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Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ops against splinter groups to be intensified
Ranchi: In a high-level review meeting on left-wing extremism (LWE), the police headquarters on Tuesday instructed the sensitive districts to intensify operations against splinter groups. The districts were also asked to strengthen intelligence collection against active extremists. It may be mentioned here that the review took place days before the Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi, which would be attended by Union home minister Amit Shah. The CRPF IG Saket Singh, IG (operation) Michal Raj, South Chhotanagpur IG Manoj Kaushik, deputy inspector generals, and SPs of several districts participated in the meeting through video conferencing. IG Manoj Kaushik said, "We have identified the targets among the splinter groups in the state. Special teams comprising CRPF, state police, and the Jharkhand Jaguar would conduct operations against them. There would be inter-district coordinated efforts in bordering areas." It may be stated here that several splinter groups, including the People's Liberation Front of India, Tritya Prastuti Committee, and the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad, are active in a few pockets in the state. Police have also prepared a plan to prevent the splinter groups from committing violence and arson at the development work sites in the state, said a source. The police would also keep a watch over the extremists released from jail in the recent past and take preventive actions against the persons helping them. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
India.com
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Unshaken Faith: Pilgrims Embark On Amarnath Yatra Despite Terror Shadow
Despite the April 22 deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Amarnath Yatra devotees have shown resilience, arriving in Kashmir two days before the pilgrimage's official start on July 3, 2025. Hundreds of pilgrims from across India lined up at the Pantha Chowk registration center in Srinagar, with most of them choosing the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route as a tribute to the victims terror attack victims and to give a strong message to terrorists who tried to destabilize the situation in Kashmir, they all are undeterred by security concerns. The devotees have expressed strong faith in arrangements made by the authorities for the holy pilgrimage. They said bullets and bombs cannot stop us from having Baba Barfani's darshan, while some say coming here is a strong message to those who wanted us not to come. 'Bam Bam Bhole' chanting hundreds of pilgrims are seen as entering the Yatra camps to be part of the first batch who will proceed to the holy cave. The pilgrims are also thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the Vande Bharat train, which has made the pilgrims' journey faster and comfortable. 'It's great that we will be part of the first batch that will go to the holy cave. We have chosen the Pahalgam route to show we have no fear of the Pahalgam attack, we know lord Shiva is with us, and the authorities have made foolproof arrangements,' said Manav Gupta. This year Amarnath Yatra 2025, commencing on July 3 and concluding on August 9, has drawn significant attention due to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Jammu and Kashmir administration has implemented robust security measures, including facial recognition systems, drone surveillance, and a multi-layered security grid with security forces and improved infrastructure, signaling a strong push for a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. The first batch departs from Jammu on July 2. Women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and BF commandos, noted for their distinguished performance in operations like Operation Sindoor, have been deployed to safeguard the Amarnath Yatra routes and base camps, including those in Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Baltal. Their inclusion is part of a broader strategy to enhance security with a diverse and effective force, providing holistic protection during the 38-day pilgrimage starting July 3, 2025. These commandos are trained to handle high-risk scenarios and contribute to route protection, crowd management, and camp security. 'We are fully prepared and are ready for any task,' a CRPF woman soldier said. Keeping in view the Pahalgam attack, a three-tier security grid comprises multiple agencies, including the Jammu Kashmir Police, CRPF, Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Additionally, over 581 CAPF companies are in place other than regular security forces available in Jammu Kashmir, approximately 42,000 personnel are deployed in Pahalgam, with an additional 50,000 CRPF troops will be guarding the pilgrims' convoy from Jammu to the national highway to the holy cave on both sides. Besides, Advanced Surveillance and Technology are also in place, like Facial Recognition System (FRS), Drone Surveillance, High-Definition CCTVs, and RFID cards, which keep a real-time track. All routes are secured with layered checkpoints. Army and BSF CRPF conduct area domination patrols, while J&K Police manage local intelligence and coordination with inner circle security, and other security agencies will assist them. IGP Kashmir zone VK Birdhi said, 'We have done adequate security arrangements JKP CRPF and other security forces with army are guarding the pilgrims, we have used technology to stop fake elements and blacklisted people.' Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha acknowledged a 10.19% drop in registrations compared to last year but highlighted that confidence is returning due to enhanced safety measures, with 85,000 pilgrims having reconfirmed their participation, in addition to offline registrations now also starting.
