Category: STATE

New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) The Delhi Police have arrested a self-styled “baba” in connection with the mysterious deaths of three people whose bodies were found inside a locked car near the Peeragarhi flyover in the outskirts of the national capital earlier this week.

According to police, the accused, identified as Kamaruddin, also described as a ‘maulana’ and an occult practitioner, has been booked for murder. The arrest marks the first major breakthrough in the case that initially appeared to be a suspected suicide.

DCP, Outer District, Sachin Sharma, said the investigation is underway to piece together the sequence of events. “We are trying to ascertain what happened on that day and what transpired before. The victims initially came to him because he claimed he could cure any kind of illness. Many people with health problems would visit him, and he claimed he could cure any disease, including cancer,” he said.

The police officials added that the police are also in touch with other agencies to gather further leads in the case.

The deceased, Randhir, 76, Shiv Naresh Singh, 47, and Laxmi Devi, 40, were found dead inside a stationary car on Sunday afternoon. Randhir was seated in the driver’s seat, while the other two were in the rear seats. The car was reportedly locked from inside when the bodies were discovered near the Peeragarhi flyover.

Police said Kamaruddin had been in contact with the three victims for nearly a year. CCTV footage from the area allegedly shows him sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle earlier on the day of the incident.

Investigators are now interrogating the accused to determine the exact chain of events and the motive behind the deaths. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.

–IANS

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Gandhinagar, Feb 13 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) on Sunday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, government officials said on Friday.

The initiative, undertaken by the Gujarat Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, introduces subsidy transfers through the Reserve Bank of India-authorised CBDC platform.

The system has been developed by the Punjab National Bank and will provide beneficiaries with digital tokens in their wallets containing details of the commodity, quantity and price.

Under the pilot phase, 26,333 families in the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad, as well as in Surat, Anand and Valsad, have been covered.

Beneficiaries using smartphones will authenticate transactions through QR codes, while those with feature phones will receive one-time passwords under an Aadhaar-based verification system.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will attend the launch.

In addition to the CBDC-based system, the state government will introduce distribution of tur and chana in standardised one kg sealed packs for National Food Security Act beneficiaries, replacing loose distribution to maintain quality standards.

An ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’ will also be launched in the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad.

Designed to function round the clock, the machine can dispense up to 25 kg of grain within 35 seconds.

The state will also sign memoranda of understanding with Care Rating and the Consumer Education and Research Centre to introduce a Consumer Responsibility Index for rating companies.

A conciliation and pre-litigation mechanism aimed at facilitating faster, out-of-court settlement of consumer disputes will be established.

Separately, under the ‘Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ campaign, Rs 1.65 crore from the CSR funds of Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited will be allocated to efforts to address malnutrition in Garudeshwar taluka of Narmada district.

The project includes the establishment of two model anganwadis and targeted health interventions for adolescent girls and pregnant women.

–IANS

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Jammu, Feb 13 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday that 32,425 cancer cases were reported in the union territory during the last three years.

Health minister Sakina Itoo said in reply to a question by PDP MLA, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, that the lung, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic cancers are among the most common.

She said that in Jammu division 6,804 cases were registered from 2023-2025, including 2,036 in 2023, 2,187 in 2024, and 2,581 in 2025. In the Kashmir division, 25,621 cancer cases were registered in the last three years, including 8,021 in 2022, followed by 8,621 in 2023, and 8,979 in 2024.

“The most common types of cancer are lung, breast, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic. No specific disease of uncommon or public health significance has been reported. However, the most frequently detected conditions are different types of cancers, such as gastrointestinal malignancies (oesophagus, stomach, and colorectal), lung, breast, oral, cervical, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Institutions like the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and the State Cancer Institute (SCI) at Government Medical College, Jammu, provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care encompassing medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and clinical haematology,” sahe said.

These institutes are equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including PET-CT, CT scan, dedicated CT simulators, modern radiotherapy systems and other specialised oncology services.

”Due emphasis is placed on public education regarding early warning signs of cancer and modifiable risk factors such as tobacco cessation, healthy dietary habits, and lifestyle modification, with a view to facilitating cancer prevention and early treatment,” she said.

