A protest by workers in Phase 2 of Noida's Gautam Buddha Nagar escalated into violence on Monday, as demonstrators demanding a salary hike clashed with authorities and vandalised property outside a private company, news agency IANS reported. The agitation, which had been ongoing for the past three days in the form of a sit-in protest, intensified as thousands of workers took to the streets across multiple industrial sectors. Furthermore, the situation turned volatile in Sector 1, Block 84, where some protesters reportedly set vehicles on fire, reported IANS. Initial reports confirmed that at least two vehicles were completely gutted in the incident. Uttar Pradesh: Protesters resort to stone-pelting in Noida While the protest was peaceful in the beginning, eyewitnesses highlighted that incidents of stone-pelting also occurred during the agitation, damaging several vehicles and company properties. One vehicle was reportedly torched during the protest. Additionally, unrest was reported from Sector 62, where large gatherings of workers caused significant traffic congestion, disrupting normal movement in the area. While the situation did become hostile, the authorities managed to control the violence by deploying a large police force. Officers said they are working to prevent further damage to property and to maintain law and order in the area. The unrest comes despite recent assurances by the district administration. On Sunday, officials from the administration, police, and industrial authorities held a series of meetings with representatives of various companies and workers, promising steps to address key demands, IANS reported. Medha Roopam, the district magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, stated that several directives had already been issued following discussions with industrial units. She stated that workers would be paid double wages for overtime and would be entitled to a weekly day off. In cases where employees are required to work on their designated weekly rest day, they would receive double compensation for that day as well. Administration mandates bonuses The administration has also mandated that all workers must receive bonuses in accordance with established rules, and these payments should be credited directly to their bank accounts within the stipulated timeframe. In a broader move aimed at improving labour conditions, the district administration has introduced new guidelines applicable across Gautam Buddha Nagar. Under these rules, all companies and industrial units are required to pay wages by the 10th of every month. Overtime compensation at double the rate has been made compulsory, and any unauthorised salary deductions will attract punitive action. Employers have also been instructed to issue salary slips to all workers. Additionally, a dedicated control room has been set up to address workers’ grievances promptly. The district administration has urged workers to remain calm, avoid rumours, and cooperate with authorities to maintain peace and order in the region. (With inputs from IANS)
13 April,2026 12:28 PM IST | Noida | mid-day online correspondentWith the recovery of two more bodies on Sunday, the death toll in the boat capsize incident in the Yamuna river in Mathura has climbed to 13, officials said on Sunday. Search for three more missing persons is underway. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a boat carrying over two dozen tourists, primarily from Punjab, hit a floating drum of a pontoon bridge and capsized near Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan. 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
13 April,2026 12:20 PM IST | Mathura | AgenciesSeven members of a pilgrim group from the Bharwad community were killed while several others suffered injuries after a speeding truck ran over them on the Lakhtar-Viramgam Highway in Gujarat's Surendranagar district in the early hours of Monday. The accident took place between Chharad and Bhaskarpara villages near Lakhtar around 1.20 am when a group of foot pilgrims, travelling from Gadhka village in Rajkot towards Viramgam for temple darshan and a flag-hoisting ritual, was hit from behind by a dumper truck. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. "The mishap in Surendranagar district, Gujarat, is deeply distressing. Heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," the PM's office posted on X. The mishap in Surendranagar district, Gujarat, is deeply distressing. Heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 13, 2026 The victims belonged to the Mundhva family and were part of a larger group of around 700 devotees undertaking the pilgrimage. Seven people, including five women and two men, died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Masabhai Mundhva, Jaluben Mundhva, Raniben Lambariya and Vajiben Mundhva, among others. Gujarat accident: Truck was travelling at high speed and failed to slow down, say eyewitnesses At least four people were seriously injured and admitted to the hospital, while some accounts indicated that up to 10 to 12 pilgrims may have been affected. According to eyewitnesses, the truck was travelling at high speed and failed to slow down. One eyewitness said a vehicle was stationary on the roadside, possibly due to a tyre change, and the pilgrims were walking along the side when “another truck came without braking and ran over the people.” The impact was severe, leaving bodies scattered across the highway. A family member of the victims said, “We had a muhurat at 8 a.m. to hoist the flag, so we were walking even at night.” He added, “Around 1.20 a.m., the accident happened. Nine people were hit, and seven died. One was my elder uncle’s son, one was my sister, and two were our daughters-in-law.” Police and emergency services, including the 108 ambulance team, reached the spot soon after the incident and shifted the victims to the local government hospital for post-mortem and treatment. A case has been registered against the truck driver, who fled the scene, and further investigation is underway. Local MLA PK Parmar, who visited the site, said the group had set out after offering prayers and was heading towards Viramgam and later Mera village. The Lakhtar-Viramgam highway has witnessed a series of accidents in recent months, with locals highlighting concerns over speeding vehicles and road safety on the stretch. According to police, the accident occurred between 1:00 and 1:30 am when a religious group travelling from Rajkot to Bahucharaji met with the mishap. Superintendent of Police Vedika Bihani said six members of the group, including four women and two men, died in the collision. She added that another truck driver, who was present at the spot between halted vehicles, also died in the incident, taking the death toll to seven. Three to four people were injured in the accident and were taken to nearby hospitals in private vehicles, while the post-mortem process of the deceased is underway. The driver of the truck responsible for the accident fled from the spot, and efforts are underway to trace him. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing. (With IANS and ANI inputs)
