Chennai, May 15 (IANS) A major explosion occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) tank of a dyeing factory in the SIPCOT industrial estate near Cuddalore, resulting in chemical-laced water inundating nearby residential areas. Several residents reported symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and eye irritation, and were admitted to the Government Hospital in Cuddalore.The incident took place at Loyal Super Fabrics, a textile unit operating within the SIPCOT industrial complex.According to initial reports, the ETP tank, which had a storage capacity of six lakh litres, burst suddenly, releasing a large volume of contaminated water.The gushing water flooded houses in Kudikadu hamlet, catching many residents off guard as they were asleep at the time.Residents reported that more than 50 homes were flooded by the chemical-laced water.Panic spread quickly as people woke up to find their homes flooded with pungent effluent.Over 20 residents experienced symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and eye irritation. They were promptly rushed to the Government Hospital in Cuddalore.Hospital sources confirmed that none of the affected individuals are in a critical condition.In response to the incident, agitated residents staged a road blockade on the Cuddalore–Chidambaram highway, demanding strict action against the factory management.Protesters called for a permanent solution to prevent such industrial mishaps from recurring in the area.Officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the local administration have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion.Environmental and health impact assessments are also underway.The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the safety standards maintained at industrial units in the SIPCOT estate and the lack of robust emergency response mechanisms for nearby residential areas.—IANSaal/rad

Patna, May 15 (IANS) A standoff has erupted in Darbhanga ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Samvad event after the district administration denied permission to hold it at the Ambedkar Hostel, drawing strong protests from Congress leaders and supporters.The Congress had planned the student outreach at the government-run hostel in Madarpur, aiming to connect with Dalit students as part of Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing campaign.However, District Welfare Officer Alok Kumar refused permission, citing concerns about potential disruption to the hostel’s environment.Defending the decision, District Magistrate Rajiv Roshan said, “An event like this cannot be allowed in a hostel setting. We’ve offered Town Hall as an alternative venue. They are welcome to hold it there.”The denial sparked a confrontation between Congress leaders and district officials. NSUI workers and local Congress leaders staged protests, raising slogans and accusing the administration of political bias and deliberate obstruction.To prevent any escalation, a heavy police presence and a duty magistrate were deployed at the hostel.The Bihar Congress condemned the move on social media, calling it an attempt to suppress dialogue with students from marginalized communities.“The administration is afraid of student unity. This is not just a denial of permission; it’s a conspiracy to silence Dalit voices,” a senior Congress leader said.The party highlighted that Nyay Samvad focuses on key student concerns such as timely degrees, fair job opportunities, and relief from education loans — issues particularly relevant to youth in Bihar.The campaign had been promoted widely online, inviting students to join through missed calls and digital registration.The incident has sparked a wider debate on students’ rights to assembly and political engagement. While the administration maintains it acted within the law, the Congress has accused it of stifling democratic discourse, especially on critical issues like education, justice, and reservations.–IANSajk/skp

Chennai, May 15 (IANS ) Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi left for New Delhi on a four-day visit early Thursday morning, triggering speculation in political circles about the possible agenda behind the trip. The Governor departed from Chennai at 7.00 a.m. aboard an Air India passenger flight, accompanied by his secretary, personal assistant, and security officer.According to sources at the Raj Bhavan, he is expected to return to Chennai on Sunday at 10:30 am.Although no official reason has been provided for the unannounced trip, sources suggest that Governor Ravi is likely to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his stay in the national capital.These anticipated high-level meetings have fueled conjecture among political observers about whether the visit carries political significance amid the ongoing friction between the Raj Bhavan and the DMK-led state government.However, officials close to the Governor’s office have downplayed the development, stating that the Delhi trip is part of a “routine schedule” and should not be linked to any current political developments in the state.Governor Ravi’s relationship with the Tamil Nadu government has been notably tense in recent months, with disagreements over issues such as the NEET exemption, pending bills, and administrative delays.R. N. Ravi’s recent remarks on governance and cultural identity in Tamil Nadu have also drawn criticism from several ruling party leaders.In the absence of an official statement clarifying the purpose of his Delhi itinerary, political analysts remain divided on whether the visit is indeed routine or if it signals a significant development on the Centre-State front.With the Governor expected to return on Sunday, all eyes will be on any statements or developments that emerge from his interactions in Delhi.–IANSaal/svn

