Latest news with #MahenderSinghManral
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Air India plane crash: 700 paramilitary personnel, six NDRF teams deployed
Minutes after information came that a London-bound Air India flight has crashed shortly after takeoff, the battalion of CRPF in Ahmedabad immediately coordinated with all the nearby battalions and asked them to reach the crash site to start assisting in the rescue operations. Around 700 personnel of the paramilitary forces and six teams of the NDRF reached the crash site and joined hands with the local administration to recover the bodies. The CRPF has deployed around 150 personnel, including 90 from the Rapid Action Force (RPF) to assist in the rescue operations. 'Troops from the 100 battalion of the RAF, along with personnel from the CRPF's Group Centre in Gandhinagar and Mahila Battalion, have been sent to the crash site to support efforts on the ground. Troops are involved in rescue operations,' a CRPF spokesperson said. 'I was in my office, located around 40 minutes from the crash site, when I saw the news of an plane crash near our office. Without wasting any time, I started coordinating with my seniors and directed our 25 jawans of Quick Action Team along with the medical staff to get ready for the rescue operations,' Commandant (CRPF) Vijay Verma told The Indian Express. 'At the crash site, there was dense smoke and chaos reigned. We first cordoned off the area to control the law and order situation since locals started gathering at the crash site. During the rescue operations, we saw the bodies of all passengers and also the locals where the plane crashed,' he said. Six teams of NDRF, two teams comprising 67 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, 400 from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were also deployed. 'Personnel of ASG Ahmedabad unit of CISF numbering around 400, which includes all off duty personnel, QRT, office duty personnel, immediately rushed to the spot which was just outside perimeter wall to contribute in the search and rescue operations along with preservation of vital of components of the aircraft for post incident investigation,' a CISF spokesperson said. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BSF complains about filthy train coaches for Amarnath duty, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw acts
The Border Security Force complained to the North-Eastern Railways about the 'unhygienic/filthy' condition of 'most of the coaches' in a special train allotted on June 9 evening for movement of its 1,200 personnel from the Udaipur station in Tripura to Jammu Tawi in J&K for Amarnath Yatra duty. Stating it was 'not possible for troops to travel such a long distance' in the dilapidated coaches, the BSF Train Commandant, who complained to the Agartala Station Manager, sought their immediate replacement. On Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took 'serious note of the incident involving the deployment of an unsuitable/old train' and a probe was ordered, a Ministry official said, adding that four officials – the Coaching Depot Officer and three Senior Section Engineers – of the Alipurduar railway division had been placed under suspension. According to the official, a special train had been arranged exclusively for BSF personnel and it would leave the Agartala station Wednesday night. 'The Railway Minister has made it clear that the dignity and comfort of security forces are of utmost priority and that such negligence will not be tolerated at any level,' the official said. In the complaint to the Agartala Station Manager, the BSF Train Commandant had listed all that was wrong with the coaches – broken interiors including toilet doors, infested with cockroaches and insects, filthy berths and washrooms without water or electricity. The BSF Train Commandant said 'it is not possible for troops to travel such a long distance… in unhygienic/filthy and inhumane conditions' and there is every possibility that 'most of them may fall sick even before deployment'. The officer pointed out that the special train was made available at the Udaipur station only at 6.30 pm on June 9 though it had been requisitioned for June 6. According to the officer, the entire battalion was to be inducted and deployed by June 12 as per directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The officer sought immediate replacement of the dilapidated coaches, and also said the special train should be 'immediately placed for timely travel' to 'reach the destination as per schedule given by MHA and BSF Force HQs'. The BSF attached four files of videos and photographs of the allotted train. A spokesperson for the BSF said, 'We made a request to provide a special train for our 1,200 personnel. On June 9, they had provided a train but there were some shortcomings and we immediately informed their (Railways) senior officials about the situation.' The upcoming Amarnath Yatra will be the first major pilgrimage in J&K after the Pahalgam terror attack and the hostilities between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. The Centre has decided to deploy 581 companies of paramilitary personnel to ensure adequate security for the Yatra. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Indian Express
Over 300 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants detained in Delhi in 3 days, deported: Police
In the last three days, more than 300 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants — in two groups of 161 and 160 each — were detained by the Delhi Police, flown via Hindon airbase to Agartala in Tripura by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO), and deported to Bangladesh, said officials. Since November 15 last year, a senior officer at Delhi Police headquarters said, at least 1,230 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and 70 foreigners who have overstayed, have been traced, detained, and handed over to the FRRO, which sent them to Agartala. Sharing data of last two crackdowns, an officer said 56 persons (25 children and 14 women) from the Northwest district, 40 persons (15 children and 11 women) from the South district, 33 persons (10 children and 11 women from the Southeast district), and 31 persons (eight children and 10 women) from the Northeast district were detained and deported on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday morning, 92 persons (39 children and 22 women) from the Outer district, 41 persons from the South district, and 28 from other districts were picked up and handed over to the FRRO, which arranged a special flight for them from Hindon air base. 'We have provided them with basic facilities such as food and water for the flight. We also sent a senior Inspector rank officer along with them, and he, along with the officials of FRRO and intelligence agencies, deported them with the help of the Border Guarding Force,' the officer said. On June 8, two groups of Bangladeshi nationals were waiting near the Mangolpuri railway station for the local train. 