Imphal, May 15 (IANS) In a major counter-insurgency operation, at least 10 militants were killed during a fierce encounter with the Assam Rifles in Manipur’s Chandel district, as security forces continue their intensified crackdown on insurgent groups across the state. The operation, which started on Wednesday, is still ongoing and has also led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the site, officials said.Officials said that the encounter occurred near New Samtal village in the Khengjoy area of Chandel district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, after troops detected suspicious movement of armed militants.As the forces moved in, the militants opened fire, prompting the troops to respond decisively.”Acting on specific Intelligence on movement of armed cadres near the New Samtal village, Khengjoy tehsil, Chandel district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, Assam Rifles unit under Spear Corps launched an operation on May 14,” the Indian Army’s Eastern Command said in an official statement.”During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner. In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered,” the statement added.While the identities of the slain militants have not yet been disclosed, officials have indicated that the operation marks a major blow to insurgent activities in the region.This encounter comes amid heightened anti-insurgency operations across Manipur targeting various militant groups operating in the state.On the same day, a joint operation by combined security forces led to the arrest of 14 militants belonging to banned extremist outfits, along with the detention of three illegal arms dealers.The arrests were made in coordinated raids across four districts — Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Tengnoupal — over a span of 24 hours.According to police officials, the arrested militants are members of four proscribed groups: Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).These groups have long been associated with insurgent activities in the region.The militants were reportedly involved in various criminal acts, including abduction, extortion from contractors, government employees, traders, and the general public.”They were also linked to violent crimes and have been threatening public peace,” a senior police official said.During the course of the crackdown, security personnel recovered a number of arms and ammunition, along with Aadhaar cards, incriminating documents, and other materials from the arrested individuals.This recent spate of arrests and neutralisations comes as part of a broader offensive by security agencies in Manipur aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and curbing militant violence in the state.–IANSsd/rad

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) In the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict in the Tamil Nadu Bills case, President Droupadi Murmu, in a reference made under Article 143 of the Constitution, has asked the top court to consider whether timelines can be imposed on Governors to act on Bills in the absence of a constitutionally-prescribed time limit.The President asked the apex court to report its opinion on constitutional options available to a Governor when a Bill is presented to him under Article 200 of the Constitution of India.“Is the Governor bound by the aid and advice tendered by the Council of Ministers while exercising all the options available with him when a Bill is presented before him under Article 200 of the Constitution of India?” the President asked the Supreme Court.Further, it questioned if the exercise of constitutional discretion by the Governor on Bills is justiciable, when Article 361 of the Constitution puts an absolute bar to judicial review in relation to gubernatorial actions.“In the absence of a constitutionally-prescribed timeline and the manner of exercise of powers by the President, can timelines be imposed and the manner of exercise be prescribed through judicial orders for the exercise of discretion by the President under Article 201 of the Constitution of India?” President Murmu asked the top court to consider and report its opinion thereon.Earlier in April, a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, using its inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, resolved a standoff between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the delay in granting assent to Bills passed by the Assembly.It ruled that Governor Ravi’s refusal to approve 10 Bills in Tamil Nadu was both “illegal and arbitrary” and set a three-month deadline for Presidential and gubernatorial approval of Bills passed by the legislature for a second time.”The President is required to take a decision on the Bills reserved for his consideration by the Governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received,” said a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan.If there is no decision within this time frame, states are entitled to file writ petitions seeking a writ of mandamus against the President, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench clarified.The apex court used the powers for the purpose of declaring the 10 withheld Bills as deemed to have been assented to on the date when they were presented to the Governor after being reconsidered by the state legislature.The top court held that once a Bill is returned, re-passed by the legislature, and presented again to the Governor, it is not open for the Governor to reserve it for the President’s consideration.Additionally, the President is now under an obligation to provide reasons for their decision, which must be communicated to the state government.Further, it suggested that the President should consult the Supreme Court on Bills involving Constitutional issues.The judgment, apparently, brought Presidential actions under judicial review by favouring a three-month deadline for granting assent to Bills.The issue took a new twist after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar used strong words against the judiciary, comparing Article 142 to a ‘nuclear missile’ available to the judiciary against democratic forces.–IANSpds/rad

