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Jaipur, May 15 (IANS) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Thursday that India has set a new global benchmark by striking terrorism with precision while upholding the vision of peace.

He emphasised that terrorism is no longer a concern of a single nation, but a threat to global security.Speaking at the inauguration of the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Smriti Pustakalaya in Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, the Vice President said: “For the first time, India carried out precise strikes on Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba hideouts across international borders, and the world did not demand proof. This was a clear demonstration of India’s rising power and global standing.”Dhankhar noted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India had not only achieved a military success but also a diplomatic victory. “The decision to halt the Indus Water Treaty was historic. Until India’s concerns are addressed, there will be no reconsideration. This bold move sent a strong message both domestically and internationally,” he said. Praising Rajasthan’s rich legacy, the Vice President said, “This is the land of Maharana Pratap and Maharaja Surajmal, guardians of our identity and freedom.” He also recalled India’s demonstration of nuclear capability in Pokhran-II, stating, “India first showcased its strength on this very soil in May, when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat led the nation.” He added, “Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest power and is steadily advancing toward the third position. Our military capabilities, including BrahMos and Akash missiles, are now acknowledged globally.”Reflecting on the life and legacy of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Vice President described him as “a banyan tree under whose shade everything flourished.” “His heart and mind were always with the common man. I recall an emotional image of him with Chandrashekhar, Nanaji Deshmukh, and Jayaprakash Narayan, explaining the vision of Antyodaya. He lived that philosophy,” said VP Dhankhar. He praised Shekhawat’s legacy of transparency in public life, stating, “As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he set a benchmark by making it mandatory for all MPs to declare their assets, a move ahead of its time.”Calling for political civility, the Vice President said, “Search any corner of the world, you won’t find an enemy of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. He proved that there are no enemies in politics, only differing views. Today’s leadership, across parties, should learn from the high standards he set – dialogue, debate, and respectful dissent are vital for a thriving democracy.” Recalling his own experience as an Opposition MLA during Shekhawat’s chief ministership, Dhankhar added, “He had empathy for every member, including the Opposition. He listened, responded, and made every MLA feel heard. He was a leader for all, not just his party.”–IANSarc/dan

Agartala, May 15 (IANS) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned another Tripura State Rifles (TSR) battalion in the state, officials said on Thursday.

An official of the Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the decision to create another TSR battalion was taken based on Chief Minister Manik Saha’s proposal placed before Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent meeting in New Delhi.Announcing the MHA’s decision, Saha wrote on social media: “Big boost for Tripura! Union Ministry of Home Affairs sanctions raising of another India Reserve (IR) battalion for Tripura State Rifles, enhancing security and generating employment opportunities. Grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji.”According to the CMO official, the government of India shall reimburse a one-time financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for raising one TSR battalion.The government of India would exercise the right of first call on the IR Battalion of the TSR and shall have full authority to ask the state to make the battalion available for deployment anywhere in the country, as and when required, the official said.For infrastructure cost (excluding cost of land), up to Ra 30 crore would be provided upon submission of expenditure details on infrastructure for the new TSR battalion.The TSR currently has 14 battalions, the majority of which are IR battalions, which can be deployed in any state of the country if the MHA so requires.Two TSR battalions, comprising around 2,000 personnel, including officers, have been posted in the national capital under the Delhi Police’s authority since 2019 and in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) in Chhattisgarh since 2022.Apart from the two in Delhi and Chhattisgarh, one battalion is providing dedicated security to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s drilling sites in Tripura.During the Lok Sabha elections between April 19 and June 1, the TSR had been deployed for polling duties in Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh.Besides providing security during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the India Reserve (IR) battalions of TSR had earlier performed election duties in almost all states to provide security during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.Trained in counter-insurgency operations, the TSR troopers have demonstrated excellent performance in Tripura in taming the four-and-a-half decades-old terrorism in the northeastern state.–IANSsc/dan

Guwahati, May 15 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accompanied by Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, on Thursday visited the proposed site for a thermal power plant at Chirakuta Charuwa Bakra in Bilasipara Co-District of Dhubri district.

