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HD Kumaraswamy booked for ‘stealing power’ for Diwali lights: HDK explains himself as Congress puts ‘electricity thief’ poster outside JDS office

OpIndia Staff
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HD Kumaraswamy booked for ‘stealing power’ for Diwali lights: HDK explains himself as Congress puts ‘electricity thief’ poster outside JDS office

In an embarrassment to the former Karnataka Chief Minister, an FIR has been registered against HD Kumaraswamy on charges of electricity theft since he had connected the Diwali lights of his residence from an electricity pole. 

The FIR was registered based on the complaint filed by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) officials at BESCOM Vigilance Jayanagar Police Station. 

The Congress had alleged that HD Kumaraswamy had illegally connected the Diwali lights of his JP Nagar residence from an electric pole. The Congress had posted about this along with a video and photo. 

After the video went viral on social media, BESCOM officials visited the former Chief Minister’s residence and conducted an inspection. In his defence, Kumaraswamy claimed that a private decorator was asked to decorate his house with electric lights for Diwali and they had connected it from a nearby pole and tested it. He was away from his residence when the incident took place, he said. 

“A private decorator was asked to decorate my house with electric lights for Diwali. After decorating the house with electric lights, they connected electricity from a nearby pole and tested it,” Kumaraswamy said in a post on ‘X’. 

“This matter came to my attention when I came back home last night. I immediately removed it and connected the electricity from the meter board of the house. This is the reality. There is nothing hidden in this,” he added. 

The former Chief Minister said that he is sorry for the incident and is willing to pay the fine. 

“I am sorry for this indiscretion. Let the BESCOM officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine,” he said. 

Accusing the Karnataka Congress of highlighting this issue just to get publicity, he said, “This is what @INCKarnataka is doing to get publicity. I am concerned about the petty mentality of that party. I have not embezzled any state property.” 

Posters of “Electricity Thief” put up outside JD(S) office, removed by police

Bengaluru Police on Tuesday night removed the posters stating ‘Electricity Thief’ that were put up outside the JD(S) Head Office in Bengaluru. 

The posters appeared after an FIR was registered against JD(S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on charges of electricity theft since he had connected the Diwali lights of his residence from an electricity pole. 

The Janata Dal-Secular and the Congress have been at odds with one another ever since the former joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kumaraswamy had recently claimed that the Congress’ “guarantees” have failed in Karnataka to which the Congress responded by saying the former Chief Minister has started wearing “RSS knickers.”

(With inputs from agencies)

‘Ye konsa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai’: Harbhajan Singh slams former Pakistani captain Inzamam ul Haq over conversion to Islam claim

OpIndia Staff
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‘Ye konsa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai’: Harbhajan Singh slams former Pakistani captain Inzamam ul Haq over conversion to Islam claim

On Tuesday (14th November) former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam Ul Haq over an old video of the latter claiming that Harbhajan Singh was influenced by the ‘teachings’ of controversial Maulana Tariq Jameel and close to converting to Islam.

Taking to X, Harbhajan Singh denied the story and asserted that he is proud of his national and religious identity. “Yeh kon sa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai? I am a proud Indian and proud Sikh..yeh Bakwaas log kuch bi bakte hai (what drug has he consumed before talking…these rubbish people talk any nonsense),” he wrote.

In the viral video, Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Harbhajan Singh was one of the Indian cricketers who used to attend the sermons of Maulana Tariq Jameel, who is known for performing namaz with the Pakistan cricket team. The former Pakistani said that during a tour he invited Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, and Mohammad Kaif to join the prayer sessions and that Harbhajan also attended the preaching. Inzamam went on to claim that the former Indian spinner was deeply impressed by the preaching of Tariq Jameel and had shown intent to convert to Islam.

“We had a room where we had prayers. Maulana Tariq Jameel would come by in the evening and lead us in namaz. After a few days, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, and Zaheer Khan joined. “Four other Indian cricketers sat there watching us. Harbhajan, who was unaware that Tariq Jameel was a maulana, said ‘I am impressed with this man and my heart wants to follow his words’ but I stop because of you, as your lifestyle is not that way,” Inzamam claimed to assert that Muslim themselves are not following the path of Quran which somehow prevents non-Muslims from converting to Islam.

