Chennai, June 25 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP leader A.N.S. Prasad launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK for continuing their alliance with the Congress party, describing it as a betrayal of democratic principles and a disregard for history. Prasad accused the DMK of political opportunism by aligning with the very party that had once imposed the Emergency and subjected its leaders to brutal repression.In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the party spokesperson said that the Emergency imposed by the Congress government under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was “a brazen assault on democracy,” marked by suppression of dissent, mass arrests of opposition leaders, press censorship, and grave violations of constitutional rights.“It is deeply ironic that the DMK, which had suffered immensely during the Emergency — losing leaders like Mayor Citti Babu in custody — has chosen to partner with the very force responsible for that suffering. Stalin’s alliance with the Congress, the architects of the Emergency, exposes the DMK’s opportunistic politics and erodes its moral authority to speak on democratic values,” Prasad said.He also targeted the DMK’s style of governance, alleging it was steeped in nepotism and dynastic politics. “From Udhayanidhi Stalin’s elevation as Deputy Chief Minister to the continued prominence of Dayanidhi Maran and Kanimozhi in Parliament, the DMK has become a textbook case of family rule. The legacy of former CM Karunanidhi has been reduced to a dynasty, not a democracy,” he added.Prasad emphasised that the Congress party had not only violated democratic norms during the Emergency but had also shown contempt for Tamil Nadu’s autonomy by dismissing the DMK government at the time.“It was not just about silencing the opposition; it was about crushing federalism and suppressing state rights. And yet, the DMK has chosen to forget this dark chapter for the sake of political convenience,” he remarked.The BJP spokesperson further questioned the DMK’s silence on the Emergency atrocities. “How can the DMK justify its alliance with a party that once jailed its own leaders and imposed censorship? The people of Tamil Nadu must ask whether the DMK stands for democracy or simply for power,” he said.Prasad welcomed the Central government’s decision to observe June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) to mark the anniversary of the Emergency. “It is a fitting tribute to the countless victims who suffered during those 21 months. The day serves as a reminder that democracy must be defended, not taken for granted“, he said.Recalling the contribution of BJP’s ideological predecessors, he praised the courage of Jan Sangh and BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, and Nanaji Deshmukh, who were jailed during the Emergency for standing up to tyranny.“They fought not just for themselves, but for the soul of India’s democracy,” he said.Concluding his statement, Prasad reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to safeguarding the Constitution and ensuring that the horrors of the Emergency are never repeated. “We will continue to uphold democratic values and educate future generations about the sacrifices made to protect the nation’s freedom,” he said.–IANSaal/dpb

Chennai, June 25 (IANS) The residents of Venkatamangalam in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu district are preparing to launch a fresh protest against the proposed revival of a defunct Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in their locality, which had earlier been shut down seven years ago following strong public opposition due to its severe environmental and health impacts. Originally inaugurated in 2015 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the WTE plant was set up under a public-private partnership (PPP) to process municipal solid waste from Tambaram and Pallavaram.Constructed for Rs 100 crore, the facility was designed to handle 300 tonnes of waste per day and generate 2.9 MW of electricity. Spread over 50 acres in the Venkatamangalam panchayat limits, the site lies close to residential areas housing nearly 5,000 families, including those in Rathinamangalam.Seven years after its closure, the Tamil Nadu government has floated a tender to appoint consultants to prepare feasibility reports and offer transaction advisory services for reviving the WTE plant, along with a proposed facility to process construction and demolition (C&D) waste at the same site.The announcement has triggered concern and anger among residents, who recall the adverse effects the earlier operation of the plant had on their health and environment. “People suffered from severe respiratory issues, nausea, and even groundwater contamination,” said G. Perumal, a resident.“Students from nearby schools and colleges were especially affected,” he added.Particularly vulnerable are the 30-odd families from the Irula community living adjacent to the defunct plant and former dump yard.“The stench was unbearable. We had to run indoors and shut the doors tightly. Houseflies were all over our food,” said Lalitha, a resident of the Irular colony, highlighting the unsanitary conditions they endured.Vengadamangalam Panchayat President Kalyani Ravi has warned that any move to revive the plant or introduce similar polluting facilities would be met with fierce resistance. “In 2013, we filed a case against the proposal in the Chengalpattu District Court, which was later transferred to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). In 2017, the NGT ordered the removal of dumped waste and issued a stay on further operations,” she said.Kalyani urged the state government to use the land for community welfare projects instead. “A college or a primary health centre would serve the needs of the people in at least ten surrounding villages. Reviving the plant will only bring back pollution and distress,” she emphasised.With memories of past struggles still fresh and concerns over public health unresolved, the people of Venkatamangalam are once again mobilising to protect their environment and livelihoods.–IANSaal/dpb

