The Pune civic body on Tuesday said that action has already been taken against more than 1,500 illegal hoardings in city, in the wake of the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident in Mumbai which claimed 14 lives, reported the PTI. There were 1,564 illegal temporary hoardings and posters in the city, Pune Municipal Corporation's commissioner Rajendra Bhosale said, as per the PTI. "We have taken action against them. We had also issued an order to conduct structural audit of all legal hoardings in the city," he told reporters. Of 2,598 legal hoardings in PMC limits, the audit of 2,300 was complete and none of them was found to be structurally unstable, the municipal commissioner said. No illegally erected commercial hoardings were found, Rajendra Bhosale added. The civic body was also revising policy guidelines for hoardings in congested areas, he added. At least 14 persons were killed when a giant hoarding crashed on a petrol pump in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area amid rain and strong winds on Monday evening. Pune had witnessed a similar tragic incident in October 2018 when a hoarding on the railway station premises fell on vehicles on the adjoining road, claiming four lives. Will act against all illegal hoardings in Mumbai: BMC Meanwhile, a day after the collapse of an illegal hoarding claimed 14 lives in Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday said that it would take action against all hoardings erected without its permission, reported the PTI. No action was taken in the past against the giant hoarding that crashed on a petrol pump in Chheda Nagar area on Monday evening as a dispute was going on between the BMC and Government Railway Police (GRP), an official said, as per the PTI. The drive will start with the removal of the remaining three hoardings on the GRP land in Ghatkopar, said municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Tuesday after visiting the site where rescue operation is underway, according to the PTI. "Regarding this incident, a case has been registered. We have also directed all civic officials and assistant commissioners to remove such hoardings erected without our permission or which are dangerous in their respective wards immediately. In the next few days you will find this action completed," he said. (with PTI inputs)
14 May,2024 08:36 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentAtleast three people were killed on the spot and a boy was injured in an accident involving a car and a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus in Nashik district on Tuesday, the police said, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, the car was on its way to Bhadgaon from Bhagur in Nashik district when it collided with the MSRTC bus coming from the opposite direction near the Gangadhari area on Nandgaon-Chalisgaon road in north Maharashtra, they said. The crash was so severe that three car occupants -- Vandana Santosh Nalwade (40), Shubham Santosh Nalwade (23) and Nikita Manoj Shinde (22) -- all residents of Palse in Nashik, died on the spot, the police said. A two-year-old boy, who was also in the car, received injuries and was admitted to a government hospital in Malegaon town, said the police. Three children, two men drown in MP's Chhatarpur, Vidisha Meanwhile, in an another incident in Madhya Pradesh, as many as three children and two men died in separate incidents of drowning in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur and Vidisha districts, police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, two brothers and their cousin drowned while bathing in a pond in Ramjhala village, under the Chandla police station limits, around 80 km from Chhatarpur, on Monday, Chhatarpur's additional superintendent of police (ASP) Vikram Singh said. The family members started looking for the children when they didn't return home, and their bodies were recovered later in the evening, he said, the PTI reported on Tuesday. The boys were identified as Vijay Anuragi (8), his brother Kisari (6) and cousin Ritik (5), he said, the news agency reported. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha, two persons drowned while bathing in Betwa River in Nolakhi village under Ganjbasoda (Rural) police station limits, some 40 km from the district headquarters, on Tuesday afternoon, Ganjbasoda (Rural) police station in-charge Harikishan Lohia said, as per the PTI. Rescuers fished out the bodies of Kamlesh Raghuvanshi (45) and Bhola Joshi (25), he said. The police have registered cases of accidental deaths in connection with both incidents, it was stated, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