13 April,2026 12:17 PM IST | Surendranagar | mid-day online correspondentCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge has conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it would be “impossible” to have any useful discussion on the women’s quota law without details of delimitation and other aspects, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called on the matter after the first round of state polls. In his letter to PM Modi, Kharge said that calling Parliament’s special sitting amid state polls reinforces the belief that the government is hurrying the implementation of women’s reservation law for “political mileage”. Kharge’s letter came in response to a missives from the PM on the special sitting of Parliament for a discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. 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
13 April,2026 12:16 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the “tukde-tukde” gang had threatened to snap the strategic Siliguri Corridor to cut off the Northeast from the rest of the country, and the TMC gave them support from the streets to the Parliament because of its “appeasement politics”. Addressing an election rally at the Kawakhali ground in the northern West Bengal city of Siliguri, Modi called the TMC an “anti-tribal, anti-women and anti-youth party”, whose appeasement politics has brought about untold misery to the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PICS/PTI “The country has a ‘tukde-tukde’ gang, and it threatened to cut off the Siliguri Corridor. They wanted to separate the Northeast from the country. TMC, which indulges in appeasement politics, supports such people from the streets to Parliament. That is the real face of TMC,” he alleged, addressing his eighth rally in the state since assembly elections were declared. He alleged that the TMC has destroyed the state during its 15-year tenure and halted implementation of central schemes like the one for providing piped drinking water to remote tribal areas, as a result of which less than 25 per cent of work could be completed. BJP threatening TMC candidates: Mamata Addressing poll rallies at Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman, Chhatna, and Onda in Bankura district, and Khandagosh in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is threatening Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates, including state ministers, seeking their support if it falls short of the majority mark after the assembly elections. The majority mark in the West Bengal assembly is 148. The BJP won 77 seats in the 2021 polls. 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
13 April,2026 12:09 PM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesWidening its crackdown on the inter-state network of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, has detained several people from Haryana and Rajasthan for allegedly facilitating the acquisition of fraudulent identities, including passports, by terrorists. Officials said on Sunday that the detained persons provided critical logistical support to terrorists by making documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards and even voter cards. 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
13 April,2026 12:03 PM IST | Srinagar | AgenciesAmid the crucial two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be holding five back-to-back campaign programmes in the state on Monday. First, he will address two public meetings in Birbhum district, the first at Sainthia at noon and the second at Khayrasole at 1.15 p.m. Thereafter, at 2.35 p.m., he will address another public meeting in Raniganj, West Burdwan district. Again at 4 p.m., he will be participating in a roadshow at the steel city of Durgapur, also in the West Burdwan district. His programmes for the day in the state will end with an organisational meeting at Durgapur at 8 p.m., which he will chair. HM Shah's packed schedule for the day coincides with a crucial hearing at the Supreme Court on Monday of the just-concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is expected to take the final decision on whether 27 lakh names, which were deleted in the course of the judicial adjudication process, would be able to vote or not in the two-phase polls on April 23 and April 29. The hearing will start at 2.30 p.m. Already, the voters’ list in West Bengal for the two phases of polls has been frozen by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and legally, no new name can be included in the list before the polls unless the Supreme Court gives a specific direction on this count. Already, 19 Appellate Tribunals have been set up in West Bengal to decide the fate of 27 lakh cases that have been deleted in the judicial adjudication cases. Now, whether the names among these 27 lakh cases, which will be cleared by the Appellate Tribunals, will be able to vote or not in the Assembly elections this month will depend on the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter. On the other hand, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be addressing three back-to-back public meetings at Suri in Birbhum district, Ausgram in East Burdwan district, and Durgapur in East Burdwan district. Similarly, Trinamool Congress General Secretary and the party’s Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, will address public rallies one after another at Karimpur and Ranaghat in Nadia district and Baduria in North 24 Parganas district. 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.