Riyadh, May 15 (IANS) Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Khan conducted an inspection on Thursday of various functional desks, branch offices, and branch dispensaries set up to facilitate services to Indian Haj pilgrims.He was accompanied by Indian Consul (Haj) Muhammed Abdul Jaleel and other coordinators.”Ambassador Suhel Khan inspected various functional desks, branch offices, and branch dispensaries set up to serve the Indian pilgrims in Makkah. He was accompanied by Consul (Haj), Shri Muhammed Abdul Jaleel, and other Coordinators,” Embassy of India in Riyadh posted on X.”Ambassador Suhel Khan, along with Consul (Haj), Muhammed Abdul Jaleel, undertook a comprehensive review of the Azizia transport in Makkah. Azizia transport is seamless, 24-hour service provided for the pilgrims from their residences to the Haram Sharif by the Indian Haj Mission,” the Embassy said in another post on X.The medical and accommodation facilities for Indian Haj pilgrims are continuously monitored and reviewed.The Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri on Wednesday had a review meeting with the officials and staff deployed in temporary branch offices and dispensaries, various cells and desks, set up by the Indian Haj Mission in Haj 2025 in Mecca.Meanwhile, in a significant moment under the Indian government’s progressive ‘Lady Without Mehram’ (LWM) policy, Suhel Khan and his wife on Wednesday received an all-women Haj pilgrim group from Kerala at the Jeddah Haj Terminal in Saudi Arabia.”Ambassador Suhel Khan, along with his spouse Rifat Khan, welcomed an all-women group of pilgrims from Kerala at the Jeddah Haj Terminal today. Women are benefitting from the Government of India’s progressive policy of allowing Haj without a male companion under the Lady Without Mehram category,” the Embassy said.With the Indian government committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless Haj pilgrimage for all, Ambassador Suhel Khan on Wednesday also reviewed the arrival arrangements of Indian pilgrims during his visit to the Jeddah Haj Terminal.Accompanied by Consul General Abdul Jaleel, the Indian envoy met all the staff and the community volunteers.The first batch of Indian Haj pilgrims had arrived in the country on April 29. With the government according highest priority for Indian Muslims to undertake the annual pilgrimage, the country allocation for India has gradually increased to 175,025 in 2025 from 136,020 in 2014.For Haj 2025, the Indian Haj Mission is ensuring dedicated support for elderly pilgrims and persons with special needs, according to the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), which, through the Haj Committee of India, manages arrangements for the bulk of the quota allotted to the nation.All the necessary arrangements, including flight schedules, transportation, Mina camps, accommodation, and additional services, have been taken up and completed as per the Saudi requirements, within the given timelines.–IANSint/scor/sd/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) India is ranked among the top 10 countries where the…

Bokaro, May 15 (IANS) In a shocking incident that took place late Wednesday night, a man was shot dead by unidentified assailants while returning home with his father in a car in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, police officials said on Thursday.The incident took place near the Baridih forest under the Nawadih police station limits.The deceased has been identified as Hemlal Pandit, a resident of Sirai village in Vishnugarh block of Hazaribagh district.Both Hemlal and his father, Tulsi Pandit, were known locally for practising exorcism.According to police sources, the two were returning home after conducting a ritual at a house in Nawadih when the attack took place.Around midnight, three men on a motorcycle overtook their car and stopped them near the forested stretch. They asked for directions to Vanshi village. When Hemlal rolled down the window to respond, one of the men shot him at point-blank range. He died on the spot.Tulsi Pandit, Hemlal’s father, immediately informed family members about the incident.Local MLA from Dumri, Jairam Mahato, who was attending a wedding nearby, rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.He claimed that he tried contacting several senior police officials, but received no immediate response.Eventually, the in-charge of Nawadih police station reached the spot nearly an hour and a half later with a team.The police have recovered the body and sent it for a post-mortem. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.Tulsi Pandit has provided descriptions of the attackers, and police are conducting raids in surrounding areas to trace the culprits.The incident has sparked anger in the area, with locals questioning the delay in police response and the increasing lawlessness in the region.–IANSsnc/skp

