External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar interacted with members of the Bundestag (parliament) during his official visit to Germany on Thursday, and discussed various matters, including India's unwavering commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms, reported news agency ANI. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the strong support from German parliamentarians in fostering deeper relations between the two countries. "A good interaction with members of German Bundestag this evening in Berlin. Appreciate their strong support for continued growth of India-Germany relations. Also discussed with them India's firm commitment to combatting terrorism in all forms and manifestations," his post on X stated. A good interaction with members of German Bundestag this evening in Berlin. Appreciate their strong support for continued growth of India-Germany relations. Also discussed with them India’s firm commitment of combatting terrorism in all forms and manifestations. 🇮🇳 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/Vd4bZcuDzq — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 22, 2025 Earlier in the day, the minister chaired a regional conference of ambassadors from Europe in Berlin. During the conference, he highlighted Operation Sindoor and reaffirmed India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. He also discussed strategies for further enhancing Europe-India engagement amid shifting global dynamics. "Chaired the regional conference of our Ambassadors in Europe today in Berlin. We discussed #OpSindoor and our message of zero tolerance for terrorism. Also deliberated on various aspects of more deeply engaging Europe at a time of change," he wrote on X. India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May as a strong military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Following the attack, Pakistan resorted to cross-border shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and Jammu and Kashmir, along with attempted drone attacks along the border. India responded with a coordinated attack, damaging Pakistan's radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases. On May 10, an understanding for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. Dr Jaishankar is on a six-day official visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, starting May 19. During his visit to the Netherlands earlier, he highlighted India’s determination to tackle terrorism. In an interview with a Dutch daily, the external affairs minister said, "We want a definitive end to terrorism. Our message is therefore: yes, the ceasefire has put an end to military actions against each other for now, but if the terrorist attacks from Pakistan continue, there will be consequences. The Pakistanis must understand that very well." On Wednesday, Dr Jaishankar held productive discussions with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Copenhagen, where the two leaders discussed the relations between the two countries and also addressed the issue of terrorism. Dr Jaishankar praised Denmark’s strong solidarity and support in India’s ongoing fight against terrorism. (With ANI inputs)
23 May,2025 02:15 AM IST | Berlin | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Shrikant Eknath Shinde, who is leading a high-level all-party delegation, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its support in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking at an interaction event with the Indian community at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Lok Sabha lawmaker from Kalyan highlighted India’s steadfast commitment to combatting terrorism and recognised the UAE as a trusted ally, news agency ANI reported. "UAE and India share a very special bond which is beyond trade and culture... since its inception we share a special bond with each other and in testing times we stood by each other. It was UAE who was the first country who condemned this terror attack and stood firmly with India," he stated. Abu Dhabi, UAE |UAE is the country we can rely upon. UAE understands the pain of India, it knows what is happening in India and who is doing it. We are here to send a message to the whole world, a clear-cut message about zero tolerance against terrorsim..!!यूएई आणि भारताचे… https://t.co/Z3k0fVQO6e — Dr Shrikant Lata Eknath Shinde (@DrSEShinde) May 22, 2025 Emphasising how difficult times often reveal true friendships, Shinde said, “I think it is very important in this tested times... you also come to know who is your real friend, true friend and we came to know that UAE is the country we can rely upon. So it was very much overwhelming that UAE understands the pain of India.” The delegation met senior UAE dignitaries, including Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence and Chairman of the Defence Council, as well as representatives from various think tanks. He reiterated India’s unwavering stance on terrorism and said, “UAE knows what is happening in India and who is doing it. We are here to send a message to the whole world, a clear-cut message about zero tolerance against terrorism... The whole world should know what is really happening in Asia, what is really happening in India, how India is fighting this terrorism since very long time, since four decades and now we have a new normal that we will not tolerate any kind of terrorist activities, 'zero tolerance against terrorism' — is what our Prime Minister say.” Shinde also pointed to the spread of misinformation following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, emphasising the need to counter false narratives. “In the realm of religion, number of things have been committed... We were overwhelmed by the way Sheikh Nahyan ji, then Dr Ali Rashid Al-Numaniji made very clear-cut statements that terrorism in the name of religion cannot be appreciated, cannot be supported at any point of time. This is very important,” he said. Earlier, the delegation paid homage at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian Embassy. During their extensive meetings with the UAE leadership, the delegation discussed the implications of Operation Sindoor and reaffirmed India’s firm position on cross-border terrorism. The UAE marks the first stop of a broader four-nation diplomatic outreach by the all-party delegation. Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan expressed his deepest condolences for the Pahalgam terrorist attack and assured continued solidarity. "The UAE will always stand by India," he affirmed. "India and UAE will tackle terrorism together." Shinde’s delegation includes MPs Bansuri Swaraj, ET Mohd Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The UAE was among the first nations to issue a strong condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. Its leaders, President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, personally conveyed condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar via telephone. (With ANI inputs)
23 May,2025 01:26 AM IST | Abu Dhabi | mid-day online correspondentDelhi University on Thursday raised strong objections to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s unannounced visit to its varsity, citing a breach of institutional protocol and a disruption to the functioning of student governance, news agency PTI reported. "Shri Rahul Gandhi has done this for the second time... coming to the university without any intimation and information to University of Delhi," the proctor's office stated in an official release. Earlier in the day, the Congress leader interacted with students from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at the university’s North Campus on matters of representation, equality, and academic justice. The interaction took place within the office of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) President. The university condemned the visit and expressed hope that such an incident would not recur. According to the official release, Gandhi remained at the DUSU office for nearly an hour, during which the area was cordoned off by security personnel. The university criticised the visit for hindering the operations of a key student body. "The DUSU office was cordoned off by security cover and no one was allowed to enter," the statement said, adding that the DUSU Secretary was also denied access to her office. "Some students were locked in the room of the secretary, DUSU, and were misbehaved with by NSUI students," the university alleged. These events unfolded while the DUSU Secretary waited outside, attempting to gain access to her office but was reportedly blocked by members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party. "The university condemns such action and hopes that this does not happen in future," the statement read, warning, "Strict action will be taken against students who were involved in this.” Responding to the allegations, DUSU President Ronak Khatri, who is affiliated with NSUI, said there is no requirement for the student union president to seek prior permission to host a private guest. "Let it be clearly stated: this visit was conducted peacefully and solely within the premises of the DUSU Office, to which I, as the duly elected President of the Delhi University Students' Union, am fully entitled to invite any guest. There exists no rule — academic or legal — that compels the President of DUSU to seek prior permission for hosting a private or informal guest interaction, particularly when it does not constitute a public gathering or violate campus security," said Khatri. He also claimed that the university’s statements were not only “factually incorrect” but also indicative of “administrative overreach”. "This [DU's] press note, unfortunately, appears politically motivated, biased in tone, and undermines the democratic and autonomous functioning of the student body," he added. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – holding several positions in DUSU, also criticised Gandhi’s visit. It dismissed the event as a mere photo opportunity and alleged that its representatives were excluded. DUSU Secretary Mitravinda Karanwal, affiliated with the ABVP, claimed she and her team were prevented from entering the student union office due to “VVIP protocol”. "Only after a lengthy negotiation was I 'graciously' allowed entry — alone. I refused to leave the students behind," she said. The ABVP described the event as “bad theatre”. It stated, "Turning up uninvited, silencing elected voices and treating a student union office like a private drawing room is not leadership — it's theatre. Rahul Gandhi visiting DU is like a rejected actor crashing a student play — no role, no invite, just loud entry and bad reviews." The ABVP further alleged that Gandhi engaged solely with select NSUI members in what it described as an “echo chamber” rather than holding an open discussion. It questioned, "Is this the Congress party's idea of women empowerment? Of youth outreach? Of democratic values?" Last week, Gandhi visited students at an Ambedkar hostel in Bihar’s Darbhanga district as part of his ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’. That visit, also held without official permission, resulted in two FIRs being filed against him and over 100 Congress workers in the state. (With PTI inputs)
