Category: TOP STORIES

Lucknow, Aug 19 (IANS) IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Monday met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after his successful mission to the International Space Station — a first ever by an Indian.

During the meeting, Shukla apprised the Prime Minister of his mission, in which the Indian astronaut played a key role as part of the crew.

Shubhanshu’s family reacted to his meeting with PM Modi.

Shambhu Dayal Shukla, Shubhanshu’s father, while talking to IANS, said, “We are feeling very good. That moment was emotional. PM Modi gave love and blessings to my son. Shubhanshu presented the Tricolour to PM Modi, which he had taken to space.”

“Special preparations are being planned to welcome Shubhanshu when he comes to Lucknow, but how much time the son has, a decision will be taken only after his arrival. We need two to three hours for any programme, which does not seem possible,” he stated.

Asha Shukla, Shubhanshu’s mother, said that it was a very happy moment. Talking about going on a space journey, she said that it was a very historic and proud moment.

“Everyone was watching the scene sitting at home, and that moment was very joyous,” she added.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey was being discussed in the Parliament, but due to the uproar of the opposition, the House was adjourned.

She welcomed the UP government’s decision to build a road in Shubhanshu’s name outside his house in Lucknow.

Shubhanshu’s sister, Suchi Mishra, said that the meeting between PM Modi and Shubhanshu Shukla was positive because both of them are very curious.

“Shubhanshu’s experience is going to be very beneficial in the field of science. Shubhanshu could not share many things due to a very busy schedule. Whenever we get time after coming to Lucknow, we will know many more things,” she stated.

Suchi said that there was to be a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the space station journey of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his return after that. The beginning was very good, but due to the uproar by the opposition, the House could not function, which is very disappointing.

–IANS

uk/

Agartala, Aug 19 (IANS) Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Monday called for unity among all communities of Tripura, lamenting that the state, once respected globally under the erstwhile Manikya dynasty, is now compelled to “beg for every small demand” from the Centre.

The TMP chief said that the dependency on the Union government arose due to growing divisions in the name of politics, religion, and community.

Debbarma, while speaking at a programme to commemorate the 117th birth anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, said that the king (Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya) took the state in a new height during his regime. The erstwhile king was widely revered as the architect of modern Tripura.

Monday’s event was held at the Manikya Enclave, adjacent to the royal palace in Agartala, and witnessed the release of a Special Postal Cover in honour of the former king.

The postal cover was released by Joseph Lalrinsailova, Postmaster General of NE-1 region, in the presence of BJP’s Lok Sabha Member from Tripura East parliamentary constituency Kriti Devi Debbarman, Rajmata Bibhu Kumari Devi, and Pragya Deb Burman, convenor of INTACH Tripura Chapter.

Recalling Tripura’s glorious past, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma highlighted that 90 years ago, Maharaja Bir Bikram had been accorded the honour of meeting the then President of the United States.

“Today, for everything the state has to beg from Delhi because people are divided in the name of votes, religion, and community,” he said.

The TMP supremo further reminded that Tripura’s ancestors had fiercely defended their sovereignty against the Nawab of Bengal Hussain Shah, resisted Mughal invasions, and even prevented British domination despite their repeated diplomatic and surrogate attempts.

“The people of Tripura were never conquered. Yet after the merger with India in 1949, we see the state lagging behind in various sectors now,” he remarked.

Making a passionate appeal, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma urged the people of Tripura and the Northeast to rise above caste, creed, and ethnic divides.

“Today we have become Jamatias, Debbarmas, Reangs, Mizos, Kalais, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Bengalis, tribals and non-tribals, but forget one thing, no one is prospering when we are divided. By begging nothing would be achieved. If we raise our voice for our rights, it is not ego or communal, it is for the future of our next generation,” he asserted.

Debbarma said that the greatest tribute to Maharaja Bir Bikram would be for all communities to unite and work collectively for Tripura’s progress, as the late king always preached and practiced inclusiveness.

Other dignitaries at the Monday’s event also praised Maharaja Bir Bikram’s visionary leadership and his contribution to modernizing Tripura, expressing hope that following his ideals would ensure holistic development for the state.

