Several Detained, Weapons, Ammo Seized In Anti-Terror Raids At 51 Places In India

NEW DELHI, Sept 27: The NIA on Wednesday detained several people after a multi-state crackdown on the nexus between criminal syndicates in India and Khalistani separatists and terrorists based in countries like Pakistan and Canada, who use these networks for terror-related activities.

The NIA raids - and the focus on links with Canada-based syndicates and criminals - come as Delhi is locked in a major diplomatic row with Ottawa. Last week Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed "credible" information connecting "agents of Delhi" to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Nijjar was a Canadian citizen.

India has rejected the "absurd" allegation and has pointed out Canadian authorities have yet to share evidence. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has flagged a spike in "organised crime relating to secessionist forces and extremism" in that country.

Early this morning, the agency raided over 50 locations connected to gangs run by Lawrence Bishnoi and Canada-based Arshdeep Dalla, whom police this week linked to Pak-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other crime bosses. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and digital evidence were recovered during the raid, sources said.

According to the NIA, fugitives like Dalla and Gaurav Patial are based abroad but stay in touch with Khalistani terrorists to secure funding, smuggle weapons and order murders, acts of extortion and to take part in other anti-national activities.

The raids were in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the national capital region; in Punjab alone the NIA raided 30 locations. These are part of efforts to build a watertight case against the syndicates, most of which are now operated from Dubai and are linked to cases the NIA filed last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Some of the raids targeted Canada-based Lakhbir Singh alias Landa; Pak-based Harvinder Singh Rinda, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is based in the United States and is the founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice separatist group. On Monday sources revealed details of the dossier on Pannun, which says he "wants to create countries (by) dividing India".

Cases have been filed against Bishnoi and gangster bosses Goldy Brar and Vikram Brar, as well as Bambiha, Kaushal Chaudhary, Neeraj Bawana, Dilpreet, and Sukhpreet alias Budha. There are also cases against Sunil, alias Tillu Tajpuriya, who was killed - as police watched - inside Delhi's Tihar Jail in May, and Bambiha, who was shot dead in a 2016 encounter.

Of the other bosses, Bishnoi is in jail in Ahmedabad and Dalla is in Canada.

The NIA last week also seized properties owned by Pannun in Chandigarh and Amritsar. Pannun, wanted since 2019 on charges of promoting and commissioning terrorist acts, faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab alone, including three of sedition.

Two days before that the agency raided over 1,000 locations across Punjab and Haryana; these were linked to Goldy Brar, who allegedly planned the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

On Monday Jaishankar told the United Nations General Assembly "political convenience" could not determine a nation's response to terrorism. The comment was seen as directed at China and Canada; the latte is home to a large and politically influential Sikh community that is expected to play a major role in the outcome of the next general election in 2025.

On Camera, 12-Year-Old Girl, Raped And Bleeding, Seeks Help, Shooed Away

UJJAIN, Sept 27: A 12-year-old girl, semi-naked and bleeding after rape, went door to door asking for help. People stared at her but refused to help. One man was seen shooing her away as she approached him for help.

The visuals, which no longer shock a society where violence against women and minors has become chillingly common, were captured by a CCTV camera at Badnagar road, about 15 km from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

The girl, wandering the streets in a rag barely covering her, eventually reached an ashram. A priest there suspected sexual violence, covered her with a towel and rushed her to the district hospital. The medical examination confirmed rape.

As the injuries were serious, the girl was rushed to Indore. When she needed blood, police personnel came forward. Her condition is now learnt to be stable.

When a senior police officer asked the girl her name and her address, she could not answer coherently.

Police have registered a case of rape against unidentified accused. The stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has also been invoked.

Ujjain police chief Sachin Sharma said a special team has been formed to identify and catch the culprits at the earliest. "The medical examination has confirmed rape. We have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and closely following this. We appeal to the people to inform police if they get any information," Sharma said.

On a question on the location where the crime took place, the officer said, "This is being investigated. We would come up with the information soon."

"The girl was not able to tell us exactly where she is from. But her accent suggests she is from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh," he added.

The horrifying incident has yet again brought under the spotlight Madhya Pradesh's dismal record on violence against women.

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have reported the highest number of cases of disappearance of women and girls between 2019 and 2021. Also, Madhya Pradesh reported most incidents of rapes in the country in 2021- 6,462 - as per the National Crime Records Bureau data. Out of them, more than 50 per cent were crimes against minors. The number translates to 18 rapes per day.

Maneka Gandhi Says ISKCON 'Sells Cows To Butchers', Temple Body Denies

NEW DELHI, Sept 27: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is the "biggest cheat" in the country as it sells cows from its gaushalas (cowsheds) to butchers, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi said in a scathing attack on the religious organization.

The ISKCON, the most influential Krishna sect in the world, rejected the allegations as "unsubstantiated and false".

Ms Gandhi, a former union minister and an animal rights activist, is vocal on social media over issues of animal welfare.

"ISKCON is the biggest cheat in the country. It maintains gaushalas and get benefits from the government, including vast lands," she is heard saying in a video that has gone viral.

She then recalls her visit to ISKCON's Anantpur Gaushala in Andhra Pradesh, where she says she couldn't find any cow that doesn't give milk or calves. "There was no dry cow in the entire dairy. Not a single calf was there. It means all were sold."

A dry cow is one that has not been milked for some time.

"ISKCON is selling all its cows to the butchers. No one else does this as much they do. And they go on and sing 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna' on the roads. Then they say their entire life is dependent on milk. Probably, no one has sold as many cattle to the butchers as they did," she alleges.

Rejecting the allegations, ISKCON's national spokesperson Yudhistir Govinda Das.said the religious body has been at the forefront of cow and bull protection and care not just in India but globally. "The cows and bulls are served for their life not sold to butchers as alleged," he said.

ISKCON has pioneered cow protection in many parts of the world where beef is a staple diet, said an ISKCON statement shared by him. "Smt. Gandhi is a well-known animal rights activist and well-wisher of ISKCON hence we are surprised by these statements," said the statement.

The ISKCON, associated with the Hare Krishna movement, has hundreds of temples and millions of devotees around the world.

The ISKCON hit the headlines a couple of months ago after one of its monks criticized Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The religious body had promptly "banned" the monk Amogh Lila Das and sent him for atonement after his comments triggered a big controversy.

Manipur Bans Mobile Internet Again Amid Protests Over Dead Students' Photos

IMPHAL, Sept 26: Manipur has re-imposed a ban on mobile devices accessing the internet amid violent protests over the brutal murder of two minors, news of which broke after photographs of the bodies went viral on social media.

The ban will be in effect till Sunday and comes just days after the state government lifted similar orders - that had been in place for five months - after ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki tribes in the north-eastern state killed over 175 people and left hundreds injured.

Earlier today hundreds of students took to the streets to protest the killings. They tried to march towards Chief Minister N Biren Singh's residence but were intercepted by security forces, who fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. Several students were injured in the clash.

The two students whose deaths have provoked fresh tension in the state have been missing since early July - when the Meitei-Kuki conflict was at its peak. One photo released on social media showed them sitting in what seemed to be an unidentified armed group's makeshift jungle camp.

The girl, 17, is seen in a white t-shirt and the boy is wearing a checked shirt. Behind them, two men with guns are clearly visible. In another their bodies are seen slumped on the ground.

In July, the two were seen in CCTV footage but they could not be traced further at the time.

The young boy's distraught parents have denounced the "inhuman" murders.

"What was the mistake of my son, or the daughter, who got murdered? They did not harm anyone... they were just roaming about. Being murdered brutally is inhuman!" the father said.

The two children - in a relationship with each other - were on a bike ride after a curfew (imposed because of the ethnic violence) was relaxed when they were believed to have been abducted.

The case sparked outrage and many have questioned why the police is unable to find the killers.

The Manipur government has called on people to show restraint and allow authorities to investigate the kidnapping and killing of the two students. Mr Singh, who has vowed "swift and decisive action" has handed the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

AIADMK Officially Ends Alliance With BJP, Exits NDA

CHENNAI, Sept 25: Tamil Nadu's AIADMK has snapped ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance - just months before the national election - amid a row over comments by the latter party's state boss, K Annamalai. The AIADMK had accused the BJP leader of deliberately defaming its present and past leaders.