23 May,2025 12:48 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a major reshuffle in police department, the state government authorities on Thursday transferred over 600 police officials in Maharashtra's Beed district, officials said, reported the PTI. As many as 606 policemen were transferred in the district which had come under the spotlight after the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh last year. Of these cops, in the ranks of constables to police sub-inspectors, 226 have completed 12 years in the same tehsil, the department said in a media release. The district has nearly 2,100 policemen, according to the PTI. After sarpanch Deshmukh's murder, which had sparked a massive uproar and snowballed into a huge political issue, IPS officer Navneet Kanwat was transferred to Beed as the superintendent of police (SP) to effect changes in the department. The transfers were made on three criteria: cops who had completed five years in the same office; those who had served for 12 years in the same tehsil; and policemen whose villages fall within the jurisdiction of their respective police stations, as per the PTI. The transfer of drivers and upper-rank cops will take place next week, a senior police official said. Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in the district, was abducted and killed in December for attempting to foil an extortion bid on an energy company. NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, who is from Beed, resigned as a minister after his close aide Walmik Karad was arrested in connection with the murder. 21 SP-rank IPS officers transferred in Maharashtra Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Thursday transferred 21 Indian Police Service officers in the rank of superintendents of police, including Somay Munde, who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for leading an anti-Naxal operation, and Archit Chandak, who was injured in the communal violence in Nagpur in March, reported the PTI. Among those transferred are SPs of 12 districts, the order issued by the state home department showed. Munde, who was serving as SP of Latur, has been made Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, while Chandak, DCP in Nagpur, has been posted as SP of Akola. Ahilyanagar SP Rakesh Ola, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Raj Tilak Roshan and Satara SP Sameer Shaikh have been posted as DCPs in Mumbai, the order said.Raigad SP Somnath Gharge has been made SP of Ahilyanagar, while Pune State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) commandant Anchal Dalal has taken Gharge's place. "Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit has been transferred as DCP Thane city. Mumbai DCP Mangesh Shinde, has been transferred as SP, Nagpur railway police. Tushar Doshi, who is currently SP, railway police, has been made SP of Satara," the order said, the PTI reported. DCP Mohan Dahikar is the new SP of Sindhudurg, while Anti Terrorism Squad SP Jayant Meena has taken Munde's place as SP in Latur, the order mentioned. "Palghar SP Balasaheb Patil has been transferred as SP Nashik Rural. Gadchiroli Additional SP Yatish Deshmukh will replace him in Palghar. IPS officer Yogeshkumar Gupta has been transferred as SP Kolhapur, Nilesh Tambe as SP Buldhana, Nitin Bagate as SP Ratnagiri and Ritu Khokar as SP Dharashiv," it added, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 May,2025 10:31 PM IST | Beed (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThree barrages in Latur district were filled to capacity following heavy rains in Maharashtra for the past few days, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. Around 1,441 cusecs of water had to be released, prompting authorities to issue an alert to farmers along the Rena river, he said. "The three barrages that have filled to capacity are Renapur, Jawalga and Kharola. The gates of the barrages have been opened by 2 metres, allowing excess water to flow into Rena river," he said, reported the PTI. Other affected areas apart from Latur city include Aurad Shahajani, Usturi, and Yerol and other tehsils. "Rains and strong winds disrupted power supply in some regions and damaged homes in Sakol. The mango crop too has suffered damage due to the storm," he added, according to the PTI. A government press release said rainfall in the catchment areas of the Manjara, Terna, and Tawarja rivers has intensified and water levels in nearby dams and Kolhapur-style weirs are expected to reach their threshold soon. "Consequently, surplus water will need to be released into these rivers. The district administration has issued precautionary advisory to farmers and residents along the banks of the Manjara, Terna, and Tawarja rivers. People are urged to avoid unnecessary movement near the rivers and to take all necessary safety measures," it said, as per the PTI. The much-anticipated Latur District Mango Festival, scheduled for May 23-24, at Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Park Grounds has been cancelled due to persistent and forecasted rain, district superintendent of agriculture Ramesh Jadhav and ATMA project director Shivsambh Ladke said, the news agency reported. Meanwhile, several parts of Maharashtra has been recently witnessing heavy rains. A low-pressure area is likely to form around May 22 over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coast. As a result, rainfall activity across Maharashtra is expected to increase between May 19 and 25, particularly affecting Konkan and the ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra. In a weather bulletin on Thursday, the IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, with extremely heavy rainfall expected in parts of Maharashtra including Pune, Thane, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Satara, Ratnagiri, Parbhani, Beed, Nanded, and Latur. (with PTI inputs)