On the occasion, a photo exhibition on the life and legacy of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore, along with a display of warfare weapons, was also organised.

His birth anniversary would be observed across Tripura on Tuesday through various events.

–IANS

sc/pgh

Mangaluru, Aug 18 (IANS) The family members of Narayana and his sister Yamuna, residents of the Boorje area in Dharmasthala, who were killed in 2012, have filed a complaint with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday, demanding a reinvestigation of the case.

The children of the victim Narayana, Ganesh and Bharathi, have come forward to complain. Yamuna was the sister of Narayana.

The complaint stated that the deceased Narayana lived with his sister Yamuna at his house in Boorje, Dharmasthala. “The brother of the Dharmadhikari had been threatening them to vacate the house for five years and had issued life threats during this period, before their murder,” the complaint alleged.

“Our father was assaulted twice on the premises of the accused. On September 20, 2012, the accused brother came to our father’s house and ordered him to vacate immediately, warning that if he failed to do so, there would be consequences,” the complainants stated.

On the night of September 21, 2012, the victims returned home at about 10 pm after watching a drama at the KSRTC bus stop on the occasion of Ganesha festival celebrations. The next day, locals noticed that the house had not been opened until 12 noon. When they entered, they found the siblings lying dead. “Our father’s head had been smashed with a large stone and our aunt Yamuna’s head had been crushed with a grinding stone,” the complainants said.

“Our father did not have any jewellery, cash, or valuables. The murderers did not take away the small amount of cash or a few pieces of jewellery present. Our father had no enemies. They were killed to take away the inherited property of the house and land,” they alleged.

“When this issue was conveyed to the Dharmadhikari, he maintained that ‘what has happened has happened’ and asked us to forget the incident. The brother of the Dharmadhikari locked the door of our house and did not allow us to take our belongings. He also threatened us not to enter the house,” the complaint further alleged.

“We have not received justice even after filing a complaint with the Superintendent of Police of Mangaluru district. The SIT should investigate the case and deliver justice by arresting the culprits,” the children demanded.

The SIT, after receiving the complaint, stated that it is being verified.

Ganesh and Bharathi, speaking to the media, said their father had worked as a mahout in Dharmasthala and was leading a retired life. They added that at the time of the murders, they were staying and studying at their maternal grandparents’ home along with their mother.

Karnataka BJP on Monday charged that the Congress-led government in the state intends to defame Dharmasthala. The Legislative Assembly was adjourned after the statement triggered heated arguments between BJP and Congress leaders.

Following Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s reply on the mass grave case, BJP State General Secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar alleged that forces are attempting to malign Dharmasthala’s reputation and that the Congress-led government shares the same intention.

In a major development, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has stated that until the chemical and DNA analysis reports are available, the investigation into the mass grave case will remain on hold. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken this decision, he added.

He made the statement on the floor of the Legislative Assembly while replying to BJP members on the matter. Responding to a question on how long the SIT investigation would continue, Parameshwara said, “So far, only exhumation work has been undertaken. The collected samples have been sent for DNA and soil analysis. Once the reports come, the investigation will proceed on that basis.”

–IANS

mka/dan

Bengaluru, Aug 18 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash the FIR lodged against a woman in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a minor boy and made a significant observation that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) is gender neutral, and the provisions of this act will apply to both men and women.

The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the verdict in this regard dismissing the petition by 52-year-old woman in this regard on Monday. The sexual assault case was registered against her by the parents of the victim minor boy.

The petitioner contended that there is delay of four years in reporting of the crime. The counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that complaint under Section 4 and 6 has been registered for penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act.

The alleged crime occurred in 2020 and the FIR has been filed in 2025, the counsel highlighted. He further submitted that the victim is a 13-year-old school going boy and was a neighbour. To avoid the repayment, the petitioner has been set up in this case, the counsel argued.

The bench however, rejecting the submission observed that POCSO Act being progressive is intended to safeguard sanctity of childhood it is rooted in gender neutrality with its beneficent object being protection of children, irrespective of sex. The act is gender neutral.