Chennai, June 25 (IANS) In a determined effort to restore the fragile ecosystem of the Ennore estuary, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has dug a dozen freshwater ponds across 230 hectares to support the regeneration of mangroves, amid persistent pollution from industrial effluents and thermal power discharges. The Ennore estuary and the adjoining Kosasthalaiyar River have long suffered from chemical contamination and thermal pollution, particularly due to the discharge of hot coolant water from the TANGEDCO thermal power plant. Recognising the environmental degradation, the Forest Department has initiated a mangrove restoration programme using a water-retention strategy to overcome the challenges of a toxic estuarine environment.According to Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu, each of the 12 ponds is four metres deep and has been constructed on dry land across several locations where tidal inflow alone cannot sustain mangrove roots. “These ponds hold fresh water and are designed to receive tidal inflow as well. In many of the dry island areas near Ennore, the roots of mangroves were unable to access water. This intervention is meant to address that issue,” she explained.The department has planted around 1.6 lakh mangrove seedlings and another two lakh mangrove associate species such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Excoecaria agallocha. The ponds are expected not only to help root establishment but also to improve fish breeding and support aquatic biodiversity.The restoration drive spans nine villages, including Puzhuthivakkam, Katupalli, and Edayanchavadi, where different planting methods — such as the fishbone and linear techniques — were adopted based on detailed soil and water analysis.Sahu added that around 32,000 mangrove seedlings and 40,000 mangrove associate plants are being raised to replace those lost during last year’s southwest monsoon. However, despite the government’s ecological push, local fishermen say pollution remains rampant.Fisherfolk from Kattukuppam, one of Ennore’s major fishing hamlets, allege that industries continue to release untreated effluents, including oil and petroleum waste, into the river.Activists have echoed these concerns, demanding stricter enforcement of pollution control norms and real-time monitoring of industrial discharge.The Ennore creek area, rich in biodiversity and crucial for local livelihoods, has been under environmental stress for over two decades due to the unchecked expansion of thermal power stations, petrochemical facilities, and ports.While the state’s initiative is being lauded as a scientifically sound approach to mangrove revival, experts warn that without curbing ongoing pollution and regulating industrial activity, the restoration efforts may not be sustainable in the long run.The Forest Department, meanwhile, has assured that it will continue weekly monitoring of the saplings and the water quality in the newly created ponds. “This is not a one-time intervention. It’s a long-term ecological commitment,” said an official overseeing the project.–IANSaal/dpb

New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi-led government in 1975, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to observe June 25 as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day). The party has planned extensive outreach programs at district and booth levels across the country to mark what it refers to as a “dark chapter” in India’s democratic history.According to BJP leadership, the purpose of these programs is to educate the younger generation about the consequences of the Emergency, during which fundamental rights were suspended, political opponents were jailed, and press freedom was curtailed.Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and party organisation officials will actively participate in events organised nationwide.Delhi government will organise a separate exhibition at Central Park in Connaught Place to mark the occasion, focusing on the historical significance and public memory of the Emergency era.A major commemorative event is also scheduled at Hari Garden Vatika on the Delhi-Rohtak Road. Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan Lal Panwar will be the chief guest, joined by Captain Bhupender Singh and Veer Kumar Yadav as key speakers. They are expected to address attendees on the severe implications of the Emergency, describing it as a period that endangered constitutional values.The program will commence at 10 a.m. and BJP workers and leaders have been given specific responsibilities to ensure its success. The party has urged people to attend in large numbers.Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP Yuva Morcha is organising mock parliament sessions to illustrate the undemocratic nature of the Emergency and engage students and youth in a political awareness initiative. These sessions aim to simulate the parliamentary environment that was allegedly stifled during the 21-month-long Emergency period.–IANSrs/

