Guwahati, May 28 (IANS) Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, citing recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids as “evidence of illegal coal mining operations” in the state, and also issued a clarification on his ‘links’ in Pakistan.Speaking to the media in Delhi for the first time after becoming the Assam unit chief of Congress, Gogoi pointed to the April 24 raids conducted across Assam and Meghalaya, where the ED reportedly unearthed a coal smuggling network, seizing Rs 1.58 crore in cash, digital devices, and two luxury vehicles.“This revelation proves the Assam CM wrong,” Gogoi said, asserting that the ED’s findings confirm the existence of an illegal coal syndicate operating across state borders.He questioned the scope of the investigation, asking, “Will this probe stop at just Rs 1.58 crore? Why has no action been taken by the state and Central governments? This syndicate is putting immense pressure on the economy, ecology, and society of the Northeast.”Gogoi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, alleging political protection behind the illicit operations.“Such a syndicate could not have functioned without political shielding from both state and central authorities,” he claimed.Amid the political storm, Gogoi also addressed a separate controversy involving his 2013 visit to Pakistan and his wife’s professional background.In a bid to end speculation and social media narratives questioning his family’s associations, Gogoi clarified that his wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, worked with an international NGO and was stationed in Pakistan in 2011 for a year as part of her official duties.He said, “I visited Pakistan only once, in 2013, in full compliance with the Government of India’s rules and regulations.”“My personal and professional life has always been transparent and aligned with the national interest,” Gogoi said.This marks the first time Gogoi has publicly addressed these issues, which have gained traction in recent days.He emphasised the need for fact-based political discourse and urged opponents to focus on substantive issues rather than personal attacks.Responding to questions about his family’s citizenship, Gogoi acknowledged that his wife and two children hold British citizenship. “My wife’s citizenship is a personal decision. My second child was born in the UK. We faced many challenges while living in England during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led us to convert our first child’s citizenship to British,” he explained.Calling for privacy and understanding, Gogoi concluded by urging the public to respect the personal choices of political figures, especially when they relate to family matters made under extraordinary global circumstances.The Congress high command on Monday announced Gaurav Gogoi’s appointment as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Gogoi, a three-time Lok Sabha member, seeks to lead efforts to consolidate his party in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.–IANStdr/dpb

Chennai, May 28 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday extended its warm greetings to the candidates announced by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled to be held on June 19.

In a statement, CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary R. Mutharasan welcomed the nominations made by the DMK, a key ally in the INDIA Bloc, and lauded the coalition’s commitment to democratic ideals and inclusive representation. The DMK has fielded senior advocate and sitting MP P. Wilson, celebrated Tamil poet and author Salma (also known as Rokayia Malik), and former Salem MP S.R. Sivalingam as its official candidates. Additionally, MNM founder and actor-politician Kamal Haasan has been nominated to contest one seat under the INDIA Bloc quota, as part of the alliance’s seat-sharing agreement. Mutharasan said the selection of candidates reflected the INDIA Bloc’s values of federalism, social justice, secularism, and rationalism, and showed due respect for the voices of allied and friendly parties. “These nominations indicate the coalition’s resolve to uphold democratic traditions and accommodate diverse voices committed to progress and justice. The presence of Kamal Haasan, P. Wilson, Salma, and S.R. Sivalingam in the Rajya Sabha will reinforce the principles of federalism and help resist the growing threat of communal and divisive politics,” he added. Calling for a strengthened and vibrant opposition in the Upper House, the CPI leader expressed hope that the four nominated leaders would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s political and constitutional discourse. “We believe they will make a distinct and commendable mark in Parliament and will champion the causes of the marginalised, the working class, and the secular ethos of the country,” Mutharasan said. The CPI’s public endorsement of the INDIA Bloc candidates highlights the unity within the alliance as it prepares to take on the BJP-led NDA in future political battles, both within Parliament and outside. The Rajya Sabha elections will be held to fill four vacancies from Tamil Nadu, and the INDIA Bloc’s consolidated support is expected to ensure victory for all its nominated candidates. –IANS aal/dan