The break-up was announced by AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munusamy after a resolution was passed unanimously at a meeting of MPs, MLAs and district heads in Chennai. "AIADMK is breaking all ties with BJP and NDA from today. State leadership of BJP has been making unnecessary remarks about our former leaders for the past year."

"The AIADMK will fight the 2024 election with its allies," Mr Munusamy also said.

AIAMK spokesperson Sasirekha said, "... based on members' opinion we are taking this resolution. This is the happiest moment (for us). We are very happy to face the upcoming elections (on our own), whether Parliamentary or Assembly."

Party workers burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to celebrate. Venu, one of those celebrating, said "This is a great decision. Our workers welcome this." G Venkatesh said, "We didn't get minorities votes because of BJP alliance. Now we will win all 39 seats (in next year's Lok Sabha election)."

Annamalai - who is on a padyatra, or foot march, in Coimbatore, said, "Our national leadership will respond."

Earlier he had refused to back down. He argued that what he had said was part of history and needed to be understood in the context of the row over Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark on Sanatan Dharm.

At a meeting in Delhi on Saturday - a last-gasp effort to revive strained ties - the south Indian party stood firm on its demand - that Annamalai either apologise for remarks on the late former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, or be replaced with a "non-controversial leader". Annadurai was the mentor of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran.

A senior AIADMK leader at that meeting said discussions were "cordial", but remarks by the BJP's M Chakravarthy painted a different picture. "... leadership does not relish idea of shifting Annamalai as he has been (instrumental in) reviving the party (in Tamil Nadu)... he only made a remark alluding to Annadurai during Sanatan Dharma row."

The alliance was on the brink last week after the former party's D Jayakumar told reporters "we will decide on alliance before the election". "Annamalai is unfit to be BJP's state president. He speaks ill of late leaders only to project himself," he said.

The BJP leader had previously also been critical of the late former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who remains an iconic, almost revered, figure within the AIADMK. At the time, the southern party had demanded the state BJP chief be reined in; Annamalai frequently needles both his party's ally (the only one in the state) and their joint rival, the DMK.

His comments have led to speculation the BJP is trying to engineer space for itself in Tamil Nadu - a state in which it has failed, so far, to make any electoral headway - before next year's election.

In March, he even spoke out against allying with the AIADMK, leaving senior leaders fuming.

"Annamalai doesn't desire alliance with AIADMK although BJP workers want it. Should we tolerate criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP can't set foot here..." Jayakumar declared.

The BJP has had friendly ties with the AIADMK but has usually been kept at arm's length; Jayalalithaa never actually formed a formal alliance with them when she was in power because she believed it could not fit into the political landscape of the state, which is dominated by Dravidian ideologies.

The AIADMK has lost - overwhelmingly - all elections in which it allied with the BJP, including the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly polls, prompting it to look on the BJP as a liability ahead of the 2024 election. In 2021 the AIADMK won just 75 seats - down from 136 five years earlier - and was ousted from power by the DMK-Congress combine. In the last national election the AIADMK was similarly routed - going from 37 seats to just one - while the DMK went from 0 to 39.

'Should Shock Conscience': Supreme Court On Muslim Boy Slapped At UP School

NEW DELHI, Sept 25: Stating that if the allegations are true, it should shock the state's conscience, the Supreme Court today ordered that a senior IPS officer be appointed to monitor the investigation in the case where a seven-year-old was slapped repeatedly by his classmates on the instruction of their teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar.

Calling it "serious and worrying", the court said it's a matter of right to life. A video of the incident had gone viral earlier this year, causing massive outrage. As the student stood crying, his classmates took turns to slap him, showed the video. The teacher was also heard in the video asking the students to hit him hard. The court directed the UP government to conduct counselling of the victim, and other students involved in the incident, by professional counsellors.

The top court adjourned the matter for October 30, and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a compliance report on counselling of students involved, and take responsibility for the education of the victim child.

The Supreme Court also recorded serious objections to the content of the FIR, which does not have the allegations levelled by the father of the child. The father had given a statement that his son was beaten because of his religion, but it wasn't mentioned in the FIR, the court said.

It's a matter of quality education, which also includes sensitive education, the court said, adding that it is a case of failure on the part of the UP government to comply with provisions of the Right to Education Act, which deals with providing quality, free and compulsory education to children up to 14 years, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, or gender.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, seeking speedy investigation in the case.

The Uttar Pradesh government claimed that the communal aspect of the case was exaggerated.

On September 6, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the UP government asking for a report from the District Superintendent of Police. It asked what action had been taken against the accused, and what steps were taken to protect the child's family.

The accused 60-year-old teacher, who is also the principal of Muzaffarnagar's Neha Public School, Tripta Tyagi, first said she was not "ashamed" of her egregious act, but later put out a video message, stressing that she had no communal motive behind asking students to slap their Muslim classmate. With folded hands, she repeated that she had "made a mistake" and sought forgiveness.

Politicians across the party lines had condemned the incident as a hate crime, targeting the ruling BJP government in the state.

'Creating Narrative For My Lynching': MP Danish Ali On BJP Leader's Letter

NEW DELHI, Sept 24: Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali has made a serious allegation against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over the controversy surrounding the communal comments in the Lok Sabha by Ramesh Bidhuri, another BJP MP.

Dubey, while condemning the comments by his party colleague, also alleged that Ali used casteist slur against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which provoked Bidhuri to lash out at the leader from Mayawati's party.

"No civilised society can accept the statement given by Ramesh Vidhuri ji in the Lok Sabha as correct... But the Lok Sabha Speaker should also investigate the indecent words and conduct of Danish Ali," Dubey said in a post on X.

"According to the rules and procedures of the Lok Sabha, interrupting an MP during the scheduled time, speaking while sitting... also comes under the ambit of punishment. I have been an MP for the past 15 years. I stay in the house for the longest time, from opening of the Lok Sabha till its closing. I never thought I would see such a day," Dubey posted in Hindi.

Responding to the allegation, Ali said goal behind the comment by the BJP MP was to enable his "physical lynching outside the house" since "verbal lynching" had already happened inside.

"BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's letter (to Lok Sabha Speaker) is to create a narrative pertaining to my lynching outside the house as my verbal lynching already took place," said Ali.

During a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Bidhuri had used a string of objectionable and communal words against the BSP MP, triggering disgust and widespread condemnation both from politicians and people on social media.

On Friday, the BJP also issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri and asked him to explain his conduct.

Bidhuri alleged that when he was speaking, the BSP MP was "busy instigating" him and also - at the top of his voice - made a "highly objectionable and blasphemous remark" against Modi.

Big Crackdown On Khalistani Terrorist Who Threatened Hindus In Canada

NEW DELHI, Sept 23: Acting against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani terrorist and head of the banned separatist organisation Sikhs for Justice, the National Investigation Agency today seized his house in Punjab's Chandigarh and confiscated land owned by him in Amritsar.

Pannun faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab, including three of sedition.

The confiscated properties include 46 Kanal of agricultural property in his ancestral village, Khankot, located on the outskirts of Amritsar district. Another property, house no 2033 in Sector 15-C, Chandigarh, has also been seized. Pannu, the self-styled General Counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has now lost rights to the property, and it now belongs to the government. In 2020, his properties were attached, which meant he could not sell the property.

"The action, which comes as a big boost to the country's crackdown on the terror and secessionist network being operated from various countries, including Canada, followed confiscation orders passed by the NIA Special Court, SAS Nagar, Mohali," NIA said in a statement.

He had recently threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave the country and return to India.

In a viral video amid a massive diplomatic row between the two countries over the murder of another Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Pannun was heard saying, "Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and Canadian Constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India."

"Pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have always sided with Canada, and they have always upheld the laws and the Constitution," he added.

Pannun also urged all Canadian Sikhs to gather in Vancouver on October 29 for a referendum to vote on whether the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma was responsible for Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

The home ministry had in July 2020 declared Pannun a terrorist, and requested an Interpol red notice for him. However, Interpol has twice rejected India's request to issue a Red Corner Notice on terror charges against him, citing insufficient information.