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, has taken…

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting on the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ at ICAR Pusa Campus, New Delhi, on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on outcomes of the campaign conducted from May 29 to June 12 and deliberated on the strategic roadmap ahead.Over 2,170 nodal officers, both in-person and virtually, presented key findings, field experiences, and actionable insights from the campaign. Chouhan described the campaign as a historic movement in independent India, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Lab to Land’ vision, which connected scientists with over 60,000 villages.The Minister emphasised that the initiative would continue with renewed focus on income enhancement, food security, and positioning India as a global food basket. He stressed the development and integration of biofortified crops, sustainable practices, and mechanisation, along with focused efforts on soil health, coastal agriculture, and animal husbandry.Chouhan proposed the initiation of a ‘Crop War’ for major crops like pulses, oilseeds, soybean, cotton, and sugarcane. He announced plans for crop- and state-specific planning, research prioritisation, strict regulation against substandard inputs, and the formation of special teams to enforce compliance.He highlighted the need to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through dedicated nodal officers and mandated field engagement by scientists. A two-day conference will be held for the Rabi season, day one for officials and day two for agriculture ministers to finalise the upcoming action plan.The campaign aimed to analyse field practices, promote inter-institutional learning among ICAR bodies, strengthen coordination with state departments and KVKs, and align research-extension strategies with the vision of a developed India.Shyam Singh Rana, Agriculture Minister, Haryana; Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, MoA&FW; Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR); Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR; Dr D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) ICAR and other senior officials, scientists, and vice-chancellors, were present during the programme.Nodal officers from various ICAR teams and state agriculture ministers also joined the event virtually.–IANSuk

Gandhinagar, June 24 (IANS) As the historic 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath approaches, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar to assess the security and logistical arrangements along the 16-kilometre route in Ahmedabad.

The annual event, marked by deep religious fervour, will take place on the second day of Ashadhi and is expected to draw massive crowds.The review meeting saw the participation of Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi, DGP Vikas Sahay, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, and other top-ranking police officials. In a first for the Rath Yatra, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be deployed by the Ahmedabad City Police to manage crowd dynamics and detect fire hazards in real-time.According to officials, the AI system will issue alerts if there is an unusual build-up of people at specific points, allowing swift crowd control measures. Additionally, the system is designed to detect fire incidents, enabling faster deployment of emergency services. Officials believe the tech-enabled monitoring will help prevent undesirable incidents and enhance overall safety for devotees participating in the religious procession.The Ahmedabad Police Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on a comprehensive security plan involving over 23,884 personnel, including units from the State Reserve Police (SRP), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Chetak Commandos, and local police, from constables to IG-level officers.To secure the moving procession—which includes chariots, religious akhadas, bhajan mandalis, and sadhus—around 4,500 officers will walk alongside. An additional 1,000 officers under the Joint Commissioner of Traffic will ensure smooth vehicular movement throughout the day. Twenty-three cranes have also been mobilised to swiftly remove any obstructions.For live surveillance, the police will rely on 227 CCTV cameras, 41 drones, 2,872 body-worn cameras, 25 watchtowers and 240 Dhaba (check) points. All feeds will be monitored in real-time at the central police control room to ensure minute-to-minute coordination and response. Additionally, 17 public assistance centres and 44 public address systems will be set up to guide and help the public across the Yatra route.With safety as a top priority, authorities have flagged 484 old and dilapidated buildings lining the Yatra path. Warning signs and physical barricades have been put in place to discourage public entry into these structures. To strengthen communal harmony and ensure inclusive participation, the city police organised 177 Peace Committee meetings, 235 Maholla Committee interactions, 57 Women’s Committee gatherings, 21 consultations with religious leaders and 10 meetings with ‘Khalasi’ volunteers who pull the chariots.Community engagement events such as the Ekta Cup cricket tournament, volleyball matches, mehndi competitions, and blood donation drives have been carried out in the run-up to the Yatra.CM Bhupendra Patel emphasised the need for vigilance, coordination, and public participation to ensure the Yatra proceeds peacefully, not just in Ahmedabad but across all participating towns in the state. He obtained a comprehensive briefing from DGP Vikas Sahay on statewide readiness and expressed confidence that Gujarat’s Rath Yatra will remain a symbol of faith, unity, and security.”With advanced technology, dedicated personnel, and strong community support, this year’s Rath Yatra will reflect the best of tradition and modern safety systems,” said the Chief Minister.–IANSjanvi/uk

Agartala, June 24 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Manik Saha on Tuesday said that Karyakartas (workers) must work to ensure strengthening booth-level organisation of the party and maintain a cordial relationship with the people.