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Delhi Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, on Thursday visited the Okhla landfill site and reiterated the BJP government’s commitment to removing the towering garbage mounds from the national Capital, declaring that they will “vanish just like dinosaurs” in the coming five years.Sirsa was accompanied by BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh during the visit.Speaking to IANS at the site, Sirsa said, “Today at the Okhla landfill, the promise made by Prime Minister Modi to eliminate the garbage mountains that Delhi has become known for, is being actively worked on by the Delhi Chief Minister. I want to say that these garbage mountains you see will vanish like dinosaurs. By December 2025, 90 per cent of it will no longer be visible. This is our target for 2028.””Just like dinosaurs have vanished, these landfills will vanish from the national Capital. We have already reclaimed most of the area, and by October, another 20 lakh metric tonnes of waste will be removed,” he added.BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri also spoke during the visit, expressing optimism about the progress.”Today, I am happy to learn from the municipal corporation officials that, as informed to the respected Minister Sardar Sirsa and the Mayor, this garbage mountain will be cleared before 2026. The area will be developed as a green zone. This is the dream of our PM Narendra Modi and our Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta,” he said.”We are witnessing this dream come true. I express my heartfelt thanks to Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Mayor Sardar Iqbal Singh, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Thank you very much for making Delhi clean,” he added.Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh also highlighted the BJP-led administration’s commitment.”We came to see the progress because we had made a promise to the people of Delhi for a clean, healthy, and garbage-free city. Cleanliness is now being taken up personally by our PM Modi and CM Rekha Gupta. Leaders like Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and others are also actively involved,” he told IANS.”We are fulfilling the pledge to eliminate the garbage mountains, a vision of our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.In a push to accelerate the waste removal process, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been instructed to ensure that the newly-appointed contractor achieves a daily target of clearing at least 8,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste within four to five months.Delhi currently has three major landfill sites — Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur — with the Ghazipur site being the largest. Collectively, these landfills store more than 160 lakh tonnes of legacy waste.Despite multiple earlier promises to clear the mounds, the deadlines have been pushed back several times.The MCD’s most recent revised timeline sets the final clearance deadline to December 2028.–IANSsd/rad

Srinagar, May 15 (IANS) Three terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed on Thursday in a gunfight with the security forces in Nader village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.Officials said the three terrorists were later identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani and Yawar Ahmad Bhat, all residents of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.This is the second encounter in the union territory within 48 hours.Earlier today, Srinagar headquartered 15 Corps of the Army said on X, “On May 15, 2025, based on specific Intelligence input from Int agency, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched by Indian Army, J&K Police and Srinagar Sector CRPF at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire, and a fierce gunfight ensued. Operation is in progress.”A gunfight had started between the security forces and the hiding terrorists on Thursday in the Tral area of Pulwama district’s Awantipora sub-division.The Police said on X, “Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”Following specific Intelligence inputs, security forces surrounded the Nader village of Tral tehsil to conduct searches. “As the security forces came close to the hiding terrorists, there was an exchange of gunfire, which is now going on,” police said.Today’s gunfight comes two days after security forces gunned down three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in an operation in the Keller area of Shopian district.Of the three terrorists killed on Tuesday, the two slain terrorists were identified as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi, both residents of Shopian. Kuttay, who joined Lashkar in 2023, was involved in a shooting incident at the Danish resort on April 8 last year, in which two German tourists and one driver were injured.He was also involved in the killing of a BJP Sarpanch at Heerpora in Shopian in May last year. Shafi, who joined the terror group in 2024, was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer at Wachi in Shopian district.On May 10, a ceasefire understanding was announced by India and Pakistan. However, the terrorists fired at the sentry post outside the headquarters of the White Knight Corps in the Nagrota area of Jammu district nearly two hours after the ceasefire understanding came into force.India has made it clear that any act of terror within the country would be treated as an “act of war”. The terrorists, aided and sponsored by Pakistan, killed 26 innocent people on April 22, including 25 tourists and a local in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.The cowardly act was carried out by LeT terrorists, as per the security forces. This finally resulted in India avenging the murder of innocent civilians by precision strikes at terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).India has made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty would continue to remain in abeyance, and no trade would be restored with Pakistan.During Pakistani targeting of civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, more than 200 houses and shops have been destroyed, forcing hundreds of border dwellers to abandon their homes to seek refuge at safer places away from the line of fire.These affected families are yet to return to their homes at the LoC as the security forces are busy defusing unexploded Pakistani mortar shells in the affected areas.–IANSsq/svn

