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Kolkata police make extensive security arrangements for Dol Yatra and Holi

Kolkata, March 3 (IANS) The Kolkata Police have put in place elaborate security arrangements across the city for the twin festivals of Dol Yatra and Holi, to be celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to police, as many as 398 police pickets will be deployed across Kolkata on the day of Dol Yatra. Of these, 86 will be special pickets set up at key intersections and sensitive locations, including Khanna More, Park Circus Seven-Point Crossing, Shyambazar and other major junctions.

Each of the 86 special pickets will be manned by six police personnel, while the remaining 312 pickets will have three personnel each. The highest concentration of pickets — 72 in total — will be in the Kolkata Port area. Additionally, 36 pickets each will be deployed in the South-East and South Suburban divisions.

To ensure safety along the riverfront, Disaster Management Group (DMG) teams will be stationed at 24 ghats along the banks of the Hooghly River. Each division of Kolkata Police will also have a dedicated DMG team on standby.

As part of the city-wide monitoring plan, 62 Police Control Room (PCR) vans will patrol various areas. Motorcycle patrol units will also keep vigil in narrow lanes and bylanes to prevent any untoward incidents, mischief, or acts of hooliganism during the festivities.

The heightened security measures come as the city gears up for the festival of colours and in view of the upcoming state Assembly elections. Security has also been strengthened in minority-dominated areas during the ongoing month of Ramzan.

In a parallel initiative, Kolkata Police have intensified measures to ensure women’s safety. Five “Pink Booths”, operated entirely by women personnel and equipped with modern facilities, have been set up across the city. Special patrolling vehicles will also be deployed at night, with women police officers conducting patrols from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. to enhance security and confidence among residents.

Authorities have said they are committed to ensuring a peaceful and incident-free celebration of the festivals.

–IANS

sch/skp

RJD targets Chirag Paswan over Swatantra Bhardwaj video, calls for action

Patna, Sep 4 (IANS) The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has launched a fresh attack on the Union Food Processing Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas President Chirag Paswan over a viral video featuring Swatantra Bhardwaj, who has been accused in connection with an assault on the father of student activist Nishu Azad.

The development comes after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intervened in the matter, following which police reportedly assured that Bhardwaj would be arrested soon.

Sharing a video clip from a podcast on social media, the RJD alleged that Bhardwaj had assaulted Nishu Azad’s father during a protest and claimed that Chirag Paswan had been shielding him.

The RJD asked how Paswan could speak up for the rights of Dalits while allegedly supporting a person accused of attacking a Dalit social activist and her father.

In the podcast clip shared by the RJD, Bhardwaj claims that he attacked Nishu Azad’s father, saying the man sustained injuries that required 60 stitches.

He also refers to the incident as a case that could attract charges under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code.

Bhardwaj also claims in the video that he was not arrested in connection with the case and that he remained free after the incident.

He attributes this to what he describes as the support and blessings of “Lord Balaji”.

In the same video, Bhardwaj refers to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra and Chirag Paswan as his “elder brothers” and claims to have their support.

The remarks have triggered a political controversy, with the RJD using the video to intensify its criticism of Chirag Paswan.

Responding to the viral video, Chirag Paswan said attempts were being made to defame him and his party.

He has also demanded action against Swatantra Bhardwaj over the remarks made in the viral video.

Meanwhile, police have reportedly assured that Bhardwaj will be arrested soon in connection with the case.

Further action is expected as the investigation progresses.

–IANS

ajk/khz

Railway Board sanctions final location surveys for two key new lines in K’taka

Bengaluru, May 15 (IANS) In a significant push to strengthen rail infrastructure in Karnataka, the Railway Board has approved Final Location Surveys (FLS) for two important new railway lines under the South Western Railway (SWR) zone, the official statement said on Thursday.

The first proposed line spans 162 km between Almatti and Yadgir, with a sanctioned survey cost of Rs 4.05 crore.

The second survey, costing Rs 1.825 crore, will cover a 73-kilometre stretch between Bhadravathi and Chikjajur via Channagiri.

Together, these surveys amount to a total estimated cost of Rs 5.875 crore.

This initiative marks the crucial first step in the planning and development of key railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the central and northern parts of the state.

The proposed Almatti-Yadgir line is strategically significant as it aims to enhance connectivity between northern Karnataka and major economic corridors, the statement said.

Almatti, known for its dam and hydroelectric power generation, plays a key role in the region’s agriculture and energy sectors, while Yadgir serves as a crucial junction in the Hyderabad-Mumbai rail corridor.

Improved rail connectivity between these points will boost regional trade, mobility, and access to resources.

Similarly, the Bhadravathi-Chikjajur line will strengthen intra-state connectivity in central Karnataka.

Bhadravathi, an industrial town housing steel and paper industries, will benefit from direct access to Chikjajur, a major railway junction that connects several parts of Karnataka. This line is expected to support freight movement, industrial growth, and better passenger connectivity in the region.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna has inaugurated the Gadag-Wadi Railway project in Koppal on Thursday.

The project will provide railway connectivity between the Mumbai, Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions.

Union Minister Somanna stated that the hard work of the Congress MLA and CM’s Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy has paid off, and this happened because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This railway project began when the Rajya Sabha Member and JD (S) National President H. D. Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister. During the tenure of former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the National Highways were extended all across the nation. During the tenure of PM Narendra Modi, the Indian Railways had made great achievements, he underlined.

–IANS

mka/dan