Cyclone Senyar: Met Office predicts delayed arrival of winter in south Bengal

Patna, May 7 (IANS) Political leaders across the spectrum in Bihar on Wednesday praised the Indian Army following the successful execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’, which targeted terror camps at nine places in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said, “Salute to the valour of the Indian Army. We are all proud of you.”

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha lauded the strike as a “fitting” response to terrorism.

“When the Pahalgam attack happened, it was decided that the terrorists from Pakistan would not be spared. Today, under Operation Sindoor, India has delivered a strong blow to the nine hideouts of terrorists. This is the true meaning of a 56-inch chest. Jai Bharat! Jai Hind!” Deputy CM Sinha declared.

State BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said, “We will take revenge for every destroyed vermilion! Now words will not speak, but valour will speak. 56″ chest! Bharat Mata ki Jai.”

Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD-U’s working president and Rajya Sabha MP, echoed the sentiment.

“India destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan! Salute to the valour of the Indian Army. We are all proud of you,” he posted on the social media platform X.

Jha also warned against misinformation being spread online.

“Pakistani media is circulating fake videos claiming attacks on the Indian Army. Shockingly, some Indian users are also promoting these nefarious attempts. I urge everyone to be cautious and verify facts before believing or sharing such content,” he added.

The leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, emphasised that the nation is united against terrorism.

“India and its people have never tolerated terrorism and never will. The Indian Army protects the wombs of mothers and the vermilion on their foreheads. We are a peace-loving people, but we also know how to stand united and respond firmly when our sovereignty is attacked,” Tejashwi said.

“In this battle, all 140 crore Indians stand with the Indian Army and the government,” he added.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, April 30 (IANS) An incident of lynching by a mob has come to light in the communally-sensitive Mangaluru district of Karnataka. Police sources stated that the victim was beaten to death by a mob of more than 30 people for allegedly shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Wednesday that the matter is under investigation

According to sources, the victim has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf, aged between 35 and 40 years who hailed from Ullapalli village near Manandawadi in the neighbouring state of Kerala. Police have confirmed that his relatives have arrived in Mangaluru to claim the body.

Karnataka Police have arrested 20 people in connection with the case and have identified more than 30 individuals involved in the crime.

The police have invoked Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, framed specifically for mob lynching, for the first time. This Section prescribes either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The main accused has been identified as Sachin, an auto driver. Others arrested include Devadas, Saideep, Manjunath, among others. The husband of a former corporator is also being questioned by the police.

Responding to the development, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Wednesday, “In Mangaluru, a person aged between 35 and 40 years was lynched. While interrogating those involved, they told the police that the man had raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ The matter is under further investigation.”

“Nearly 20 individuals have been arrested so far. The police are also looking into their antecedents and backgrounds. We are taking the development seriously. Further investigation is ongoing as many others who were present to play cricket are also being questioned to gather more information,” HM Parameshwara added.

“The investigation is being taken very seriously. I want to clarify that I have not stated that the victim raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ It is merely the claim made by those involved in the lynching, according to the police,” he underlined.

“The victim is said to be from Kerala. We are in the process of obtaining his identity card and other proof to establish his full identity. As of now, there is no evidence or witness to confirm that the victim raised pro-Pakistan slogans. It is a claim made by the accused and requires thorough investigation,” HM Parameshwara stated.

“The investigation will also determine if there was any failure on the part of the police. We are examining all aspects of the incident. I appeal to the public and all communities to note that we are treating this case with utmost seriousness, just as with every other case. Sometimes, the aggrieved party may feel that the investigation is not progressing swiftly, but I assure you we are fully committed,” he maintained.

Police stated that on Sunday evening, under the Vamanjur police station limits, a dead body was recovered. Injury marks were found on the body, and initially, the case was registered as a suspicious death.

Further investigation revealed that the incident had taken place during a cricket tournament when the victim was attacked by a mob over alleged objectionable statements. After the post-mortem examination, it was confirmed that the man had been brutally assaulted to death, and the case was then converted to a murder investigation.

Preliminary investigation showed that during the tournament, the victim got into a quarrel with the main accused, Sachin. During the altercation, the victim allegedly shouted ‘Pakistan Zindabad,’ after which Sachin and his associates attacked him with a stick. When the victim tried to flee, the group chased him down and assaulted him again. About 30 people were involved in the attack, according to the preliminary findings.

–IANS

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Moscow/New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he also congratulated him on his 73rd birthday and conveyed best wishes for his good health and success in all his endeavours.

The two leaders reviewed the progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.

PM Modi conveyed that he is looking forward to welcoming President Putin to India, in December for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

India and Russia marked the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership between both countries on October 3.

The Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 3, 2000, took the bilateral relations of India and Russia to a new level characterised by coordinated approaches towards ensuring international peace and security, addressing major global and regional issues, as well as close cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and other areas.

“The year 2025 has already been rich with numerous bilateral exchanges and a particularly warm and substantial engagement of our leaders at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Later this year, we look forward to the upcoming bilateral summit in New Delhi, which will coincide with the 15th anniversary of elevating our strategic partnership to the level of a ‘special and privileged’ relationship,” stated Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India.

On the same day, Putin strongly backed India’s decision to continue its oil trade with Moscow, while praising Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin praised PM Modi as a “balanced and wise leader” and emphasised the unique bond between the two countries.

Putin dismissed any political motivation behind India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, asserting that it is driven purely by economics.

“There is no political aspect here… If India refuses our energy supplies, it will suffer certain losses. Estimates vary; some say it could be around $9-10 billion. But if it doesn’t refuse, sanctions will be imposed, and the loss will be the same. So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?” he said.

Putin had further expressed confidence in India’s resilience and its refusal to bend under external pressure, saying, “Of course, the people of a country like India, believe me, will closely monitor the decisions made by the political leadership and will never allow any humiliation in front of anyone. And then, I know Prime Minister Modi; he himself would never take any steps of this kind.”

Putin also underscored the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Russia and India, highlighting historical ties that date back to India’s independence movement.

“In India, they remember this, they know it, and they value it. We appreciate that India has not forgotten it… We have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India. Never,” he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Modi as a friend, Putin noted their comfortable and trustworthy relationship, calling him a “balanced, wise and nationally oriented” leader.

New Delhi and Moscow are actively preparing for Putin’s planned visit to India in December to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Russian President on the sidelines of SCO Summit last month, citing that the close cooperation of both nations is important for the peace, prosperity and stability in the world.

During their meeting, PM Modi said that 1.40 crore Indians are “eagerly waiting” for the Russian President’s arrival for the 23rd India-Russia Summit in December.

–IANS

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