported. Vijayawada city alone recorded 18 cm of rain by Saturday morning, with the downpour continuing throughout the day. Municipal Commissioner H M Dhyanachandra reported that multiple civic teams were working tirelessly to divert floodwaters from inundated roads back into canals using pumps. He noted that 22 locations in the city were particularly affected, with rainwater entering homes in a few flood-prone wards. The ongoing rainfall was hampering relief efforts, he added. To assist those affected, all community halls in Vijayawada were opened, and food and drinking water were provided. Other areas such as Machilipatnam, Gudivada, and Narasapuram also experienced significant rainfall, further disrupting normal life. The Meteorological Department issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of Andhra Pradesh due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to make landfall near Kalingapatnam around midnight. Squally weather with wind speeds reaching up to 50 km per hour is anticipated over parts of the Bay of Bengal. In light of these forecasts, the Chief Minister held a teleconference with officials to review the situation. He instructed the government machinery to remain on high alert and emphasized the need for coordination between the Irrigation and Revenue Departments to monitor water bodies. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned that parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, including Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, and Visakhapatnam districts, would experience heavy rain and strong winds. Residents were cautioned to be vigilant around overflowing streams, uprooted power lines, and low-lying areas. The Central Water Commission (CWC) also warned that most rivers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are expected to swell over the next two days. As a result, increased water flow into reservoirs like Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam is anticipated, and the CWC advised that water discharge should follow standard procedures, with downstream residents duly informed. (With PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 10:38 PM IST | Amaravati | mid-day online correspondentRaising concern over incidents of communal tensions in Odisha, leader of the opposition and former state CM Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said the state was known for peace and harmony. Speaking in the assembly during a debate on the demand for grant of the Home Department, he said several communal incidents happened in the state after the BJP government came to power. "Shortly after this government took office, there was a communal incident, several communal incidents in Balasore district, also in other parts of Odisha. Recently, a communal incident took place where a man was murdered in the Khurda district. This should be rectified," he said. Stating that Odisha is known for communal peace and harmony, he said this should be maintained at all costs. Patnaik also claimed that the government did not take any action against Governor Raghubar Das's son who allegedly "violently attacked and humiliated" an officer during the Rath Yatra in Puri. "I have a question. If you are the governor's son or minister's son, or MP or MLA's son or a senior officer's son is the law different for such a person? Is he immune to any prosecution? If this is the case, then the people of Odisha should be informed that certain people are above the law," he said. Patnaik claimed that during his tenure as the chief minister, no one was above the law. "Anyone found guilty was punished. The present chief minister holds the Home portfolio. I hope all these matters should be informed, including the recent rape and murder of a minor. These are all serious matters and never occurred during our government. We followed the law of the land,” Patnaik said. He also expressed concern over the idol of Lord Balabhadra toppling during the Rath Yatra in Puri. "This incident has hurt millions and millions of people of the state and the country," he said. Raising the issue of spurious liquor claiming three lives in Ganjam district, he said, "During our time, we had always cracked down on the illicit liquor in the state." 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
31 August,2024 10:28 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | PTIModerate to heavy rains lashed many parts of Telangana on Saturday leading to inundation of low-lying areas and disruption of road links between villages at some places. State Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, who held a teleconference with district Collectors, directed them to take precautions to avoid any loss of life and property as the Meteorological department warned of heavy rains for two days across the state. Rivulets were in spate in Mahabubabad, Narayanpet, Khammam and other districts following the rains and this has led to disruption of road links between villages. The Chief Secretary directed that control rooms be opened in every district Collector's office as well as in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and state Secretariat, an official release said. She instructed that an officer should be specially appointed to supervise the overflowing streams. She said the district Collectors can take the decision to declare a holiday for schools in view of the rains. She also said an advance plan for evacuating people from flood-affected areas and setting up relief camps should be prepared. Besides taking appropriate measures to prevent contamination of tanks, chlorination should be taken up to prevent the spread of diseases, the Chief Secretary said. Noting that teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are currently stationed in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, she said these teams can be deployed if required. In its weather warning, the Met Centre here said very heavy to extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet and other districts on Sunday. It issued a red warning for this forecast. It also said heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagital, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Warangal and other districts on Sunday. 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