The court further observed that even if there was a delay in filing the complaint (registering the crime), it cannot be used as a reason to cancel or dismiss the legal case, because the seriousness of the alleged offence and the fact that the victim is underage (or a minor) are more important considerations.

The excuses about psychology and potency tests are not convincing and have no weight in today’s legal framework, the court maintained. The court firmly rejected the claim that in sexual activity a woman only plays a passive role while the man is the active one and made it clear that such a notion is outdated, wrong, and cannot be accepted in law.

–IANS

mka/pgh

Chennai, Aug 18 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI) concluded its “Velga Jananayakam Ezhucci” (Long Live Democracy) conference in Salem on Monday, where senior party leaders, including General Secretary D. Raja and State Secretary R. Mutharasan, strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for what they described as ongoing threats to India’s democratic fabric.

The event, attended by leaders of various political parties, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, drew thousands of CPI workers and sympathisers from across the state.

Addressing the gathering, D. Raja warned that democracy in India was under severe strain. He said that the right to vote, which forms the foundation of democratic governance, was being systematically eroded, citing examples from Bihar where widespread protests are underway against alleged voter list manipulation.

Raja cautioned that Tamil Nadu and Kerala could face similar challenges if democratic forces fail to remain vigilant. He accused the BJP and RSS of advancing a communal and fascist agenda aimed at transforming India into a religious state by undermining the Constitution framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Raja stressed that any attempt to alter the Constitution must be resisted at all costs, declaring that the nation had to be saved from the “clutches of the BJP.”

CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan, who addressed the concluding public meeting, echoed these concerns and underscored the party’s determination to fight fascist tendencies.

He reminded the audience of the CPI’s historic role in India’s political landscape, pointing out that the party had faced three bans, endured 12 years of underground activity, and made immense sacrifices during the freedom movement and beyond.

Mutharasan also directed sharp criticism at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his remarks against the CPI.

He said Palaniswami had no moral or political standing to comment on the CPI’s relevance, given the party’s history of struggle and sacrifice.

He further rejected Palaniswami’s suggestion that the CPI could be part of the AIADMK-led alliance, making it clear that the party would not be swayed by offers of political convenience.

“The CPI cannot be bought or sold,” Mutharasan declared.

“We are an independent party, committed to protecting people’s rights and defeating fascist politics.”

–IANS

aal/dan

Patna, Aug 18 (IANS) In a major crackdown on human trafficking, prostitution, orchestras and dance groups, Bihar Police rescued 112 minors and women from exploitation during a special state-wide campaign “Operation Naya Savera” conducted from July 31 to August 14.

The victims include 41 minor girls, 7 women, and 64 minor boys, said ADG (Weaker Sections) Amit Kumar Jain at a press conference held at Sardar Patel Bhawan, Police Headquarters in Patna on Monday.

During the operation, 50 human traffickers, including 28 men and 22 women, were arrested, and 24 FIRs were registered.

Launched on the occasion of International Human Trafficking Prevention Day (July 30), the campaign targeted victims trapped in human trafficking, child labour, prostitution, orchestra and theatre groups, with a focus on rehabilitation.

As part of the drive, 19 orchestra/theatre groups were busted in districts including Patna (2), Kishanganj (7), Purnea (3), Rohtas (3), Madhubani (1), Araria (3), Saran (29), and Bettiah (1).

63 victims of child labour were freed from Patna (23), Sitamarhi (21), Vaishali (4), Katihar (3), Bagaha (1), Madhubani (3), Narkatiaganj railway station (2), and Sasaram railway station (6).

The rescued victims also include 3 from Nepal, 13 from West Bengal, 4 from Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Odisha and Jharkhand.

ADG Jain further said that from January 2025 till now, police have registered 329 FIRs in trafficking-related cases across districts, rescuing 1,016 victims, including 217 minor girls, 77 women, and 722 minor boys.

A total of 250 traffickers have been arrested and sent to jail under BNS provisions.

Recognising exemplary efforts under the campaign, the Saran district was awarded the first prize, while Patna stood second.