Located approximately eight kilometres from Bilasipara railway station, the project site spans a vast area of 3,300 bighas, 2 kathas and 15 lechas. During the visit, the Chief Minister, along with the Power Minister, Dhubri District Commissioner Dibakar Nath and senior officials conducted an inspection to assess the site’s feasibility for the project. Sarma directed the District Commissioner to initiate necessary developmental activities to prepare the site for the implementation of the project. He also reviewed pending infrastructural requirements, such as the construction of approach roads and other essential facilities to facilitate the setup of the power plant. Addressing concerns related to land acquisition, the Chief Minister assured that if any families require relocation due to the project, the government will provide them with suitable alternative land for rehabilitation. The Assam government has set an ambitious target of achieving energy self-sufficiency, aiming for a thermal power generation capacity of 5,000 MW by 2035. In line with this vision, the state has introduced the Assam Thermal Power Generation Product Promotion Policy 2025, which has already attracted investment proposals worth Rs 77.3 billion. The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. will serve as the nodal agency for the implementation of the policy, with a single-window clearance system in place to fast-track approvals and project execution. The Chief Minister also visited the sites earmarked for the proposed medical college and hospital, as well as the Energy Park, in Goalpara district. At Bhandara village, under the Balijana Revenue Circle, he reviewed the site identified for the medical college and engaged in discussions with senior officials regarding a range of relevant issues, placing particular emphasis on ensuring efficient connectivity from the National Highway. He directed the relevant authorities to undertake the development of the medical college and hospital, announced in the state budget, in a systematic and planned manner. While addressing the media during the visit, Sarma affirmed that the state government intends to commence construction of the Goalpara Medical College and Hospital within the current financial year. He further observed that, in line with the government’s broader initiative to establish a medical college in each district, steps are being taken to ensure that the people of Goalpara have access to modern healthcare services in their own district. –IANS tdr/dan

Ahmedabad, May 15 (IANS) Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and city police carried out a large-scale demolition operation in Rakhiyal on Thursday, clearing encroachments from a Gujarat Housing Board plot near Morarji Chowk.

The drive removed around 20 illegally constructed business units and a makeshift structure used for offering Namaz. Assistant Commissioner of Police R.D. Oza confirmed that the demolition was initiated at the request of the Housing Board and was carried out with full police support to ensure order throughout the operation.The plot in question was originally part of a 1960 housing scheme reserved for mill workers. Despite a demolition conducted at the site in 2008, encroachments had gradually returned, prompting renewed action by the authorities. To ensure a peaceful operation, over 350 police personnel were deployed, including senior officers such as Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Police Inspectors. The massive police presence underscored the administration’s intention to avoid any disruption during the sensitive drive.Officials said illegal commercial establishments, including shops and small factories, had mushroomed on the open land over the years. The presence of active electricity connections in many of these units raised concerns over how such services were extended to unauthorised structures. Similar irregularities were recently flagged during the Chandola Lake clearance operation. Bapunagar Ward Corporator Prakash Gurjar stated that the operation covered three illegally occupied plots spread across 2,680 square meters. Since the Housing Board lacks a dedicated estate wing, the AMC’s North Zone Estate Department stepped in to carry out the clearance. Gurjar also confirmed that the reclaimed area would be fenced off to prevent future encroachments. The cleared land is expected to be restored for community use, potentially benefiting over 5,000 residents in nearby Housing Board residences.Meanwhile, the Gujarat government initiated a large-scale demolition drive in Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake area in late April 2025. The operation, led by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) with substantial police support, targeted illegal encroachments that had proliferated around the historic water body over the years. The drive resulted in the demolition of approximately 4,000 unauthorised structures, including both permanent and temporary dwellings, spread across 1.5 lakh square meters of government land. Authorities reported that many of these settlements were occupied by individuals suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. In the days leading up to the demolition, over 6,500 people were detained for verification, with 450 confirmed as illegal residents.–IANSjanvi/dan

