Politics

Politicos slam Gujarat govt as state cops make 'terrorists' wear skullcaps in mock drill

New Delhi, Jan 2 (ANI): Politicos on Friday demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the skull cap controversy. An anti-terror mock drill by the Surat Police had sparked a storm after one of the person posing as a terrorist wore a skullcap suggesting that the terrorists belonged to a particular community. The incident came under severe criticism.

Jan 2, 2015

Unauthorized colonies will be regularized in Delhi, says Jaitley

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the government has taken the decision to regularize the unauthorized colonies in Delhi. He added that the sealing issue will be dealt legally and the restriction on the sealing process will continue till then.

Jan 2, 2015

Train services on Mumbai Central Line hit

Mumbai, Jan 02 (ANI): Services of local trains in Mumbai were affected on Friday after an overhead cable wire fell down on the tracks. According to reports, the incident happened on the local central line. A local train broke down at the Thakurli station, near Kalyan, in Thane district. There were also reports of stone pelting and torching of vehicles by disgruntled commuters in and around the Diva Station. Police had to resort to a mild baton charge to discharge agitating crowds that had gathered in the station's vicinity to protest over the delay in the plying of trains. Apart from Diva station, the other stations where services have been affected are Thane and Thakurli. Further details are awaited.

Jan 2, 2015

Two injured in crude bomb blast in Burdwan

Durgapur, Jan 02 (ANI): At least two people were injured in a crude bomb blast in the Durgapur area of the Burdwan district in West Bengal. According to the media reports, the explosion took place when some individuals were trying to assemble crude bombs. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital for treatment. The police have not been able to find any terror angle to the blast. Investigation is ongoing and further reports are awaited.

Jan 2, 2015

Hosiery factory in Ludhiana catches massive fire, no casualties reported

Ludhiana, Jan 02 (ANI): A massive fire broke out in a hosiery factory in Ludhiana city causing heavy losses, but no casualty was reported. Fifteen fire tenders were rushed to douse the fire which gutted the factory. The fire quickly spread through the five-storey building. Fire officials said no worker was inside the factory when fire broke out. Raj Kumar, a fireman, said it took around five hours to douse the fire. Owner of the factory, Rajiv Kumar said that the fire was massive and loss will be huge.

Jan 2, 2015

Heavy rainfall hits capital

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Heavy showers hit the national capital on Friday, bringing traffic to a standstill in many parts of the city. The Meteorological department had earlier predicted that intense cold and foggy conditions will continue in North India, adding that the region could experience some respite from the fog in January. North India is reeling under an intense cold wave, with minimum temperatures in the national capital plummeting to 2.7 degrees Celsius.

Jan 2, 2015

Politicos react as Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi sent to 14-day judicial custody in Pakistan

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Politicos reacted on Friday after Lashkar-e-Toiba operative and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was sent to 14 days' judicial custody. The decision came after Pakistan government moved the Supreme Court earlier on Thursday protesting the detention suspension order issued by the Islamabad high court. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao reacting over the decision, said that sincere approach of Pakistan in dealing with Lakhvi is missing. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Lakhvi is an Indian culprit and should be handed over to India. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said Pakistan has a dual strategy.

Jan 2, 2015

Politicos react as President seeks clarification from Govt over land acquisition ordinance

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Politicos reacted as President Pranab Mukherjee before giving his assent to the land acquisition ordinance, sought a "clarification" from ministers in the Modi government to explain to him "the urgency" in bringing the executive order. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that the step taken by the President is a normal procedure. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that it is a good step by our President. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi also supported the President's action.

Jan 2, 2015

Minor girl allegedly gang raped by two policemen in Badaun

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Two policemen were suspended for allegedly gang-raping a 14-year-old girl in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the reports, the girl's family had alleged that the two constables saw her when she left her house to use toilet and dragged her to a car and raped her. The police have started an investigation and are looking for the men, who are missing. Meanwhile, DCW Chairperson Barkha Shukla said that the condition of women is bad in Uttar Pradesh. She appealed the government to look into the matter.

Jan 2, 2015

BJP Vice-President visits militant attack victims at relief camps in West Bengal

Siliguri, Jan 02 (ANI): BJP Vice-president Surinder Singh Ahluwalia visited relief camps in West Bengal where people from violence hit Assam have taken shelter. Ahluwalia said the government will make sure the loss is compensated and people are provided with proper shelter. Meanwhile, Shashwati, a native of Assam taking shelter in a relief camp in Siliguri city, said she is scared to go back to Assam. Militants fighting for a separate homeland for indigenous Bodo tribesmen went on a killing spree in Assam on December 23, killing at least 80 people in four attacks in the space of an hour, the deadliest violence in months. The victims of the attacks were mostly tea-plantation workers from other parts of India.

Jan 2, 2015

Former Bangladesh president slams Tarique Rahman for calling Mujib 'Razakar'

Dhaka, Jan 02 (ANI): Former president of Bangladesh and Jatiya Party Chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad, slammed former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman for disrespecting nationalist leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and using derogatory remark against him. Ershad took a dig at senior vice-chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique while addressing a rally of his Jatiya Party on its 29th founding anniversary in Dhaka and said he is introducing nasty politics in the country. Tarique, on December 15 in London, had reportedly said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a 'razakar' - a collaborator with Pakistan occupation army in 1971. An arrest warrant of Tarique has been issued by a Dhaka court.

Jan 2, 2015

Health department monitoring spread of swine flu, says JP Nadda

New Delhi, Jan 02 (ANI): Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said that there is no need to panic as the health department is fully equipped and prepared to handle swine flu cases after 14 people died due to the infectious virus in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Nadda said they are keeping a check on the spread of the disease. About a week ago, New Delhi also witnessed death of a 51-year-old woman, who was admitted to a local hospital after she complained of fever and cold. She was later tested positive for swine flu. Meanwhile, Nadda also appealed the people to maintain cleanliness in order to have a healthy life.

Jan 2, 2015

Jammu and Kashmir Government Formation: BJP Willing to Play the Waiting Game

BJP leaders in the state said that government formation would take a few days and that they sought time from Governor Vohra to reach a decision.

Jan 2, 2015

Lithuania joins eurozone to seal ties with West

Lithuania switches over to the euro, becoming the last Baltic nation to adopt Europe's single currency in a bid to boost stability despite fears of inflation and eurozone debt woes. Duration: 00:58

Jan 1, 2015

First victims identified in AirAsia crash

Two of the dead from crashed AirAsia Flight QZ8501 -- one male and one female -- have been identified and will be handed over to relatives after formal confirmation. Duration: 01:09

Jan 1, 2015