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NDTV
18 minutes ago
- NDTV
85 Rescued By Visakhapatnam Cops After Crackdown On Human Trafficking Racket
Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Police has rescued 85 individuals and arrested 22 in a major crackdown on human trafficking and cybercrime operations, Dr. Shankabrata Bagchi, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner announced on Wednesday. These criminal networks primarily targeted the Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, preying on the aspirations of Indian youth seeking lucrative overseas employment. "Cybercrime police have arrested a gang involved in illegal human trafficking for cybercrimes, ensuring the safety of innocent victims," stated Commissioner Bagchi, emphasising the department's commitment to public safety. The Commissioner highlighted a disturbing trend where promising advertisements for "data entry jobs in air-conditioned rooms" with high salaries and minimal educational requirements lure unsuspecting young individuals into a trap. These victims, predominantly unemployed youth, are then trafficked to countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Bangkok, where they are coerced into working for China-based cyber scam companies. How Cops Cracked It A recent breakthrough occurred on July 14, 2025, when police apprehended an agent named Suresh from Gajuwaka and his accomplice, Adilakshmi alias Anu, at Visakhapatnam Airport. They were attempting to send four young men and women to Cambodia under the false pretense of data entry jobs. Investigations revealed that Suresh, who had previously worked in a scam company in Cambodia, had returned to India and, with the assistance of Vijay Kumar alias Sunny and Adilakshmi, had already trafficked 12 individuals. From them, police seized two cell phones, Rs 50,000 in cash, $2,000 (Rs 1.80 lakh), and 20 SIM cards. Police investigations indicate that Vijay Kumar alias Sunny acts as the primary agent for China-based scam companies in Cambodia, specifically targeting Telugu-speaking youth from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He uses local agents to entice unemployed individuals with false promises of employment. According to police intelligence, approximately 500 individuals from North Andhra have travelled to Cambodia and Myanmar on visiting visas. While some are genuine victims, the authorities believe others are intentionally involved in cybercrimes and have become agents themselves, recruiting more unemployed youth from India. Commissioner Bagchi issued a stern warning to fake agents and consultancies, stating that strict action will be taken under the Emigration Act-1983 against those deceiving the public. He emphasised that legitimate agents must hold a valid registration certificate, adhere to the Protection of Immigration Act, and refrain from overcharging or appointing sub-agents. Unregistered or fraudulent agents promising foreign jobs face immediate legal action and arrest. Public Advisory Issued A public advisory was also issued, urging citizens to verify agents' credentials on and to report suspicious activities or demands for high fees to the Visakhapatnam CP's special number 7995095799. Victims of scams are advised to call 1930 to file a complaint. Furthermore, an advisory to parents/guardians urged them to verify the activities of their children or relatives working in China-related scam companies in Cambodia, Myanmar, or Bangkok. "If they are involved in criminal activities, advise them to return to the country immediately. Otherwise, file a complaint with the City Police Commissioner," Dr. Bagchi urged. He warned that failure to comply could result in a Lookout Circular (LOC) and legal action, with information gathering coordinated via the Indian Embassy. "In this era where small hopes lead to big scams... Caution is protection. Stay alert - Don't get scammed - Stay aware," the Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner said, reiterating the urgency of public awareness and cooperation in combating these sophisticated criminal operations.
