Amid reports of displeasure, former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh calls on HM Amit Shah

Mumbai, June 4 (IANS) A Navi Mumbai man was arrested for involvement in a Telegram-based racket for the sale and circulation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM), said an official of the Maharashtra Cyber department on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Adiraj Rajendra Bait, was handed over to NRI Police Station in Navi Mumbai after intelligence inputs and technical investigation pointed to his alleged role in the offence, said a statement.

Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material refers to any visual content — such as photographs, videos, livestreams, or AI-generated imagery — that depicts a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

On detection of the circulation of objectionable content on digital platforms, MahaCyber investigators confirmed the location in Maharashtra, using technical tools.

The investigators conducted a detailed technical analysis, including an examination of a UPI ID and open-source intelligence (OSINT) inputs, before calling Bait for questioning, the MahaCyber Department said.

During the investigation, the suspect’s mobile phone was seized for digital forensic examination. A forensic analysis revealed that child exploitative material had been stored on the mobile phone for sale and further circulation, said the statement.

Based on the findings, MahaCyber registered a criminal case and handed him over to the Navi Mumbai Police, the statement said.

Established in 2016, the office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra State Cyber Department, is the Nodal Office for all cyber-related matters in the state.

The Department continuously monitors the digital ecosystem, including the dark net and other online platforms, to identify and act upon cyber-enabled offences, especially those involving CSEAM.

MahaCyber employs a multifaceted approach to address the growing menace of cyber threats, the statement said.

The Department’s focus encompasses the detection, prevention, and prosecution of cybercrimes, as well as fostering cybersecurity awareness among Maharashtra’s citizens, it said.

In a statement, MahaCyber Department reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against the possession, sale, circulation, or distribution of child sexual exploitation material.

Officials warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such crimes, whether through social media platforms, messaging apps, the dark web, or any other digital medium.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reiterated that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, and a future misadventure will be resolutely responded to, while adding that the military action was “the best example of tri-services synergy under clear-cut political directive and full freedom to act or respond”.

He also acknowledged the “proactive role” of all stakeholders involved in Operation Sindoor.

Addressing the annual press conference of the Indian Army here, Gen Dwivedi mentioned that the situation along the Northern Front “remains stable, but needs constant vigil”, adding that apex-level interactions, renewed contact, and confidence-building measures are contributing to the “gradual normalisation” of the situation that has also enabled grazing, hydrotherapy camps, and other activities along the Northern Borders.

“With our continued strategic orientation on this front, our deployment along the Line of Actual Control remains balanced and robust. Concurrently, capability development and infrastructure enhancement are progressing through a whole-of-government approach,” he added.

Gen Dwivedi, speaking about the northwestern front, recalled India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that a “clear decision to respond decisively was taken at the highest level”.

“Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on May 7 and an orchestration that lasted 88 hours up to May 10, the operation reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric,” he said

“The Army successfully destroyed seven out of the nine targets and thereafter played a pivotal role in ensuring a calibrated response to Pakistan’s actions,” he added.

Gen Dwivedi stated that since May 10, the situation along the northwestern front and J&K “remains sensitive but firmly under control”.

“In 2025, 31 terrorists were eliminated, of which 65 per cent were Pakistan origin, including the three perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack neutralised in Operation Mahadev. Active local terrorists are now in single digits. Terrorist recruitment is almost non-existent, with only two in 2025,” he said.

Mentioning the “clear indicators of positive change in J&K”, the Army chief cited examples of robust development activity, the revival of tourism and the peaceful Shri Amarnath Yatra, which saw more than four lakh pilgrims, exceeding the five-year average.

“The theme of terrorism to tourism is gradually taking shape,” he said.

–IANS

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Chandigarh, June 18 (IANS) BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Wednesday said under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s diplomatic stature and global credibility have reached new heights.

Chugh lauded the initiative taken by the Prime Minister to restore diplomatic ties with Canada, keeping in view the wider interest of the nation.

The normalisation of diplomatic relations with Canada — done without compromising India’s sovereignty — is a testament to how India now conducts foreign policy with self-respect and assertiveness.

Highlighting the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney, Chugh said both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

More importantly, both nations agreed to resume cooperation on law enforcement and counter-terrorism — a direct validation of India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

Chugh welcomed this as a major relief for the Punjabi community living in Canada. He said that for lakhs of Punjabi families with relatives studying, working, or residing in Canada, this is a step toward restoring confidence, stability, and ease in people-to-people exchanges. It marks a fresh beginning for Punjabi ties across borders — built on trust and mutual respect.

On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis in Canada, Prime Minister Modi met with Canadian PM Mark Carney in a pivotal bilateral meeting aimed at reviving strained ties between the two nations.

According to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the two leaders had a “very positive and constructive meeting” and agreed on “calibrated steps” to bring stability back to the relationship. The meeting underscored the mutual desire to strengthen India-Canada ties, which have seen recent tensions.

“The meeting discussed the importance of the India-Canada relationship, which is based on shared values, democracy and the rule of law, people-to-people contact and many other commonalities,” Misri added.

As an initial move, both leaders agreed to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals at the earliest opportunity.

“The Prime Ministers agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to this very important relationship, and the first of these steps that was agreed on was to restore high commissioners to each other’s capitals at an early date. Other diplomatic steps will follow in due course,” Misri added.

–IANS

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