Uttarakhand

Jyotirmath (Chamoli): Alarmed by the rapid rise in drug abuse and narcotics trafficking, residents and traders of Jyotirmath launched a strong protest on Friday, bringing the hill town to a standstill. As a mark of protest, all commercial establishments remained closed while hundreds of people took to the streets, demanding strict action against drug peddlers. The demonstration began at the Inter College crossing, from where protesters marched in a procession to the local police station, raising slogans against the drug trade. Upon reaching the police station, traders and residents staged a sit-in, pressing the administration to curb the growing menace that they say is destroying the town’s social fabric. Memorandum Submitted, Four Key Demands Raised Later, a delegation of traders...

Dehradun: The Ankita Bhandari murder case has once again sparked controversy in Uttarakhand. Dushyant Kumar Gautam, BJP National General Secretary and the party’s in-charge for Uttarakhand, has written to the state’s Home Secretary demanding the removal of social media videos and audio clips linking him to the case. He termed these as malicious attempts to tarnish his image and sought government intervention. In his letter to Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli on Thursday, Gautam urged that relevant social media platforms and news channels be instructed to immediately remove such content and prevent its further dissemination. He requested that any direct or indirect circulation of such material be stopped. Allegations of Malicious ContentAlong with the letter, Gautam submitted a list of ...

: While Uttarakhand’s ambitious All-Weather Road Project has significantly improved connectivity in the Himalayan region, it is also giving rise to serious geological and safety concerns. A massive crack has developed in the Totaghati hill along the Rishikesh–Badrinath National Highway, triggering alarm among authorities, experts, and local residents. Located around 40 kilometres from Rishikesh, Totaghati has witnessed the emergence of a 60-centimetre-wide and nearly 26-metre-deep crack in the hill, approximately 100 metres above the highway. The fissure has effectively split the mountain into two parts, raising fears of potential landslides and road blockages on this crucial pilgrimage route. Hill Cutting Linked to the Damage The crack is being attributed to extensive hill cuttin...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Frustrated with unannounced power cuts in his constituency, Congress MLA Virendra Jati took the unprecedented step of cutting electricity at the residences of several officials from the State Electricity Corporation. Action Taken by MLAVirendra Jati, representing the Jhabreda Assembly in Haridwar, had earlier met with electricity department officials to raise concerns about frequent unscheduled power cuts, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents. When the officials failed to take corrective measures, the MLA personally went to the residences of the Chief Engineer, Executive Engineer, and other officials, disconnecting their electricity connections. The action caused a stir in the local area. Reason Behind the ActionMLA Jati emphasized that unscheduled ...

Chamoli, Uttarakhand: In a shocking and terrifying incident at Junior High School Harishankar in Pokhri, Chamoli district, two bears entered the school premises on Monday morning, putting students in grave danger. During the intrusion, a bear lifted a sixth-grade student, Arav, but quick thinking and bravery by eighth-grade student Divya Chaudhary saved his life. Following the incident, the school declared a precautionary holiday until 25 December. Chaos Erupts Around 9:30 AMAccording to reports, the bears appeared around 9:15 AM as students were arriving. Screams of panic erupted among the children. Eighth-grader Divya immediately assessed the situation, raised an alarm, and instructed students to run into their classrooms. One of the bears attempted to break down a classroom door and ...

Pauri Garhwal, December 22, 2025: A major administrative dispute has emerged in Pauri Garhwal after IG Garhwal, Rajiv Swaroop, revoked the transfer orders issued by SSP Sarvesh Panwar. The move is being seen as a clash between two senior IPS officers. SSP Panwar had earlier issued transfer orders for hundreds of police personnel, ranging from constables to sub-inspectors, which triggered controversy across the district. The issue escalated to the IG level, who, citing violations of the Police Act, annulled the SSP’s orders late Sunday night. What Happened?The controversy began when SSP Sarvesh Panwar attempted to implement widespread transfers across Pauri Garhwal, affecting personnel at multiple levels. The mass transfers drew immediate attention and criticism, eventually reaching I...

Dehradun: In an unannounced visit on Friday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the Dalanwala Police Station and expressed strong displeasure over the untidy lockup and general disorder. During the inspection, the CM directed the SSP to immediately ensure proper cleanliness and organize facilities according to prescribed standards. SHO’s Delay Draws CM’s WrathDespite prior notice of the inspection, SHO Manoj Mainwal arrived late at the station, which drew CM Dhami’s ire. The Chief Minister went through police registers personally and instructed the SSP to place the delinquent SHO on line for disciplinary action. Comprehensive Review of Facilities and RecordsAfter concluding various official meetings on Friday, the CM visited the police station unexpectedly. He c...

R In the hills of Uttarakhand—where migration has hollowed out villages and tradition has long dictated leadership—a quiet but powerful revolution is unfolding. Fresh out of college, armed with degrees and smartphones, a new generation of village heads, many of them women in their early twenties, is stepping into grassroots politics with one clear mission: to rebuild their villages from within. The recent Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand marked a turning point. Several young women won seats historically dominated by older men, challenging not just age-old hierarchies but also the deeply entrenched model of the “Pradhan Pati” that has long shadowed women’s leadership. For these Gen Z leaders, the Panchayat is not a stepping stone to power or prestige—it is a conscious decision to re...

Nainital, December 18, 2025: In a tragic road accident in Uttarakhand, a Scorpio vehicle carrying devotees to the famous Kaanchi Dham fell into a deep gorge in the Lohali area of Nainital on Thursday. The accident claimed the lives of three family members, while four others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to reports, all the passengers belonged to the same family and were on a pilgrimage to Kaanchi Dham. Eyewitnesses said that as the vehicle approached the temple area, the driver lost control, causing the car to skid off the road and plunge into the gorge. Rescue OperationThe State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) promptly arrived at the site after receiving information about the accident. Rescue personnel faced a challenging ta...

During the Winter Session of Parliament, political debate over the proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) intensified. The government’s plan to introduce a new policy and rename the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, especially the Congress party, which claims that the change erases Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi had previously criticized the move. In the heated discussions, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar MP Ajay Bhatt presented a unique perspective. Highlighting the spiritual significance of Lord Ram’s name, he suggested that chanting “Ram Naam” could provide solutions for a wide range of personal and familial problems. Addressing Parliament, Ajay Bhatt dismissed Congress’s allegati...