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh made quite a splash with his grand debut at the Met Gala this year. Keeping in tune with the theme of this year, he stayed true to his Punjabi roots.Now, adding to the excitement, Diljit decided to give the netizens a glimpse of all the chaotic fun that went on behind his Met Gala debut.Diljit took to his Instagram handle and dropped a couple of behind-the-scenes footage from his experience at the Met Gala. “BEHIND THE SCENE OUT NOW ON YOUTUBE”, Diljit wrote in the caption.In the video shared by him, Diljit was asked, “Is there someone at the Met, that you’re excited to meet or looking forward to meet?”To this, the ‘Soorma’ actor gave a sassy reply, saying, “Don’t take me wrong, but I am excited that everyone is going to look at me.”In another BTS clip, the singer shared that he is not nervous at all, “We’re not nervous at all, the ones who invited us should be nervous.”The post further included a video of Diljit being greeted by the paparazzi as he stepped out of his hotel room.Diljit’s outfit for the Met was inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the ruler of Patiala.He made a lot of heads turn in a white suit, with a white drape and an embellished turban. His outfit was accessorized with a green and white stone necklace, which was also based on Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s original Cartier necklace.Giving the outfit his own touch, Diljit had the map of Punjab in the Gurmukhi script embroidered on his drape.Treating his InstaFam with some clicks of himself from Met Gala, the ‘Jatt & Juliet’ actor wrote, “MAIN HOON Punjab #metgala…Inspired by The Theme of Black Dandyism, I Bring My Turban, My Culture & My Mother Tongue “ Punjab“ to The MET GALA. Thank You So Much..Dear @prabalgurung @theannawintour @cartier @golecha_jewels @abhilashatd.”–IANSpm/

Kolkata, May 15 (IANS) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to hear a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the twin murders of Hargobindo Das and Chandan Das, the father and the son killed in communal violence at Samserganj in minority-dominated Murshidabad of West Bengal last month.To recall, on May 5, the family members of the slain father and son approached Calcutta High Court’s single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh with the petition seeking a CBI probe in the twin murders.However, Justice Ghosh refused to hear the matter and said that since a matter related to communal violence was already being heard by the division bench of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das, the petitioner should approach the same division bench with the plea.However, on Thursday, the division bench of Justice Sen and Justice Das observed that it was not always necessary that a division bench would hear any petition relating to the violence.The division bench also observed that the hearing can be conducted at the single- judge bench concerned which generally hears such matters. The family members of the slain father and son appealed to the court that since they did not have any faith on the probe by the state police in the matter of the twin murders, they wanted a CBI probe.The family members have also sought security cover from the central armed police forces personnel for them. Legal circles feel that since matters related to police excesses or police inaction are being heard by the single-judge bench of Justice Ghosh, there is a high possibility that the case might be referred back to his bench again.Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) issued a statement claiming that the commission had taken urgent cognizance of a plea from the widows of the slain father and son, accusing the West Bengal Police of excesses against them.–IANSsrc/pgh

Bhubaneswar, May 15 (IANS) The Odisha Vigilance on Thursday unearthed assets worth crores during raids conducted at different places linked to a senior state government official on the charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The senior officer, Asit Kumar Patra, is currently working as Additional Block Development Officer (ABDO), Dharmasala Block, Jajpur district.“On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were conducted on the properties of Asit Kumar Patra, Addl. BDO, Dharmasala Block, Jajpur on May 15, 2025 at seven places in Jajpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Bhubaneswar (Khordha) districts,” informed the state vigilance on Thursday.The anti-corruption wing of the Odisha government further stated that as many as seven teams of Odisha Vigilance, comprising eight Deputy Superintendents of Police, nine Inspectors, and other supporting staff, conducted the search on the strength of warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack on Thursday.The places where the raids have been carried out include Patra’s native village at Garadeswar near Sundarimuhan in Jajpur, the official residential quarter and office room at Dharamshala of Jajapur, a relative’s house in Bhandaripokhari of Bhadrak district, etc.The vigilance sleuths during the search found Patra in possession of three multi-storeyed buildings, a shopping complex in Jajpur, a two-BHK flat in Cuttack city, five high-value plots, including four plots in posh areas of Jajpur road.The Technical Wing of Vigilance is conducting the measurement and valuation of the above buildings/flats/shopping complexes/plots to ascertain their actual market value.Additionally, the officials unearthed cash of Rs 1,85,560, gold ornaments weighing 700 gms, bank and insurance deposits worth Rs 65 lakhs, two 2-wheelers and household articles worth over Rs 3.27 lakhs.As per reports, in 2024, Odisha Vigilance registered 211 cases against 345 persons including 54 Class-I officers, 46 Class-II officers, 140 Class-III employees, two Class-IV employees, 19 other public servants and 84 private persons.The 211 cases included 62 Disproportionate Assets (DA) cases, 96 trap cases and the rest of the corruption cases.–IANSgyan/dan