Jaipur, May 15 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday will resume hearing the high-profile single lease case involving former Minister Shanti Dhariwal, retired IAS officer G.S. Sandhu, and others.The matter was last heard on Wednesday by a bench led by Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava, during which Sandhu presented his arguments and urged the court to quash the case.The case pertains to seven criminal petitions filed by Dhariwal, Sandhu, RAS officer Nishkam Diwakar, and then Deputy Commissioner Omkarmal Saini. These petitions are being reviewed following directions from the Supreme Court, which asked the High Court to conclude the matter within six months.Appearing for Sandhu, Advocate S.S. Hora told the court that a 2005 application sought a single lease for 3.43 hectares of land in Todi Ramjanipura, Jaipur.As the area exceeded permissible limits, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) forwarded the request to the state government, which initially rejected it.However, the application resurfaced in 2009, and the lease was eventually approved in 2011. It was later cancelled in 2013, prompting Ramsharan Singh to lodge a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2014.Sandhu argued that no criminal offense occurred and noted that the state government had previously moved the ACB court to withdraw the case. He therefore requested the High Court to dismiss the proceedings.The “single lease” or Ekal Patta case dates back to June 29, 2011, when the JDA issued a lease to Shailendra Garg of Ganpati Construction. The lease’s cancellation in 2013, following the ACB complaint, triggered a prolonged investigation that led to the arrest of several senior officials, including Sandhu, Diwakar, and Saini. Dhariwal, who was a minister at the time, was also questioned over his alleged role.A key development occurred on November 15, 2022, when the High Court granted relief to Dhariwal by quashing a protest petition and staying proceedings against him in the ACB special court. His lawyers contended that he was neither named in the original FIR nor charge sheet, and that the ACB’s closure report found no direct evidence against him.Despite this, fresh petitions were later filed in the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive review. The apex court subsequently directed the High Court to expedite the hearings and deliver a verdict within six months.–IANSarc/skp

Bhopal, May 15 (IANS) After BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah on Thursday approached the Supreme Court challenging a High Court order that initiated suo motu proceedings against him for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Congress Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Vivek Tankha questioned whether the BJP’s legal team was helping Shah in the matter.”Minister Vijay (Shah) is reaching the Supreme Court this morning. Is the BJP helping the minister through its legal team? This would go against the sentiments of the nation and the Indian Army. That is why the BJP is silent on the matter of dismissing the minister. Patriots will oppose this,” Tankha posted on his social media account.In another post, Tankha said, “Breaking News: If Vijay Shah’s appeal is mentioned in the Supreme Court and heard, Rajya Sabha MPs and senior advocates Vivek Tankha, Kapil Sibal, Indira Jai ​​Singh and KTS Tulsi will stand in court against Vijay Shah.”The development follows a stinging rebuke by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which described Shah’s remarks as “dangerous,” “scurrilous,” and “language of the gutter.” The court had ordered the police to register an FIR against him under charges of promoting enmity and hatred.Acting on the court’s directive, Madhya Pradesh Police registered a case late Wednesday night against Shah over his communal, sexist, and derogatory comments against Colonel Qureshi.The High Court is also set to hold a hearing in the matter, during which it will seek a status report from the state police on the FIR.Colonel Sofiya Qureshi had gained public attention for conducting regular press briefings alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during Operation Sindoor – the Indian armed forces mission targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.In a viral video, Shah was heard saying: “They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers after stripping them. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists’) sister in an Army plane to strike them in their homes. They made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent their own sister to reply to them.”Following public outrage, Shah issued an apology, saying he respected the armed forces and referred to Colonel Qureshi as a sister, apologizing “from the bottom of his heart.”–IANSpd/skp