Notably, the old video in question had gone viral online in September last year too. However, the video has resurfaced on social media with people calling out the Pakistani cricketers for trying to convert non-Muslims to Islam instead of focusing on the game of cricket. It is pertinent to note that the Pakistani team’s dressing room has always been a fertile ground for conversion Jihad. Once Inzamam Ul Haq had narrated how he and another former Pakistani cricketer Yousaf Yohana had given “deen ki dawat” (invitation to accept Islam) to legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara. A detailed OpIndia report on Pakistani cricketers’ involvement in attempting to convert non-Muslim players to Islam as well as their hatred for Kafirs especially Hindus can be read here.

Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut shares shocking post justifying Hitler’s Holocaust against Jews, deletes it later: What happened

OpIndia Staff
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Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut shares shocking post justifying Hitler’s Holocaust against Jews, deletes it later: What happened

On 14th November, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared a post from his X handle justifying Hitler’s holocaust against Jews. He shared a post by an X handle ‘Article19 India’ wherein a video of premature babies was shared. It was claimed that the Israeli armed forces cut off the power to the incubator of these babies. Sanjay Raut said in his post that Jews were killed by Hitler for such actions.

Sanjay Raut wrote, “Why did Hitler hate the Jewish community so much? Is this understandable now?”

Screengrab of Sanjay Raut’s X post

Earlier, Article 19 India wrote in its post, “Premature babies are screaming in Al-Shifa hospital. the power to the incubator in which they were kept has been cut off by Israel. Armed forces have surrounded the hospital from all sides. No food items, milk, or water are allowed inside the hospital.” The post also contained a video claiming that it is from the Al Shifa hospital.

Sanjay Raut implied in his post that Hitler killed Jews in the holocaust because they committed such actions. He justified Hitler’s killing of Jews in the holocaust during the Second World War. The ethnic cleansing claimed the lives of more than 60 lakh Jews wherein they were killed by locking in a gas chamber. He later deleted the tweet.

It is pertinent to note that 39 babies have not died at the Al Shifa hospital, however, it is being reported that they are at risk due to lack of oxygen and electricity. IDF had also offered to provide oxygen and aid to Shifa Hospital in order to ensure that the babies were safely evacuated. “The IDF remains committed to upholding its moral and professional responsibilities to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists,” the military spokesperson said. “The IDF is willing to work with any reliable mediating party to ensure the transfer of the incubators.”

In a phone call released by the IDF, an officer from the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) to Gaza, speaking with the Director General of Al-Shifa Hospital, can be heard offering the incubators as well as helping evacuate children and patients from the facility.

“We are ready to provide you with any assistance you wish to evacuate children and patients. We are ready to provide you with any assistance. We’ll even provide you with an incubator,” the officer said.

IDF releases additional footage from Gaza’s Rantisi Hospital where Israeli hostages were held, confirms death of captured soldier shown in Hamas video

OpIndia Staff
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IDF releases additional footage from Gaza’s Rantisi Hospital where Israeli hostages were held, confirms death of captured soldier shown in Hamas video

On 14th November (Tuesday), the Israel Defense Forces released additional footage from the raid of a hospital in Gaza that was being used by Hamas for their terror activities. According to the IDF, this Hospital was the place where Hamas terrorists held Israeli hostages. The additional footage shows the moment when the Israeli Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 commando unit and the 401st Armored Brigade raided Gaza City’s Rantisi children’s hospital. 

During their raid, the Israeli troops found a cache of weapons and a room that the IDF believes was used by Hamas to hold Israeli hostages.

Earlier on 13th November, the IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari gave a press conference in English. The IDF spokesperson presented evidence that the Islamic terror outfit Hamas used the Al Rantisi Hospital in Gaza as a terror base. In a 6-minute-long video, Hagari informed that Hamas terrorists stored weapons at the hospital premises and kept Israeli civilians as hostages for some time. 

