Author: colorsnews.in

Bhopal, Aug 21 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, on Thursday, took a jibe at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying that when the state is witnessing rise in “corruption” and “crime”, the latter was talking about renaming history and ‘Krishna Leela’ story.

Addressing a gathering of Congress workers in Dhar district, LoP Singhar launched a targeted scathing attack at Chief Minister Yadav, highlighting the irregularities in various recruitment exams for the state government employees and atrocities against tribals and farmers in the state.

“Madhya Pradesh is becoming a new hub of drug business, and law and order getting deteriorated day by day despite the Home department is being headed by the Chief Minister. But he (Chief Minister) seems more interested in changing history and Krishna Leela story,” the Congress leader said.

“We accept that Lord Krishna wasn’t a ‘makhan chore’ and we respect religious faith. But this BJP government is formed after “vote theft”, LoP Singhar said while addressing the Congress workers in a meeting organised by newly appointed Dhar district Congress president Swatantra Joshi.

He made this remark responding to Chief Minister Yadav’s statement that the state government would launch a social awareness campaign aimed at removing the “Makahan Chore” tag traditionally associated with Lord Krishna.

Singhar, who cornered the BJP-pled state government on various issues, especially on farmers and tribals during the Monsoon session which concluded recently, alleged that the state government lied in Assembly and gave incorrect data in an attempt to hide its failure.

Meanwhile, talking about the appointment of district presidents of Congress in Madhya Pradesh, the LoP said the party’s Central leadership has surprised many leaders with its decision.

“Many of them (Congress leaders) are still shocked,” he said, without mentioning any name.

Lauding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, LoP Singhar said that the former has set a momentum for change in Madhya Pradesh, and the selection of district presidents is an evidence of it.

“Ground level party workers, who are committed to the Congress, have been appointed as district presidents. It is the beginning of a change,” he added.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 21 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday defended the Congress-led government over the stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives in Bengaluru during the RCB’s maiden IPL trophy victory celebrations, stating that the government has taken all possible measures in the matter.

Making a statement in the Assembly on Thursday, Parameshwara said: “June 4 is a black day in the history of sports in Karnataka. This unfortunate incident should not have happened, but it occurred. Whatever action was required, the government has taken it.”

He maintained that no one can predict stampedes, calling them accidental in nature.

“There have been similar tragedies reported in many parts of the country. I am not citing them as a defense, but to illustrate the nature of such incidents. In the Godavari Mahapushkara stampede in Andhra Pradesh in 2015, 29 people, including 23 women, were killed. In Jharkhand’s Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple stampede, 10 were killed. In 2021, 12 people were killed at Vaishnodevi, 36 during Ram Navami in Indore, and in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras stampede 121 women and children lost their lives,” he said.

Parameshwara further recalled that some lives were lost during this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In Bengaluru itself, 92 people died in the Venus Circus fire tragedy and 123 in the Gangaram building collapse, he added.

Responding to criticism of the government for hosting a felicitation event for the RCB team, the Minister argued that though the IPL team is a private franchise, it carries Bengaluru’s name and was widely celebrated by lakhs of fans.

“When Gujarat won the IPL trophy, the state government felicitated their team. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen in the celebrations. Similarly, when Chennai and Kolkata teams won, their respective Chief Ministers participated in the events,” he said.

Following the tragedy, the government acted against those found responsible.

“The lapses were on the part of RCB, DNA Networks, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and police officers. Five senior police officials were suspended; though reinstated, they still face departmental and CID inquiries,” he noted.

Parameshwara added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sacked his political secretary Govindaraju, sent a strong message, provided Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased, and ensured medical care for the injured. The state Intelligence Chief was also transferred. “The case is now in court and we await the verdict,” he said.

He further announced that to prevent such tragedies, the government has introduced the Crowd Management Bill.

“These rules will apply not only to sports but also to political and religious events. Sports bodies function independently, but after this incident, the government will oversee permissions, accounts, and facilities. Sports bodies will be mandated to keep the government informed,” he said.

The Minister also revealed that the government plans to build a one-lakh-capacity stadium on Tumakuru Road, with 41 acres already allotted to the KSCA.

“Action against RCB and DNA will depend on the court’s decision,” he added.

However, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka strongly objected, accusing the government of trying to shift blame.

“The KSCA and RCB have filed affidavits in court saying they organized the event at the government’s invitation. To escape public anger, the government is blaming others. The government should immediately apologize and accept its mistake, which will give peace to the souls of the deceased. This was a government-sponsored murder,” Ashoka charged.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would issue a statement in the House on Friday (August 22) in response to the allegations against him.