Pannu has been on NIA's radar since 2019, when the anti-terror agency had registered its first case against the terrorist, who has been playing a major role in promoting and commissioning terror acts and activities, and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through his threats and intimidation tactics, NIA said. Non-Bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannu by the NIA Special Court on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a 'Proclaimed Offender (PO)' on November 29 last year, it added.

"NIA investigations have revealed that Pannu's organisation, Sikhs for Justice, was misusing the cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and to instigate them to undertake terrorist crimes and activities. It further emerged during the NIA investigations that Pannu was the main handler and controller of the SFJ. Sikhs for Justice was declared as an 'Unlawful Association' by the Government of India, vide notification No.S.O.2469 (E) dated 10th July 2019," NIA said.

He has been "actively exhorting" Punjab-based gangsters and youth over the social media to fight for the cause of independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country, NIA investigations have shown, the agency said.

In recent days, Pannu has been in the news for issuing blatant threats to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries in public forums.

Pannun's outfit advocates for a religion-based separate state carved out from Punjab and many neighbouring areas in India, to be known as 'Khalistan'. It has also conducted "Punjab Independence Referendum" in Canada and Australia. The Indian government has called the so-called referendums 'unfortunate' and asked the Canadian government to act against it.

BJP Leader Abuses Muslim MP In Parliament; Gets Notice From Party

NEW DELHI, Sept 22: BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, whose egregious communal comments in parliament have ignited massive outrage, received a warning today of "severe action" from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. His comments have been expunged from the records.

Confronting a backlash, the BJP sent a show-cause notice to its MP asking him to explain his unparliamentary language within 15 days.

The Speaker, according to officials, took serious note of the offensive words used by Ramesh Bidhuri for Muslim MP Danish Ali (BSP) during a discussion on the "success of Chandrayaan", and warned him of "strict action" if he repeated such behaviour.

In a video from Lok Sabha, Bidhuri repeatedly hurls abuses and Islamophobic slurs at Danish Ali while making a point.

"The fact that it happened in a new Parliament building under your leadership is heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and as an elected MP," Danish Ali wrote to the Speaker, urging him to refer the incident to the privileges committee. Speaking to newsmen today, Mr Ali said he "couldn't sleep all night" and felt his brain would explode.

As opposition leaders slammed the BJP MP and demanded action against him, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret in the House shortly afterwards. "I express regret if the opposition is hurt by the remarks made by the member," he said.

But the apology didn't silence the opposition, which said Bidhuri should be suspended or arrested.

"It's an absolute shame. Rajnath Singh's apology is not acceptable and half-hearted. This is an insult to parliament, this is a clear case of suspension and Bidhuri statement is an insult to every Indian," said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, demanding "strictest possible action" against the BJP leader.

The Congress pointed out that in the previous session, their Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended for allegedly "insulting ministers", yet no action was being taken for a BJP MP saying far worse.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned in a post sharing the video: "BJP Delhi MP is calling another Muslim MP with these words in front of the Speaker in the Parliament Is this the culture of BJP?" The party called it the darkest day in the history of parliament.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said he was "saddened" by the communal slur used by the BJP MP in parliament.

"I was saddened, but not surprised. This is the truth of PM's 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. We need to think that if such words were used for an MP in Parliament, then to what kind of language against Muslims, Dalits legitimacy is been given? Till now, the PM could not say a word on Ramesh Bidhuri," Jha said.

"Filthy abusive language used by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Danish Ali ( BSP) on the floor constitutes the worst kind of hate speech indicted by the Supreme Court. No MP can claim privilege for such speech. He should be arrested," the CPI (M) demanded in a statement.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah highlighted the abusive words used by Bidhuri and posted: "How easily expletives roll off the tongue of this hateful "Hon" MP! Hate against Muslims has been mainstreamed like never before. How do Muslims who identify the BJP as their party coexist alongside this level of abject hatred?"

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said: "If he had called us terrorists, we are used to it. But he said this against all Muslims. It makes us very angry. It just shows their mindset against Muslims. New parliament, but old mindset."

Former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, who was seen grinning as Bidhuri was abusing Danish Ali, protested about being "dragged" into the controversy.

"While I was no doubt witness to the jugglery of words being thrown at each other (which in fact the entire House was), the truth of the matter is that in the chaos that existed, I could not clearly hear what was being said," said the BJP leader.

Women's Quota Bill Clears Parliament In Historic Step Towards Becoming Law

NEW DELHI, Sept 21: The women's reservation bill sailed through the Upper House this evening, scripting history after decades of roadblocks. It now needs the signature of the President to make 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies official.

The bill received unanimous support from the Rajya Sabha. There were no abstentions and no negative votes. The bill had cleared the Lok Sabha yesterday with the support of 454 MPs. Only Two MPs voted against it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present in the Upper House for the voting and passing of the bill, said, "The debates were very successful. In the future as well, this debate will help us all. Thank everyone for their support to the bill. The spirit will give birth to new self-esteem among Indians".

As in the Lok Sabha, the big debate in Rajya Sabha today was over the timeline of implementation, which can take place only after census and delimitation that pushes it back by at least six years. The INDIA bloc is in favour of immediate implementation.

"Amendment of this bill is not difficult... you (the government) can do this now but have postponed it till 2031. What does this mean?" said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien alleged that the BJP is not serious about empowering women. "You could not find one woman in 16 NDA states for Chief Minister." He said at the Rajya Sabha debate.

Former Union minister Kapil Sibal said, "We don't know who will come to power, but they must make a statement that if they don't complete the process by 2029, they will resign as prime minister and home minister".

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in an intervention during the debate, said the Centre convened the special session to give a good start to the new parliament building through the historic bill. The BJP does not play politics in matters related to women, she added.

The government insists that the Census and delimitation are meant to ensure exactitude and transparency. "Delimitation Commission is an important body for poll process in the country. If we are reserving one-third seats... who will do it? If we do it, you (the Opposition) will question it," Union Minister Amit Shah had told the Lok Sabha yesterday.

BJP chief JP Nadda slammed the Congress today during the debate for demanding OBC quota within the reservation for women lawmakers, saying it was the BJP-led NDA that gave the country its first OBC prime minister.

Once implemented, the number of women members in the Lok Sabha will increase from the current 82 to 181. Besides, 33 per cent seats will be reserved for women in the state assemblies also.

Curfew reimposed in Imphal twin districts after mobs try to storm police sation over arrest of 5 youths

IMPHAL, Sept 21: Authorities reimposed curfew in the twin districts of Imphal from 5pm Thursday after protesters try to storm police stations and court arrest demanding the unconditional release of the five youths arrested last week for carrying sophisticated weapons and donning camouflage uniforms.

More than 10 people were injured when Manipur security forces and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells on protesters to disperse the crowd trying to storm police stations

Hundreds of protesters holding placards and shouting slogans tried to enter the Porompat police station in Imphal East and Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost in Imphal West district, the report said. Similar attempts to enter Mayang Imphal police station in Imphal West district and Andro police station in Imphal East district were also reported.

The Imphal valley is witnessing protest called by six local clubs and Meira Paibis demanding the release of the five village volunteers.

"We were left with no option but to court arrest as the government failed to release the five village volunteers. If such village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meitei villages in the periphery of the hills and the valley Kuki Zo militants," said a protester.

"The decision to launch the 'voluntary mass arrest' agitation was taken after the government took no steps to release the five arrested youths," All Langthabal Kendra United Clubs Coordinating Committee president Yumnam Hitler was reported as saying.

"Curfew hours, which was relaxed from 5am to 9pm on September 21, stands withdrawn with effect from 5pm and restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is enforced in all areas of Imphal West district," an official order by the district magistrate of Imphal West read. Similar orders were also imposed in Imphal East district, officials added.

On September 16, Manipur police had arrested five persons for carrying sophisticated weapons and donning camouflage uniforms. The police, in a statement, said all the five men had been produced before the judicial magistrate and remanded to police custody.