Measures being implemented for early detection of cancer include awareness generation and screening through outpatient services and health camps; early diagnosis using available diagnostic modalities such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, endoscopy, EGD, colonoscopy, colposcopy, EBUS, and histopathology; implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS); referral of patients requiring radiotherapy or advanced oncological care to higher tertiary care centres; observance of national and international cancer awareness days in collaboration with NGOs, nursing institutions, educational bodies, and print and social media to promote prevention and early detection; and conduct of cancer screening camps in districts Samba and Kathua, in collaboration with AIIMS Vijayapur, and other districts.

The Minister said a high-level meeting chaired by a member of NITI Aayog, and attended by representatives from ICMR, DHR, Tata Memorial Hospital, PGI Chandigarh, and other leading cancer institutes, was held to formulate cancer prevention and treatment policies for Jammu & Kashmir. Patients suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses are managed at SKIMS, Soura, Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and their associated hospitals, as well as at district hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs).

“Wherever required, patients are referred to GMCs and other tertiary care institutions for specialised treatment. In the Jammu region, specialised oncology services are available at GMC Jammu, the State Cancer Institute, Jammu and other associated hospitals, while in the Kashmir region, advanced and specialised care is provided at SKIMS, Soura. Well-established oncology facilities are available at Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. Cancer care services are provided at GMC Jammu, the State Cancer Institute, Jammu, Bone & Joint Hospital, SMGS Hospital, and at GMC Srinagar through SMHS Hospital,” she said.

“Specialist oncology services are presently available only at GMCs and are not available at district hospitals or CHCs. “The PET scan facility is available at SKIMS, Soura. At present, no PET scan facility is available at GMC Srinagar or its associated hospitals. The Health & Medical Education Department has recently authorised JKMSCL for the procurement of a PET scan unit costing Rs 16 crore for GMC Srinagar. This facility is not available at any district hospital or sub-district hospital (SDH). In the Jammu division, PET scan services are available at the State Cancer Institute, Jammu. Additionally, PET scan facilities are being provided by Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, Kakryal (Katra), and the American Oncology Institute, ASCOM, in the private sector,” the minister said in her reply.

–IANS

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Chandigarh, Feb 13 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said all allegations made by an Aam Aadmi Party legislator of Punjab against him are “baseless and fabricated”.

“AAP is making such statements to hide its own failures,” he said.

He alleged AAP first showed dreams to the people of Delhi and deceived them. Later, in Punjab it made promises that remain unfulfilled, causing distress among the people there.

The Chief Minister told the media in Delhi that the people of Punjab first voted for the Congress, but the Congress betrayed them. Later, they voted for AAP, which he described as a “mega-deception”.

He claimed law and order in Punjab “is in poor condition and farmers are facing severe hardships”.

Referring to flood compensation, he said in Punjab, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal spoke of giving Rs 20,000 as compensation to farmers but in Gujarat he claimed that Rs 50,000 had been given to Punjab farmers.

CM Saini termed this as misleading farmers and reiterated that the MLA’s allegations are factually incorrect and aimed at hiding shortcomings.

He accused AAP of indulging in pressure politics in Punjab and said the party should fulfill its promises made to the public.

Responding to a question related to Punjab, CM Saini said, “Punjab is like home. Whenever I am invited to Punjab, I visit there.”

He added “Punjab is the land of the Gurus, and it is a matter of pride that the Gurus also blessed the land of Haryana with their presence.”

The Chief Minister’s assertions come a day after Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-ruling legislator Narinder Kaur Bharaj accused the BJP of luring her with party ticket and fulfillment of any demand under ‘Operation Lotus’.

She alleged that the Haryana Chief Minister invited her for a closed-door meeting.

“The BJP is running ‘Operation Lotus’ across the country to topple elected governments. A few days ago, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini tried to contact me. He tempted me with a BJP ticket from Sangrur and said that whatever demand I had would be fulfilled. He also offered a closed-door meeting,” Kaur told the media here.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) A political row erupted over the singing of Vande Mataram as several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) BJP leaders, on Friday, defended the national song, asserting that there should be no objection to rendering it in full, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) said that it respects the national song.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj said that Vande Mataram symbolises devotion to the motherland and not any particular deity.

“Vande Mataram is not the name of any deity. It refers to the motherland in which one is born, eats, drinks, and resides. A true patriot should have no objection to Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram is the soul of India; it should not be disrespected,” he added.

Taking a swipe at critics, Sakshi Maharaj said, “Those who have no agenda of their own end up opposing the BJP so much that they begin opposing the nation and even God.”

BJP MP Mayank Nayak said the country is marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and questioned the objections raised by some groups.