14 May,2024 08:27 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentAam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh condemned the reported assault on the party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal and added that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has confirmed the event and directed harsh action. At a news briefing, Singh stated, "Yesterday, an incident took place. At the residence of Arvind Kejriwal, an incident of misbehaviour took place with Swati Maliwal by Vibhav Kumar (Arvind Kejriwal's PA). Swati Maliwal has informed about this incident to Delhi Police. This is a condemnable incident. Arvind Kejriwal has taken cognizance of the incident and has directed strict action in the incident. We are with Swati Maliwal." According to the news report, Delhi Police said Swati Maliwal has yet to file an official complaint. The police suggested that they were ready to act on her complaint once it was received. A PCR call does not constitute a complaint, according to Delhi Police, who emphasise that a written complaint is required for filing an FIR. "The complaint is registered only when the complainant registers his complaint in writing in the police station, in this case also by Swati Maliwal. Unless a written complaint is lodged, Delhi Police can neither register any complaint nor any FIR," ANI quoted their sources in Delhi Police as saying. Earlier in the day, there was mayhem in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House, which was adjourned without debate. BJP councillors condemned Swati Maliwal's assault and urged that a 'Dalit' Mayor be appointed. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi chastised BJP councillors for disrupting House proceedings and blocking debate on MCD matters, the report added. According to Delhi Police, no report has been filed regarding Swati Maliwal's claimed attack at the Chief Minister's residence. Despite receiving a PCR call, Maliwal exited the police station without registering a report. "At around 9.34 am, we received a PCR call wherein the caller said that she had been assaulted inside the CM residence. Accordingly, local police responded to the call and SHO and the local police reached the spot. After some time, MP Swati Maliwal came to the police station, Civil Lines. She left the police station without giving any complaints. In this matter till now, no complaints have been received," DCP Manoj Kumar Meena told ANI. This episode occurs prior of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Delhi, with Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail and the AAP-Congress alliance playing significant roles.
14 May,2024 06:22 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThree children, all boys and two men died in separate incidents of drowning in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur and Vidisha districts, police said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, two brothers and their cousin drowned while bathing in a pond in Ramjhala village, under the Chandla police station limits, around 80 km from Chhatarpur, on Monday, Chhatarpur's additional superintendent of police (ASP) Vikram Singh said. The family members started looking for the children when they didn't return home, and their bodies were recovered later in the evening, he said, the PTI reported on Tuesday. The boys were identified as Vijay Anuragi (8), his brother Kisari (6) and cousin Ritik (5), he said, the news agency reported. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha, two persons drowned while bathing in Betwa River in Nolakhi village under Ganjbasoda (Rural) police station limits, some 40 km from the district headquarters, on Tuesday afternoon, Ganjbasoda (Rural) police station in-charge Harikishan Lohia said, as per the PTI. Rescuers fished out the bodies of Kamlesh Raghuvanshi (45) and Bhola Joshi (25), he said. The police have registered cases of accidental deaths in connection with both incidents, it was stated, the news agency reported. Patient charred to death as ambulance catches fire in Kerala A woman patient was charred to death when the ambulance, transporting her to another hospital, hit an electric pole and caught fire in this district early Tuesday morning, the police said, reported the PTI. The shocking mishap happened when the deceased patient, Sulochana (57), was shifted from a Medical College Hospital to a private hospital here for an emergency surgery, they said, as per the PTI. The high-speeding ambulance skidded after losing control and hit a wayside electric pole, thus catching fire, police said. Besides the woman patient and the driver, two persons, a doctor, and a nurse were also in the vehicle. They had a narrow escape with minor injuries, but the patient got trapped in the vehicle and was charred to death, the news agency reported on Tuesday. The rescued persons were rushed to a nearby hospital, police added. (with PTI inputs)
14 May,2024 06:05 PM IST | Bhopal | mid-day online correspondentMaratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday warned that the agitation will restart from June 4, the day the results of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be out, reported the PTI. A rally will be organised on June 8 to press the Maratha community's demand for reservations in government jobs and admissions to educational institutes, he said. Manoj Jarange has been heading the Maratha quota agitation since last year, garlanded a statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to mark the 17th century ruler's birth anniversary. "We want reservation for our kids.....We have been given ten percent reservation (under the economically backward category) which is of no use. This has been proved in the (ongoing) police recruitment," he told reporters afterwards, as per the PTI. "We will restart the agitation at 9 am on June 4 by holding an indefinite hunger strike. The agitation will take place peacefully," the activist said, adding that he hoped the government will deal