Jammu And Kashmir's 7-Day Encounter Over, Lashkar Terrorist Killed: Police

SRINAGAR, Sept 19: A protracted anti-terror operation in the Gadol forest of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district has ended with the killing of a local Lashkar terrorist, the police said. Searches, however, will continue to recover the body of another terrorist.

The security forces will also sanitize the alpine forest that was pounded with hundreds of mortar shells, rockets and heavy gunfire during the week-long offensive.

Four security personnel including three officers - Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish and DySP Himayun Bhat of J&K Police -- were killed in the encounter, one of the longest in recent past.

The encounter had started on Wednesday after the army and police launched joint operation in Gadol forest following a specific input about the presence of at least three Lashkar terrorist.

On Sunday, a body charred beyond recognition was found at the encounter site. It has been sent for medico-legal procedure. Today, the police said the man was Uzair Khan, a local Lashkar terrorist who had joined the group a year ago.

Uzair, 28, remained unknown till Wednesday when the police said he is part of three Lashkar terrorists involved in Gadol encounter.

"LeT commander Uzair has been killed. His body and weapon have been recovered. We have spotted the body of another terrorist but it has not been retrieved so far. Search operation will continue," said Vijay Kumar, Additional Director General of J&K Police.

Kumar asked people not to venture toward forest area because there are lot unexploded shells.

"There are lot of unexploded shells. We will recover these shells and destroy them. Our people to people not to venture towards encounter site," said Kumar.

During the encounter, the army said they retrieved the bodies of fallen officers through a specialised operation. Body of missing soldier Sepoy Pardeep Singh was recovered yesterday. Today, the army paid homage to fallen soldier.

Thousands of security forces personnel including para-troopers were engaged in the week-long Gadol forest operation, one of the longest anti-terror operations in the recent past.

Women's Reservation Bill Cleared In Key Cabinet Meeting

NEW DELHI, Sept 18: A bill to ensure the reservation of 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies was cleared by the Union cabinet this evening.

While the government is yet to make an official announcement, Union minister Pralhad Singh Patel tweeted: "Only the Modi government had the moral courage to fulfill the demand for women's reservation. Which was proved by the approval of the cabinet. Congratulations @narendramodi ji and congratulations to the Modi government".

The meeting had spiked interest in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment earlier today that "historic decisions" will be taken in this special session.

A few key meetings held earlier added to the expectations -- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi met Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda.

There was speculation that the cabinet may clear anything from reservation for women or Other Backward Classes, "One Nation One Election" and even a change of the country's name.

There were hopes of clarity after the meet, but the suspense continued with the government skipping the customary briefing. Shortly after, sources confirmed that the buzz about green-lighting the women's reservation bill was spot on.

The bill, drawn up in 2008, has been on freeze since it was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010. It was never presented in the lower house.

Though the BJP and the Congress have always supported the bill, there was hurdles in form of opposition by other parties and demands for quota for backward classes within the women's quota.

Ahead of Parliament session, leaders from the Opposition had pushed for women's reservation. So did the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. The parties had made a strong push for it at the all-party meeting held on Sunday.

The matter was also raised during Day One's proceedings for the Special session.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the discussion on 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories And Learnings", pointed to the skewed gender ratio, saying parliament has only 14 per cent women, and their percentage in legislative assemblies is just 10.

When the BJP slammed the Congress over the issue, a strong retort came from Nationalist Congress Party's Supriya Sule, who said she would like to "set the record straight".

"The first woman president of India, Pratibha Patil, was from the Congress, the first woman PM of the country, Indira Gandhi, was from the Congress, the first woman speaker, Meira Kumar, was from the Congress," she said.

"I would like to put one more thing on record which Rakesh Singh seems to have missed out. The Women's Reservation Bill was brought by the Congress, unfortunately we did not have the numbers and we could not get it passed," she added.

Both Houses adjourned; to meet at new building tomorrow

NEW DELHI, Sept 18: Amid a lot of buzz, the ‘special’ session of Parliament has kicked off today. Although lists of business have been circulated by the Union government, speculations intensified after the Opposition parties claimed the Centre may bring in surprise elements during the five-day session in the Parliament.

The first day of the sitting has marked the 75 years of the parliamentary journey right from the forming of the Constituent Assembly. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will discuss the achievements, experiences, memories and learnings in the last 75 years.

Meanwhile during the all-party meeting ahead of the session, leaders of parties across the political spectrum pushed for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Some Opposition parties questioned the timing of the session and also pointed out that the circulated agenda didn't state the five-day session would be a special session.

The government has given out a tentative list of legislative business that will be taken up which includes the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023, the Post Office Bill, 2023 and the Chief Election Commissioner, Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023.

Amid speculation that the women's reservation bill may be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the Congress said it welcomes the reported move as the party has been raising the demand for long.

"We welcome the reported decision of the Union Cabinet and await the details of the Bill," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X.

"This could have very well been discussed in the all-party meeting before the Special Session, and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy," the Congress leader said.

He also shared a detailed post he made on Sunday to underline how the Congress has been supporting the move.

Soldier On Leave Kidnapped From His Manipur Home, Killed

NEW DELHI, Sept 17: An Army soldier was killed after being kidnapped from his home in a village in Manipur. Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom, who was on leave, was kidnapped from his home in Imphal West district on Saturday. His body was found this morning.

He was kidnapped by unidentified armed men from his home around 10 AM yesterday. According to his 10-year-old son, who was the only eyewitness to the crime, three men entered their home while his father and he were working on the porch.

The men placed a pistol on Sepoy Kom's head and forced him into a white vehicle, his son told police.

His body was found at Khuningthek village, east of Mongjam in Imphal East. His identity was confirmed by his brother and brother-in-law who said the soldier had a single bullet wound on his head.

Sepoy Kom is survived by his wife, daughter and son.

"We strongly condemn the killing of Sep Serto Thangthang Kom and stand by his family in these difficult times," the Army said in a statement.

The last rites shall be conducted as per the wishes of the family, as per an official statement. Army has rushed a team to assist the family in all manners possible, it said.

Pak Cover For 3 Terrorists To Cross Line Of Control, All Shot Dead: Army

NEW DELHI, Sept 16: The army today said Pakistan forces fired at them and targeted a quadcopter when Indian troops foiled an infiltration attempt and shot dead three terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior army officer said after three-four terrorists tried to infiltrate in Uri sector, a gunfight broke out and went on for two hours. He said the army used rocket launchers and other heavy weapons to neutralise infiltrating terrorists.

"While two terrorists were killed, a third who was injured fled back with help of covering fire from the Pakistan Army," said Brigadier PMS Dhillon.

"It's noteworthy that Pakistan Army gave fire support to the injured terrorist and fired at us as well. The Pakistan Army also fired at our quadcopters," said Brigadier Dhillon.

The bodies of the two terrorists have been recovered, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Firing by Pakistani forces "interfered" in the attempt to retrieve the third body, the Chinar Corps said. This is a clear violation of the LoC ceasefire agreed in 2021. The army said the operation in the Uri sector is going on.

"In a joint operation launched by Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies, an infiltration bid was foiled today in the morning hours along LoC in Uri sector, Baramulla. Three terrorists who tried to infiltrate were engaged by alert troops," the Chinar Corps said in the post on X.

"Two terrorists have been eliminated and bodies recovered; third terrorist killed but retrieval of body being interfered by firing by Pakistan post in vicinity, on LoC. Operation in progress," the army said.

Another encounter in Anantnag district has entered its fourth day with terrorists holed up in a cave on the top of a hill.

CWC resolutions: Congress to make INDIA bloc ‘electoral success’; ‘PM Modi rattled’.

The Congress Working Committee, the party's top decision-making body, on Saturday adopted a resolution urging all democratic forces to condemn and resist the Narendra Modi government's “assault” on the Constitution.

In its first meeting since the reconstitution of CWC, the committee said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has practically destroyed principles and practices of cooperative federalism.

Top 10 points from CWC resolutions:

1. The CWC pledged to restore “a nation of which every Indian, irrespective of caste or religion, rich or poor, young or old, can be proud”.