Bengaluru, May 28 (IANS) The Karnataka government organised a special event, ‘Jai Hind Sabha’, in honour of the Indian armed forces and facilitated retired military personnel in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The programme was held at the Town Hall in Bengaluru under ‘Jai Hind Jai Sena’.During the event, senior officers who served in the Indian Army and ex-servicemen were felicitated. The families of brave soldiers who laid down their lives in service to the nation were also honoured.Among those felicitated were the family members of late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan (Ashoka Chakra awardee), Colonel Jojan Thomas (Ashoka Chakra awardee), Major M.C. Muthanna (Shaurya Chakra awardee), Major Ganesh Maddappa (Shaurya Chakra awardee), Captain M.V. Panjal (Shaurya Chakra awardee), Major Mohan Gangadharan (Shaurya Chakra awardee), Major Shafiq Mohammad Khan, and Colonel Ramamurthy (Sena Medal awardee).More than a thousand senior army officers and ex-servicemen participated in the event. The Karnataka government had issued directions to organise such events across the country to salute the selfless service of Indian soldiers and stand in solidarity with them.Addressing the “Jai Hind Sabha” programme, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that soldiers, farmers, doctors, and teachers are as revered and memorable as one’s own parents.He praised the legacy of Indian soldiers. “Soldiers dedicate themselves to national defence with a spirit of sacrifice. The responsibility of protecting the country does not lie with the army alone, but with all 1.4 billion Indians,” he said.He emphasised that India has never compromised on the principle of protecting the righteous and eliminating evil, and it never will.”This is the commitment of every Indian,” Siddaramaiah underlined.The Chief Minister made a significant declaration that no excise duty will be levied on army canteens by the state. He also assured that all necessary steps would be taken for the welfare of retired soldiers.Speaking after felicitating senior army officers, ex-servicemen, and the families of martyred soldiers, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar said, “To support all ex-servicemen in the state, the government is considering the establishment of a separate corporation. This proposal will be discussed in the state cabinet meeting before a decision is made.”“We are thinking of forming this corporation based on the suggestion of Mallikarjun, President of the Congress Party’s Sainik Cell. We are committed to the welfare of soldiers who have served our nation,” Shivakumar stated.“It is a matter of pride to be part of such a significant event. On behalf of the Congress party and the nation, I extend my gratitude to all of you who have served our country with strength and dedication. The Congress party has always stood by the nation and our armed forces. This programme is a testimony to the fact that your sacrifices will always be remembered,” he added.–IANSmka/dan

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Various universities across the country organised a pledge-taking event on Wednesday, where students vowed their unequivocal support to the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ initiative and pledged their contribution in the ‘Viksit Bharat’ mission.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often spoken about the nation’s resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, while underscoring the importance of contribution of the country’s youth in achieving this dream.The youth-pledge event titled ‘Yuva Shakti, Bharat Ki Shakti – One Youth, One Nation, One Resolve’ was organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), across five regions of the country, bringing together students for shared patriotic commitment, civic unity and national pride.All participants welcomed the AIU’s initiative, aimed at shaping the nation’s youth as the conscience-keepers of Bharat.Many students and faculty members, who took part in the one-of-its kind event spoke to IANS, sharing their excitement as well as optimism about the initiative and also said this will prepare them for undertaking big tasks to contribute in nation-building.Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Professor Nilofer Khan said, “Being one of the premier institutions for higher education, we made our students aware of their duties towards the nation. We also taught them how to preserve the environment, which was an important part of the pledge.”Prof. Naseer Iqbal, University of Kashmir said, “Hundreds of students participated and took pledge. They were given lessons on the importance of discipline, honesty and integrity while dedicating themselves to the national cause.”“Also, the students were briefed about ‘Operation Sindoor’, which is being admired and appreciated by the world. They should take pride in it and make bigger efforts for greater glory,” he added.One B.P.Ed student at Physical College, J&K’s Ganderbal said that such events should be organised across India and the youth should be encouraged and enthused to participate in such activities.In Delhi’s Jamia Hamdard University, Vice Chancellor Professor M. Afshar Alam said, “We firmly believe in PM Modi’s vision and stewardship. Being one of the country’s prestigious universities, we are moving steadfastly and contributing to nation-building.”Professor Himani Sood, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University said, “‘Operation Sindoor’ was very special to me as a woman because it was fought for every sister, every mother and every daughter of India. It is a moment of great pride for me that the entire nation is standing behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the armed forces in the fight against terrorism and sinister attempts to divide Bharat.”Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities said, “AIU is the world’s largest association, with nearly 1,100 universities as its members. In our country, about 4.5 crore students are enrolled in universities and colleges, and we represent all of them. We have pledged that the nation comes first and will always come first.”With thousands of the students joining the ‘Yuva Shakti, Bharat Ki Shakti’ campaign, it truly symbolised unity in diversity and delivered a message of inclusivity as well as youth empowerment, echoing the call for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.–IANSmr/rad