with his demands before that, according to the PTI. Preparations were in full swing for the rally at Narayangad in Beed district of Maharashtra on June 8, he said. Asked about the impact of the Maratha agitation on the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Manoj Jarange said, "I was not involved and have not campaigned for anyone. I just said that people should defeat those who were against us," the PTI reported. But "never before" Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held so many campaign rallies in Maharashtra, he said. "He had also never campaigned for different parties contesting on different symbols in the past. But this time he did that. This happened because of four or five state BJP leaders who have hatred for Marathas and other communities," Manoj Jarange said, as per the PTI. Among BJP leaders, deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil hate Marathas, he alleged, adding, "Devendra Fadnavis should shed this hatred as we were never against BJP." If the government did not grant Kunbi caste certificates to the relatives of the Marathas who have obtained such a certificate, "we will be in the fray for the coming assembly polls," Manoj Jarange warned. The agrarian Kunbi community is part of the OBC group in the state. (with PTI inputs)
14 May,2024 05:28 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's PS Bibhav Kumar "misbehaved" with AAP RS MP Swati Maliwal on Monday at the CM's residence and the AAP supremo will take strict action in the matter, party leader Sanjay Singh said. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Singh said it is a "condemnable incident". "Yesterday, Maliwal had gone to meet Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. While she was waiting to meet him in the drawing room, Bibhav Kumar misbehaved with her. This is a highly condemnable incident. Kejriwal has taken cognizance of it and will take strict action in the incident," he added. Maliwal on Monday went to the Civil Lines Police Station and alleged that a member of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted' her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said. Police have not yet received a formal complaint. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 May,2024 05:05 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Narendra Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is showing results in the poll percentage in Jammu and Kashmir and has enhanced people's trust in democracy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday. The home minister's remarks came a day after about 38 per cent polling was recorded in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency where polling was held in the 4th phase of the general elections. Srinagar recorded 14.43 per cent polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, 25.86 per cent in 2014, 25.55 per cent in 2009 and 18.57 per cent in 2004. "The Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370 is showing results in the poll percentage as well. It has enhanced people's trust in democracy and its roots have deepened in Jammu and Kashmir," he wrote on 'X'. Shah said that through the rise in the poll percentage, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a befitting reply to those who opposed the abrogation of Article 370 provisions and are still advocating its restoration. The Modi government abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories-- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 May,2024 03:50 PM IST | Srinagar | PTIThe Centre on Tuesday extended the ban imposed on the LTTE by five more years for fostering a separatist tendency amongst the masses and enhancing the support base for it in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu, besides threatening the territorial integrity of India. The Union Home Ministry imposed the ban invoking the sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. In a notification, the home ministry noted that the LTTE is an association based in Sri Lanka but has supporters, sympathisers and agents in the territory of India. The central government is of the opinion that the LTTE is still indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country. It said that even after its military defeat in May, 2009 in Sri Lanka, the LTTE has not abandoned the concept of 'Eelam' (an independent country for Tamils) and has been clandestinely working towards the 'Eelam' cause by undertaking fund raising and propaganda activities and the remnant LTTE leaders or cadres have also initiated efforts to regroup the scattered activists and resurrect the outfit locally and internationally. "The pro-LTTE groups/elements continue to foster a separatist tendency amongst the masses and enhance the support base for LTTE in India and particularly in Tamil Nadu, which will ultimately have a strong disintegrating influence over the territorial integrity of India," the notification said. The home ministry said the group's objective for a separate homeland (Tamil Eelam) for all Tamils threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and amounts to cession and secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union and thus falls within the ambit of unlawful activities. LTTE sympathisers living abroad continue to spread anti-India propaganda among Tamils holding India