2. In a resolution on Manipur, the CWC expressed its profound sense of loss and anguish at the ongoing situation of ethnic violence in the state. "The people of Manipur have witnessed extreme devastation and are facing innumerable hardships. More than 200 lives have been lost, over 500 injured and more than 5,000 houses gutted in arson-related incidents. A staggering number of over 60,000 people are displaced and continue to live in dire conditions in relief camps across the state," the resolution stated.

3. In its resolution on Himachal Pradesh, the CWC appealed to the Centre to set aside politics and declare it a “national disaster” and provide financial assistance. "About 430 people have died, 39 are missing, a large number of farmers have lost their crops, at least 12,000 homes have been destroyed and the state has suffered huge losses in terms of destruction of property and critical infrastructure. The total estimated loss to the state is more than ₹13,000 crore," the resolution said.

4. The Congress resolved to make the Opposition's INDIA bloc an "ideological and electoral success" to free the country from “divisive politics” and ensure that people get a government that is sensitive and accountable. The CWC also “wholeheartedly” welcomed the continuing consolidation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) claiming it has already rattled Prime Minister Modi and the BJP.

5. In its resolution, the CWC, also expressed grave concern at the “increasing unemployment and continuous rise in prices, especially of essential commodities”. “The prime minister's so-called Rozgar melas are a hoax to cover up the abject failure to create, as promised, two crore jobs a year,” the resolution said.

6. The CWC claimed that the failure to conduct the decennial Census, due in 2021, is a “national and an international shame”. In this context, the CWC called for increasing the existing upper limit of reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs.

7. It also condoled the demise of veteran leader and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy.

8. It also noted that the chief election commissioner and election commissioners' appointment bill will severely compromise the independence of the poll panel to conduct free and fair elections.

9. The Congress also demanded that the women's reservation bill be passed during a special session of Parliament, a resolution noted.

10. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and general secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, among others, were present at the meeting.

'Importing Cheetahs, Letting Them Die...': BJP's Varun Gandhi Attacks Own Party Again

NEW DELHI, Sept 16: In yet another attack on his own party and the Centre, BJP MP Varun Gandhi has termed bringing cheetahs from Africa and allowing them to die "cruelty and negligence", and called for a focus on conserving India's endangered species.

Gandhi's remarks come in the backdrop of nine cheetah deaths in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park in a span of five months, and amid reports of the next batch of the big cats being brought from South Africa and introduced into the state's Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

As part of Project Cheetah, the first batch of the big cats, brought from Namibia, had been released in Kuno National Park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday - September 17 - last year. Sunday will be the first anniversary of Project Cheetah.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Gandhi tagged a report on the another batch of cheetahs and said, "Importing cheetahs from Africa and allowing nine of them to die in a foreign land is not just cruelty, it's an appalling display of negligence. We should focus on conserving our own endangered species and habitats rather than contributing to the suffering of these magnificent creatures."

"This reckless pursuit of exotic animals must end immediately, and we should prioritise the welfare of our native wildlife instead," his post said.

This is far from the first time that the MP from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit has attacked his own party or a government headed by the BJP. At an event in Uttar Pradesh last month, he had asked people not to disturb a sadhu (ascetic) and said nobody knows "when 'maharaaj ji' will become the chief minister".

The ascetic's phone had started ringing, but Gandhi had stopped BJP workers from asking him to switch it off. "Please do not not stop him, never know when 'maharaaj ji' will become the chief minister. Then what will happen to us?" he had been quoted as saying by a news agency. The joke was seen as a dig at the government in Uttar Pradesh.

Kuno National Park has seen the reintroduction of 20 adult cheetahs since September last year, and four cubs have been born there since then. Nine of the cheetahs, including three cubs, had died in a span of five months till early August this year.

Some experts had attributed the cheetah deaths to the use of sub-standard radio collars, but the government had dismissed the charge as "speculation and hearsay without scientific evidence".

Hearing a petition on the deaths, the Supreme Court had said last month that there was no reason to question the government on the moves being made to reintroduce cheetahs in India.

In an interview, Project Cheetah head SP Yadav said that the next batch of cheetahs will be imported from South Africa and introduced in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, which will be ready to welcome them by the end of the year.

Pak Cover For 3 Terrorists To Cross Line Of Control, All Shot Dead: Army

NEW DELHI, Sept 16: The army today said Pakistan forces fired at them and targeted a quadcopter when Indian troops foiled an infiltration attempt and shot dead three terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior army officer said after three-four terrorists tried to infiltrate in Uri sector, a gunfight broke out and went on for two hours. He said the army used rocket launchers and other heavy weapons to neutralise infiltrating terrorists.

"While two terrorists were killed, a third who was injured fled back with help of covering fire from the Pakistan Army," said Brigadier PMS Dhillon.

"It's noteworthy that Pakistan Army gave fire support to the injured terrorist and fired at us as well. The Pakistan Army also fired at our quadcopters," said Brigadier Dhillon.

The bodies of the two terrorists have been recovered, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Firing by Pakistani forces "interfered" in the attempt to retrieve the third body, the Chinar Corps said. This is a clear violation of the LoC ceasefire agreed in 2021. The army said the operation in the Uri sector is going on.

"In a joint operation launched by Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies, an infiltration bid was foiled today in the morning hours along LoC in Uri sector, Baramulla. Three terrorists who tried to infiltrate were engaged by alert troops," the Chinar Corps said in the post on X.

"Two terrorists have been eliminated and bodies recovered; third terrorist killed but retrieval of body being interfered by firing by Pakistan post in vicinity, on LoC. Operation in progress," the army said.

Another encounter in Anantnag district has entered its fourth day with terrorists holed up in a cave on the top of a hill.

One more soldier killed as Anantnag operation runs into 3rd day

SRINAGAR, Sept 15: One more soldier, who had been missing since yesterday (Thursday) amid the Anantnag encounter where the security forces are trying to neutralize holed-up terrorists, has been found dead. The death toll in the Anantnag encounter has climbed to four. The other slain senior Army officers and the DSP were identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak, and Humayun Bhat.

The encounter broke out on Wednesday, September 13, and the ongoing gunfight between a combined team of security personnel from the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police and terrorists in the Kokernag area of the Anantnag district entered Day 3 today.

According to the security officials, the soldier “had been reported missing since yesterday."

“During joint security operations against terrorists in the Anantnag area, forces dropped grenades on suspected terrorist hideout locations using drones. Grenade launchers also being used by troops to target the group of terrorists hiding in the area," they said.

The security forces are also being helped with quadcopters and drones in their effort to locate the terrorists who are holed up in the Kokernag area. "The forces fired mortar shells on the terrain where they believe the terrorists are hiding, based on drone surveillance," the officials said.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, commanding officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Army, Major Ashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat and a soldier were killed in an encounter with the terrorists at Gadole in the Kokernag area of the south Kashmir district on Wednesday morning.

IRS Officer Rahul Navin Appointed In-Charge Chief Of Enforcement Directorate

NEW DELHI, Sept 15: IRS officer Rahul Navin was appointed as in-charge director of the Enforcement Directorate on Friday on the completion of tenure of the incumbent Sanjay Kumar Mishra, officials said.

According to an official order, Navin, a 1993-batch IRS officer, will hold the charge till the appointment of a regular director or until further orders. Navin is currently the ED's special director.

The order stated that the President "is pleased to order the cessation of tenure of Sanjay Kumar Mishra...as Director of Enforcement in the Enforcement Directorate on 15.09.2023." In July, the Supreme Court granted an extension of tenure to ED chief Mishra till September 15 but made it clear there will be no further extension.

The Supreme Court order came days after it had held as "illegal" two notifications by the Centre granting extension of service, for one year each time, Mishra as the chief of the Enforcement Directorate.

2 Soldiers Injured, Army Intensifies Anti-Terror Op In Kashmir Forest

SRINAGAR, Sept 14: Two more soldiers have been injured today in the encounter, which is underway in the dense forests of Kokernag in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

The army and the police launched a joint search operation to hunt down the terrorists late at night on Tuesday. The fierce encounter broke out in the early hours of Wednesday.