31 August,2024 10:22 PM IST | Hyderabad | PTIA man was sentenced to six years in prison by a court in Bengaluru on Saturday for circulating counterfeit Indian currency notes procured from Bangladesh, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reported. The accused, Sariful Islam, also known as Sarifulla or Sharifuddin, hails from West Bengal. He was additionally fined Rs 5,000 for the crime, a statement issued by NIA said, reported news agency PTI. He is the seventh individual to be convicted in connection with this 2018 case. The investigation revealed that Sariful Islam conspired with six others to traffic 41 fake Indian currency notes (FICNs) with a face value of Rs 82,000 from the Bangladesh border to various parts of India. NIA stated that Sariful Islam had illegally obtained a SIM card to communicate with his co-conspirators regarding the procurement and distribution of the counterfeit notes brought in from West Bengal. Further investigations uncovered multiple transactions by Sariful Islam, including a previous delivery of FICNs with a face value of Rs 10.3 lakh to the main convict, Dalim Mia, in West Bengal. The conspiracy aimed to destabilise India's monetary system and economic security, according to NIA. The agency is continuing its investigation against two Bangladeshi nationals who supplied FICNs in this case, in which NIA has so far filed three charge sheets. NIA arrests key operative in CPI (Maoist) northern region revival attempt case A day after extensive multi-state searches in the CPI (Maoist) northern region revival attempt case, NIA arrested a key accused, actively involved in the recruitment and fund collection activities for the banned organisation. The accused has been identified as Ajay Singhal, alias Aman, a native of Sonipat district in Haryana. He currently resides in SAS Nagar, Punjab, NIA stated on Saturday. As per the agency's investigations, Singhal was in charge of the State Organising Committee of CPI (Maoist) in Haryana, and actively involved in the revival of the activities of the banned organisation in the Northern Regional Bureau (NRB) states of Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, reported ANI. The accused had been visiting Jharkhand and Bihar to collect funds from Central Committee Member (CCM) Pramod Mishra alias Vanbihari and Sandeep Yadav, Commander/Secretary of Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee (BJSAC). On Friday, NIA conducted searches at several locations in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in the case related to concerted attempts by leaders, cadres and sympathisers/Overground Workers (OGWs) of CPI (Maoist) to re-energise their influence in the NRB zone as part of their nefarious anti-India agenda. Further investigation is underway. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 10:18 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentThe Gujarat High Court has rejected a plea by jailed self-styled godman Asaram, seeking the suspension of his sentence in a 2013 rape case, news agency PTI reported. The court cited a lack of "exceptional grounds" to warrant such a relief to Asaram, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gandhinagar court last year. A division bench of Justices Ilesh Vora and Vimal Vyas, in their order passed on Thursday, denied the suspension of Asaram's sentence and refused to grant him bail, stating that no compelling case for relief had been presented. The sessions court had convicted Asaram in January 2023 in a rape case filed by a woman who was living in his ashram near Gandhinagar. Asaram is currently incarcerated in Rajasthan's Jodhpur jail in connection with another rape case. The Gujarat High Court dismissed his arguments regarding potential delays in the disposal of his appeal, as well as his age and medical condition, deeming them irrelevant for granting relief. The court also took into account Asaram's past conduct, including allegations of the murder of two boys at his Sabarmati ashram and attacks on witnesses and victims' relatives. "At this stage, considering the totality of the circumstances, the grounds of possible delay in appeal and medical ailment as well as the completion of 10 years in jail may not be relevant in considering the prayer for suspension of bail," the court observed. Asaram's plea claimed that he was a victim of a conspiracy and that the rape allegations against him were false. He also argued that the trial court erred in accepting the complainant's explanation for a 12-year delay in lodging her plaint. Asaram's appeal against his conviction in the Jodhpur rape case is pending before the Rajasthan High Court, which rejected his application for suspension of sentence in January this year. Asaram undergoes treatment in Maharashtra On Wednesday, Asaram was brought to a medical facility at Khopoli in Maharashtra's Raigad district for treatment of a heart-related ailment, officials said on Wednesday. The 83-year-old was brought to the multidisciplinary cardiac care clinic of an Ayurvedic hospital in Khopoli, located 70 km from Mumbai, around 8 pm with full police protection, a senior police officer said. (With PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 10:17 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentThose working in the film sector have to ensure that things that can pollute minds are not there in cinemas or in the movie industry as this field has the power to affect public thought, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday. Vijayan, while speaking at a ceremony to present the Sreekumaran Thampi award to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, said the film industry should give moral values or lessons back to the public in exchange for the love they show to cinemas and the movie sector. The CM further said that women should have the freedom to come forward and showcase their artistic skills in the film industry without any fear and no conditions should be imposed upon them. "There should be no system that is anti-skill," he said. He also said that the state government was duty bound to provide a safe working environment for women in the film industry and has carried out effective interventions to ensure that. The CM further said that the constitution of the Justice Hema Committee, after receiving a few complaints from women in the film sector, shows the government's determination to safeguard women's right to work and their dignity. The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. 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