Patna, May 28 (IANS) RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Wednesday hit out…

Chennai, May 28 (IANS) The Neelankarai police on Wednesday ordered the temporary closure of a popular amusement park in Injambakkam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, following a terrifying incident involving a malfunctioning giant wheel that left 36 visitors, including several children, stranded mid-air.The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the giant wheel suddenly came to a halt due to a suspected technical glitch.Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and confusion as the ride, which rotates in a full circular motion, abruptly stopped while passengers were still aloft. Fortunately, the structure held firm, and the stranded individuals were not at risk of falling.Emergency services were immediately alerted, and a large-scale rescue operation was launched.According to District Fire Officer Loganathan, “We were able to safely rescue all 36 persons, including 20 men and 16 women, using two sky lifts.”The operation lasted nearly one and a half hours and involved around 35 personnel from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department, assisted by local police.While no injuries were reported, the incident caused widespread concern among visitors and local residents. Several parents and onlookers were seen anxiously waiting at the site as the rescue operation unfolded.In response, the Neelankarai police issued a notice to the amusement park’s management, seeking a detailed explanation of the malfunction and a full set of safety compliance documents.Officials also conducted a thorough inspection of the park on Wednesday to assess safety standards and verify whether routine maintenance protocols were being followed.“The park will remain closed until the management submits the required documents and provides a satisfactory explanation,” a senior police official confirmed.Authorities have reiterated the need for stringent safety checks and regular maintenance at all amusement facilities in the city, especially those with high-risk rides like giant wheels and roller coasters.The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in public entertainment spaces. Visitors who had left the park unharmed expressed relief but emphasised the importance of accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.–IANSaal/dpb

Jamnagar, May 28 (IANS) Authorities in Jamnagar district of Gujarat destroyed a massive cache of English liquor and beer valued at Rs 41.83 lakh, an official said on Wednesday.

The operation was carried out under tight security in the presence of top officials from the administration and police department. A total of 17,497 bottles of English liquor and beer were crushed using a bulldozer at a government-designated waste disposal site in a rural area near Jamnagar.The liquor had been seized from multiple police jurisdictions, including Panchkoshi A. Division, Panchkoshi B. Division, and Kalavad Rural Police Station.According to officials, 14,657 bottles were confiscated from the Panchkoshi A. Division Police Station area alone. An additional 2,292 bottles were seized under the Kalavad Rural Police Station, while 548 bottles came from the Panchkoshi B. Division jurisdiction.The operation was supervised by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Jamnagar Rural, along with the Mamlatdar’s team, officials from the Narcotics Control Branch, and police personnel from the concerned divisions.The coordinated effort highlights the administration’s continued vigilance and commitment to upholding the law in prohibited zones. Officials stated that further investigations are ongoing to trace the sources and networks behind the illegal liquor stockpile.Despite Gujarat’s status as a dry state under its long-standing prohibition policy, the state continues to witness widespread and persistent violations related to the sale, storage, and consumption of alcohol.In 2024 alone, authorities seized approximately 82 lakh bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) across the state, with an estimated value of Rs 144 crore. This figure starkly illustrates the scale of the issue — the equivalent of one bottle being confiscated every four seconds.Ahmedabad city was a major hotspot, reporting 2,139 cases involving over three lakh bottles of IMFL, in addition to nearly 8,000 cases involving country-made liquor totalling 1.58 lakh litres.Comparatively, in 2023, Gujarat recorded 466 violations of prohibition laws, with alcohol worth around Rs 20 crore being seized, nearly doubling the value of confiscations from 2022, which saw 440 cases and Rs 10.4 crore worth of illicit liquor. These increasing numbers reflect not just heightened enforcement, but also the resilience and scale of underground liquor networks operating across the state.–IANSjanvi/dan