22 May,2025 10:08 PM IST | Latur (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentA 55-year-old man was killed and another injured in a tiger attack in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district on Thursday, an official said, reported the PTI. The incident took place in Kosambi Chek village in Mul tehsil under Chichpally forest range in Chandrapur district when Bandu Urade, a shepherd, and his kin Kishore Urade (35) were grazing cattle, he said. The duo were attacked by the big cat, the officials said. "In the tiger attack, Bandu died on the spot, while Kishore was injured and he has been hospitalised. A forest department team inspected the spot, after which seven camera traps were placed to monitor the tiger's movement. The kin of the deceased has been given initial compensation of Rs 50,000," he added, reported the PTI. Woman killed in tiger attack in Chandrapur Meanwhile, in an another incident, earlier this month, a 30-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger in Chandrapur district, the officials had said, as per the PTI. They had said that this was the fifth woman to die in an attack by a big cat in just three days. A forest official had said that the woman was identified as Bhuvaneshwari Bhendre, 30, a resident of Bhadurni village, reported the PTI. She was attacked by a tiger around 7 am on May 12 while she was collecting tendu leaves in the forest along with some other members of her family, said the senior officer. The incident took place in Mul range under the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The body of the victim was retrieved and sent to hospital for autopsy, the official said, adding the family will be paid initial compensation and the final compensation will be given after necessary formalities are completed, according to the PTI. The Chandrapur district in Maharashtra had witnessed five deaths in tiger attacks in just three days in the second week of May. Three women were killed by a tiger in Sindewahi forest area while they were collecting tendu leaves on May 10 and one woman the following day, the news agency had earlier reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 May,2025 09:51 PM IST | Chandrapur (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentAccording to the recent weather report from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), an orange alert has been declared in various parts of Maharashtra. An orange alert has been declared in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on May 23 and 24. This region is set to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds at a speed of 50 to 60 km/hr in isolated regions. According to the IMD's latest Mumbai weather alert, a cyclonic circulation was expected to develop over the Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast on May 21. A low-pressure area is likely to form around May 22 over the east-central Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coast. As a result, rainfall activity across Maharashtra is expected to increase between May 19 and 25, particularly affecting Konkan and the ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra. "Under the influence of upper air cyclonic circulation over East Central Arabian Sea, a low pressure area formed over East Central Arabian sea off south Konkan and Goa coasts at 5.30 am IST and persists over the same region at 8.30 am IST of today, the 22nd May 2025. It is likely to move nearly northwards and intensify further into a depression during the next 36 hours," IMD stated in its latest Mumbai weather alert. IMD has declared red alert in Ratnagiri for May 22 and 23. Likewise, Raigad is on red alert for May 23, both the cities will experiance extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, with extremely heavy rainfall expected in parts of Maharashtra including Pune, Thane, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Satara, Ratnagiri, Parbhani, Beed, Nanded, and Latur. Impact expected Possibility of cloud-to-ground lightning at isolated places. Collapse of weak trees or weak structures due to gusty winds. Localised and short-term disruption of power. Damage to crops due to unseasonal rainfall. Strong wind/hail may damage plantation, horticulture, and standing crops. Minor damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts. IMD has urged residents to take the following precautions: Avoid working in open areas and fields when thunderstorms are taking place. Avoid taking shelter under tall trees and structures when a thunderstorm is occurring. Unplug electrical/electronic appliances. Immediately get out of water bodies. Keep away from all objects that conduct electricity. IMD advisory As there is a possibility of thunderstorm activity, accompanied by gusty winds (30 to 40 kmph), lightning, and light to moderate rainfall, matured crops should be harvested as early as possible and stored in safe places. Provide support to young fruit plants and vegetables to prevent lodging. If threshing is not possible, the harvested produce should be covered properly. For protection from untimely rains, the stored grains should be shifted to safe storage. Avoid irrigation and any kind of chemical spray. Make arrangements to drain out excess rainwater from the fields. Cattle should be kept in safe places in cattle sheds. Keep farm animals indoors during thunderstorms and lightning