In the video, Hagari also walked through an underground tunnel which according to him connected the residence of a senior Hamas terrorist with the Rantisi Hospital from beneath. He highlighted that the building was close to the hospital and it was not far off from UN-affiliated buildings.  

Apart from the 6-minute video, the post read, “EXCLUSIVE RAW FOOTAGE: Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari walk through one of Hamas’ subterranean terrorist tunnels—only to exit in Gaza’s Rantisi hospital on the other side. Inside these tunnels, Hamas terrorists hide, operate, and hold Israeli hostages against their will.” 

IDF confirms the death of a captive female soldier who was shown in a Hamas video

Additionally, on 14th November (Tuesday), the IDF confirmed the death of Cpl. Noa Marciano (19). She was captured by the Hamas terror group on 7th October.

Marciano was part of the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps 414th unit and was serving on the Nahal Oz IDF base when it was overrun by Hamas terrorists during the 7th October onslaught on southern Israel. She lived in Modiin and was the oldest of three siblings.

Several terror groups in Gaza have been holding around 240 people hostage since 7th October. On several occasions, Hamas has made unsubstantiated claims that some hostages have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Since the Hamas terror attack, four hostages namely Judith and Natalie Ra’anan, Yocheved Lifshitz, and Nurit Cooper have been released by Hamas while one captive, Ori Megidish, was rescued by IDF troops.

On Monday evening (13th November), Hamas published a propaganda video of Marciano. In the video, she was seen speaking to the camera four days after being taken hostage and she identified herself and recited the names of her parents and her hometown. The propaganda video which Israel calls are part of psychological terror,  then showed her dead body. Subsequently, the military said it sent representatives to the Marciano family home to inform them of the video.

(Israeli soldier Cpl. Noa Marciano (IDF) killed in Hamas captivity, Image Source – Times of Israel)

Later, today, on Tuesday (14th November), the IDF said that it now recognises Marciano as a “fallen soldier held captive by a terror group.” The IDF added that “Hamas continues to use psychological terror and behaves inhumanely, through videos and photos of hostages, as it has done in the past.”

Despite Hamas’s propaganda video claiming to show her dead body, Channel 12 news reported that the IDF said it made its declaration about Marciano’s death based on intelligence information, and not based on the Hamas video.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has been reiterating that it is “using all means, both intelligence and operational, to bring the hostages home.” 

Amid reports of a potential hostage deal, Israel’s War cabinet minister Benny Gantz asserted that even if Israel pauses fighting as part of a potential hostage deal, it will continue pursuing its war to dislodge Hamas’s control over the Gaza Strip. He made this assertion while visiting military leadership in Israel’s north. 

He said, “Even if a ceasefire is required in order to return hostages, there will be no stopping the war. We continue until our goals are achieved.”

Notably, Israel’s stated goals include uprooting Hamas’s political and military control over the Strip, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a post-Hamas Gaza must be demilitarised and de-radicalised.

Sahara Group founder Subrata Roy, who faced allegations of fund mismanagement amounting to Rs 24,000 crore, dies at the age of 75

OpIndia Staff
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Sahara Group founder Subrata Roy, who faced allegations of fund mismanagement amounting to Rs 24,000 crore, dies at the age of 75

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Subrata Roy, the founder of the Sahara Group, died in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. Roy was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH) on Sunday following a decline in health. The 75-year-old Sahara chief suffered a cardiac arrest.

Subrata Roy is survived by his wife Swapna Roy and two sons, Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy, who live abroad.

In a statement, the Sahara group said, “Saharasri ji an inspirational leader and visionary, passed away on 141h November 2023 at 10.30 pm due to cardiorespiratory arrest following an extended battle with complications arising from metastatic malignancy, hypertension, and diabetes. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH) on 12th November 2023, following a decline in health.”

