Brave son of Motherland: Defence Minister Singh pays homage to Piru Singh’s gallantry in 1948 Battle of Tithwal

Chennai, Dec 31 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW) will submit a report to the Government of India on the sexual assault case that occurred at the Anna University campus. NCW member Mamta Kumari and her team returned to Delhi after conducting a two-day investigation into the sexual assault that took place on the Anna University campus on December 23.

Speaking to media persons at Chennai airport, Mamta Kumari said, “We visited every corner of Anna University and conducted a thorough investigation. We met the victim girl and her family and gathered all the necessary information. We also met with the Governor of Tamil Nadu to discuss the matter.”

She added, “A detailed report on the investigation will be submitted to the central government through the National Commission for Women. Whoever is found guilty will face strict punishment. It is shocking that despite having over 20 cases against him, the accused was allowed to roam free.”

Mamta Kumari further questioned, “Why didn’t the government take action earlier? The central government will ensure strict action against anyone who commits crimes against women.”

She expressed confidence that justice would be served and guilty parties would be punished.

The incident involved a second-year engineering student of Anna University, who was sexually assaulted on the university campus. The attack occurred while the girl and her male friend were sitting after attending a midnight Christmas mass at a nearby church.

According to the police, the accused attacked the male friend, brutally assaulting him before dragging the girl to nearby shrubs, where he raped her. The accused, Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor, was arrested immediately after the girl filed a complaint with the police.

Following the incident, the Tamil Nadu BJP alleged that the accused, Gnanasekaran, was affiliated with the student wing of the ruling DMK. State BJP President K. Annamalai criticized the DMK government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. He staged a dramatic protest outside his residence in Coimbatore, flogging himself six times to symbolize the removal of evil.

Annamalai also announced that he would undertake a 48-day fast and visit all six holy abodes of Lord Murugan as part of his protest. The Tamil Nadu BJP president lashed out at the police for leaking the FIR in the sexual assault case, stating that the leak intentionally revealed the identity of the 19-year-old victim, an engineering student of Anna University.

He charged that the accused Gnanasekaran was not in the rowdy list of the Tamil Nadu police despite being involved in several cases. Annamalai said that this was due to the accused Gnanasekaran’s proximity to the DMK leaders.

The Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, also a former IPS officer, said that the accused Gnanasekaran was a functionary of the DMK and provided proof of the same. He also said that the DMK was trying to divert attention from the failing law and order situation of Tamil Nadu by creating a false narrative of the North-South divide.

–IANS

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New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Indian carriers on Friday announced that flights to 24 airports had been cancelled till May 15, following a notification from aviation authorities on the continued closure of multiple airports in the country.

Keeping the escalating India-Pakistan conflict in mind, the government has extended the closure of 24 airports till May 14.

Air India said its flights to and from the following stations – Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot – “are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May, pending further updates”.

“Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations,” said the airline.

Low-cost airline IndiGo said that in accordance with the latest directives from the relevant authorities, “please be advised that all flights to and from the following destinations will remain cancelled until 0529 hours on 15th May 2025 due to temporary airport closures: Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh”.

The airline further stated that these precautionary measures have been instituted with “your safety and security as our highest priority. We remain fully committed to providing you with unwavering support while navigating this situation together”.

As tensions flare up between India and Pakistan, at least 11 per cent of the daily domestic air traffic has been affected following the shutdown of 24 airports in the country.

According to industry data, average daily domestic flights dropped from 3,265 in April to 2,907 (as of May 8). Nearly 670 airline routes will be affected over May 9-10. This includes 334 incoming and 336 outgoing flights across the 24 airports that have been shut, according to FlightRadar24 data.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has advised all airlines and airports in the country to strengthen security measures. “Due to an order from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security regarding enhanced security measures at airports, passengers across the country are encouraged to allow extra time for check-in and boarding. Check-in will close 75 minutes before departure,” said Air India.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) After the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for Pakistan-sponsored deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the buzz is that the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) are being trained with the Indian Army to combat terror strikes.

A top official aware of the matter told IANS on the condition of anonymity that — “In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a lot of meetings have happened between the Union Home Ministry and CISF officials. Looking at the present situation, the time has come for CISF personnel should also get apt training at par with the Indian Army, so that if any attack happens, in that situation our men are ready to give an immediate response.”

The CISF took over Parliament security last year after a security breach in December 2023 created a controversy, replacing Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Although a small number of CISF personnel have received training from the Indian Army in past at their training centres in Chennai, Karnataka and Bhopal but this is for the first time that they will be training along with the Army in Jammu and Kashmir.

“As of now, 120 CISF personnel (Quick Response Team commandos) have received training from the Indian Army. They are being trained by the Northern Command’s battalion. The main agenda behind this move is to equip CISF top commandos at par with the Indian Army to combat terror strikes, drone attacks, internal sabotage,” said an official.

IANS has learnt that as of now, two batches of QRT commandos have received training, and in the coming days, a third batch will also be lined up, which will include 60 additional personnel.

Training with the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir will equip CISF personnel with better warfare tactics, both in urban and jungle warfare, along with a blend of technological advancements, including drone warfare.

“This training will equip CISF personnel to respond swiftly to crises at high-risk installations such as airports, nuclear facilities, government buildings, and Parliament,” said an official.

During the Operation Sindoor, 15 companies were also deployed to Jammu and Kashmir, which, after the ceasefire, were shifted to the Amarnath Yatra route, IANS has learnt.

Additionally, CISF, which largely operates on INSAS rifles, AK-47, sniper guns and other equipment, in the future is likely to receive AK-203.

Although the first receivers of AK-203 will be the Indian Army, followed by the CRPF but “talks have begun on CISF getting AK-203 after Army and CRPF,” an official said.

CISF as of now is providing security to the strategic establishments, including the Department of Space, the Department of Atomic Energy, Airports, Delhi Metro, historical monuments, basic areas/offices connected to the Indian economy, such as petroleum and natural gas, electricity, coal, steel and mining.

They are also providing security to the protected persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X and Y.

–IANS

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