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Admin on alert for smooth conduct of Rath Yatra rituals
Puri: A day after Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued an apology to the devotees of Lord Jagannath for the 'unpardonable' negligence leading to the death of three persons in a stampede, the entire State administration was gearing up to ensure smooth conduct of the remaining rituals of Rath Yatra. The stampede took place near Shree Gundicha temple on Sunday during a ceremony related to the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities. The Gundicha temple is considered the aunt's place of the deities, where they stay for a few days during the annual festival. The Chief Minister's advisor and former DGP Prakash Mishra rushed to Puri and held discussions with various stakeholders to ensure a smooth conduct of the remaining rituals of Rath Yatra. Mishra was appointed as the advisor to the Chief Minister in January this year. Apart from serving as the DGP of Odisha, he has worked as the Director General of CRPF and NDRF. 'Now, we have to see how the remaining Rath Yatra rituals are carried out properly,' Mishra told reporters. Stating that the government has engaged all the 'experienced hands' after the stampede, Mishra pointed out that ADG Soumendra Priyadarshi has been in charge of overall police arrangements and he is an experienced person to handle such events. The new Puri Collector Chanchal Rana and new SP Pinak Mishra too have good knowledge about Puri temple affairs, he said. The first leg of the Rath Yatra - travelling of the deities from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple - was complete. Several other rituals of the festival will be conducted in the next few days. The administration anticipates a congregation of lakhs of devotees during rituals such as 'Sandhya Darshan' (July 4), 'Bahuda Yatra' or return car festival (July 5), 'Suna Besha' (July 6) and 'Niladri Bije' (July 8). 'We see a major challenge in the smooth conduct of the return car festival on July 5 when the three chariots will be pulled back to the main temple. Another event is on July 6 when the trinity will adorn Suna Besha (golden attire) on July 6. We anticipate a bigger crowd of devotees to throng Puri to witness the Lord's Suna Besha,' a senior police official said. This apart, senior bureaucrat Aravind Agarwal is assigned the job of overall monitoring of the Rath Yatra affairs. He is a former collector of Puri and has good knowledge of the Rath Yatra management, Mishra said. The Chief Minister's advisor appealed to the devotees to maintain discipline as all would get the opportunity to have 'darshan' of the deities. Meanwhile, Development Commissioner Anu Garg said she has been given 30 days to inquire into the stampede. 'I will soon visit Puri and take stock of the situation,' Garg told reporters in Bhubaneswar. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, 'The Sunday stampede incident was due to negligence on the part of some people. The government has already taken action and others will face action after the Deputy Commissioner submits report.' Harichandan said that the Deputy Commissioner's inquiry will focus mainly on three points - why the stampede took place, who are responsible and what more needs to be done to avoid such incidents in the future. The Puri Jagannath temple functions under the Law department of the State. Following the stampede, the Odisha government transferred the District Collector and the SP of Puri and also placed two senior police officers under suspension on the charge of dereliction of duty. While the rituals at Shree Gundicha temple went on smoothly on Monday, senior bureaucrat and former Puri Collector Aravind Agarwal held closed-door meetings with various stakeholders, including servitors of the 12th century shrine. He also discussed with people having sufficient experience in Rath Yatra management. Agarwal has sought the blessings of Lord Jagannath to smoothly carry out the responsibilities given to him by the State government, an official close to him said. According to temple records, so far 17 persons on five occasions died due to stampede since 2006. While the highest number of six persons were killed on July 4, 2008, during Rath Yatra, four others died on November 4, 2006, during the Kartik Purnima day. Similarly, two persons each died during Rath Yatra on July 21, 2012 and July 18, 2015. The latest stampede in Puri took place on June 29, 2025 where three persons have been killed. However, this is the first time that a stampede occurred outside Shree Gundicha temple a day after the pulling of chariots. The devotees on Monday had a smooth 'darshan' of deities after the police made special barricade arrangements near Shree Gundicha temple after the stampede incident, officials said.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Four women officers now at the helm of CISF
