Seven Maoist sympathisers surrender in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur, Jan 17 (ANI): Seven Maoist sympathisers surrendered before authorities in Chhattisgarh, a senior police official said. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, Komal Singh said the surrendered Maoist sympathisers would be rehabilitated and provided monetary assistance as per government schemes. Chhattisgarh is a hotbed of Maoist rebels and security forces have mounted major operations against them. The Maoists, also known as Naxals in India, are inspired by the political philosophy of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong. They say they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. Jan 17, 2015

Mukteswar Dance Festival attracts tourists in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Jan 17 (ANI): Tourists from across the world thronged Bhubaneswar city which hosted a three-day annual traditional dance festival this week. Classical Odissi dancers perform in the backdrop of the ancient Mukteswar temple. Named after the temple, the annual Mukteswar Dance Festival is very popular among foreign tourists who come here to witness India’s traditional dance forms. The festival featured both male and female performances in solos, duets and groups, in the backdrop of the 9th-10th century Mukteswar temple which was lit, giving the dances an eerie yet heavenly feel. Jan 17, 2015

Rajasthan on alert after spurt in swine flu cases

Jaipur, Jan 17 (ANI): Authorities in Rajasthan have been on alert after a spurt in swine flu cases. So far, seven people have died due to swine flu in the state this year. The administration has set up special counters in premier hospitals and deputed special teams of doctors to monitor the situation. Health officials said the virus had weakened in the past two-three years, but its re-emergence was a cause for alarm. The premier Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur has examined 44 samples of swine flu and admitted seven of them since January 01, 2015. Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. H1N1 symptoms are similar to those produced by other influenza viruses - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and respiratory problems. Jan 17, 2015
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NC MLA Abdul Majid Larmi attacked by suspected militants

Kulgam, Jan 17 (ANI): National Conference MLA Abdul Majid Larmi was shot at by suspected militants in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday. Larmi's PSO was injured in the incident. The minister was rushed to a hospital in Anantnag and is undergoing treatment. Police is investigating in the matter to find out about the attackers and purpose behind the same. Further details are awaited. Jan 17, 2015
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McDonalds Pune outlet throws street kid out for trying to buy Fanta float

Pune/ New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): A McDonalds restaurant in Pune reportedly threw a street kid out when he entered the joint to buy a Fanta float. The incident was described in detail through a Facebook post, by a customer, who had brought the child with her into the restaurant. The woman in her post on a discussion thread on Reddit also alleged that the employees were rude to her as well for bringing the kid into the joint's premise. The street child was forced out of the restaurant but the woman still bought him the Fanta float and gave it to him outside the restaurant, she claimed. The staff of the JM Road outlet, however, refused to comment on the issue. This is the second such incident at the outlet, which has been reported in the last six months. Jan 17, 2015

Kiran Bedi on Delhi elections

New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): Days after joining BJP, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Saturday stressed on the need for ensuring women’s security and cleanliness in the city. Bedi also said that the upcoming election is not a war and people have to decide whom they want to choose for the betterment of the national capital. Jan 17, 2015

Foggy morning in Delhi: road traffic, train and flight schedules affected

New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): Delhi woke up to another foggy morning on Saturday disrupting normal life. Apart from road traffic, 68 flights were delayed and six cancelled. The fog also affected the movement of trains with more than 50 delayed and eight rescheduled. The minimum temperature early on Saturday morning was recorded at 8.4 degrees Celsius. The national capital had also witnessed a foggy morning on Friday. Jan 17, 2015

Police arrest Islamic State sympathiser in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 17 (ANI): Police in Hyderabad arrested an Islamic State (IS) sympathiser when he was about to board a flight to Dubai. The police detained 22-year-old engineer Salman Moinuddin at the airport. After interrogation, police said Moinuddin confessed that he was going to join the IS along with his British-national girlfriend Nicky Joseph. They had planned to meet in Dubai and then travel to Syria through Turkey. Sudarshan added an investigation is underway in the matter. However, Moinuddin’s father evaded questions from media. Jan 17, 2015