13 April,2026 11:13 AM IST | Kolkata | IANSPrime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Monday that his discussions with party workers in West Bengal's Siliguri confirm that the sentiment in the state is "clearly favouring the BJP." During his visit to Siliguri on Sunday, PM Modi met with BJP party activists and praised their grassroots efforts. In a post on X, the Prime Minister shared the photos of the interaction and said, "It is always a delight to interact with hardworking BJP Karyakartas. Their efforts at the grassroots are truly inspiring." PM Modi noted that party workers informed him about the "ordeal" faced by the people in the state under the Trinamool Congress-led government and expressed confidence that the public is now supportive of the "BJP's development agenda". "Yesterday, after the rally in Siliguri, I met local BJP Karyakartas who narrated the ordeal of the common people under TMC rule. They told me that the people are connecting with the BJP's development agenda." "These interactions reaffirm that the mood in West Bengal is clearly favouring the BJP," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi also shared a video from his rally in Siliguri, showcasing the large and enthusiastic crowd chanting "Modi Modi," cheering loudly, and waving BJP flags. In the video, the Prime Minister can be seen capturing the lively atmosphere with his phone, smiling as he waves back to the massive gathering. Sharing the video on Instagram, PM Modi wrote, "To see the mood in West Bengal, come to Siliguri. There's only one party in the hearts and minds of the people -- BJP!" A large crowd gathered at the rally venue in Siliguri to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister and listen to his address. The attendees expressed their happiness and enthusiasm about meeting him. Chants of "Modi, Modi" and "BJP Zindabad" echoed throughout the crowd, which was holding the Tricolour, BJP flags, and portraits of PM Modi. During his address in Siliguri, the Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress, stating that the party's emphasis on appeasement politics is clearly reflected in the annual budgetary allocations of the state government. "The Trinamool Congress government had allotted Rs 6,000 crore for madrasa education development. However, the state government's budgetary allocations for North Bengal, which is the gateway to Northeast India, are virtually zero. This proves that the entire focus of the Trinamool Congress-ruled government in West Bengal is just appeasement politics and to please a particular community," the Prime Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Siliguri of Darjeeling district in North Bengal. PM Modi also reminded the people of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's engagement in a Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata in October last year, when the entire North Bengal was being ravaged by severe floods and landslides. He also accused the Trinamool Congress leaders of backing the "Tukde-Tukde (Divisive) gang", which was to cut off the Siliguri Corridor through insurgency actions. He also accused the state government of creating hindrances for the Union government to implement the Central welfare projects in the state. 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.
13 April,2026 11:12 AM IST | Siliguri | IANSThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Maharashtra, warning of a sharp rise in temperatures over the next few days. Following a brief spell of unseasonal rain, conditions have turned hot and dry across the state, signalling the onset of an intense summer phase. Pune recorded the season’s highest temperature at 40.6 degrees Celsius, with the mercury likely to touch 42 degrees C soon. Heat spread IMD senior scientist SD Sanap told mid-day, “Central parts of Maharashtra are likely to experience heatwave conditions in the coming week, with temperatures rising further by 2-3 degrees Celsius.” In central Maharashtra, including Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur, temperatures are expected to remain above 41 degrees C, with clear skies and no rainfall forecast. Vaibhav Mahadik, sports nutrition coach North Maharashtra, covering Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar, will witness dry weather with temperatures ranging between 34 and 39 degrees C. In Marathwada, heat conditions have intensified due to completely dry weather and the absence of cloud cover. Some districts may soon officially fall under the ‘heatwave’ category. Vidarbha continues to reel under extreme heat, with cities such as Akola, Chandrapur, and Nagpur already recording temperatures above 42 degrees C. Afternoon hours have seen deserted roads amid the rising risk of heatstroke. Konkan humid The Konkan region, including Mumbai and nearby districts, is experiencing hot and humid conditions. While temperatures range between 34 and 36 degrees C, high humidity is pushing the “feels-like” temperature to 38-40 degrees C, causing discomfort even at night. Weather trigger Meteorologists attribute the spike to a high-pressure system over North Maharashtra, causing hot winds near the surface. Cyclonic wind patterns elsewhere are pulling away moisture, leading to dry conditions and increased heat. Expert Speak Vaibhav Mahadik, licensed sports nutrition coach and founder of Vedic Fitness, Pune, told mid-day, “With summer vacations and heatwave conditions, children are vulnerable to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Parents should ensure they start the day with one to two glasses of water and include water-rich foods such as watermelon, muskmelon, oranges and grapes.” He added, “Children engaged in outdoor sports must replenish electrolytes. ORS or mild electrolyte solutions can help prevent fatigue, cramps and dizziness. Avoid caffeine-based, sugary and carbonated drinks; opt for coconut water, buttermilk and homemade lemon water with a pinch of salt.” Mahadik said parents should watch for signs of heat stress such as excessive sweating, weakness, headache, nausea or irritability. Light meals and avoiding direct sun exposure between 12 pm and 4 pm can reduce health risks.