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court Collegium on Thursday recommended the appointment of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court after the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar on May 21. “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 15th May, 2025, has recommended appointment of Mr. Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, Judge, High Court of Karnataka, as the Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur, consequent upon the retirement of Mr. Justice D. Krishnakumar on 21st May, 2025,” said a statement released on the website of the apex court.Born on September 15, 1963, Justice Somashekar was appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in November 2016 and took oath as the permanent Judge of Karnataka HC in November 2018.On June 17, 1998, he was directly appointed as a District and Sessions Judge. He served as Additional Districts and Sessions Judge at Bijapur (Vijayapura), and Bangalore’s City Civil Court, and Principal District and Sessions Judge at Uttara Kannada, Karwar District, Hassan, Bangalore Rural District and Chitradurga.He also served as Registrar Judicial and Registrar Vigilance of the Karnataka High Court.Before elevation to the Bench, Justice Somashekar practiced in Mysore and Chamarajanagar on both civil and criminal sides. As per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing the appointment of HC Judges, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) initiates the proposal for the appointment of Chief Justice of a High Court.It provides that the process of appointment must be initiated well in time to ensure the completion at least one month prior to the date of the anticipated vacancy for the Chief Justice of the High Court.The CJI would send his recommendation for the appointment of a puisne Judge of the High Court as Chief Justice of that High Court or of another High Court, in consultation with the two senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court, commonly known as Collegium.Further, the CJI ascertains the views of the seniormost colleague in the Supreme Court who is conversant with the affairs of the High Court in which the recommendee has been functioning and whose opinion is likely to be significant in adjudging the suitability of the candidate.After receipt of the recommendation of the SC Collegium, the Union Minister of Law and Justice would obtain the views of the concerned state government.After receipt of the views of the state government, the Union Minister of Law and Justice will submit proposals to the Prime Minister, who will then advise the President as to the selection. As soon as the appointment is approved by the President, the Department of Justice announces the appointment and issue notification in the Gazette of India.–IANSpds/pgh

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) The Maharashtra government on Thursday issued a gazette notification whereby the police head constable can also now investigate the offence in Greater Mumbai and the rest of the state as per sub-section (1) of section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Earlier, only senior police inspectors or sub-inspectors were empowered to conduct the investigation of offences. Section 176 outlines the procedure for investigation and its legal implications.As per the gazette notification the police personnel should be Head Constable and above; or Police Constable with degree, seven years of service as police constable and completion of six weeks of special training at Detective Training School, Nashik and passed the examination held in such training can hold an investigation. In addition, there should not be any departmental inquiries pending against him.Sub section (1) of section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 says: “If, from information received or otherwise, an officer in charge of a police station has reason to suspect the commission of an offence which he is empowered under section 175 to investigate, he shall forthwith send a report of the same to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of such offence upon a police report and shall proceed in person, or shall depute one of his subordinate officers not being below such rank as the state government may, by general or special order, prescribe in this behalf, to proceed, to the spot, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and, if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender.”Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home Department, in February this year announced the full implementation of new criminal laws in six months.He said that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS) would help establish a fast and progressive law and order system in the state.“Twenty-seven mobile forensic vans have been deployed, and within the next six months, a complete network will be established. In cases where the punishment exceeds seven years, forensic testing will now be conducted on-site through these mobile forensic vans. This will help gather high-quality evidence. Ninety per cent of Maharashtra’s two lakh-strong police force has been trained in these laws, and the remaining 10 per cent will complete training by March 31,” he said.Fadnavis further stated that to ensure that accused individuals do not have to be physically presented in court repeatedly, new legal provisions allow for testimony to be recorded from prisons through dedicated cubicles connected to courts via online systems. Each court will have its own designated cubicle. This project is expected to be completed within six to eight months. This initiative will reduce pressure on police transport, enhance security, and minimise courtroom congestion.“Under the new laws, repeated adjournments in courts will not be permitted, and government lawyers will need to be trained accordingly. The meeting provided valuable guidance, and Maharashtra will accelerate efforts to implement these three laws more effectively,” said Fadnavis.–IANSsj/dan

St. John’s (Antigua), May 15 (IANS) Cricket West Indies (CWI) has formally written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) insisting…