“When the government decided that we would sing the entire Vande Mataram, some people objected and said they would not sing it, even threatening to approach the Supreme Court, this is condemnable.” he added.

Echoing similar views, BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra said there was no reason for protest.

“What is there to oppose in this? It is the national song, and we attained independence because of it. If the government and the Home Ministry have decided that the six stanzas must be sung, then it should be followed,” he added.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma noted that the national song has historically been sung even after the adoption of the Constitution.

“Everyone knows that it (Vande Mataram) continued to be sung in Parliament and at Congress sessions,” he said.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske termed the objections “politically motivated”, alleging they were aimed at misleading voters.

Meanwhile, SP MP Anand Bhadauria said, “I have no information about any opposition. We all respect Vande Mataram.”

–IANS

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Imphal, Feb 8 (IANS) Security forces in Manipur have arrested five hardcore militants belonging to different insurgent outfits and recovered several mortars and two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from areas along the India-Myanmar border during the past 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

A police official said the mortars and IEDs were recovered from the Yangoubung area along the India-Myanmar border under the jurisdiction of Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district. Later, these explosives were destroyed by a bomb disposal squad.

Manipur shares a 398-km unfenced border with Myanmar, which serves as a key transit route for the smuggling of drugs — particularly heroin and methamphetamine tablets — as well as arms, ammunition and other contraband into India.

The official said that the five arrested militants belonged to the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). They were apprehended from three districts — Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching.

The arrested militants were allegedly involved in various criminal activities, including extortion through forcible collection of “subscriptions” from traders, contractors, government employees and members of the public.

Meanwhile, a joint team of security forces and the Forest Department destroyed around 70 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the Sihai hill range under the Ukhrul police station in Ukhrul district.

The operation effectively foiled an attempt to manufacture opium worth several crores of rupees, officials said.

Four huts found at the poppy cultivation sites were also dismantled and destroyed.

Security forces comprising both central and state agencies continue to carry out extensive counter-insurgency operations, including search operations and area domination drives, in fringe, mixed-populated and vulnerable areas across Manipur.

A total of 114 nakas and checkpoints have been set up across the state in both valley and hill districts to curb the movement of insurgents and suspicious vehicles.

Security personnel are also providing escorts to vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).

Strict security arrangements and convoy protection remain in place in sensitive stretches to ensure the safe movement of vehicles.

The Manipur Police have urged the public not to believe rumours or fall prey to fake videos circulating on social media. “The authenticity of any audio or video clip should be verified with the Central Control Room. Uploading or circulating fake content on social media will invite legal action,” a police statement warned.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Feb 8 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Pakistan links of Gaurav Gogoi and his wife Elizabeth Gogoi, identified Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, a Pakistani national and advisor to Pakistan’s Planning Commission, as the central handler in the case.

Sheikh is a close associate of Elizabeth Gogoi and the founder of LEAD Pakistan, the same NGO where the Congress MP’s wife worked.

According to the SIT filings, Sheikh’s social media postings include exhaustive commentary on India’s internal affairs and parliamentary matters.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday asserted that Sheikh’s online activity “raises serious concerns” about his intent to undermine India’s interests, as he repeatedly weighed in on domestic political and security issues.

The SIT findings stated that Sheikh has cultivated networks of Indian contacts through climate-change forums and think-tank groups.

According to the SIT probe, Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi participated in the CDKN climate network that straddles India and Pakistan. Assam officials allege Sheikh used these connections to groom like-minded activists and influence policy discussions in India.

An official release cited by the SIT warned that Ali Sheikh’s “anti-India agenda” was being aided by sympathisers within Assam and across India. CM Sarma said that while not a government official, Sheikh’s dealings were portrayed as a new kind of subterfuge.

The Chief Minister remarked that the SIT had uncovered “startling facts” pointing to a conspiracy that transcends traditional espionage.

The case, he implied, illustrates a “new model of hostile activity” — one that leverages transnational policy networks and NGOs rather than conventional spycraft.

CM Sarma told reporters that the probe request was being sent to the Union Home Ministry as it now involves national security well beyond Assam.

The CM further stated that allegations involving Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi, the wife of Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Congress in Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, were extremely serious and could not be treated as an ordinary matter.

The Chief Minister asserted that the involvement of a sitting Member of Parliament elevated the issue beyond the purview of a routine investigation. “These are grave allegations. When a sitting MP, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Congress party in Parliament, is linked to Pakistan in any manner, the matter automatically assumes greater significance,” CM Sarma said.

–IANS

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