–IANS

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Patna, Aug 21 (IANS) RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has once again claimed that five powerful families conspired to “destroy” his political and family life.

On Thursday, Tej Pratap posted on his official X handle an animated photograph along with a sharp allegation.

“In my political career of more than ten years, I have never wronged or conspired against anyone. But the people of these five families tried their best to completely end my political and family life. Tomorrow I will bring the face and character of all five families in front of the public. I am going to expose each of their conspiracies tomorrow,” he wrote.

The remarks come at a time when Tej Pratap is facing turbulence both in politics and within his own family.

Recently, Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled him from the party and family for six years after a social media post went viral.

The post, containing a photograph of a woman named Anushka Yadav, claimed that Tej Pratap had been in a relationship with her for the past 12 years.

The post created uproar in Bihar’s political circles, giving ammunition to rivals and deepening divisions within the RJD.

Tej Pratap later denied making the post, claiming that his Facebook account had been hacked and accusing his detractors of uploading the controversial content as part of a larger conspiracy.

After his expulsion from the RJD and distancing from Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav has launched a new political platform under the banner of ‘Team Tej Pratap Yadav’.

In the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Tej Pratap has intensified his campaigning across the state, repeatedly targeting his opponents with the phrase ‘Jaychand (traitor)’.

He alleged that a group of “Jaychands” conspired against him to end his political career, though he has refrained from naming them so far.

“Some Jaychands have hatched conspiracies against me. But very soon, the people of Bihar will know their names and deeds,” Tej Pratap declared, without revealing further details.

The former RJD leader has also warned his younger brother and Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, to stay away from such “Jaychands,” hinting at growing tensions within the Yadav political family.

His announcement has triggered curiosity across Bihar’s political spectrum.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 (IANS) The Odisha government on Thursday effected a major reshuffle in the IPS level, appointing senior 1995-batch IPS officer Santosh Bala as the director of the State Forensic Science laboratory (SFSL).

Senior IPS officer Bala is currently posted as the director of State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), holding the additional charge of Director, SFSL.

Similarly, 2007-batch IPS officer Awinash Kumar, who is currently working as Inspector General of Police, State Armed Police (SAP), has been appointed as the new Director, SCRB.

Sanjay Kumar Kaushal, IGP, Vigilance has been transferred and posted as the IGP, the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch.

The 2002-batch officer Gajbhiye Satish Kumar Iswardas, currently attached to the State Police Headquarters (SPHQs), takes charge as IG, Special Armed Police.

The 2008-batch IPS officer Satyajit Naik, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Eastern Range, has been appointed as DIG, Central Range.

Meanwhile, 2011-batch IPS officer Pinak Mishra, who was appointed as Puri’s Superintendent of Police following the stampede incident in the holy coastal town during the Rath Yatra, has now been posted as the DIG, Eastern Range.Prateek Singh (IPS, 2014), the current SP of Cuttack(Rural), will replace him as the new SP, Puri.

In another significant reshuffle, the Odisha Home Department on Thursday issued a notification announcing the transfer and posting of 12 senior officers from the Odisha Police Service (OPS).

Bimalendu Satapathy, OPS (SAG), currently deployed as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate, has been transferred as Superintendent of Police, State Police Headquarters, Cuttack.

Senior cop Kishore Chandra Mund, OPS (S), currently serving as Additional DCP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, is promoted and posted as DCP, Police Commissionerate.

Similarly, Anup Kumar Kanungo, OPS (S), also the In-situ Addl. DCP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police Commissionerate, has been elevated as DCP, Police Commissionerate. Srikanta Kumar Behera, Additional SP at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack, has been appointed as SP, EOW.

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 21 (IANS) Protests intensified in Ahmedabad over the murder of a Class 10 student Nayan Santani, who was stabbed to death by a junior outside the Seventh Day Adventist School on August 19.

The student wing of the Congress, NSUI, staged demonstrations demanding that the school be shut down, alleging negligence by authorities.

Several NSUI members were detained after clashing with police while trying to storm the campus. Police have detained the accused Class 8 student and registered an FIR.

Over 500 people have also been booked in connection with Thursday’s violence on the campus.

Meanwhile, chats purportedly of the accused with a friend on Instagram where he confessed to the crime and was advised to go “underground” have surfaced online.

The unrest comes a day after a mob vandalised the school, damaging property worth lakhs and attacking staff members.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad called for a bandh, forcing nearly 200 schools in Maninagar, Khokhara and Isanpur areas to remain closed.

Parents and students also joined the protests, carrying placards and accusing the school of ignoring repeated complaints of thefts and fights on the premises.

“What are you teaching the students after taking lakhs of rupees? The school never takes any responsibility. Had the management acted, this would not have happened,” said one parent.