NDTV
18 minutes ago
- NDTV
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Baleno Launched With Six Airbags As Standard; Check Prices
Toyota has recently updated the Glanza with six airbags as standard equipment across its entire variant lineup. Following this, Maruti Suzuki has updated its sibling, the Baleno, to feature six airbags as standard. Along with it, one of the most affordable MPVs in India, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, has received the same update. With this, Ertiga and Baleno have received a marginal price hike of 1.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively. Hence, Ertiga is now priced between Rs 8.96 lakh and Rs 13.25 lakh, while the Baleno starts at Rs 6.70 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.92 lakh (ex-showroom) for the most expensive variant. Also Read: 2025 Volvo XC60 Facelift To Launch In India On August 1 The upgrade in safety equipment comes as part of the brand's initiative to make its cars safer. With this, Ertiga and Baleno have joined the models from Nexa and Arena lineup like Alto K10, Celerio, WagonR, Eeco, Swift, Dzire, Brezza, Grand Vitara, Jimny, and Invicto to have six airbags as a standard feature across features. Ertiga Variants Price Comparison Variant Old Price New Price LXi (O) ₹8,96,500 ₹9,09,051 VXi (O) ₹10,05,500 ₹10,19,577 VXi (O) CNG ₹11,00,499 ₹11,15,906 ZXi (O) ₹11,15,500 ₹11,31,117 VXi AT ₹11,45,500 ₹11,61,537 ZXi+ ₹11,85,500 ₹12,02,097 ZXi (O) CNG ₹12,10,501 ₹12,27,448 ZXi AT ₹12,55,500 ₹12,73,077 ZXi AT ₹13,25,500 ₹13,44,057 The move from the brand is in sync with the government's initiative to make roads safer. Earlier, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had mandated that all new passenger vehicles must have six airbags as standard equipment by October 2025. Hence, all the OEMs in India have already started making necessary changes to their products. Baleno Variants Price Comparison Variant Old Price New Price Sigma ₹6,70,000 ₹6,73,350 Delta ₹7,54,000 ₹7,57,770 Delta AT ₹8,04,000 ₹8,08,020 Delta CNG ₹8,44,000 ₹8,48,220 Zeta ₹8,47,000 ₹8,51,235 Zeta AT ₹8,97,000 ₹9,01,485 Zeta CNG ₹9,37,000 ₹9,41,685 Alpha ₹9,42,000 ₹9,46,710 Alpha AT ₹9,92,000 ₹9,96,960 Apart from six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and ISOFIX child seat mounts are also becoming standard even in the lower-end models in an attempt to improve safety.
Hans India
18 minutes ago
- Hans India
Can you declare Kharge as PM candidate? BJP dares Cong
Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP has dubbed the AICC OBC Advisory Council meeting in Bengaluru as political drama staged by the Congress in the backdrop of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and asked the party if it could declare chief Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate. The party further challenged the Congress to declare AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, a veteran Dalit leader, as its Prime Ministerial candidate if it truly cares about the welfare of SCs, STs, and OBCs. Speaking to the media at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday, Karnataka BJP President, B Y Vijayendra stated, 'The Congress party's OBC panel meeting has made national headlines. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that the committee has the responsibility of carrying forward the social movement in the country. He also alleged that the BJP has always opposed reservations and social justice. 'I want to ask CM Siddaramaiah, the national Congress leaders, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi whether they genuinely care about the OBCs, SCs, STs, and minorities.' 'I challenge LoP Rahul Gandhi — if the Congress truly cares about the Backward Classes, SCs, and STs — let him declare Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate. But they won't. The Gandhi family won't allow it. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi will approve it,' Vijayendra claimed. He alleged that the agenda of the OBC meeting was not the uplift or development of OBCs, but rather electoral gains in Bihar. 'This is the real agenda. With Bihar elections approaching, the AICC OBC panel meeting is being held in Bengaluru — a move that holds no real importance. It is nothing more than a political gimmick aimed at the upcoming Bihar polls,' he claimed. Vijayendra further alleged that CM Siddaramaiah had discarded the Kantharaj Commission's caste census report — prepared at a cost of Rs 165 crore — at the behest of LoP Gandhi. 'The Mandal Commission report was not implemented during the Congress regime. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission (first Backward Classes commission) report of 1956 was also dismissed by Pandit Nehru,' he said. 'Can a party that treated SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities as slaves of the Gandhi family now claim to deliver justice to them? Why has the Congress suddenly formed an OBC panel? It's all because the Bihar Assembly elections are around the corner. They see Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah as an AHINDA and OBC poster boy. They must be under illusion,' Vijayendra claimed. He added, 'CM Siddaramaiah should remember that after Independence, the Congress ruled the country for 55 to 60 years, and one family ruled it for 50 years.' 'If Siddaramaiah and the Congress now claim that injustice has been done to the OBCs, SCs, STs, and minorities — it is the Congress that is responsible for it,' he concluded.