SS of the press note released by Sahara India Pariwar (Source: Hindustan Times)

Subrata Roy was born in 1948 in Araria, Bihar, and started Sahara India Pariwar in 1978. Subrata Roy reportedly started the company with a capital of Rs 2000. Over time Sahara India Pariwar went on to become the second-largest employer in India after Indian Railways, boasting a workforce of around 1.2 million people and claiming to have more than 9 crore investors, which is about 13% of all households in the country.

Through ambitious projects like Aamby Valley City and acquisitions of renowned hotels like the Plaza in New York City and the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Roy’s Sahara company rose to national prominence. With projects like Sahara TV—later renamed Sahara One—and the Hindi-language newspaper Rashtriya Sahara, the group also achieved notable success in the media sector.

Over time Subrata Roy emerged as India’s most flamboyant and enigmatic tycoon who had a fleet of private jets and helicopters and one of his mansions is modelled on the White House. He remained in the news for his larger-than-life image, colourful lifestyle and considerable political connections.

Things, however, turned awry for the Sahara chief in 2011 when a financial scandal involving the Sahara Group came to light. In what came to be known as the Sahara Scam, Roy was accused of duping his investors of Rs 24,000 crore.

2011 Sahara Chit Fund Scam

The Sahara scam was one of the biggest financial frauds in India’s history. It involved a large amount of money, regulatory violations, and a dramatic legal battle. The Rs 24000 crore fraud came to light in 2011 when a chartered accountant named RoshanLal raised concerns about the discrepancies in housing bonds issued by two Sahara companies, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIREC) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC), as these companies raised significant amounts of money without proper accountability.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accused Sahara of raising funds through Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures (OFCDs) without proper approvals. This led to a directive from SEBI in 2011 for two Sahara companies to refund the money raised from investors.

The legal battle culminated in Roy’s arrest in March 2014, and he spent time in Tihar Jail before being released on parole in 2017. The scandal tarnished the reputation of the Sahara group and Roy.

Recently, on the 18th of Jul 2023, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah launched the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)-Sahara Refund Portal in New Delhi. It was developed by a subsidiary of IFCI Ltd. to help over 10 crore depositors of Sahara Group claim their refund in a timely and transparent manner.

‘If not Rabri then should I make your wife the CM’: Lalu Yadav launches personal attack on Union Minister Nityanand Rai

OpIndia Staff
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‘If not Rabri then should I make your wife the CM’: Lalu Yadav launches personal attack on Union Minister Nityanand Rai

On Tuesday, 14th November, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav attended the Govardhan Puja ceremony organised at the ISKCON temple in Patna, Bihar. On this occasion, Lalu Prasad Yadav lashed out at the BJP and its leaders, including the Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Ram Kripal Yadav.

“If not Rabri Devi then should I have made your wife the CM,” the RJD supremo took a dig at the Union Minister accusing him of plotting ways to become the Bihar CM.

Lalu’s reaction came after Nityanand Rai, during the “Yaduvanshi Milan Samaroh” event organised by BJP on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, questioned what work the RJD did for the upliftment of the Yadav community during its 15 years in power. Notably, Rai cited the recently released report of the caste survey which stated that less than 2 per cent of the OBC group’s total population was in government jobs.

The Union Minister had further lambasted Prasad for not entrusting “any Yadav leader within his party” with the CM’s post when the RJD supremo stepped down, faced with imminent arrest in fodder scam cases, and was succeeded by his wife Rabri Devi.

Miffed by the facts stated by the Union minister, Lalu Yadav alleged that Nityanand Rai had first approached him with a request to take him into his party and only after Lalu Prasad turned down his request did he join the BJP. Further hitting out at the BJP, which has frequently mocked Lalu Yadav for doing nothing for the upliftment of women during 15 years of RJD rule in the state except for anointing his wife Rabri Devi on the chief ministerial chair, the RJD chief said that if it hadn’t been for Rabri Devi, RJD party would have ceased to exist and the Nitish Kumar-Tejashwi Yadav alliance government would not have been formed in Bihar.

Lalu Yadav further claimed that if he fielded his son Tej Pratap Yadav in the elections, then Nityanand Rai’s bail would be confiscated. 