Saha, who is the former President of the BJP Tripura unit, said that a leader or the party’s acceptance would increase towards people based on how down-to-earth the person or the party is or else, nobody would accept it. Addressing the BJP Karyakartas at Bardowali on the outskirts of the capital city, the Chief Minister urged the local leaders and workers of the party to listen to the problems and issues of the people carefully. “We must work to ensure the strengthening of the booth-level organisation of the party. We must maintain a good relationship with people living in the booth and with all the workers and leaders. We have seen how CPI-M and Congress have ruled the state and done politics. Due to the good works and good governance, and as we can understand people, the BJP is now ruling in the majority of the states in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said. The BJP government has given people so many things for their benefit and welfare, but we must win their hearts, Saha said, adding that party men should not consider any person as different. “We must work for everyone. We must think before speaking. People have seen the wrong politics of CPI-M and Congress, and the people have rejected them,” he stated. He said that during the Congress regime, Parliament and the Taj Hotel were attacked, but no steps were taken. “They used to speak a lot, but what Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, he does.” PM Modi never shouts or uses big talks, and he works silently for the security, welfare and benefit of the Indians, ‘Operation Sindoor’ is the recent example, Tripura Chief Minister pointed out. Urging the karyakartas to give respect to mothers and all women, he said that the BJP government is also working in this direction and law and order has significantly improved. “PM Modi, during his recent Odisha visit, asked people to visit Tripura to witness what development took place in the state,” said Saha. He further informed that Tripura has also achieved full literacy and must work for the overall development of the state. “In the northeast, the GSDP of Tripura is the second highest after Assam. Per capita income has also increased, which is after Sikkim,” the Chief Minister added. –IANS sc/dan

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, had a telephone conversation with his Mauritian counterpart, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and the two exchanged views on further strengthening India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership and regional developments.

“Pleased to speak with my friend, Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam. We exchanged views on further strengthening India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership and regional developments. Mauritius remains a key partner in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and our Neighbourhood First policy,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X after the talks.During the interaction, the two leaders emphasised the special and unique ties between India and Mauritius, reaffirming their shared commitment to further deepen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries.They discussed the ongoing cooperation across a broad range of areas, including development partnership, capacity building, defence, maritime security, digital infrastructure, and people-to-people ties.PM Modi appreciated the whole-hearted participation of PM Ramgoolam in the 11th International Day of Yoga.He reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to the development priorities of Mauritius in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and India’s Neighbourhood First policy.Prime Minister Modi also extended an invitation to his Mauritian counterpart Ramgoolam for an early visit to India. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch.Earlier in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius for two days.After concluding his State Visit to Mauritius, PM Modi took to social media to express his gratitude. “I thank PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the people and Government of Mauritius for the warmth,” PM Modi posted on his X handle.PM Modi was the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day for the second time, the first was in 2015.During the celebrations, President of the Republic of Mauritius Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ (G.C.S.K) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius, on Prime Minister Modi.This was the first time that an Indian leader received this honour.–IANSuk

Bhubaneswar, June 24 (IANS) The Director General of Police, Y.B. Khurania, on Tuesday announced that the Odisha Police has finalised all security preparations in Puri ahead of the famous Jagannath Ratha Yatra, which is set to begin on June 27.

Speaking to media persons following a meeting of the police officials, DGP Khurania noted that all the preparations of Odisha Police are today completed, including traffic management, arrangements inside and outside the temple and the cordon around the chariots, crowd control, security arrangements in coastal areas, etc.“An integrated command-and-control system has been set up for the first time this year. Live feeds from around 275 AI-enabled CCTVs installed from Uttara Square to Puri Town, in the town and from Puri to Konark will be available at the Integrated command-and-control system. These live feeds will also be available at the sub-control rooms set up at different places. The police officers will keep a watch on traffic movement, traffic situations through this system and make decisions accordingly,” said Khurania.As many as 200 platoons of police force have been deployed throughout the sacred coastal town for the Ratha Yatra.Similarly, eight companies of the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, etc, will be posted at important spots in the city and surrounding areas.DGP Khurania noted that around 10,000 personnel of Odisha police, Central Armed Police Force and home guard will be deployed in Puri and around the city during the Ratha Yatra this year.Marine Police staff and Coast Guard, and Indian Navy officials will conduct patrols at sea to avoid any untoward incident.Coast Guard Air Enclave will conduct aerial surveillance at sea during the Ratha Yatra. The drones of the Odisha Police will be used for coastal security and to keep watch on the crowd. The Odisha Police have also made adequate numbers of anti-drone, anti-sabotage, and dog squads for this year’s Ratha Yatra festival.The DGP of Odisha also urged devotees to adhere to the traffic advisory issued by the police during the Yatra. Khurania said the Police will soon release a chatbot application for real-time traffic and parking-related information. He also expressed hope that the Ratha Yatra festival will be organised smoothly in the current year with the assistance of people.–IANSgyan/dan