The victim’s family has alleged further negligence, claiming the school failed to call an ambulance on time and later summoned a water tanker to wash away bloodstains — an alleged attempt to destroy evidence.

CCTV footage captured the stabbing, while a security guard spotted the accused fleeing from the back gate.

District education authorities have flagged the incident as a case of “serious negligence” and ordered a shift to online classes, pending further security arrangements and investigation. The Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also sought a detailed report from the school as part of the probing process.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 21 (IANS) Amid the Opposition’s protests over the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill allowing the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any Minister to resign only if arrested or detained for more than 30 days, Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore has hit back, alleging that the Opposition is full of corrupt individuals.

“They assume they’ll be the ones going to jail. That’s why they’re panicking. It’s a classic case of the thief fearing the straw in his beard,” he said.

Rathore asserted that the BJP-led state government has no fear because it is committed to clean governance.

“Our (BJP) leaders uphold high moral standards. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are out on bail. Priyanka Gandhi’s husband is also on bail. That’s why they are scared.”

He also added, “The former Finance Minister (P. Chidambaram) is on bail, and so is his son. Those who are on bail constantly worry about their bail being revoked and landing in jail. If they are detained for a month, they risk losing their legislative membership. Such people dominate the Opposition, which is why they are so desperate to oppose the Bill.”

Rathore clarified that the Bill would be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which includes members from the Opposition.

“The decision will be taken there (Joint Parliamentary Committee). But they’re already fearful, assuming the Bill targets them. In reality, the Bill targets criminals — not any specific person. If you’re honest and live a clean life, you have nothing to fear.”

On the issue of the conflict between the State Election Commission and the state government over the “One State, One Election” proposal, Rathore said, “We (BJP-led state government) aim to legislate a framework for simultaneous elections, which will be beneficial in many ways. After elections, all leaders can focus on development.”

“The Election Commission is an independent institution, and the BJP has no interference in its functioning. If we are asked to contest elections, we will enter the electoral fray and win.”

–IANS

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Aizawl, Aug 21 (IANS) Assam Rifles personnel have recovered huge arms and ammunition from eastern Mizoram’s Champhai district, which shares an unfenced border with Myanmar, officials said on Thursday.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles troops launched multiple Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) at Saikhumpai areas in Champhai District on Wednesday.

He said that the operation was initiated in the early hours, with columns tactically moving from Vaphai to Saikhumpai at first light.

Maintaining stealth and surprise, the teams established domination along the Tiau River and commenced deliberate search operations.

The Tiau River flows between Mizoram state in India and the Chin State in Myanmar, forming part of the international boundary between the two countries.

After conducting a thorough and systematic search of the area, the teams successfully recovered weapons and war like stores from Saikhumpai areas.

During the conduct of operation, the team recovered one Heckler and Koch G3 Assault Rifle, one Magazine, nine 40mm grenades, one Thermobaric Rocket-Propelled grenade, one hand grenade, one under barrel grenade launcher and 36 rounds of .22 ammunition.

The recovered arm, ammunition and war-like stores have been handed over to the Mizoram Police at Dungtlang. Myanmar’s Chin State has emerged as a major hub for smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition, wildlife, and other illicit activities.

The contraband is often routed through six districts in Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — which share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Assam Rifles have been conducting awareness campaigns like seminars and group discussions highlighting the bad effects of the drugs and drugs trafficking are a punishable offence under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The Defence spokesman said that the aim of these awareness campaigns is to educate the local population, especially the youth, about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the serious legal consequences associated with drug trafficking and peddling.

–IANS

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Bhopal, Aug 21 (IANS) In a move aimed at strengthening law and order and refreshing leadership across key districts, the Madhya Pradesh Home Department has issued transfer orders for nine IPS officers.

The reshuffle, announced on Thursday, affects postings in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Narsinghpur, Mandsaur, and Singrauli.

According to the official notification issued by Additional Secretary Ashish Bhargava, the changes are effective immediately.

Among the changes, 2016 batch officer Jitendra Singh Panwar, who was serving in Police Zone-4 of Bhopal, has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Traffic Branch of the same city.

Meanwhile, 2018 batch officer Mrigakhi Deka has been relieved from her duties as Superintendent of Police in Narsinghpur and posted as Assistant Inspector General of Police at Police Headquarters, Bhopal.

Abhishek Anand, also from the 2018 batch, has been transferred from Mandsaur and will now serve as Commander of the First Battalion of special armed forces in Indore.