22 May,2025 07:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday emphasised on the nation's commitment to modernisation, saying a huge effort is underway to build modern infrastructure for a developed India as he virtually inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat railway stations in different parts of the country. "India is modernising its train network and infrastructure. This reflects the new speed and progress of the country," he said at a programme in this city where he inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth Rs 26,000 crore to the nation. The 103 redeveloped Amrit Bharat stations are spread across 86 districts in 18 states and Union territories at a cost of over Rs 1,100 crore. Modi said unprecedented work has been done in the past 11 years to modernise the railway stations and airports in the country, adding the nation is spending multiple times more money than before on development projects. "India is modernising its train network and infrastructure. This reflects the new speed and progress of the country," he said. On Vande Bharat services, he said the train is running on nearly 70 routes in the country. "This has brought trains to far-flung areas. Hundreds of road overbridges and underbridges have been constructed in the last 11 years. New tracks have been laid. Work is underway on the country's first bullet train project," Modi added. "These modernised railway stations have been named as Amrit Bharat stations. Out of these, more than 100 Amrit Bharat stations have been completed. People are seeing on social media what was the situation earlier and how the picture has changed now," he said. "The mantra of development and heritage is clearly visible at these Amrit Bharat stations. They are also symbols of local art and culture. At every Amrit Bharat station, you will also get to see India's thousands of years old heritage," he added. Modi said these stations will be the means of promoting tourism and will provide new employment opportunities. Over 1,300 stations are being redeveloped with modern facilities, designed to reflect regional architecture and enhance passenger amenities under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Bikaner's Deshnok railway station was also inaugurated during the programme. Modi, who earlier offered prayers at the Karni Mata temple, also flagged-off the Bikaner-Mumbai Express from Deshnok station. Inspired by temple architecture, the revamped Deshnok station located near the Karni Mata temple will cater to thousands of pilgrims visiting the shrine each year. Modi said the money that the government spends to build infrastructure also creates employment and business. "This money is going into the pockets of labourers, it is being given to shopkeepers. It is being given to factory workers. The people, who transport stones, gravel, cement etc. and those who drive trucks and tempos also benefit from it," he added. Modi said there are many benefits when the infrastructure is ready. "The farmer's agriculture produce reaches the market at a low price and wastage is reduced. New industries are set up, tourism increases," he added. Highlighting the substantial benefits Rajasthan is gaining from ongoing infrastructure development, the prime minister noted that high-quality roads are being constructed across villages and even in border areas. "Over the past 11 years, approximately Rs 70,000 crore has been invested in Rajasthan's road infrastructure alone," he said. Modi said the central government is set to spend nearly Rs 10,000 crore on railway development in the state this year, marking a 15-fold increase compared to pre-2014 levels. He further said that Rajasthan's refinery project is in its final stages, positioning the state as a key hub for petroleum-based industries. Highlighting the rapid progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Rajasthan, Modi noted that over 40,000 people in the state have already benefited from this initiative, which has eliminated their electricity bills and provided them an opportunity to generate income through solar power. He underscored that the increasing power generation in the state is playing a crucial role in accelerating industrial growth. Modi highlighted the critical importance of water for the region and its role in advancing the development of areas such as Bikaner, Shri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and western Rajasthan. He said the government is actively working on completing irrigation projects while simultaneously implementing river-linking initiatives. The impact of the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project, which will benefit multiple districts across Rajasthan ensuring better agricultural prospects for farmers and enhancing the region's sustainability, he said. Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other leaders were also present during the programme. 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
22 May,2025 07:08 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe land on which a 100-year-old Shiv temple stands near Tando Jam town of Pakistan's Sindh province has been illegally occupied by grabbers who have begun construction around it, a Hindu community representative said on Thursday, appealing to the government to stop the illegal establishment. "The temple is more than a century old, but these land grabbers have occupied and started illegal construction on the land surrounding the temple and obstructed the roads/entrances which lead to the Shiv Mandir," Shiva Kachhi, who heads the Darawar Ittehad Pakistan, said in a video released on social media. The organisation represents the Hindu community in Pakistan. Kachhi said a committee managed the Shiv Mandir and about four acres of land around the temple in the Musa Khatian village near Tando Jam, a town about 185 kilometres from Karachi, before land grabbers illegally occupied it. The temple was last year renovated by a team of the Sindh Heritage Department owing to its historical significance, Kachhi said. A cremation site for Hindus is also close to the temple where an annual religious ceremony is held, he said. He said that Hindu community members in the area recite Bhajans at the temple every Monday. The powerful land mafia has occupied many swathes of land surrounding the temple and has already started construction around it. Kachhi, who carries out welfare and legal aid work for the minority Hindu community in Sindh, appealed to the Pakistani government to stop the illegal construction around the temple. He said there were many historical Hindu temples in Sindh, and it was the duty of the government to ensure their protection. 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