Four of the eight inspector generals (IG)-rank cadre officers in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are now women, a development the force hailed as a historical milestone in a statement issued on Monday. Four women officers now at the helm of CISF Of the 16 IG rank posts in the CISF –– eight allotted to IPS officers and the other to CISF cadre officers, the force said that 50% of the CISF cadres in these posts are women. The women officers holding IG-level posts are Shanti Jaidev [eastern sector], Jyoti Sinha [department of atomic energy (DAE) and department of space (DOS)], Pratibha Aggarwal [tech and provisioning (headquarters)] and Neelima Rani [central sector]. 'This is the highest proportion among all armed forces of the union. These officers now lead key portfolios and field formations. It aligns with India's broader push for Nari Shakti (women empowerment) in national security,' the CISF said in a statement. 'With women rising to leadership positions, CISF is not just marking a milestone- it is leading a movement towards true representation and meaningful participation in uniformed services.' The CISF, with a strength of over 200,000 officers, guards 359 vital installations across the country such as airports, nuclear plants, oil refineries, coal mines, hydro power projects, including those near the borders and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). The CISF is also entrusted with the security of the Parliament. 'In paramilitary forces such as CISF, BSF (Border Security Force) or CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), there are sectors and frontiers –– each one headed by an IG. Below the IG, there are several DIG-rank officers, who assist the IG in the day-to-day operations of the sector or frontier. They have to make crucial decisions. Having women officers, that too from the cadre, is an achievement and a great move,' a mid-level CISF officer said on condition of anonymity. The force's former chief Nina Singh, who served as the director general from September 2023 to July 2024, was the second woman in the history of central armed police forces to head a paramilitary unit. Retired IPS officer Meeran Chadha Borwankar, who was the first woman chief of the Mumbai crime branch and headed the home ministry's Bureau of Police Research and Development, said the development is a positive change for women officers. 'Having four women in top leadership positions of CISF is a very positive signal of change in our society. We need high visibility of women leaders in all the fields. It encourages girls to be ambitious and also encourages their families to invest in girl education,' she said. In the past there have been some cases of woman IPS officers who were appointed sector IGs in paramilitary forces. IPS officer Sonali Mishra was appointed IG in BSF and headed the Punjab sector. Another IPS, Charu Sinha, too has served as IG in four CRPF sectors. CRPF cadre officers Annie Abraham and Seema Dhundia have served as IGs of RAF and IG Bihar sector. Overall, the paramilitary forces have had three woman chiefs , Archana Ramasundaram and Rashmi Shukla were chiefs of Sashatra Seema Bal and Nina Singh was the head of CISF. To be sure, all three were IPS officers.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Widow of soldier martyred in Pulwama to finally get a piece of land after 25 years of struggle
BENGALURU: A 25-year struggle to have a piece of land by the widow of a CRPF constable who attained martyrdom in an IED blast triggered by militants at Tral Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir is coming to an end, at last. The issue came to the notice of Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa when he paid a surprise visit to Mandya recently. The authorities were pulled up by Upa Lokayukta for making the widow of a martyr to wait for over 25 years for a grant of land. Followingly, the Mandya district administration has come up to allot a 30x40 ft site to Geetha under the Urban Ashraya Scheme in Hosaholalu Layout in K R Pet taluk. B C Geetha's husband Sunderesha L B, a native of Lingapura in K R Pet taluk of Mandya district, martyred on February 18, 2000. Followingly, Geetha applied for a grand land bearing Sy. No.48, measuring 8 acres of Shravanahalli village of Akkihebbal Hobli of KR Pet taluk, but it was not considered by the authorities and therefore, she filed a complaint before the Upa Lokayukta in June 2022. Several notices were issued to the authorities, and the matter was taken up with the district administration when Justice Veerappa visited Mandya recently. Justice Veerappa was informed by Ashok, Tahsildar, KR Pet taluk, that Sy. No.48 was forest land and cannot be granted.