responsible for the defeat of the LTTE, which, if not checked, is likely to develop a sense of hate among Tamil populace towards the central government and the Indian Constitution, it said. Despite the ban, the activities of pro-LTTE organisations and individuals have come to notice and, attempts have been made by these forces to extend their support to the LTTE, the ministry said. LTTE leaders, operatives and supporters have been inimically opposed to India's policy on their organisation and action of the state machinery in curbing their activities, the notification said. Cases have been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, against LTTE, pro-LTTE groups or elements since the last ban on the group five years ago and that indicate that LTTE and its remnant cadres, followers and supporters are involved in various criminal activities, including smuggling of illegal drugs, arms for furtherance of objective of the outfit. The activities of the LTTE continue to pose a threat to, and are detrimental to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India as also to the public order and, it should be declared as an unlawful association, the home ministry said. As the LTTE continues with its disruptive, separatist and secessionist activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity and sovereignty of India and its strong anti-India posture posing a grave threat to the security of Indian nationals, it is necessary to declare LTTE as an unlawful association with immediate effect. The LTTE was formed in 1976 and emerged as one of the most lethal terrorist group over the years. India had banned the LTTE after the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Since then, the ban imposed on the group has been extended every five years. The terror organisation had suffered a military defeat in 2009 in Sri Lanka following the killing of its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 May,2024 03:50 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the people of the Srinagar parliamentary constituency for the "encouraging turnout" of 38 per cent, which is more than double the 14.43 pc polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the first general election in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, polling took place in 2,135 polling stations on Monday across the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency containing assembly segments of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Budgam and Shopian districts. In his post on X, PM Modi said, "Would especially like to applaud the people of Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency for the encouraging turnout, significantly better than before. The abrogation of Article 370 has enabled the potential and aspirations of the people to find full expression. Happening at the grassroots level, it is great for the people of J&K, in particular the youth." Srinagar voter turnout of 38 per cent in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 is the highest in several decades. There are 24 candidates in the fray as compared to 12 in the 2019 general election. The voter turnout in Srinagar was 14.43 per cent in 2019, 25.86 per cent in 2014, 25.55 per cent in 2009, 18.57 per cent in 2004, 11.93 per cent in 1999, 30.06 per cent in 1998, and 40.94 per cent in 1996, reported ANI. According to the Election Commission, voters from Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Shopian showed up in record numbers to cast their votes in a show of faith and enthusiasm in the election process. Chadoora, Ganderbal, Kangan, Khansahib and Shopian Assembly segments recorded more than 45 per cent voter turnout, reported ANI. "Polling personnel, including security personnel, worked tirelessly to ensure that an atmosphere of calm, peace and festivities welcomed voters at the polling stations," the ECI said, reported ANI. "More than 8,000 polling staff were on duty to cater to the over 17.47 lakh strong electorate. Command-and-Control centres have been working round the clock in Srinagar as well as Jammu since March 16, the date of announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024 to ensure free, fair and inducement-free elections," it added, reported ANI. The commission has enabled Kashmiri migrant voters residing at various relief camps in Delhi, Jammu and Udhampur to also have the option of voting in person at designated special polling stations or using postal ballot. 21 special polling stations were established at Jammu, one at Udhampur and four at Delhi. In 2019, polling for the Lok Sabha was held for six seats in Jammu and Kashmir. However, following the abrogation of Article 370, which resulted in the split of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, there is no longer a separate Lok Sabha constituency for Ladakh. Voting for the Udhampur and Jammu seats was concluded on April 19 and 26 respectively while in Srinagar voting was done on May 13. Baramulla seat will vote on May 20 while the Anantnag-Rajouri seat on May 25. (With inputs from ANI)