'The Outer District Police received information and apprehended 52 persons, including 40 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants,' the officer added. On June 2, 160 persons were deported in a special flight. Of the 160, 43 persons were picked from the Outer District, 26 persons from the Northwest district, 15 from Rohini, 16 from Shahdara, and one from the Southwest district. An officer said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed them late last year to undertake a verification exercise to identify and detain illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya. Between November 15, 2024, and April 20 this year, around 220 illegal immigrants and 30 overstaying foreigners were caught by Delhi Police. They were handed over to the FRRO, taken by rail and road to eastern states, and sent to Bangladesh via land borders. However, things changed after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26. 'Now, the MHA is learnt to have asked Delhi Police to intensify detection and deport all illegal immigrants at the earliest. Several makeshift holding centres were built by Delhi Police on rent; they were told to coordinate with the FRRO and drop the illegal migrants in a special plane to Agartala airport and West Bengal. After touching the detection figure of 160 illegal immigrants, they requested the FRRO to arrange a special flight for them,' the officer said. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Indian Express
Over 300 undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants flown out of Delhi for deportation in last 3 days
In the last three days, more than 300 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants — in two groups of 161 and 160 each — were detained by the Delhi Police, flown via Hindon airbase to Agartala in Tripura by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO), and deported to Bangladesh, said officials. Since November 15 last year, a senior officer at Delhi Police headquarters said, at least 1,230 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, and 70 foreigners who have overstayed, have been traced, detained, and handed over to the FRRO, which sent them to Agartala. Sharing data of last two visits, an officer said 56 people – 25 children and 14 women from the Northwest district, 40 persons – 15 children and 11 women from the South district, 33 persons – 10 children and 11 women from the Southeast district, and 31 persons – eight children and 10 women from the Northeast district were detained and deported on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday morning, 92 persons – 39 children and 22 women from the Outer district, 41 persons from the South district, and 28 from other districts — were picked up and handed over to the FRRO, who arranged a special flight for them from Hindon air base. 'We have provided them with basic facilities – food, along with water for the flight. We also sent a senior inspector rank along with them, and he, along with the officials of FRRO and intelligence agencies, deported them with the help of the Border Guarding Force,' an official said. On June 8, an officer said, two groups of Bangladeshi nationals were waiting near the railway line, away from the Mangolpuri railway station, for the local train. 'The Outer district Police received information and apprehended 52 persons, including 40 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants,' the officer said. On June 2, 160 persons were deported in a special flight. Of the 160, 43 persons from the Outer district, 26 persons were picked from the Northwest district, 15 from Rohini, 16 from the Shahdara district, and one from the Southwest district. An officer said the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed them late last year to undertake a verification exercise to identify and detain illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya. Between November 15, 2024, and April 20 this year, around 220 illegal immigrants and 30 overstaying foreigners were caught by Delhi Police. They were handed over to the FRRO, taken by rail and road to eastern states, and sent to Bangladesh via land borders. However, things changed after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26. 'Now, the MHA is learnt to have asked Delhi Police to intensify detection and deport all illegal immigrants at the earliest. Several makeshift holding centres were built by Delhi Police on rent; they were told to coordinate with the FRRO, and drop the illegal migrants in a special plane to Agartala airport and West Bengal. After touching the detection figure of 160 illegal migrants, they requested the FRRO to arrange a special flight for them,' the officer said. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Census pushed to 2027 to avoid disruption in school education post-Covid19 pandemic: Home Ministry
Express News Service (Hidden byline: Mahender Singh Manral) New Delhi | June 5 A day after announcing that the Population Census will be conducted in 2027 along with a nationwide caste enumeration, the Union Home Ministry on Thursday said the exercise was postponed after the Covid-19 pandemic because conducting it earlier could have 'immensely disrupted primary education'. On Wednesday, the government had said that data collection for the Census and caste enumeration would begin early next year, and would offer a snapshot of the country's population as of March 1, 2027. The last Census, held in 2011, had March 1 that year as the reference date. The next decadal headcount was due in 2021 but was deferred due to the pandemic. 'All preparations for Census 2021 were complete. However, due to the Covid outbreak across the country, the Census work was postponed,' the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson posted on X. 'Covid disrupted all sectors, including education. Around 30 lakh enumerators are needed for the Census and most of them are primary school teachers. Conducting the Census post-Covid could have disrupted primary education immensely.' The spokesperson said countries that conducted their censuses soon after the pandemic faced 'issues on quality and coverage of Census data'. The delay in the Census has triggered political reactions. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday accused the Centre of deferring the exercise to reduce the state's parliamentary representation. In a post on X, he said: 'The Indian Constitution mandates that delimitation must follow the first Census after 2026. The BJP has now delayed the Census to 2027, making their plan clear to reduce Tamil Nadu's Parliamentary representation. I had warned about this. It is now unfolding… We need clear answers from the Union Government.' Responding to this, the MHA spokesperson said: 'The Honourable Home Minister has made it clear on several occasions that in the delimitation exercise, concerns of southern states will be taken care of and discussed with all concerned at the appropriate time.' Reiterating the Centre's commitment, the spokesperson said the Census process would now 'commence forthwith' and conclude with March 1, 2027, as the reference date. 'Budget has never been a constraint for conducting the Census, as allocation of funds is always ensured by the government,' the post added. This is a developing story. Please refresh periodically for more updates.