13 April,2026 10:07 AM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalIndian equity indices are set for a significant correction at the opening bell following President Trump's announcement of a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation amid the concerning global situation comes after the collapse of negotiations, pushing market sentiment into a cautious "risk-off" zone as domestic investors weigh the impact of surging energy costs. As reported by news agency ANI, investors are advised to avoid attempting to time the market volatility. "Not the time to trade. Invest; do your discipline monthly investment through the SIP route. Ajay Bagga, while speaking to the media on Sunday, said, “Do not try to time this market because I don't think the bottom has formed, but nobody knows when the bottom will be formed." He indicated that Indian markets are pointing toward a "1.3 to 1.5 per cent cut at the open", driven by geopolitical friction rather than corporate fundamentals. Bagga further said, "Last Wednesday, there was hope in the markets that something was coming when the ceasefire and the talks were announced. But that momentum has faded. So we are again getting negative on the Indian markets and against the earnings, driving the market and its geopolitical risk, which will drive the markets." Rising crude oil prices remain a concern for the Indian economy The primary concern for the domestic economy remains the sharp spike in crude oil prices, which have surpassed the USD 100 per barrel mark. For a country heavily reliant on energy imports, the rising cost of Brent and WTI poses a direct threat to the current account deficit and the stability of the rupee. Ajay Bagga further noted that last year, India spent approximately USD 150 billion on energy imports, including crude oil, gas, and petrochemicals. At current price levels, that annual bill is projected to climb as high as USD 225 billion to USD 250 billion. Bagga further explained, "Even over the weekend, what was happening was, if 40 people were asking for oil, only four were getting fulfilled. So what that is pointing out is that there is a shortage, plus you are having to pay anything from USD 120 to USD 140 per barrel. Now that will not stop because of what has happened. That shortage and the increase in prices will not stop. That will lead to inflation globally, including in India, and the slowdown in the economy," as per ANI. The disruption also threatens India's trade and remittance ecosystem. Bagga highlighted that nearly 20 per cent of Indian goods exports are facing hurdles as transit through the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman becomes constrained. (With inputs from ANI)
13 April,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs talks between the US and Iran end in deadlock after Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Monday stressed the urgent need for peace and sustained dialogue. The Congress leader said that both global and regional stability must be pursued despite escalating challenges linked to the West Asia crisis. Speaking to the media at a Chehlum Shaheed-e-Ummat commemoration event for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khurshid said peace remains a shared aspiration, as reported by ANI. Khurshid further urged that talks should be allowed to continue in their respective forums without external interference. While speaking about the global turmoil, Khurshid said, "We all want peace. There's nobody who doesn't want peace. The few people who don't want peace, you know what people in the world think about them. Peace is not easy. Let us hope that people keep trying for peace.” He further added, “We were a little doubtful whether it could happen in Pakistan, but be that as it may. There is no time to complain about it. Let us just hope and pray that peace will come because it's necessary for the world, and it is necessary also for all of us in this region," as cited by ANI. "The point is, it's best if the peace talks happen where they happen rather than all of us getting involved elsewhere. Let them happen where they happen. Let's hope and pray that they will succeed," he added. US-Iran tension deepens This period of remembrance follows the assassination of 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, an event that triggered a sharp escalation of tensions in West Asia. In the wake of the tragedy, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. A day earlier, US Vice President JD Vance departed from Islamabad after hitting a stalemate in talks with Iran in the wake of the West Asia conflict. Meanwhile, Iran's Head of Centre for Public Diplomacy and spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, on Sunday, said that Iran's negotiators are employing all their capabilities, adding that the success of the efforts depends on the acceptance of Iran's legitimate rights and interests. Baqaei said that Iran's heavy losses have made its resolve stronger than ever and that it uses all its tools to secure its national interests. As the situation develops, Tasnim News Agency said on Sunday, citing an informed source, that Iran has offered reasonable proposals in the negotiations held in Islamabad, adding that the ball is now in the US's court. (With inputs from ANI)
13 April,2026 09:08 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