22 May,2025 05:22 PM IST | Karachi | PTIFerozepur Police in Punjab seized over 12 kg of heroin along with Rs 25 lakh in a major drug smuggling module crackdown. On Wednesday, the Punjab Police had busted an international drug trafficking cartel. One accused was arrested with 5 kg of Heroin during the investigation, reported ANI. Speaking about the seizure, the police reiterated its commitments of eradicating drug syndicates, disrupting supply chains, and ensuring a drug-free Punjab. Punjab Police reported that the accused, identified as Shiva alias Sodhi, had been in contact with international drug smugglers for the past two years. His arrest resulted in the takedown of a major smuggling network. An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Jalandhar. Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) reaffirmed the force’s dedication to breaking drug syndicates, disrupting cross-border trafficking routes, and working toward a drug-free Punjab. On May 21, in a major operation against cross-border drug trafficking, the Commissionerate Police in Jalandhar dismantled an international narco-trafficking network, arresting one individual and seizing 5 kg of heroin. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, Shivam alias Sodhi, had been in contact with foreign-based smugglers for the past two years. His arrest played a key role in breaking up a significant smuggling ring. An FIR under the NDPS Act was registered at police station division number 8, Jalandhar. A day earlier, on May 20, Ferozepur Police carried out another major crackdown, arresting two drug smugglers and recovering 2.20 kg of heroin along with a motorcycle used for trafficking. An FIR under the NDPS Act was filed at police station Sadar, Ferozepur. Meanwhile, on the same day, the Border Security Force (BSF) made multiple seizures along the Punjab border, recovering pistol parts, two drones, and two packets of heroin, further highlighting the ongoing threat of cross-border smuggling. On Monday, the Border Security Force (BSF) carried out multiple operations along the Punjab border, seizing pistol components, two drones, and two packets of heroin from different locations. In a statement BSF said, “Today, acting on credible information of the BSF intelligence wing, 02 drones, pistol parts and 02 packets of heroin were seized by the BSF troops in multiple incidents on the Punjab border. An extensive search by the BSF troops today culminated in the recovery of one DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone along with one packet of suspected heroin with a gross weight of 506 grams at about from a farming field adjacent to Noorwala village of Tarn Taran district.” Later in the afternoon hours, the BSF troops recovered one DJI Air 3 drone in burnt condition from a farming field adjacent to Wan village in Tarn Taran. (With inputs from ANI)
22 May,2025 05:06 PM IST | Ferozepur, Punjab | mid-day online correspondentA massive fire broke out at a subsidiary of Jindal Poly Films Ltd at Mundhegaon in Nashik district of Maharashtra, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The fire-fighting operations were underway on a second day, officials said. The fire broke out at Jindal Poly Films Ltd plant on Nashik-Mumbai highway in Igatpuri taluka at around 1.30 am on Wednesday, according to the PTI. It started in a shed where scrap material was stored, said a local police official. About 30 fire tenders were trying to extinguish the fire, he said, adding nobody was injured in the incident. Jindal Poly Films stated in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday that production in a part of the plant was affected by the fire. The cause of the fire and the damage caused by it will be ascertained later, it added. On January 1, 2023, a major fire incident had occurred at the same plant, claiming three lives, as per the PTI. Further details are awaited. Massive blaze guts 200 houses in UP's Budaun Meanwhile, in an another incident, a massive fire triggered by a spark in a transformer during a storm gutted around 200 houses at Tappa Jamni village in Budaun district, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. According to local sources, one person sustained burn injuries as the villagers ran to save themselves from the blaze, which killed many cattle on Wednesday night. The injured man has been admitted to the community health centre in Ujhani, the sources said. By the time the firemen and police reached the spot to douse the flames, around 200 houses in the village were reduced to ashes, officials said, according to the PTI. District Magistrate Avnish Kumar Rai said, "The fire was triggered during a storm on Wednesday night. While no one died in the incident, one person sustained burn injuries. "There are reports that many cattle died in the fire. We will assess the losses and provide compensation to the affected people. People whose houses have been damaged will be provided help," the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 May,2025 03:40 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1747907751816_d.png "Rainfall activity across Maharashtra is expected to increase till May 25. Representational Pic/PTI File")
-1747909895788_d.png "The police said they have busted an international drug cartel. Representational pic")
