State

District Judge Confirms Building Stands on Government Land; Wakf Board and Mosque Committee to Bear Demolition Costs if Non-Compliant Shimla: In a landmark ruling, the District Court of Shimla has directed the Himachal Pradesh Wakf Board and the Sanjauli Mosque Committee to demolish all unauthorized portions of the controversial five-storey Sanjauli Mosque within two months. The order further states that if the demolition is not carried out within the stipulated time, the Shimla Municipal Corporation will undertake the demolition at the expense of the Wakf Board and the Mosque Committee. The judgment was delivered by Additional District Judge Yajuvendra Singh on Saturday. Court’s Observations The court noted that earlier, the Sanjauli Mosque Committee had voluntarily agreed to ...

** An extraordinary act of compassion and wildlife conservation unfolded in Himachal Pradesh when a seven-foot-long Black King Cobra was rescued, treated, and released back into the wild after sustaining serious injuries in a debris collapse. Hamirpur: In a remarkable first for Himachal Pradesh, a seven-foot Black King Cobra underwent a successful surgical operation after being injured in a house collapse triggered by heavy rains in Jasri village, Barsar subdivision, Hamirpur district. This rare incident has not only set a precedent in wildlife care but also stands as a powerful example of humanity, sensitivity, and coexistence with nature. According to DFO Ankit Kumar Singh, “This is the first instance in Himachal where a venomous snake was operated on and rehabilitated back into...

** Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a massive rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, November 4, in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has termed the SIR process “a tool to instill fear among genuine voters.” Interestingly, the rally will take place on the very day the first phase of the SIR exercise begins across the state. Rally Route and Schedule According to party sources, the anti-SIR rally will begin at 2:30 p.m. near Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue on Red Road in central Kolkata and culminate in Jorasanko, in front of the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore in north Kolkata. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, TMC General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, will jointly lead t...

Kolkata: In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed along the India–Bangladesh border in Murshidabad district of West Bengal have seized gold worth ₹55.35 lakh and arrested one smuggler. The accused was transporting the gold on a motorcycle and was promised only ₹2,000 for the job. According to a senior BSF officer, troops of the 71st Battalion stationed at the Boyraghat Border Outpost (BOP) received specific intelligence about an attempt to smuggle gold across the international border. Following the alert, the troops intensified vigilance in the area. Gold Hidden Inside Bike Footrest Around 10 a.m., BSF personnel noticed a man riding a motorcycle near the checkpoint in a suspicious manner. He was immediately stopped for ques...

Mumbai: In a major pre-election move, the Maharashtra government has announced that 70% of jobs in all District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) will now be reserved for local residents of the respective districts. The remaining 30% of posts will be open to candidates from other regions of the state. The decision, which comes just ahead of the much-awaited local body elections, is being seen as a significant step by the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government to boost local employment and strengthen grassroots economic participation. The new rule will apply to all 31 DCCBs across Maharashtra. Recruitment Only Through Authorized Agencies The government has also directed that all future recruitments in DCCBs must be conducted through recognized and transparent testing agencies — ...

Mumbai: After creating history with the Atal Setu sea bridge and the Coastal Road, Mumbai is now gearing up for yet another major infrastructure milestone. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has unveiled plans to construct India’s longest double-decker flyover, which will stretch 21 kilometers — connecting Navi Mumbai to Bhiwandi through Dombivli and Kalyan. According to MMRDA, the proposed flyover will start from Shil Phata on NH-48 and end at Ranjnoli Junction on NH-160, passing through key suburban hubs. Once completed, it will significantly ease traffic congestion and transform travel across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). A Game-Changing Infrastructure Boost The flyover will feature a double-decker design, with the upper deck housing metro trac...

“ Raipur: On the second day of the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav celebrations marking the state’s 25th Foundation Day, Governor Ramen Deka graced the occasion as the chief guest and highlighted the state’s remarkable journey of progress and transformation over the past quarter century. Addressing the gathering, the Governor said, “The completion of 25 years of Chhattisgarh’s formation is a proud moment for every citizen. This silver jubilee year gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey so far and to renew our commitment for the future.” He recalled that when Chhattisgarh was formed in the year 2000, it was a state filled with challenges but also great hope and potential. “Over the past twenty-five years, the state has achieved significant growth in all sectors — education, heal...

** Raipur (Chhattisgarh): In a shocking case of blind faith and greed, a driver from Durg district fell victim to a black magic scam after being lured with promises of multiplying his money a hundredfold. The accused — identified as Manda Paswan and her associates — duped the victim, Rajkumar Jaiswal, of ₹1 lakh under the pretext of performing a money-doubling ritual. The bizarre incident unfolded in Katulbod area of Durg, where Rajkumar, struggling with financial troubles, was introduced to a Maharashtra-based woman tantrik who claimed she could turn ₹1 lakh into ₹1 crore through occult practices. The Greed Trap: 11 Lakh to Become 11 CroreAccording to police reports, Rajkumar had been facing financial distress and shared his worries with a friend, Raju, who introduced him to one ...

** Dhanbad (Jharkhand): India’s coal capital, Jharia, continues to battle a severe water crisis that has plagued its residents for decades. While food is easily available here, drinking water remains a luxury. People are still forced to fight for every drop — a harsh reminder that despite political promises and changing governments, Jharia’s thirst remains unquenched. New MLAs, New MPs, New Governments – But No Change in Water SupplyOver the years, Jharia has witnessed many political changes — new MLAs, new MPs, new governments — yet its water supply system remains in shambles. From the days of the Jharia Mines Board to the Jharia Water Board, then to MADA and JHAMADA, the story has been the same: empty promises and dry taps. Political heavyweights like late Surya Dev Singh served...

** Bokaro (Jharkhand): Bokaro district in Jharkhand has become a major hub for the production and supply of counterfeit foreign liquor. In a joint operation, the Jharkhand ATS, Bihar Prohibition Unit, and district police raided a large illegal factory manufacturing fake liquor. During the raid, 11 people were arrested, and items worth over ₹17 lakh were seized, including 1,563 liters of prepared liquor, 360 liters of spirit, two packing machines, and 13 luxury vehicles. Fake Liquor Supplied to Bihar from BokaroAccording to SDPO P.K. Singh, the raid was conducted at the residence of one Gopal Singh in Nandua, where large-scale production and packaging of fake foreign liquor were underway. Several accused were caught red-handed. The police recovered a huge stock of liquor-making equipm...