RJD president Lalu Prasad, who became the chief minister of Bihar in 1990, had made his wife Rabri Devi the chief minister when he had to go to jail in 1997 in connection with a multi-crore fodder scam case. Her chief ministerial tenure even exceeds that of Lalu Prasad’s seven-year tenure.

Further hitting out at BJP’s ‘Yaduvanshi Milan Samaroh’ that was held at the Bapu Sabhagar auditorium in the city, on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, a festival associated with Lord Krishna whose descendants are the Yadavs, Lalu Yadav accused BJP of creating a rift between the Yadav community.

Lalu, further targeted his former confidant Ram Kripal Yadav, claiming that he in the past ran an unlawful land-grabbing racket. Lalu claimed that Ram Kripal Yadav used his position and clout to illegally usurp properties, including hotels and land from the poor.

Ram Kripal Yadav is a former member of Rashtriya Janata Dal and a close confidant of Lalu Yadav who later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ram Kripal had quit the RJD before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and won on a BJP ticket from Pataliputra, defeating Lalu’s daughter Misa Bharti.

Meanwhile, apart from RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, many leaders including Shivanand Tiwari, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, Minister Surendra Prasad Yadav, Bhola Yadav were present on the stage during the program organised by Shri Krishna Chetna Samiti at the ISKCON temple in Patna, Bihar.

Shahid Afridi, who was laughing at Abdul Razzaq’s vulgar comment against Aishwarya Rai, says he laughed and clapped without listening to what Razzaq said

OpIndia Staff
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Shahid Afridi, who was laughing at Abdul Razzaq’s vulgar comment against Aishwarya Rai, says he laughed and clapped without listening to what Razzaq said

On 12th November, former Pakistani Cricketer Abdul Razzaq made a vulgar comment while drawing a bizarre parallel between marrying Aishwarya Rai and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). After Razzaq’s comment, his fellow ex-cricketers on stage, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul laughed and clapped in appreciation of Razzaq’s derogatory comment. Now, however, Shahid Afridi has tried to defend himself by saying that he laughed without listening to what Abdul Razzaq said.

During his appearance on Samaa TV, the former Pakistan captain Afridi said, “We were on stage, and Razzaq said something. I didn’t understand, I was just laughing randomly. I knew the mic was in Razzaq’s hand, he would say something, he is very fond of such comments.”

Shahid Afridi further tried to cover up his embarrassment by saying, “After returning home, someone shared the clip with me and then I heard what Razzaq has said. That is when I heard what Razzaq actually said, I laughed randomly on stage. Then I felt strange.”

Afridi further said that he will send a message to Abdul Razzaq and will ask him to say sorry to everyone. Afridi said that it was a bad joke and that nobody should joke about such things, even though he found it hilarious while he was on stage with Abdul Razzaq.

Earlier, Abdul Razzaq, while attending an event at the Karachi Marriott Hotel with former Pakistani crickets who were part of the T20 team that won the 2009 World Cup, ridiculed the intentions of PCB by dragging Indian actress Aishwarya Rai into an uncalled-for statement, reflecting the deep-seated Hinduphobia and misogyny endemic to Pakistan society.

Razzaq said, “If you think that I will get married to Aishwarya (Rai) and then have good and virtuous kids, then that can never happen. So you have to correct your intentions first.”

Razzaq shared the stage with Shoaib Malik, who happens to be married to Indian Tennis star Sania Mirza. Other cricketers present on the stage were Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Misbah Ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Kamran Akmal.

‘We are safe’: Labourer trapped inside collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel speaks to son confirming safety of 40 men, SDRF plans to rescue them using 900 mm pipes

OpIndia Staff
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‘We are safe’: Labourer trapped inside collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel speaks to son confirming safety of 40 men, SDRF plans to rescue them using 900 mm pipes

The SDRF is leading efforts to rescue 40 workers trapped inside the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. Amid the rescue efforts, on 14th November, one of the trapped workers, Gabbar Singh Negi, spoke to his son, confirming their safety.