The General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps, Lt General Rajiv Ghai and the GOC of the Victor Force, Maj General Balbir Singh are closely monitoring the operations and said the terrorists will not be spared.

The anti-terror operation has been intensified by the army and the Jammu and Kashmir police, and new-generation weapons and devices are being used to pin the terrorists down. The forces are also using the strike-capable Heron drones in the operation that has been underway for over 40 hours.

On the night of September 12-13, a joint search operation by the army and the Jammu and Kashmir police was launched, and a cordon was laid in search of two to three terrorists in the Garol village area of Anantnag, officials said.

Following an extensive search, the forces ascertained that the terrorists were in a hideout in the higher reaches of the village in the dense forest area.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, led the search column of 19 RR, with Major Aashish Dhonchak, the commander of the Kokernag company of 19 RR, accompanying him in the operation. They moved through the entrants and rugged terrain of the forests.

Around noon yesterday, the column came under heavy fire from the terrorists who were hiding. The search column retaliated and engaged, but in the fierce gunfight, Colonel Singh, Major Dhonchak and DSP Himanyun Bhat suffered gunshot wounds and later died due to the injuries.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal (Gallantry), was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Unit (19 RR) and Major Aashish Dhonchak, Sena Medal (Gallantry), was the company commander of 19 RR. Himanyun Muzamil Bhat was a Deputy Superintendent (DySP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha today laid a wreath to pay homage to the army officers in Srinagar. The bodies of the officers will be transported through a special aircraft to their native hometowns.

The army said the bodies of the officers were retrieved through a specialized operation in the treacherous terrain of Kokernag.

'Won't Legitimise Hate Narrative': Congress Announces Anchor Boycott List

NEW DELHI, Sept 14: The Congress today announced a list of 14 anchors, saying their shows and programmes will be boycotted by the leaders of the united Opposition. "We do not hate these anchors but we love the country more," declared the party's senior leader Pawan Khera, accusing them opening a "shop of hatred" every evening.

"We do not want to legitimise this hate filled narrative that is corroding our society," he added in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The BJP lost no time in retaliating. "The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views," posted party chief JP Nadda, alleging that every member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, starting with India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had tried to control and silence the media.

"The decision taken by the INDIA parties involved in the arrogant alliance to boycott and threaten journalists is highly condemnable. This reflects their oppressive and dictatorial thinking. BJP strongly condemns this poor mentality of the Alliance", tweeted BJP National Media In-charge Anil Baluni.

In a statement, the News Broadcasters & Digital Association said it was "deeply anguished and concerned" by the decision of the Opposition alliance.

"The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India's top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom," the statement read.

The decision to boycott anchors and shows was taken at the first meeting of the INDIA coordination committee held at the home of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar yesterday evening.

The opposition has repeatedly accused a section of media of hostility and spewing hate.

During Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress accused a section of the media of giving it meagre coverage. It was voiced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok GEhlot when the yatra was passing through the state.

In May 2019 too, the Congress had also boycotted television shows for a month.

"The Congress has decided to not send spokespersons on television debates for a month. All media channels/editors are requested to not place Congress representatives on their shows," senior party leader Randeep Surjewala had posted on Twitter, now renamed X.

2 Army Officers, DSP Killed In Encounter In Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Sept 14: A colonel, a major of a Rashtriya Rifles unit of the army and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himanyun Muzamil Bhat were killed in action during the gunfight. Colonel Manpreet Singh was the commanding officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (19 RR) unit and is a recipient of the prestigious Sena Medal (SM).

Rashtriya Rifles is the counter-insurgency force of the army that operates in Jammu and Kashmir.

Himayun Muzamil Bhat's father, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a retired Inspector General (IG) of Jammu and Kashmir police laid a wreath on his son's body

"Deeply saddened by the terrible loss of three young bravehearts Col. Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack of 19 RR & DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat son of retired IG of J&K Police Shri Ghulam Hassan Bhat," Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Singh paid tribute to Deputy Superintendent of Police Himanyun Muzamil Bhat and laid a wreath on his body.

The body of the police officer and the two army officers were retrieved from the dense forests of the Kokernag area of Anantnag.

Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Army's 15 Corps commander and Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh are among the top officials who have rushed to the encounter site to supervise the operation and evacuation of bodies.

Earlier, the Cheetah helicopters of the army have been pressed into action for surveillance and evacuation operation at the encounter site.

Sources say a joint operation was launched by the army and police late last night after they received specific information about the presence of terrorists.

The troops led by the commanding officer and a deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir police came under heavy firing.

The three officers were critically injured. Reinforcement was immediately rushed to the area but due to heavy firing from terrorists, who are believed to be well entrenched, the injured couldn't be evacuated immediately, sources said.

This is the second encounter in the last 24 hours. Earlier one army soldier was killed in action and three security forces personnel were injured during a fierce encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, police said.

Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter. The operation in Rajouri is still underway.

Centre Releases Agenda Of Parliament's Special Session Starting Monday

NEW DELHI, Sept 13: The special five-day session of Parliament starting next week will discuss the 75-year history of parliament, the government revealed this evening, putting an end to days of speculation. The government will also clear four bills, including the one on appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner which has generated much controversy.

A bulletin from the Lok Sabha secretariat said on September 18, a discussion will be held on "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha -- Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings".

The legislative business will include the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, the Post Office Bill, the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill.

The government's revelation comes after days of speculation that the name of the country could be changed from India to Bharat -- fuelled by repeated use of "Bharat" in multiple official communications during the G20.

Others maintained that the government might bring bills to introduce 'One Nation, One Election', Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and women's reservation.

The government refused to divulge the agenda of the special session, maintaining that under the best parliamentary practices, it was not required to do so.

After back-to-back meetings of the Congress and the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining nine possible subjects of discussion including the ethnic violence in Manipur and the wrestlers' protest.

It triggered a long social media battle with BJP leaders, including parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi.

India has completed 75 years of Independence which the government has celebrated with the year-long Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

A special session of parliament was also held when India completed 50 years on Independence. On 15 August 1997, a midnight session was convened.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Congress's communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh claimed the government has revealed the agenda after "pressure from Sonia Gandhi".

The "agenda as published at the moment, is much ado about nothing — all this could have waited till Winter session in November," he added.

"Finally, after pressure from Smt. Sonia Gandhi's letter to the Prime Minister, the Modi Govt has condescended to announce the agenda for the special 5-day session of Parliament beginning September 18th. The agenda as published at the moment, is much ado about nothing — all this could have waited till Winter session in November. I am sure the legislative grenades are being kept up their sleeves to be unleashed at the last moment as usual. Parde ke peeche kuch aur hai! Regardless, the INDIA parties will steadfastly oppose the insidious CEC Bill," his post read.

"Seven hours after this dose, PM Narendra Modi government puts out an agenda for #ParliamentSpecialSession However, the agenda has a caveat* 'not to be taken as exhaustive'. Dirty tricks?" posted Trinamool's Derek O'Brien.

Haryana Cops Arrest Nuh Riots Accused Monu Manesar, Rajasthan Gets His Custody

NEW DELHI, Sept 13: Cow vigilante Monu Manesar, who was wanted in connection with the murder of two men from Rajasthan and for inciting the violence in Nuh in July, was arrested by the Haryana Police on Tuesday. He was produced in a court amid heavy security arrangements and his custody has been given to the Rajasthan Police.

Around 10.30 am, the Bajrang Dal activist was arrested from Manesar in Gurugram district in connection with the Nuh violence case. His arrest was under sections of the Information Technology Act, and a pistol and three live rounds were recovered from him.

Police personnel, equipped with modern weapons, took Monu Manesar to the Nuh district court in a convoy of about half-a-dozen vehicles. The court initially sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

The Rajasthan Police then pointed out to the court that Manesar is a key accused in the murder of two Muslim men from their state, whose bodies were found in a car in Haryana in February. They sought custody of the cow vigilante, which was granted. He will now be produced in a court in the state on Wednesday.

Nasir, 25, and Junaid, 35, who were residents of a village in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district, were allegedly abducted by cow vigilantes on February 15. The next day, their bodies were found inside a car that had been set ablaze in Loharu in Haryana's Bhiwani.

