Bhopal, June 14 (IANS) A thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain turned tragic in Gwalior on Friday night when the wall of a two-storey house collapsed onto a nearby tin shed, killing three people and injuring three others.The incident occurred around 4:30 pm in the Shankarpur locality under the jurisdiction of Bahodapur police station.The accident took place near New Loha Mandi. A sudden storm swept through the city in the evening, causing the wall of the house to collapse.Eight people were buried under the debris. Nearby residents immediately informed the police and administration.Officials from the administration, Municipal Corporation, and Fire Brigade reached the spot recovered the bodies and rescued the injured, who were then taken to the Jaya Arogya Hospital.According to police officials, several people had taken shelter under the tin shed adjacent to a milk dairy to escape the downpour. The shed was located next to the residence of Mahendra Singh Ingle, whose house wall gave way under the pressure of the storm and collapsed onto the structure below.“The victims were buried under the debris before rescue teams arrived and pulled them out,” police officials said.Three men — Javed Khan (32), son of Rehman; Israyal Ahmed (40), son of Salim Pehlwan; and Mafrat Khan (35), son of Mohsin Khan Ahmed — lost their lives in the incident.While one of them died on the spot, the other two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.The injured include Mahendra Singh Ingle and Mahir Khan (20), son of Salim Khan.Both are reported to be in a critical condition and are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.The storm was sudden and intense, with strong winds and heavy rainfall lashing the area for nearly an hour. Locals rushed to assist before emergency services arrived.“An investigation is underway to determine the structural integrity of the collapsed wall and whether negligence played a role,” a police official said.The police officials are investigating if the wall on the second floor was constructed with single bricks, which could not withstand the force of the storm.As monsoon is approaching in India, the Gwalior-Chambal region is experiencing strong storms for the past 24 hours, with rainfall reported in several areas.–IANSsktr/rad

Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Saturday lashed out at the…

Chennai, June 14 (IANS) Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Member of Parliament Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday stated that the party would seek a greater share of seats from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, while firmly reiterating that the strength and unity of the INDIA bloc alliance will remain paramount. Thirumavalavan said, “The alliance’s strength is more important than that of individual parties. While we will push for more seats, negotiations will be conducted in a manner that preserves the cohesion of the INDIA bloc.“He also made a veiled reference to the resurgent BJP-AIADMK alliance, describing it as a right-wing challenge that secular forces must confront collectively.The VCK chief clarified that while his party remains committed to the idea of a coalition government — its long-standing demand — it would not press for such an arrangement in the 2026 elections.“This election is not about power-sharing, but protecting Tamil Nadu from the communal politics of the BJP,” he said.“The AIADMK has now aligned itself with the BJP, which openly promotes divisive and communal ideologies,” he said.As one of Tamil Nadu’s most prominent Dalit leaders, Thirumavalavan accused the BJP of undermining the country’s secular fabric.“For the past 11 years, the BJP has consistently spread hatred against Muslims in almost every state. Tamil Nadu had been an exception, but now they are trying to polarise this state as well,” he cautioned.He further criticised the BJP for failing to address key issues such as social justice, Dalit rights, and livelihood concerns.“Instead of supporting the cause of social equality, the BJP has resorted to religious politics, ignoring the fundamental needs of marginalised communities,” he said.Thirumavalavan concluded by calling on all secular parties to unite and resist the entry of communal politics into Tamil Nadu.“This is not just a political fight. It is a battle to protect the ideals of social justice and secularism,” he said.–IANSaal/skp

Guwahati, June 14 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three individuals associated with the banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) for their alleged involvement in planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Guwahati during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations.The accused — Paresh Baruah, Abhijit Gogoi, and Jahnu Boruah — have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act), and the Explosive Substances Act.The charges were filed on Friday after an extensive investigation into the terror plot aimed at destabilising the region and spreading panic among the public, the NIA said in a statement on Saturday.According to the NIA, the trio was linked to an IED planted at Dispur Last Gate, Guwahati, in what was part of a larger ULFA-I conspiracy to execute multiple IED blasts across Assam.The group aimed to disrupt Independence Day celebrations and instil fear through coordinated acts of terror.”The trio were found linked with the IED planted by the terror outfit at Dispur Last Gate, Guwahati, Assam, as part of the ULFA (I) conspiracy to trigger multiple IED blasts across Assam, including at Dispur Last Gate, to disrupt the I-Day celebrations last year,” the NIA stated.The NIA had taken over the case in September 2024. Its investigation found that the planted IEDs were intended to cause death, injuries, and property damage, with the broader objective of threatening India’s unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty.”The IEDs had been planted to cause death/injuries to persons and/or loss/damage/destruction to property, with the intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of India, and to strike terror among the people of the country,” the NIA added.Further investigations into the case are currently ongoing.The 2024 Independence Day celebrations in Assam were clouded by serious security concerns after ULFA-I sent emails to several media outlets in the state, claiming to have planted bombs in 24 different locations.The emails provided the precise locations of 19 IEDs, while details for the remaining five were not disclosed.As a precaution, security forces and police personnel who were previously deployed for parades and ceremonial duties were reassigned to assist in the search for explosives.Bomb disposal squads were also rushed to various sites to detect and neutralise the threats.ULFA-I claimed in its emails that the devices would not detonate due to a “technical fault” and even appealed to the public to help locate them.However, security agencies took no chances and launched an intensive operation across the state.The Assam Police recovered 11 IEDs from multiple locations.Among them, four explosive devices were found in high-risk areas of Guwahati, including Pan Bazar, Dispur, Gandhi Mandap, and Satgaon.None of the IEDs detonated, and no injuries were reported.On September 21, 2024, the Assam Police and NIA jointly arrested 15 individuals, including three women, from various locations across the state in connection with the planting of IEDs.Later in December, the agency arrested a key ULFA-I operative tied to the same case.–IANSsd/rad