Speaking to the news agency PTI, Negi’s son Akash said, “I was allowed to speak to my father for a few seconds using the pipe through which oxygen is being supplied to the stranded workers.”

“He said they were safe. He asked us not to worry as the company is with them,” Akash added. Akash was also accompanied by his uncle Maharaj Singh Negi at the accident site when he spoke to his father.

Rescue teams have effectively established communication with the workers using Walkie-Talkies. While the initial contact was made through a note on a piece of paper, the rescuers later succeeded in establishing a connection using radio handsets.

According to Maharaj Singh Negi, he convinced the policemen who were initially reluctant to let them talk with those trapped inside. Negi added that when he convinced the inspector that hearing from a relative would comfort the stranded labourers as well as the concerned family members, and strengthen their hope for a safe rescue, the policeman relented and he sent Akash to speak to his father. 

Maharaj Singh Negi added that the authorities told him not to worry as the tunnel was unclogged. They added that it is empty 2 kms beyond the point where the labourers are trapped. 

The officials said, “A part of the tunnel being built between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway caved in on Sunday morning (12th November) following a landslide.”

Meanwhile, the officials added that rescue workers on Tuesday (14th November) began the process of inserting wide steel pipes through the rubble of the collapsed under-construction tunnel on the Chardham route to bring out the 40 labourers trapped inside for two days now.

The rescue plan involves pushing through 900-mm diameter sections of mild steel pipes one after the other into the debris using drilling equipment. The width is wide enough for the trapped men to squeeze through, by boring a hole into the heap of debris. 

(The 900 mm wide pipes will facilitate the construction of a passageway for rescuing the trapped workers from the tunnel, Image Source – India Today)

The aim is to establish an escape passage for the workers. Officials have ensured that the workers are secure and receiving essential supplies such as oxygen, water, food packets, and medicines through tubes. 

A Disaster response official said, “They have a buffer of around 400 metres to walk and breathe.” 

Efforts are underway to construct an escape route to reach the workers who are trapped, and the distance is approximately 40 meters. According to officials, they have successfully removed around 21 meters of the slab blocking the tunnel, but there is still a 19-meter passage that needs to be cleared.

(Graphic version of details of Rescue operation, Credits – India Today)

The officials said that a platform is being prepared for an auger machine to drill horizontally, and push the pipes through the debris and evacuate the workers. 

All essential material and machinery required for the daring operation has been transported to the site. Additionally, experts from the irrigation department are now actively participating in the operation.

The 4.5-km tunnel located on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, connecting Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi, constitutes a significant segment of the Chardham project. Once completed, it would reduce the distance by 26 kms.

Initial reports indicate that a landslide in the area may have caused the collapse, however, officials state that an investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the incident.

‘Nothing new’: Bihar Education Minister after sand mafia tractor mows down a cop and leaves a home guard critical

OpIndia Staff
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‘Nothing new’: Bihar Education Minister after sand mafia tractor mows down a cop and leaves a home guard critical

On 14th November (Tuesday), a police sub-inspector was allegedly moved down by a tractor transporting sand illegally near Mahulia Tand village in Bihar’s Jamui district. Two people were also injured in the incident, including a home guard. They have been admitted to a hospital. According to the police one home guard who was injured in the incident is said to be critical. 

However, Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar made a shocking and insensitive remark after learning about the incident. Speaking to India Today, he said, “Such incidents are nothing new.” He argued that such incidents keep happening. Such incidents have happened in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the past, he added. However, the Minister did try to balance it out and added that the accused in the case would be given punishment as per the law.

(Left) Mortal remains of the deceased Bihar cop; (Right) Home guard also injured (Source: Republic)

The deceased inspector has been identified as Prabhat Ranjan, a resident of Siwan district. He was in charge of Garhi Police Station. ”He was rushed to a nearby Hospital where doctors said he was brought dead,” as per police.

The injured home guard has been identified as Rajesh Kumar. “He was admitted to a private clinic in the city where his condition is said to be critical,” police said.