In addition, the ADG highlighted ongoing initiatives of the CID Weaker Sections.

“Since the establishment of a counseling cell in 2021, 157 applications related to family disputes have been received till August 17, 2025, of which 142 cases have been resolved, including 56 through mutual settlement,” Jain said.

A special helpdesk for trans women (bisexual women) has also been created at the police station level.

The existing women’s helplines in 855 police stations will now function additionally as trans women helpdesks, guided by newly issued SOPs to ensure accessibility and speedy resolution of their cases.

–IANS

ajk/pgh

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (IANS) The Odisha Vigilance on Monday unearthed assets worth crores during simultaneous searches at locations linked to a senior official of the state government on the allegations of amassing properties beyond his known sources of income.

The accused officer, Surendra Behera, is currently posted at Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Division, Angul district.

As per Vigilance sources, on the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were conducted on the properties of Behera at eight places in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Sundargarh, Angul and Ganjam on Monday.

The places where the house searches have been carried out include the paternal and in-laws houses in Purusottampur area of Ganjam district, government quarters and office room in Angul, etc.

“As many as eight teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising three Deputy Superintendents of Police, ten Inspectors, four Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and other supporting staff conducted the search on Monday the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh,” said a senior vigilance officer.

During the searches, the vigilance sleuths found Behera and his family members are in possession of one triple storeyed building located at Sundargarh Town, worth over Rs1.11 crore, one double storeyed building at Rourkela, two flats in Bhubaneswar, four high value plots including one each in Sundargarh and Rourkela and two in Purusottampur area of Ganjam district, etc.

In another significant development, the Confiscation Court (Authorised Officer’s Court), Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, on Monday Passed order for the confiscation of the immovable and movable assets belong to Swarnalata Pradhan, widow of late Basanta Kumar Pradhan and the co-accused in Disproportionate Assets (DA) case registered in 1990.

The disproportionate assets include one multi-storeyed building at Tulasipur in Cuttack, one building at Laxmisagar in Bhubaneswar, a farm house of area 5.02 acres located at Athagarh, Cuttack, Bank and Postal deposits.

As per reports, during raids at properties linked to Basanta Kumar, former Deputy Director, Social Forestry, Bhubaneswar, the Vigilance sleuths found him and his wife Swarnalata possessing assets beyond his legal sources of income. Basanta Kumar was convicted in the DA case by the court on January 27, 2012.

Meanwhile the special court on Monday ordered for the confiscation of properties possessed by Swarnalata, a co-accused in the case.

–IANS

gyan/pgh

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed the State Health Department to give priority to the appointment of more numbers of doctors in tribal-dominated areas of the state.

Majhi gave the instructions during a high-level review meeting of the State Health and Family Welfare Department held under his chairmanship at the Lok Seva Bhawan here on Monday.

According to an official statement issued by the state government, as many as 1,840 medical officers and more than 5,000 para-medical staff will get appointments in the state very soon. CM Majhi, while chairing the meeting, directed the concerned officials to undertake a rationalisation process to ensure deployment of adequate numbers of medical officers across all regions of the state. He also instructed to lay special focus on deploying more doctors in tribal-dominated and remote areas of the state.

Majhi also emphasised that the state government will give utmost priority to vacant Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor posts in medical colleges of the state. Additionally, he laid stress on increasing the number of PG seats in medical colleges, strengthening the infrastructure of hospitals in the state, filling other essential posts, and recruiting technical staff. He directed the health department officials to expedite all related administrative processes in this regard.

The Chief Minister, during the meeting, also instructed the officials to give priority towards the establishment of the Integrated Trauma Care Centre in road accidents prone across the state. Discussions were held on increasing the incentive amounts for doctors in the remote areas where the doctors are showing unwillingness to work, and various challenges faced by AYUSH doctors.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister discussed different issues faced by the doctors, including recruitment, salary, increase in seats in medical education, and gave instructions to the Health Department Secretary to take appropriate steps in this regard.

On this occasion, Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and other senior officials of different departments were present.

–IANS

gyan/uk