"Our colleagues in the Haryana Police have informed us that Monu Manesar has been detained. After their legal procedures are complete, we will begin our procedure," Mridul Kachawa, superintendent of police of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, had said earlier in the day.

Manesar is also accused of inciting the violence that broke out in Haryana's Nuh in July, in which at least six people were killed. The violence had begun on July 31, during the 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad, and then spread to adjoining areas, including Gurugram.

Rumours of Manesar attending the Yatra had allegedly triggered the communal clashes. The cow vigilante, who was on the run in the murder case, had posted a video a few days before the procession, claiming that he would attend it. He had also exhorted his supporters to come out in large numbers.

This had allegedly enraged some people from the Muslim community, who viewed it as a threat, and triggered a heated exchange on social media.

Manesar's aide, Bittu Bajrangi, had also been arrested in connection with the violence last month and was later granted bail.

In INDIA's Big Test, 4 Of 7 Bypolls Won After Allies Battle Each Other

NEW DELHI, Sept 8: The Opposition has come out on top, albeit by a very narrow margin, in what was being seen as a major test for it after the formation of the INDIA alliance.

Parties that are members of the bloc have won in four of the seven state Assembly seats where bypolls were held on Tuesday.

While BJP candidates have been elected from the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly seats in Tripura and Bageswhar in Uttarakhand, the Opposition bloc has won in Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi, Jharkhand's Dumri, Puthuppally in Kerala and Dhupguri in West Bengal.

Here are the latest updates:

Dara Singh Chauhan, the sitting MLA from Ghosi assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh and a popular OBC leader, had rejoined the BJP after resigning from the Samajwadi Party in July. His resignation necessitated a by-election in the seat, which has been won by the Samajwadi Party's Sudhakar Singh with a margin of 42,759 votes.

Delivering a big blow to the ruling CPI(M), Chandy Oommen of the Congress-UDF alliance won the Puthuppally by-election in Kerala by a margin of over 36,000 votes. Mr Oommen, son of late Congress stalwart Oommen Chandy, gained a clear edge in the first round and retained that position till the counting of votes was completed.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Bebi Devi has won the by-election to the Dumri assembly seat in Jharkhand's Giridih district and defeated All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) party nominee Yashoda Devi by over 17,000 votes.

Over in West Bengal, two INDIA bloc parties - the Congress and the CPI(M) - joined forces to take on their ally, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), in the BJP-ruled Dhugpuri constituency. However, the TMC's Nirmal Chandra Roy prevailed and asserted the Mamata Banerjee-led party's control over the seat.

In Tripura, BJP's Tafajjal Hossain won the Boxanagar seat while the tribal-dominated Dhanpur was won by Bindu Debnath.

In Uttarakhand's Bageswhar, after taking an early lead over the BJP's Parwati Dass, the Congress party's Basant Kumar fell behind. Ms Dass defeated Mr Kumar by over 2,400 votes. The bypoll was held after the death of four-time MLA and cabinet minister Chandan Ram Das in April.

Of the seven seats that went to polls, Dhanpur, Dhugpuri and Bageshwar were held by the BJP. Ghosi was held by the Samajwadi party while the seat in Jharkhand was held by the JMM. Tripura's Boxanagar seat and Kerala's Puthuppally were with the CPM and the Congress, respectively.

Sonia Gandhi writes letter to PM, raises 9 issues including Manipur situation

NEW DELHI, Sept 6: Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss nine issues during the upcoming special Parliament session later this month including on the prevailing economic situation with focus on price rise and unemployment, recent revelations on the Adani group and the demand for a JPC and the urgent need to conduct a caste census, party leader Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday.

In her letter, Gandhi also demanded discussions on the alleged attack on the country’s federal structure, natural disasters in the backdrop of the recent floods in many states, the situation at the India-China border, incidents of communal tension in various parts of the country and the prevailing situation in Manipur, Ramesh said.

Gandhi wrote the letter this morning, the Congress announced, after Opposition parties held intense discussions on issues they want to raise during the upcoming special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22.

In her letter, Ramesh said, Gandhi also pointed out the lack of transparency in the government’s agenda for the session, which was announced on August 31.

“This session has been called without any consultation. Whenever a special session is convened, the government tries to make a broad consensus on the agenda of the session. But this is the first time, when the agenda has not been shared. She has also written than in the House bulletin there will be government business on all five days of the special session. This is unfortunate and from our side, we will try to raise certain issues that we couldn’t raise in the last session,” Ramesh said.

The Congress also said that they are ready to discuss these issues under any rule and a resolution must be adopted in the House on the China issue.

“Sonia ji has highlighted nine major issues for this session. The first issue is the current economic situation including price rise, unemployment and the problems of the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector. The second issue is related to farmers. The government had held several rounds of discussions with farmer bodies and the government had given some assurances. What is the current status of those assurances and what is the government’s stand on MSP (minimum support price) guarantee law,” Ramesh said.

Gandhi’s letter also demanded a discussion on the caste census and highlighted that due to the lack of a census, 14 crore people have been left out of food security act.

The Congress has also demanded a detailed discussion on centre-state ties and Ramesh said: “In Opposition-ruled states, the governor is creating hurdles. Many Opposition CMs have expressed concerns over the attitude of the government.”

'President Of Bharat': G20 Dinner Invite Sparks Row

NEW DELHI, Sept 5: A shift from "India" to "Bharat" on President Draupadi Murmu's G20 invitations to foreign leaders today triggered a huge row, with the opposition accusing the ruling BJP of rebranding the nation over political one-upmanship.

For the first time, official invites to heads of state for a dinner on September 9 in Delhi are from the "President of Bharat" instead of the traditional "President of India".

This marks a significant shift in nomenclature on the international stage as the country prepares to host US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other top world leaders.

President Droupadi Murmu's invite to G20 foreign leaders and Chief Ministers for a dinner on September 9.

Amid buzz about the country's name change and the possibility of the government sealing the move in parliament in the five-day special session from September 18, the opposition held a series of meetings. Leaders denied reports that the opposition would skip the session.

Amid surprise and criticism, BJP leaders said the term "Bharat" is also in Article 1 of the Constitution, which says: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States."

Opposition parties linked the government's move to the name of their front to take on the BJP in 2024 - INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Leaders of the INDIA bloc met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's home to discuss strategy.

The India versus Bharat debate heated up after the opposition alliance adopted the acronym INDIA in July.

BJP leaders welcomed the "Bharat" nomenclature.

"This should have happened earlier. This gives great satisfaction to the mind. 'Bharat' is our introduction. We are proud of it. The President has given priority to 'Bharat'. This is the biggest statement to come out of the colonial mindset," said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether the government would change the country's name again if the opposition alliance rechristened itself "Bharat" from INDIA.

"Why is this happening? It is being said that this is being done because we have formed an alliance named INDIA... The country belongs to 140 crore people and not to one party. If INDIA alliance rechristens itself Bharat, will they change the name of Bharat also?" said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief.

Kejriwal said the BJP was resorting to such moves out of fear of losing power.

RJD leader Manoj Jha said: "...It has just been a few weeks since we named our alliance as INDIA and BJP has started sending invitations with 'Republic of Bharat' instead of 'Republic of India'. Article 1 of the Constitution reads 'India that is Bharat'. Neither you will be able to take India from us nor Bharat."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said it would be "foolish" to completely drop the name "India".

BJP president JP Nadda retorted that the Congress was "anti-national" and "anti-constitution".

The controversy has erupted just two days after the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological mentor, suggested that the country discard India and switch to Bharat.

"We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak English understand. This comes as the flow. However, we must stop using this...The name of the country Bharat will remain Bharat wherever you go in the world. In spoken and written one must say Bharat," said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The Presidential invite is not a one-off. "Bharat" has also been used in a G20 booklet meant for foreign delegates titled "Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy".

"Bharat is the official name of the country. It is mentioned in the Constitution as also in the discussions of 1946-48," the booklet says.