Police said, “Garhi police station in-charge mowed down allegedly by a tractor carrying sand illegally, one Home Guard also injured in the incident in Mahulia Tand village of Jamui district.” They added that upon receiving the word, police officials reached the spot and started investigating the matter.

Following the incident, Jamui SP, Shaurya Suman said that one person named Mithilesh Kumar, who was involved in the incident, was arrested. 

However, the driver of the tractor, identified as Krishna, is absconding. Meanwhile, police officials have seized the tractor and are making efforts to nab the driver. 

Launching a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the killing of a cop by a sand mafia’s tractor, Jamui MP Chirag Paswan stressed that the incident raises questions about his leadership. 

He also asked why no “concrete steps” have been taken against sand smugglers in the state. He further added, “Illegal sand mining is causing people to die by drowning in the river, while uncontrollable vehicles are crushing the security forces”.

After a brief halt during the SC hearing, stubble burning in Punjab is back with a vengeance as Delhi chokes: 1600 fires raging across the state

Anurag
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After a brief halt during the SC hearing, stubble burning in Punjab is back with a vengeance as Delhi chokes: 1600 fires raging across the state

On 13th November, 1,624 incidents of stubble burning were reported in the state of Punjab. A day earlier, on Diwali, that is, 12th November, there were 987 incidents of stubble burning reported in the North Indian state. Interestingly, these incidents had dropped to merely 6 just days back when the Supreme Court of India heard about pollution in Delhi. During the hearing, the apex court categorically blamed stubble burning in Punjab for the poor Air Quality Index in Delhi.

Created by OpIndia. Source: gis-prsc.punjab.gov.in

However, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Delhi, and other stakeholders, including the media, are hell-bent on giving clean chit to the farmers of Punjab who are choking the people of Delhi with pollution. Instead of controlling the farmers, they blamed Diwali and Hindus for the pollution.

In a previous report, OpIndia explained how AQI in Delhi was better after Diwali was celebrated in full swing by bursting tons of fireworks compared to AQI earlier, which was worse due to stubble burning in Punjab. The report can be checked here.

OpIndia used satellite data from NASA and data provided by the Punjab Government to determine how stubble-burning incidents have dipped and increased between 4th November 2023 and 13th November 2023.

On 4th November, 1,360 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 5th November, 3,230 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 6th November, 2,060 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 7th November, 1,515 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 8th November, 2,003 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. On this day, the Supreme Court of India started hearing matters related to pollution in Delhi.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 9th November, 639 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. On 9th November and 10th November, the apex court categorically blamed stubble burning for the pollution in Delhi. The court asked Punjab to take responsibility and questioned the intentions of the government of Punjab led by AAP as it failed to stop stubble burning.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 10th November, just 6 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. Evidently, the scolding worked for a couple of days as there were only six reported incidents of stubble burning in the state.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 11th November, 104 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. The incidents increased slightly the next day, but it was far from the previous records.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 12th November, 987 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. However, on the morning of Diwali, stubble-burning incidents saw an increase by nine times compared to the previous day.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

On 13th November, 1,624 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab. While AAP leaders, especially the environment minister of Delhi, Gopal Rai, blamed Diwali and Hindus for worsening air quality in the national capital, the stubble-burning incidents almost doubled from the previous day in Punjab.

Source: NASA/FIRMS

Based on the wind patterns, it can be observed that the air is currently flowing from Punjab towards Delhi. It is expected that the pollution caused by stubble burning will take a few days to reach Delhi, further deteriorating the air quality index (AQI). Diwali would have already passed by the time this happened, and the AQI data indicates that the air pollution was not as severe as it was when stubble burning was affecting it before the rains.

Source: Windy

In such a scenario, it raises the question as to whom Gopal Rai and others would hold responsible for the deteriorating air quality. In most probability, it will be Diwali and Hindus who will get the blame. Farmers, on the other hand, will once again get a free pass. They will keep burning stubble and choke the people of Delhi without any fear of the law of the apex court.

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