14 May,2024 02:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAfter a total of 55 schools received bomb threats in Jaipur via email, Rajasthan Minister and BJP leader Jawahar Singh Baidham said that there's no need to get scared adding that the incident is an attempt to disrupt the law and order situation in the state from abroad. He further informed that the threat emails were sent from Russia, reported news agency ANI. "55 schools received a bomb threat from Russia via e-mail. Jaipur Police immediately reached the spot and the schools that received bomb threats were searched, objectionable materials have not been recovered. Search operations are being carried out in schools. The school administration has sent the students home," Baidham told ANI. He said that the telecom companies have been searched through which the threat came. "It is an attempt to disturb the law and order situation in the state from abroad. There is no need to get scared," Baidham told ANI. Meanwhile, after receiving bomb threats in Jaipur, students and staff of these schools were evacuated earlier in the day. Police teams, along with bomb squads were rushed to the schools to undertake bomb tracing exercises. "Threatening emails have been sent to some schools in the city, including Maheshwari School (MPS International School). The bomb disposal squad carried out searches in the school. All the students and staff have been evacuated. Further investigation is underway," DCP East Jaipur Kavendra Sagar had said, reported ANI. The development comes over a week after over 100 schools in Delhi-NCR recieved bomb threats that sparked panic among parents. According to the Delhi Police, a total of 131 schools received threat emails on May 1. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official statement calling the email a 'hoax.' This is not the first time Jaipur has received a bomb threat. Last year, Jaipur Airport received a threat to blow up the airport premises. According to the police, the anonymous sender threatened to blow up Jaipur and other airports. However, the call was later found to be a hoax, reported ANI. On May 12, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and over half a dozen government hospitals in Delhi received bomb threats through email. According to Delhi Police, IGI Airport received a bomb threat through email from an unidentified account on Sunday afternoon. The sender threatened the presence of an explosive device inside the premises, reported ANI. Similar emails were received at two government hospitals, including Burari Government Hospital, and Mangolpuri's Sanjay Gandhi Hospital on Sunday afternoon. The Delhi Police has launched a probe into the matter. These bomb threat emails come nearly two weeks after multiple schools in Delhi-NCR received bomb threats via email. (With inputs from ANI)
14 May,2024 02:15 PM IST | Rajasthan | mid-day online correspondentA Bhartiya Jawan Kisan Party candidate and three others were booked for allegedly recording videos inside a polling station in Shirur Lok Sabha constituency while a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader was arrested for creating a ruckus when voting was underway in Maval seat, officials said, reported news agency PTI. An offence under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of Peoples' Act was registered against BJKP nominee from Shirur constituency, Narayan Ankushe, and three others. NCP (SP) has fielded Amol Kolhe against Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil of NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Shirur, reported PTI. "Ankushe came inside the polling station in Mundhwa area and objected to another candidate carrying a voters' list and a piece of paper on which the latter's name was written. He alleged that his opponent was trying to campaign inside the polling station and started shooting video using his phone," said Ajay More, Returning Officer, Shirur Lok Sabha constituency, reported PTI. As per rules, video shooting or photography is not allowed inside polling stations. In another incident, police arrested Pimpri Chinchwad city unit Shiv Sena (UBT) president Sachin Bhosale for allegedly creating a ruckus inside a polling station by alleging that the candidates' list had been displayed in reverse order and recording videos, reported PTI. In Maval, Shiv Sena's sitting MP Srirang Barne is taking on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere. Altogether, voting was held for 11 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Monday, reported PTI. An average voter turnout of 59.64 per cent has been recorded in 11 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra during polling in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024, as per the state poll authorities. Polling was held on Monday in Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Aurangabad, Maval, Pune, Shirur, Ahmednagar, Shirdi, and Beed seats. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Beed and the lowest in Pune, as per official figures. The 11 constituencies registered an average polling of 59.64 per cent, according to the data shared at around midnight on Monday by the office of the state's chief electoral officer. The Beed Lok Sabha constituency recorded the highest 69.74 per cent polling, followed by Jalna 68.30 per cent, Nandurbar 67.12 per cent, Ahmednagar 62.76 per cent, Raver 61.36 per cent, Shirdi 61.13 per cent, Aurangabad 60.73 per cent, Jalgaon 53.65 per cent, Maval 52.90 per cent, Shirur 51.46 per cent and Pune 51.25 per cent. (With inputs from PTI)
14 May,2024 02:10 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