In a parallel shift, 2019 batch officer Rishikesh Meena moves from Zone-4, Indore to take charge as Superintendent of Police in Narsinghpur, while Vinod Kumar Meena, also of the 2019 batch, has been reassigned from Zone-1, Indore to lead the police force in Mandsaur.

Three officers from the 2020 batch have also been given new responsibilities.

Mayur Khandelwal has been posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zone-4, Bhopal, moving from Ujjain. Anand Kaladgi takes over as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zone-4, Indore, after serving in Jabalpur.

Krishna Lalchandani has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zone-1, Indore, following his tenure in Gwalior.

Additionally, 2021 batch officer Abhishek Ranjan has been transferred from Singrauli and will now serve as Additional Superintendent of Police in Ujjain.

This reshuffle reflects the government’s intent to enhance operational efficiency and ensure dynamic leadership across the state’s police administration.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed petitions for a review of its November 2024 judgment, which quashed allotment of lands to housing societies of MPs, MLAs, IAS officers, journalists and others in Hyderabad.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih dismissed the review petitions, saying no case for review was made out.

The court passed the order after hearing arguments from senior advocates, including CS Vaidyanathan, Anitha Shenoy, Mukul Rohatgi, Siddharth Luthra, Atmaram Nadkarni and others.

The court maintained its stand that there should be no preferential treatment to housing societies of MPs, MLAs, civil servants and journalists for allotment of land within the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

The counsels for the petitioners submitted to the court that the land allotments were made in 2008, and today they have nowhere else to go.

It was also argued that journalists do not constitute a privileged class but have been treated as such at par with MPs, MLAs and IAS officers.

The review petitioners also expressed willingness to pay market rates, as deemed fit by the Court. They also requested that the Court look into each case of a journalist independently to decide if they are privileged.

The bench also told that journalists have salaries ranging between Rs. 8000-30000 and do not have pensionary benefits, the review-petitioners claimed, while MPs, MLAs and IAS officers get pension, gratuity, HRA, and salaries of about Rs. 2.5 lakhs and other benefits.

Highlighting journalists’ role as the fourth pillar of democracy, the councils contended that they should be protected so they can safely perform their work.

In November, 2024, a bench of then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta had quashed the Andhra Pradesh Government Memoranda (GoM) of 2005 classifying MPs, MLAs, officers of the AIl India Service/State Government, Judges of the Constitutional Courts, and journalists as a separate class for allotment of land at the basic rate.

The Court also quashed the subsequent GoMs issued in 2008 allotting the lands within the limits of the GHMC to these categories as bad in law, being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

–IANS

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Patna, Aug 21 (IANS) The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, led by opposition leaders reached Munger on Thursday, where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing them of “vote theft” through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, alleged that the BJP and Nitish Kumar manipulate elections whenever they sense defeat.

“PM Modi is coming to Bihar, but he should first give a report card of his 11 years at the Centre. In every election, when the BJP starts losing, they apply tricks to win. He thinks he can fool the people of Bihar,” Tejashwi Yadav quipped.

Tejashwi Yadav also accused Nitish Kumar’s government of lacking vision and merely copying the RJD’s promises.

“I announced social security pension, free electricity, domicile policy, free exam forms — and they copied everything. The people of Bihar must decide whether they want an original Chief Minister or a duplicate one,” he said.

He further claimed Nitish Kumar is “in slumber”. Due to this, the law and order situation is worsening, murders, rape, loot, and robbery are regular affairs in Bihar. This government has completely failed to address issues such as unemployment, poor education, and migration.

“This double-engine government has failed on every front. Stay united and uproot this vision-less government,” he urged.

Tejashwi Yadav also accused the Prime Minister and Home Minister of conspiring to disenfranchise the poor.

“Two persons from Gujarat cannot decide who should vote and who should not. Their motive is not to remove poverty but to erase the poor people. We have not seen such a Prime Minister who speaks so many lies,” he said.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi echoed Tejashwi’s charge, saying the BJP’s electoral victories were rooted in vote manipulation.

“Every time the country’s mood was for change… the BJP still won — in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and elsewhere — only because they were stealing votes. Now they want to repeat the same in Bihar,” Rahul Gandhi alleged.

He said the Voter Adhikar Yatra was meant to expose both the BJP and the Election Commission.

“Now the entire nation knows the BJP is stealing votes to win elections. But this time in Bihar, their tricks will not work,” Rahul Gandhi declared, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

The INDIA bloc leaders have repeatedly accused the Election Commission of deleting the names of lakhs of poor and migrant voters in Bihar during the SIR process, a charge the ruling BJP–JD(U) alliance denies.

The Munger rally is seen as one of the most charged stages of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, with both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav sharpening their attacks as Bihar heads toward a high-stakes election.

–IANS

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