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is launching a high-level, three-day training camp on Saturday, in the scenic hill town of Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the camp and address the opening session scheduled for 3:00 PM.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will deliver the valedictory address on June 16.Hosted in the lush surroundings of the Satpura hills, the event is being organised at the Glen View Hotel under a specially-constructed dome.The training programme will bring together 201 key BJP leaders, including all Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Union Ministers, and national office-bearers of the party.The aim of the camp is to enhance political strategy, strengthen ideological clarity, and equip party representatives with tools for effective governance and communication.The event is being seen as a key part of the BJP’s preparation and organisational sharpening ahead of upcoming state elections and the 2029 general elections.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP President V.D. Sharma will be present throughout the camp, which is expected to feature a series of structured sessions blending ideological insights with practical strategies.“The camp will explore the BJP’s evolution from the Jan Sangh days to becoming the world’s largest political party. Sessions will focus on party discipline, public engagement, digital outreach, and constituency management,” said V.D. Sharma.Several senior party leaders will be leading discussions and workshops, including B.L. Santhosh, Shiv Prakash, C.R. Patil, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Savitri Thakur, L. Murugan, and Vinod Tawde.This training initiative also aims to align the party cadre with its national vision, reinforce unity, and prepare them to address challenges at the grassroots level effectively.–IANSrs/rad

London, June 14 (IANS) The British royal family will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence during the annual Trooping the Colour parade on Saturday as a mark of respect for victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, India.At least 169 Indians and 53 British nationals were travelling in the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which crashed on Thursday afternoon soon after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport. This tragic accident claimed the lives of at least 241 people.The annual parade marks King Charles’s birthday with over 1,350 troops involved. According to a palace spokesperson, the King wanted changes in his birthday parade “as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy.”Earlier on Thursday, in a statement issued, King Charles expressed shock over the tragic plane crash.”My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time,” read the statement issued.The impact triggered a massive blaze, with thick plumes of smoke visible across the city. Emergency services, including fire brigades and National Disaster Response Force teams, rushed to the site of the crash.Several global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed shock and grief after the Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, triggering a massive emergency response.”Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families up and down the country. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the horrific plane crash,” Starmer posted on X following the accident.Additionally, the United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States’ Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) have offered assistance in the investigation that is being carried out by the Indian authorities following the crash.–IANSint/scor/sd/

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) As a curtain-raiser to the upcoming International Day of Yoga (IDY), the Ministry of Ayush is hosting a prestigious global summit titled ‘Yoga Connect’ on Saturday at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Organised in a hybrid format, the event aims to unite influential voices from the world of yoga and holistic wellness to share ideas, research, and innovations.The summit, coordinated by the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), has attracted participation from internationally renowned yoga masters and wellness leaders.Prominent figures such as Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Bikkhu Sanghasena, Bharath Bhushan, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna are expected to share their insights during the sessions.According to the Ministry of Ayush, more than 1,000 participants are attending the event in person, while a large virtual audience is joining from around the globe.Delegates include yoga practitioners, researchers, health professionals, policymakers, business leaders, and wellness advocates from countries like the US, United Kingdom, South Korea, and Bahrain, among others.The summit is part of a series of build-up events leading to the International Day of Yoga on June 21, which will feature over one lakh coordinated yoga sessions across India and abroad. These events, based on a common yoga protocol, will take place simultaneously from 6:30 AM to 7:40 AM highlighting the 2025 theme: ‘One Earth, One Health.’Union AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav announced that the main International Day of Yoga celebration this year will be hosted in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the event.Over 65,000 organisations from across India have registered to participate in this nationwide wellness movement, now recognised as one of the largest global health initiatives.Representatives from around 40 countries are expected to attend the Visakhapatnam event, underlining the growing international stature of the Yoga Day celebrations.In the national Capital, Delhi will mark the day with yoga events at 111 iconic locations, including Red Fort, Kartavya Path, and Lodhi Garden.Since being officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the International Day of Yoga has grown into a global celebration of India’s ancient tradition that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.–IANSrs/rad

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will chair a high-level meeting on air safety at the ministry office on Saturday. The meeting comes in the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport on June 12.