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Thursday a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the recent amendments introduced in the Waqf Act.As per the cause list published on the apex court website, a two-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih will resume hearing the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 on May 15.In the previous hearing held on May 5, a Bench headed by ex-CJI Sanjiv Khanna opined that it did not intend to reserve its judgment at the interim stage in view of his impending retirement.Adjourning the hearing, the Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, said: “We will post it before the Bench of Justice Gavai on May 13 or 14.”In an earlier hearing, the top court granted a week to the Centre and state governments and the Waqf Boards to file their preliminary reply.It decided to treat five writ petitions as lead cases and said that other pleas will be treated as intervention applications, apart from ordering the registry to rename the cause titles of the proceedings as “In Re: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025″.After the apex court hinted at passing a stay order, the Union government had assured the Supreme Court that it would not de-notify provisions related to ‘Waqf by user’ or include non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board.In its preliminary affidavit, the Centre said that it brought amendments to prevent abuse of Waqf legislation, which resulted in the encroachment of government properties, apart from ensuring that the Waqf Boards in the country are properly administered and function with transparency.”It is submitted that there have been reported misuse of Waqf provisions to encroach on private properties and government properties. It is really shocking to know that after the amendment brought in the year 2013, there is a 116 per cent rise in Waqf area,” the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs said.The Centre, in its reply document filed before the top court, said that it was found that most of the Waqf Boards have been functioning in the “most non-transparent manner” and have either not uploaded the details in the public domain or have uploaded partial details.It said that under the old regime, due to the absence of adequate safeguards, government properties and even private properties were declared as Waqf properties.”The provisions of Sections 3A, 3B, and 3C take care of the said situation, which has been prevailing for several decades. It is submitted that there are startling examples whereby the government lands or even the private lands were declared as Waqf properties,” it said in the affidavit.The Union government said that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was passed with the objective of modernising the management of Waqf properties in India through transparent, efficient and inclusive measures.It argued that the reforms introduced are directed solely at the secular and administrative aspects of Waqf institutions – such as property management, record-keeping, and governance structures – without impinging upon any essential religious practices or tenets of the Islamic faith.The concept of ‘Waqf’, rooted in Islamic laws and traditions, refers to an endowment made by a Muslim for charitable or religious purposes, such as mosques, schools, hospitals, or other public institutions.–IANSpds/rad

Srinagar, May 15 (IANS) A gunfight started between the security forces and the hiding terrorists…

Bhopal, May 15 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has issued an apology for his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.

“I, Vijay Shah, am not only ashamed and saddened by my recent statement which has hurt the sentiments of every community, but I also apologise from the bottom of my heart. Our country’s sister Sofia Qureshi ji has worked rising above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty,” Shah said in a video message posted on Wednesday on X.”Following the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Chief Minister has given instructions to take action regarding the statement of Minister Vijay Shah,” the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said early Thursday morning on X.The Minister also added that he respects the Armed forces and mentioned Colonel Sofiya as “sister”.”Although some inappropriate words came out in my recent statement, my intentions were always clear. I apologise to everyone, and especially to my sister, Sofiya Qureshi,” the Minister said.Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, had conducted press briefings alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, providing updates on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.A controversy erupted after Minister Vijay Shah made a controversial statement during a public event in a rural area in Indore district on Monday without taking Qureshi’s name.”Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson,” Shah said in an apparent reference to Colonel Qureshi, prompting outrage.The Minister’s second apology came after the Madhya Pradesh High Court took serious note of Shah’s comments against the officer and directed the Madhya Pradesh Police to register an FIR against him.Earlier this week, Vijay Shah was reprimanded on Tuesday by the BJP state organisational secretary Hitanand Sharma over the controversy.At the time, the Minister had issued an apology saying: “I belong to a family of martyrs and armymen. I was emotional due to the Pahalgam incident. I am apologising if my words hurt someone and any community. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a pride of the nation and she is like my sister,” he said.–IANSscor/khz/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Nearly a few days into the understanding with Pakistan after the Indian Armed Forces left the Pakistani defence and military shattered, Islamabad has now reportedly written a letter to New Delhi, urging it to reconsider the decision of putting the Indus Waters Treaty which it has put into abeyance

Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources has reportedly written a letter to New Delhi to resume the flow of rivers into its territory under the Indus Waters Treaty, media reports have claimed.The Indus Waters Treaty is a pivotal water-sharing accord that has endured for more than six decades.The plea comes after India halted the 1960 agreement in the wake of yet another Pakistan-backed terrorist attack, this time in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead, mostly tourists.India, invoking its national security prerogative, has placed the treaty in abeyance until Islamabad “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for terrorism.The move was endorsed by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the apex decision-making body on strategic affairs, marking the first time New Delhi has hit pause on the World Bank-brokered agreement.In a letter sent to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Pakistani Ministry warned that suspending the treaty would trigger a crisis within the country.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address since Operation Sindoor, underlined the government’s uncompromising position.”Water and blood cannot flow together,” he declared.”Terror and talks cannot happen at the same time. Terror and trade cannot happen simultaneously.”However, Indian officials have dismissed these concerns, pointing to Pakistan’s longstanding use of terrorism as a state policy.The treaty allocates three western rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers – Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, remain with India.India has now announced a three-tier strategy — short-term, mid-term, and long-term to prevent any flow of Indus waters into Pakistan.Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil said that steps are being taken to ensure not a single drop of water is allowed to leave Indian territory unutilised.India’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reinforced the government’s stance, saying, “The Indus Waters Treaty was founded on goodwill and friendship. Pakistan has trampled on these values by supporting cross-border terrorism for decades.”The strong response follows Operation Sindoor, a swift military campaign launched after the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in a brief ceasefire agreement. But New Delhi has made it clear: dialogue with Islamabad will now be limited to one agenda — ending terrorism and ensuring the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.As per the 1960 treaty, India got around 30 per cent of the total water carried by the Indus River System located in India, while Pakistan got the remaining 70 per cent.With the Indus Waters Treaty suspended, the Narendra Modi government is expected to take major steps toward completing the stalled hydroelectric projects.A key meeting is likely to be held this week with Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Water Resources Minister Paatil, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and senior officials from all related Ministries. Since the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, two meetings have already taken place between Amit Shah, Paatil, and top officials of the Ministry.–IANSscor/khz/

Guwahati, May 15 (IANS) Guwahati witnessed a massive display of patriotic fervour on Wednesday as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and State BJP President Dilip Saikia led a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ to commemorate the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’– a military operation launched in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

The rally, which stretched from Adabari to Jalukbari, saw participation from hundreds of BJP workers and supporters waving the national flag and chanting slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Indian Army Zindabad,” and “Pakistan Murdabad”.Among the prominent faces in attendance was Lieutenant General (retired) Rana Pratap Kalita, former Eastern Army Commander, who joined the procession in a show of solidarity with the armed forces.Taking to Facebook, CM Sarma lauded the military’s swift retaliation.”Our forces have shown that they are the best in the world and gave the enemy a body blow in #OperationSindoor. To celebrate its success and the valour of our forces, I am taking part in the #TirangaYatra in Guwahati,” he wrote.Echoing similar sentiments, State BJP President Dilip Saikia hailed the operation as a testament to India’s growing military might.The BJP also organised parallel Tiranga Yatras in several other towns across Assam, underlining the party’s nationwide support for the armed forces.Meanwhile, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla told IANS on Wednesday, taking a swipe at the INDIA bloc-led Opposition, and said that while Pakistan is taking out funeral processions of terrorists killed in Indian strikes during ‘Operation Sindoor’, some political leaders in India are taking out ‘Saboot Yatra’.His critical remarks came in response to former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi’s objection to US President Donald Trump’s ‘mediation’ in reaching an ‘understanding’ between India and Pakistan over the heightened crisis.”INDIA alliance and Pakistan are two bodies but one soul,” he claimed, taking a caustic swipe.He said that the BJP is taking out ‘Tiranga Yatra’ across the country to celebrate the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and honour the armed forces but the parties which are part of INDIA bloc, including the Congress and AAP, are raising questions over its success.Taking to X on Tuesday, AAP leader Atishi demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking as to why the ceasefire was announced when the armed forces were still eliminating the terrorists and their supporters to avenge the Pahalgam attack.Shehzad Poonawalla, responded to the former Delhi CM’s jibe, saying, “The whole world knows Atishi, whose parents supported Afzal Guru. She asks for proof and wants to see evidence that Pakistan folded its hands before India. Atishi does not want to listen to the Indian Army, but she will believe it only when Pakistan tells her that it had asked for a ceasefire from India.”The BJP leader also said, “Pakistan does not accept defeat after losing to India in 1965, 1971 and 1999 but Atishi wants confirmation from Pakistan. Congress leader Hussain Dalwai says that 100 terrorists were killed, show proof of this.”–IANStdr/khz