Govt notifies 1-nation, 1-election panel; lone Oppn name Adhir withdraws, calls it eyewash

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: Hours after the Centre Saturday named an eight-member high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to “examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections” to Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the lone Opposition voice in the panel, declined to be a part of the exercise.

In a terse, but strong letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, Chowdhury said he cannot be part of the committee, the “terms of reference” of which “have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions.” He called the exercise an “eyewash”.

Incidentally, the terms in the notification were prefaced by the observation that simultaneous elections are in the “national interest” and the committee will “examine and recommend” measures to achieve this.

Sources said the decision that Chowdhury should not be part of the committee was taken at the highest level of the Congress. Although there were voices within that the Opposition should be part of the panel and raise its legitimate concerns and apprehensions, the view of the majority of the leaders was that the party cannot be part of such an exercise.

Chowdhury, one Opposition leader said, could have been the lone voice in the panel standing against the move, which if rolled out, he argued, could be a “watershed” and disruptive at the same time.

In fact, even before Chowdhury wrote to Shah, the Congress made it clear that it viewed the committee as not an exercise in “good faith” and that it could not “give legitimacy” to the panel in any way by being part of it.

“I have just got to know through the media and a Gazette notification is appeared that I have been appointed as a Member of the high-level committee on simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas. I have no hesitation whatsoever in declining to serve on the Committee whose terms of reference have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions. It is, I am afraid, a total eyewash,” Chowdhury wrote to Shah.

He flagged the timing: “The sudden attempt to thrust a constitutionally suspect, pragmatically non feasible and logistically unimplementable idea on the nation, months before the general elections, raises serious concerns about ulterior motives of the government.”

“Furthermore, I find that the current LOP in the Rajya Sabha has been excluded. This is a deliberate insult to the system of Parliamentary democracy. In these circumstances, I have no option but to decline your invitation,” he added.

That the Congress could decline the invitation extended to Chowdhury, citing Kharge’s non-inclusion as one of the reasons, became clear when senior Congress general secretary K C Venugopal raised it in a social media post minutes before Chowdhury’s letter. It was clear that the party was preparing the ground for his exit.

Reacting to the setting up of the committee, Venugopal wrote on X: “We believe that the high level committee on simultaneous elections is nothing but a systematic attempt to sabotage India’s parliamentary democracy. In a shocking insult to Parliament, the BJP has appointed a former LOP to the Committee instead of Rajya Sabha LOP Mallikarjun Kharge.”

Venugopal was referring to the inclusion of Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The Congress and other Opposition parties had been of the view that the Government was trying to deflect attention from critical issues of governance by foisting the one nation, one election issue on to the political centre stage.

“First, they bring this gimmick to distract from the Adani Mega Scam, unemployment, price rise and other pressing issues of the people. Then, to make matters worse, they try to tilt this committee’s balance by excluding fierce opponents. What is the reason behind Kharge ji’s exclusion? Is a leader who has risen from such a humble background to the top post of India’s oldest party, leading the entire opposition in the Upper House, an inconvenience for the BJP-RSS?” Venugopal asked.

The Congress’s move to focus attention on Kharge and his “humble background” is seen as an attempt to counter possible BJP attacks on Congress’s decision to stay away from a panel headed by a former President, the second person from the Dalit community to occupy the highest office.

“The question of One Nation, One Election is a political-legal question. Actually, it is more political than legal. Whether the question deserves to be considered at this stage is highly debatable,” said senior Congress leader P Chidambaram. He said none of the major political parties, who are key stakeholders in the exercise, have been consulted before forming the committee.

“Besides, I am able to recognise only one acknowledged Constitutional Lawyer in the committee. Like every other issue sponsored by the BJP, the issue of One Nation, One Election seems to be a pre-determined and pre-packaged issue,” he said.

Centre Forms Panel On 'One Nation, One Election', Ex President To Head It

NEW DELHI, Sept 1: Taking a big step forward on the 'one nation, one election' proposal, the Centre has set up a committee to study the issue and submit a report. The panel will be headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The move comes a day after the Centre had announced a special session of the Parliament from September 18 to 22. Ever since the surprise announcement was made, there has been speculation that a bill on 'one nation, one election' will be tabled during the session, but no one from the government has confirmed this so far.

'One nation, one election' refers to holding the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls simultaneously across the country. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have spoken on the issue on several occasions, and it was also a part of the party's manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Conducting polls simultaneously was the norm in India until 1967 and four elections were held this way. The practice stopped after some state assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968-69. The Lok Sabha was also, for the first time, dissolved a year ahead of schedule in 1970 and mid-term elections had been held in 1971.

In its 2014 Lok Sabha Election Manifesto, the BJP had promised to evolve a method for holding the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously.

Page 14 of the manifesto had said, "The BJP is committed to initiate electoral reforms to eliminate criminals. The BJP will seek, through consultation with other parties, to evolve a method of holding Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously. Apart from reducing election expenses for both political parties and Government, this will ensure certain stability for State Governments. We will also look at revising expenditure limits realistically."

Modi had spoken on simultaneous elections in 2016 and, shortly after the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, he had called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. The meeting had been skipped by several opposition parties.

The Prime Minister has argued that holding elections every few months puts a burden on the nation's resources and causes a break in governance.

In one of the first political reactions to the setting up of the committee, Communist Party of India General Secretary D Raja said that the BJP is obsessed with one nation, one party and it has been jittery since the opposition united under the INDIA banner.

"One nation, one election is not a new issue. It has been discussed for several years. Ever since the BJP came to power, it has been obsessed with one nation, one culture; one nation, one religion; one nation, one language; one nation, one tax; now one nation, one election; then one nation, one party; one nation, one leader. That is the obsession the BJP is suffering from," Raja said.

"Dr Ambedkar said Parliament is supreme in our democracy, but the BJP is undermining Parliament. Increasingly, our Parliament is becoming redundant. But they called a special session. Nobody knows what the purpose is. Ever since the opposition parties came together under the INDIA banner, the BJP has been jittery and desperate. Mr Modi is jittery," he added.

Experts said making the ‘one nation, one election' proposal a reality will require a constitutional amendment and the support of two-thirds of the members in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Assembly polls in five states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram - are due in November-December, and the Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held around May next year.

8 killed in fresh Manipur violence

IMPHAL, Sept 1: A fierce gunfight between Meitei and Kuki groups on the border between Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts has been continuing for the past three days.

Director general of Assam Rifles PC Nair said the situation in Manipur was unprecedented, as fresh violence has killed eight persons in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts over the last 72 hours, and claimed the state had never seen this before.

He said while the situation was new for the armed forces to handle, such a state of violence was also new for the state of Manipur.

“The situation that we are facing in Manipur is unprecedented. We have never faced anything of this kind in history. It is new to us, it is new to Manipur too. Something similar happened in the early 90s when the Nagas and Kukis fought and then within the Kuki groups also there was a fight in the late 90s,” said Nair.

Nair said there were multiple challenges that the armed forces were facing in the violence-hit state. One of the biggest challenges, as per Nair, was the “large number of weapons” within both communities.

“The society has become weaponised. Unless these weapons come back in whatever way they can, this challenge will be the biggest. Today, there's so much against each other, it's so corrupted. This needs to be stalled.”

At least eight persons have been killed and 18 injured, including two security personnel, in Manipur’s Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts following continuous gunbattle between Kukis and Meiteis over the last 72 hours.

An official said firing was continuing intermittently in the foothills of Khoirentak in Bishnupur district and adjoining Chingphei and Khousabung areas in Churachandpur district.

Nair said the only way a resolution can be reached is through negotiations. He said, “There is a need for realisation to come for the people that the only way forward is peace. They have to talk and get back negotiations.”

Other challenges, Nair said, were road blockages which hamper the movement of the troops. “These things have not happened in such a scale.”

In the past month, the Army and Assam Rifles have repeatedly accused women protesters – including Meira Paibis from the Meitei community – of interfering with operations and blocking the movement of troops due to protests or road blockage. In response, Meira Paibis have accused the Assam Rifles of bias and helping Kuki militants.

At least 163 people have died and another 50,000 displaced since ethnic violence first broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3.