31 August,2024 10:12 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTIThe National Conference will prioritise the lifting of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir and put an end to the "unjust harassment faced by Kashmiri youth" if it is voted to power, party vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. Abdullah had pitched for the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in 2012 when he was chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. He had even announced that AFSPA would be revoked during his tenure but the proposal faced strong opposition from the Army. "The party (National Conference) reiterates its unwavering dedication to fulfilling the promises outlined in our manifesto. Once in power, the National Conference-led government will prioritise the lifting of AFSPA, putting an end to the unjust harassment faced by our youth," Abdullah said as he welcomed prominent political activists into the party. The National Conference leader said his party was committed to streamlining the passport verification process, creating job opportunities for the unemployed, and ensuring that every household had access to essential resources, increased ration and reliable utility services without putting a burden on their finances. Highlighting the significance of the party's manifesto, Abdullah said it truly reflected the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "This is precisely why it was rejected by the BJP," he said and warned that "every vote cast in favour of parties other than the National Conference and its allies will only serve to strengthen the BJP, regardless of the party chosen". Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from the Ganderbal seat, said the National Conference is not interested in winning the elections through fear tactics against the BJP. "Instead, the party has developed a comprehensive manifesto that addresses the concerns of artisans, unemployed youngsters, agriculturalists, transporters, hoteliers, traders, and more. The manifesto not only identifies the issues but also presents a clear roadmap to tackle them effectively," he added. Elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 and the results declared on October 8. The National Conference and the Congress have finalised a seat-share formula, with the parties contesting 51 and 32 seats, respectively. 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
31 August,2024 10:07 PM IST | Srinagar | PTITwo security guards were arrested on Saturday for allegedly assaulting doctors and other staff at a hospital in the Cossipore area of Kolkata, the police said. The officers indicated that the guards were intoxicated at the time of the incident, news agency PTI reported. "The matter is under investigation. We arrested them after receiving a complaint from the hospital authorities," said an officer from Cossipore Police Station. A senior hospital official claimed that the guards had also threatened him with serious consequences. "The two guards were intoxicated and assaulted the doctors and staff. This isn’t the first time; we have previously lodged a complaint with the health department about their behaviour," he said. He added that the hospital currently employs 11 such security guards. Doctors protest at Jantar Mantar over rising attacks, Kolkata rape-murder Doctors in the national capital gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital and emphasised that without a central law to protect healthcare workers, female doctors will never feel safe at work. The protestors began assembling at Jantar Mantar from 3 pm, demanding justice for the victim of the incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and urging the government to expedite the enactment of the Central Healthcare Protection Act, according to doctor associations. Dr. Deepika, one of the protesting doctors, told PTI, "I will never allow my daughters to become doctors here... Can you imagine that all of us female doctors are scared now? We feel fearful while working, and we need protection. Can you imagine if she was raped and murdered at her workplace?" "We want protection so that all female doctors can work without fear," she added. Rohan Krishnan, Chairman of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), stated that they had previously called off the protest due to the Supreme Court's intervention. "...Despite one arrest, there has been no significant progress in the case. That's why we want to continue our silent protest. We want our female doctors and nurses to feel safe again while working, and justice must be served," he said (With PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 09:38 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said that the state government has so far transferred money into the bank accounts of 1.7 crore beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana, reported the PTI. CM Shinde said that the ambit of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will be expanded to cover 2.5 crore women. The state chief minister launched the second phase of the scheme at Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur district of Maharashtra in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare. "We were not born with a golden spoon. We belong to the family of farmers. Having experienced poverty, we understood why a scheme like this was necessary. We know the value of Rs 1,500," CM Shinde said, as per the PTI. The Ladki Bahin Scheme provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to married, divorced, and destitute women in the 21-60 age group with a Rs 2.5 lakh annual family income ceiling. The chief minister said the state government deposited money in the bank accounts of 1.7 crore women in the first phase of the scheme. "Today, we transferred funds into the bank accounts of 52 lakh women, and we will ensure that the remaining funds are disbursed soon," he said, adding that the target is to extend the benefits to 2.5 crore women, according to the PTI. CM Shinde also slammed the opposition for criticising the scheme, which he claimed had broken records. "This government does not take money, but it gives money. The opposition had previously claimed that funds would not land in people's bank accounts. However, now that beneficiaries are receiving money, they are asking them to withdraw it quickly," he said, the news agency reported on Saturday. Earlier, last week, CM Shinde had said that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has made the opposition nervous and women should strengthen the Mahayuti to see their monthly allowance in the scheme go up to Rs 4,000, reported the PTI. CM Shinde was speaking at a programme about the scheme in Maharashtra's Yavatmal along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.The scheme was not launched to win votes but to ensure that women get the respect they deserve, he said, as per the PTI. "The government will not stop at just Rs 1,500 per month," the chief minister said, asking women in the gathering to strengthen the Mahayuti so that the instalment can be increased up to Rs 4,000. (with PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 09:08 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentOlympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday reached at 'kisan mahapanchayat' and said that the government should listen to the protesting farmers and address their issues, reported the PTI. Vinesh Phogat joined protesting farmers at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana and said the central government should pay heed to their demands. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha held a 'kisan mahapanchayat' during the day to mark the completion of 200 days of their 'Delhi Chalo' agitation to press for their demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. The farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their march was stopped by security forces. According to the PTI, Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50-kg final match in the recent Olympic Games held in Paris, was felicitated by the protesting farmers. In her address, the wrestler lent her support to the farmers, saying, "I want to tell you that your daughter is with you." She also asserted that farmers' demands were not "illegitimate". Speaking to reporters, Vinesh said that the farmers are holding the protest as their demands have still not been accepted. "It hurts to see them," she added. "Sometimes we feel helpless at not being able to do anything for them. We represent the country at international levels but we could not do anything for our own family. It is a request that the government should listen to them," she said, as per the PTI. Replying to a question, the wrestler said it was sad that although 200 days have passed, the protesting farmers continue to sit on the roads as their demands have not been accepted. "If the farmers do not feed us, how will we be able to compete? Despite so much happening, they are feeding the nation with open hearts. They have a big heart and the government should also show a big heart in the matter," Vinesh Phogat added, the news agency reported on Saturday. To a question on the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, the wrestler from Charkhi Dadri district said, "I do not know about politics. I do not have any knowledge about it." Asked if she would support farmers in Haryana should they launch an agitation, she replied, "Why not?" "Farmers of the country are upset and their problems need to be addressed. It should be the government's priority to address their problems. Their struggle will not go in vain, I am sure about this," Phogat said. Vinesh Phogat, who hails from Haryana's Balali, faced a heartbreaking exit after being disqualified on the day of her 50-kg final match at the Paris Olympics. She was part of the agitation by wrestlers, mostly from Haryana, against the then Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brijbhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment last year. A few days ago, she was honoured with a gold medal by the Sarvkhap Panchayat in Haryana's Rohtak. (with PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 08:41 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondentAt least 59 people, including 12 children, have died in the Bangladesh floods, which have affected more than five million people across 11 districts in the neighbouring country, officials said on Saturday. The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry said that the highest number of deaths have been reported in Cumilla and Feni districts (14 and 23 fatalities, respectively), which border Tripura in India’s northeast. Monsoon rainfall-triggered floods in deltaic Bangladesh and upstream Indian regions have caused widespread havoc in the past two weeks, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement of people and livestock, and extensive property damage. This crisis poses a major challenge to the newly installed interim government in Bangladesh, which is navigating a political transition. The country intersected by more than 200 rivers — 54 of which are trans-boundary with India — has experienced severe flooding owing to a depression in the Bay of Bengal last week, news agency PTI reported. This weather system has caused rivers in the northeastern Meghna Basin and southwestern Chattogram Hills Basin to overflow, leading to widespread flooding. The state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), quoting the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry officials, stated, "As many as 5,457,702 people have been affected by the floods in 504 unions and municipalities across the 11 districts. Around 0.7 million families remain stranded by the floodwaters, while nearly 0.4 million people are taking refuge in 3,928 shelter centres." The report also mentioned that a total of 36,139 cattle have been provided shelter at these centres. As the situation gradually improves, people are beginning to return home, and communication systems are being restored in the flood-affected districts. Weather experts have attributed the widespread flooding not only to the torrential rains and overflowing rivers but also to the effects of El Niño and climate change. Earlier last week, the Flood Warning and Forecasting Centre (FFWC) faced criticism for failing to predict the severity of the situation, with officials attributing the issue to a lack of information from counterparts in the upstream Indian region. Floods after political turmoil in Bangladesh The situation was further complicated by the absence or unavailability of local government representatives, many of whom went into hiding due to their political affiliations after the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League regime in a student-led uprising earlier this month. This made relief coordination challenging, according to local media reports. The floods struck as the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, was overhauling the bureaucracy, replacing key officials. Since Yunus, 84, took office on 8th August—three days after Sheikh Hasina, 76, stepped down and fled to India amidst mass protests and violence—the new government has dismissed over 1,800 elected local government representatives across the country. (With PTI inputs)
31 August,2024 06:14 PM IST | Dhaka | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