Chandigarh, May 28 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has offered free land in Panchkula for setting up both a temporary and permanent campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) of Gandhinagar.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister urged for a speedy approval of the project. According to the letter, which was shared with the media on Wednesday, the Haryana government had previously requested permission from the Union Home Ministry on November 15, 2022, through a demi-official letter for setting up NFSU campuses in Panchkula. The request was forwarded to the NFSU, which then formed a committee. The committee inspected the proposed land in Panchkula in August last year and submitted its report to the Home Ministry. The Chief Minister emphasised in his letter that the Haryana government is ready to provide the land for this project free of cost and requested the Home Ministry to grant approval at the earliest. He highlighted that the initiative would not only boost forensic science education in Haryana but also create new opportunities for the state’s youth. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra informed that the state is rigorously working towards becoming the first to fully implement the provisions of new criminal laws by issuing necessary notifications, guidelines, instructions, SOPs, boosting infrastructure and capacity of human resources of all the stakeholder departments i.e. police, prisons, prosecution and judiciary. Commenting on the project, she said, “The establishment of the National Forensic Sciences University will be a significant step for Haryana’s students, especially in the context of new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).” She added that this institution will provide students with education in modern forensic techniques and judicial sciences, enabling them to contribute effectively to law enforcement and judicial processes. She said the state government is focusing on the modernisation of equipment, capacity building and infrastructure development. The State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is speeding up DNA and forensic reports, particularly for sensitive cases. Some districts have shown outstanding results, i.e. Faridabad, Karnal, Dabwali, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, and Rewari have performed well, with conviction rates of over 75 per cent, she added. –IANS vg/dan

Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 28 (IANS) Karnataka BJP has objected to the arrest of Vishva Hindu…

Ranchi, May 28 (ANS) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Raghubar Das on Wednesday criticised the Hemant Soren-led government for failing to implement the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), accusing it of depriving tribal communities of their constitutional right to self-governance.Addressing a press conference at the state BJP office in Ranchi, Das alleged that the JMM-Congress coalition was systematically undermining tribal culture and traditions.“This government claims to be a well-wisher of tribals but has not implemented the PESA Act even after finalising the rules,” he said.The BJP leader recalled that the central government had enacted the PESA Act in 1996, mandating states to draft rules following local traditions and implement self-rule in Scheduled Areas.“Most states have implemented PESA and empowered Gram Sabhas. In contrast, Jharkhand, despite having a tribal Chief Minister, is yet to do so,” he said.Das invoked the legacy of tribal freedom fighters, including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Poto Ho, Budhu Bhagat, Phoolo-Jhano, and Tilka Manjhi, stating that they fought for ‘Abua Raj’ (self-rule).“Ironically, a tribal Chief Minister is now obstructing the same vision,” he said.He added that the draft PESA rules were published years ago, and after extensive consultations and review, the Jharkhand Law Department gave its nod on March 22, 2024.“Both the Supreme Court and High Court have upheld the Act under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution,” he noted.“Tribals across 112 blocks in 13 Scheduled Area districts are now asking when Gram Swaraj under PESA will be implemented. Who is stopping the government from restoring the traditional systems of Munda, Manki and Gram Pradhan?” he asked.Das alleged that Hemant Soren is under pressure from “followers of foreign religions,” claiming their influence within the government is preventing implementation.“PESA will curb their interference in tribal self-governance, which is why they oppose it,” he said, adding that several ministers and leaders in the ruling alliance were working against tribal interests.He further alleged that vested interests involved in illegal mining and trade in sand, stone, liquor and coal were also opposed to the Act.“PESA would empower panchayats with control over minor minerals and sand ghats. The government has surrendered to the syndicate mafia. This is a betrayal of the Sarna tribal community,” he said.Former Union Minister of State Sudarshan Bhagat was also present at the press conference.–IANSsnc/skp/dan