Scindia attends NEC plenary in Shillong, focus on NE connectivity

Hyderabad, Oct 24 (IANS) Drugs Control Administration of Telangana carried out surprise inspections of gyms on Friday under a special drive to detect illegal stocking and sale of anabolic-androgenic steroids and cardiac stimulants such as Mephentermine Sulphate injections to gym-goers for abuse in bodybuilding.

The Drug Control Administration (DCA) said that abuse of prescription medicines such as anabolic-androgenic steroids and Mephentermine Sulphate Injections for bodybuilding can lead to various adverse effects, including cardiovascular disorders, and may even result in death if misused.

As part of the special drive, the DCA conducted surprise inspections at 20 gyms across Hyderabad in coordination with the local police authorities.

The inspections were carried out at gyms located in Secunderabad, Mehdipatnam, Tolichowki, Malakpet, Punjagutta, Narsingi, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Kothapet, Kukatpally, and Suraram, said Shahnawaz Qasim, Director General, DCA.

According to the DCA, the abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids poses significant health risks. These drugs, often misused by bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth, can lead to a range of adverse effects, including cardiovascular issues, liver damage, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances. Moreover, long-term abuse can result in severe health complications such as infertility, kidney failure, and psychiatric disorders.

Mephentermine Sulphate Injection is a cardiac stimulant primarily used to normalise decreased blood pressure (hypotension) that may arise from administering anaesthesia in spinal procedures during surgery. Only a doctor should determine the appropriate dose and duration of this medicine for each individual.

However, Mephentermine Sulphate injection, with its cardiac stimulatory action, is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders. The DCA said that certain gyms are illegally selling Mephentermine Injection to gym-goers who misuse it to improve physical performance in competitive sports or bodybuilding.

Any gym found illegally stocking or selling prescription medicines will face strict legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Gym owners and staff are warned to refrain from such illegal practices and ensure full compliance with the law.

The illegal stocking and sale of such prescription drugs to gym-goers constitute a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and individuals involved are liable for imprisonment of up to five years, said Shahnawaz Qasim.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Oct 22 (IANS) In a series of well-coordinated counter-insurgency operations across the Northeast, the Assam Rifles have successfully foiled repeated attempts by insurgent groups to target security forces in recent weeks, sources said on Wednesday.

Sources said that the banned United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim K (YA) are mainly responsible for these attacks on the security forces in Assam and Arunachal.

“Through meticulous planning, proactive deployment grid, and effective intelligence integration, the security forces have demonstrated exceptional operational preparedness and resolve,” the sources said.

According to the sources, on October 16, NSCN-K (YA) faction militants launched a standoff attack on the Hedman Camp in Changlang District, South Arunachal Pradesh, which was effectively foiled by an instant and swift response.

On the next day (on October 17), ULFA (I) extremists attempted a similar strike on the Kakopathar Camp at Tinsukia district in eastern Assam.

Alert troops retaliated decisively, inflicting casualties on the insurgent groups and apprehending an Over Ground Worker (OGW) involved in the plot.

In response, Assam Rifles intensified its operations, activating an extensive counter-insurgency grid supported by modern surveillance assets, drones, and intelligence-based hi-tech teams.

The enhanced grid culminated in a successful ambush on Tuesday (October 21) at 6 Mile Lekang Khampti areas in Namsai district in South Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in the neutralisation of one ULFA (I) cadre and recovery of warlike stores.

The search conducted in the areas recovered one dead body of a militant, identified as Iwon Axom, a self-styled Sergeant Major of ULFA-I. One Rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) round, and three rucksacks were recovered along with the body of the militant from the spot.

The sources asserted that these rapid and precise actions have not only foiled the nefarious designs of insurgents but also re-established the morale ascendancy of the security forces across the region.

The insurgent groups are now reported to be on the run, their networks disrupted and leadership under pressure.

The Assam Rifles’ steadfast role, professional planning, and resolute execution continue to uphold peace and stability in India’s Northeast – reaffirming their legacy as the ‘Sentinels of the North East’, the sources pointed out.

–IANS

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Dantewada, Jan 6 (IANS) In the most gruesome Maoist attack in the New Year, eight jawans and a driver have been killed after the rebels blew up a security vehicle in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, police sources said on Monday.

The nine were traveling through Kutra in the Bastar region in a Scorpio SUV when the attack took place around 2.15 p.m. on Monday, sources said.

The attack comes within days of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the security forces were committed to ending Maoism by March 2026.

Earlier on Sunday, security forces attacked Maoists in the Abujhmad region of Chhattisgarh and killed four rebels, including two women.

Automatic weapons such as AK 47 and Self-Loading Rifles have been recovered. Top security officials said a search operation is still on at the site of the attack.

The escalation in violence comes a day after four Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Sunday, adding that a jawan also died in action.

A head constable of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Sannu Karam, died in the encounter, which broke out on Saturday evening in a forest in south Abujhmaad.

The encounter began when a joint team of security personnel was on an anti-Maoist operation, said an official.

After the firing stopped, the bodies of four Maoists were found. The security forces recovered automatic weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a self-loading rifle (SLR) from the spot.

A search operation is underway in the area, the officials added. More details were awaited. This comes days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur, where he addressed a group of surrendered Maoists.

The Home Minister promised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government would do everything possible to rehabilitate them.

He emphasised the government’s commitment to rehabilitating those affected by the violence and urged collective efforts to uproot Maoism from the region.

He appealed to them to help encourage other Maoists to surrender as well.

Home Minister Shah said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave him the responsibility of the Home Ministry in 2019, he thought that those who were involved in armed movements should be given a chance to lay down their arms, surrender, and live peacefully.

–IANS

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