Bhopal, May 15 (IANS) The Congress sharpened its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)…

Amaravati, May 15 (IANS) The Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance in Andhra Pradesh will conduct Tiranga rallies across the state for three days from May 16 to pay tributes to 26 tourists killed in Pahalgam terror attack.The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) politburo on Wednesday decided to conduct rallies in all Assembly constituencies on May 16, 17 and 18.It strongly condemned the recent inhuman terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 innocent people lost their valuable lives. Leaders of TDP, Jana Sena and BJP will participate in the rallies.The TDP politburo meeting, chaired by party’s national president and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu focussed on 12 crucial issues, including the Pahalgam terrorist attack.Briefing mediapersons on the decisions taken by the politburo, the party senior leader and Minister Atchen Naidu, said that the politburo expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and observed two-minute silence in memory of those tourists who lost their lives.The politburo resolved to appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in not only formulating the Operation Sindoor but also successfully and firmly dealing with the terrorist attacks and in giving a fitting reply to the Pakistani army.The politburo also praised the action of the armed forces, their heads and those who participated in Operation Sindoor, in giing a retort to Pakistan.A resolution passed by the politburo congratulated MLA and Tollywood actor Balakrishna on receiving prestigious Padma Bhushan award.The TDP decided to hold its annual conclave Mahanadu at Kadapa from May 27 to May 29. This is the first time the TDP is organising Mahanadu at Kadapa.Atchen Naidu said the Mahanadu will highlight how Chandrababu Naidu is a great asset for the State and how Andhra Pradesh under his leadership is marching ahead on the path of development.The politburo accepted a proposal of the party general secretary and Minister Nara Lokesh that a party leader should not hold a post in the party for more than three terms. It decided to change TDP’s mandal-level presidents who have been holding the posts for six years.–IANSms/pgh

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The Congress has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing it of “politicising” Operation Sindoor for its own benefit. The party has already planned nationwide rallies to demand answers from the Prime Minister, particularly on US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the alleged “suspension of the operation”.Speaking at a press conference, senior Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, voiced their concerns over the “BJP’s attempt to claim credit for a military action that rightfully belongs to the armed forces and the country as a whole”.The Congress leadership declared its intent to hold ‘Jai Hind’ rallies across different states, with LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expected to lead the movement and address the media later in the week.Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, and other leaders attended the meeting, resulting in a resolution reaffirming the party’s commitment to unity in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi extended full support to the government and the armed forces.Congress leaders have also sought a special Parliamentary session to discuss the security situation and reiterate the historic 1994 resolution on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.They questioned why Trump made an unprecedented “ceasefire announcement”, while the Prime Minister remained silent.Further raising concerns, Ramesh pointed to reports that the Prime Minister would meet only NDA chief ministers on May 25, excluding those from opposition-led states. He condemned what he described as the BJP’s strategy of “maximum silence on real issues and maximum politicisation”.The Congress has repeatedly demanded an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister to clarify India’s stance on external involvement in its security affairs. Despite their calls for unity, they lamented the Prime Minister’s continued reluctance to engage. The party remains firm in its stance against the “politicisation of national security”, demanding transparency and collective resolve.–IANSsktr/pgh