The crash claimed the lives of at least 241 people. Only one individual is reported to have survived the crash.The meeting, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., will be attended by the Civil Aviation Secretary, the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), officials from the Airports Authority of India, and other senior officials from related departments.The Ministry of Civil Aviation also announced the formation of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes behind the devastating crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.According to the ministry, the committee will review the circumstances leading to the accident and assess the current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines in civil aviation.The ministry stated that the committee’s mandate will be to recommend a comprehensive framework for preventing and managing similar aviation incidents in the future.Taking to X, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future.”The crash occurred just minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad airport when the aircraft lost altitude and spiralled into a medical college hostel located in a densely populated residential area. Many are feared killed and injured on the ground as the aircraft had burst into a ball of fire as it was carrying a lot of fuel for the long-haul flight.Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and met with survivors undergoing treatment at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.A team of 70-80 doctors is conducting post-mortem examinations to identify the deceased.A formal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Forensic experts are examining the wreckage, and aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive probe to ascertain the factors that led to the fatal incident.–IANSsd/rad

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) In a major political push aimed at consolidating support among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Congress party is launching a month-long statewide campaign in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, titled ‘Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan: Jatigat Jangarna, Haq Hai Hamara’, which seeks to connect with marginalised communities, especially the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) like the Nishad community.

The campaign will be formally inaugurated in Lucknow by All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and state incharge Avinash Pande. He arrived in the state capital on Friday night and is expected to remain in Lucknow until June 19 to oversee the ongoing organisational restructuring of the Uttar Pradesh Congress unit.The month-long campaign, which runs from June 14 to July 14, will include multiple layers of outreach, including conventions, padyatras, and grassroots engagements in both rural and urban areas.A major convention is being held on Saturday at the Congress state headquarters in Lucknow, where Backward Class Department President Manoj Yadav will announce a series of public programmes under the campaign.As part of the campaign, the Congress will organise district-level ‘Bhaagidari Nyay Padyatras’, caste-specific conventions, and Chaupals in villages.Discussions will revolve around key issues such as caste-based census, raising the 50 per cent reservation cap, unemployment, and the rise of contractual government jobs.In educational institutions, youth-focussed dialogues will be conducted to connect with students from backward communities.The party also aims to press for an economic survey that reflects the realities of OBC communities and will highlight the demand for a River Rights Law, particularly in Nishad-dominated regions, to address long-standing concerns of fishing and boatmen communities.The campaign comes at a time when the demand for a nationwide caste census is gaining momentum across political lines.–IANSrs/rad

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) In a mark of respect and mourning, all government and private schools across Rajkot district will remain closed on Saturday, following the tragic death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.The announcement was made late on Friday evening by the Rajkot district administration, which also urged educational institutions to observe a two-minute silence in remembrance of the departed leader.Rupani, 68, lost his life in Thursday’s devastating Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad. He was one of the 241 passengers aboard Air India Flight AI-171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport.The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries.The untimely demise of the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s political and social landscape. A veteran politician, Rupani began his political journey in Rajkot and served as an MLA from the region for several terms. He was also Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021, a period marked by key development projects and administrative reforms.Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and later met with injured survivors being treated at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital.In a deeply emotional gesture, the Prime Minister also visited Rupani’s grieving family at the GujSail building near the airport and offered his heartfelt condolences.“It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times,” the Prime Minister shared on social media platform X.Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday termed the Ahmedabad plane crash as a “tragedy beyond words” while lauding the state’s rapid and compassionate response under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.Earlier, in a post on X, CM Patel said Gujarat stood “with courage and empathy” beside the affected families in their darkest hour.Minutes after the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 on June 12, response teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, RAF, Police, and Fire Services were swiftly mobilised. Over 600 fire personnel and more than 100 ambulances were deployed for immediate medical evacuation.The CM said that a special green corridor ensured injured passengers were transported to hospitals without delay. Specialised medical teams, DNA experts, senior IAS officers, counsellors, and SEOC units were dispatched to support rescue, identification, and emotional care operations.Civil Hospital and SEOC control rooms continue to operate 24×7, coordinating assistance and communication with victims’ families.The tragic crash has led to a nationwide outpouring of grief, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum and the public.–IANSrs/rad