Kolkata, June 18 (IANS) Former state minister Aroop Biswas on Thursday faced protests from a section of lawyers at the Judge’s Court in Kolkata, where he had gone to meet his lawyer. On hearing that he had arrived there, a group of lawyers appeared outside his lawyer’s chamber with eggs and began protesting. They demanded that the proceeds from ticket sales for Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in December last year be refunded.Meanwhile, another section of lawye…

Chandigarh, June 18 (IANS) In a crackdown on drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chandigarh Zonal Unit and Chandigarh Police, conducted a joint operation in the Tricity and unearthed a Pakistan-linked module operating in Kharar, Punjab and arrested two persons, including a woman, an official said on Thursday. The operation on June 12 commenced with the interception and search of a vehicle being used by an individual who is a practicing advocate. During the search of th…

Gandhinagar, June 18 (IANS) As India intensifies efforts to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047, Gujarat’s long-running programme has emerged as a key model, with more than 1.11 crore people screened across the state since the initiative was launched two decades ago. Ahead of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19, state officials highlighted Gujarat’s progress in tackling the hereditary blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities where the disease is most prevalent.The programme…

Chandigarh, June 18 (IANS) In a significant step towards empowering Agniveers through education and skill development, The Sikh Regiment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar, officials said on Thursday. The partnership will enable Agniveers serving in The Sikh Regiment to pursue higher education alongside their military duties. Under the initiative, Agniveers will have access to diploma programs that can be completed within six months, …

Guwahati, June 18 (IANS) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Guwahati on Thursday evening on a two-day visit to the Northeast, during which she is scheduled to participate in a series of official programmes in neighbouring Meghalaya.Sitharaman was received at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior government officials.The Chief Minister welcomed the Union Finance Minister upon her arrival and held brief discuss…

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) In a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera urged RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat to demonstrate accountability by presenting “his papers” and bringing the organisation under the ambit of the Indian Constitution. Khera’s remarks came in response to recent statements by Bhagwat and an alleged threat‑like comment made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramesh Jigajinagi.In a post on his …

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) India’s net direct tax collections surged 14.64 per cent (year-on-year) to Rs 5.21 lakh crore in the April 1-June 17 period this fiscal (FY27), according to data released by the Income Tax Department on Thursday.Net direct tax collections stood at Rs 5.21 lakh crore as on June 17, compared with rs 4.5 trillion collected during the corresponding period of FY26.In the meantime, gross direct tax collections increased 12.46 per cent to Rs 6.1 lakh crore from Rs 5.4 lakh c…

Kolkata, June 18 (IANS) Separate sitting arrangement have been made within the floor of the West Bengal Assembly for the two blocs of Trinamool Congress’ Legislative Party, the first being the rebel and majority bloc led by expelled Party Legislature led by official Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, and the other minority block with continued allegiance towards party supremo Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, which is led by Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who is currently the …

Patna, June 18 (IANS) A shocking case of alleged sexual assault and extreme brutality against a woman in Bihar’s Begusarai district has triggered widespread outrage, with police launching an intensive investigation and search operation to apprehend the accused. According to an official, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chakiya police station on the night of June 11.The woman stepped out of her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly intercepted by five men, who forcib…

Srinagar, June 18 (IANS) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, on Thursday visited the Pahalgam route of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in south Kashmir to assess operational preparedness for the annual pilgrimage.The Army’s Northern Command said on X: “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC, visited #Pahalgam and #Chandanwari to review the security situation and assess operational preparedness along t…