QUICKREADS

Mission Arikomban: Forest dept fails to trace rogue elephant on Day 1

Kerala forest department's operation to dart and relocate rogue elephant Arikomban came up empty, despite the deployment of seven teams of rapid response personnel, veterinary doctors, darting experts, trainer elephants and two trucks, along with the imposition of Section 144. Four trainer elephants brought from Wayanad have been camping in Idukki for almost two months and more than 150 personnel were deployed for the operation. The elephant, which has killed at least seven people and destroyed around 50 houses, will be relocated, as per a High Court directive.

'Have to build strong bridge between people of hills and valley in Manipur': PM Modi in Imphal

During his visit to Imphal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of unity in Manipur, condemning ongoing violence and its impact on future generations. He highlighted Manipur's historical significance in India's freedom struggle and announced the government's commitment to restoring normalcy and development, including the approval of 7,000 new houses for displaced individuals. Modi inaugurated projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore, emphasizing the region's potential.

Bhupen Hazarika united Northeast during dark phase of militancy, neglect: Modi

PM Modi honored Bhupen Hazarika's centenary, praising his role in uniting Northeast during militancy. Highlighting Hazarika's music as a symbol of national unity, Modi emphasized cultural connectivity's importance in bridging regional gaps.

Indian-origin man gets life sentence for mother's murder in UK

Surjit Singh, a 39-year-old man of Indian origin, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 76-year-old mother, Mohinder Kaur, in Birmingham. Following a dispute over a television remote, Singh fatally attacked her while intoxicated. He must serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for parole. The case has deeply affected the family, according to authorities.

Kuki MLAs urge PM Modi for early political settlement of Manipur problem

Ten MLAs from Manipur's Kuki-Zo community urged Prime Minister Modi to facilitate an "early political settlement" amid ongoing ethnic conflict. In a memorandum, they claimed ethnic persecution and sought a separate Union Territory for their community, emphasizing that lasting peace requires distinct governance. Modi's visit follows violent clashes that have resulted in over 260 deaths since May 2023.

Gujarat: Four policemen among five booked for thrashing minor on suspicion of theft

In Gujarat's Botad district, five individuals, including four policemen, have been charged with unlawfully detaining and assaulting a 17-year-old boy suspected of theft. The minor was reportedly beaten at the police station, leading to serious injuries that required hospitalization. An inquiry has been ordered, and the accused face charges under various legal provisions, including the Juvenile Justice Act.

'Took too long…': RJD's Tejashwi Yadav on PM Modi's Manipur visit

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized Prime Minister Modi for delaying his visit to conflict-ridden Manipur and urged for a swift resolution to the ongoing issues. During his visit, Modi inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore and called for peace among ethnic groups. He emphasized the importance of these projects for enhancing living standards and creating employment opportunities in the region.

SC directs VC to make case of alleged sexual harassment against him part of his resume after complaint is time barred

The Supreme Court of India ruled that while forgiving a wrongdoer is advisable, the wrongdoing should not be forgotten. It ordered that details of alleged sexual harassment by a university vice-chancellor be included in his resume to ensure it "haunts" him, following the dismissal of a time-barred complaint. The court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision on the matter.

LS speaker moots national legislative index to rank state legislatures based on performance

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla proposed a national legislative index to evaluate assemblies based on performance metrics such as productivity, debate quality, and technology use. This initiative will be discussed at the All-India Presiding Officers Conference in January. The conference also addressed issues like legislative disruptions and emphasized enhancing debate duration and youth participation in democracy.

Odisha State Information Commission debars man from making RTI applications for one year

The Odisha State Information Commission has prohibited Chittaranjan Sethy from filing new RTI applications for one year due to his abuse of the process, having submitted 61 repetitive requests. The commission emphasized the need for responsible use of the RTI Act, imposing a cap of 12 applications per year and ordering a review of Sethy’s BPL card status.

Himachal CM seeks separate norms for hill states in annual allocations

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Shimla urged for separate allocation norms for 11 hill states, emphasizing factors like forest cover and ecological contributions. During a meeting with NABARD officials, he advocated for funding solar projects and electric buses, while also calling for reforms in cooperative societies and supply chains to boost farmers' income. NABARD pledged to consider his suggestions.

Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025: SC to pronounce interim order on Sep 15

The Supreme Court will announce interim orders on September 15 regarding the Waqf Act, 2025, specifically addressing the power to denotify waqf properties, state waqf board compositions, and waqf property inquiries by collectors. The Centre defends the Act's constitutionality, while petitioners argue it undermines historical legal principles. The Act was approved by Parliament earlier this year.

Uddhav lacks moral right to oppose India-Pak match: Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena criticized Uddhav Thackeray's opposition to the India-Pakistan cricket match, claiming historical precedents during Congress rule. Spokesperson Naresh Mhaske accused Thackeray of hypocrisy and questioned his commitment to Hindutva, asserting that protests against the match are politically motivated. He emphasized that India’s policy towards Pakistan remains firm despite the match, linking Thackeray's stance to electoral ambitions.

Supreme Court to deliver ruling on Waqf Amendment Act suspension on Monday

Supreme Court to rule on Waqf Amendment Act suspension on Monday, addressing challenges to the law's registration requirements, property management, and potential impacts on Muslim community property rights after three days of May hearings.

Bomb threat at Sree Padmanabhaswamy and Attukal temples in Kerala

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and Attukal Bhagavathy temple in Thiruvananthapuram received a bomb threat via email on Saturday. Police and Bomb Squad are conducting security checks, noting that the threat was non-specific. Investigations are ongoing, with further details yet to be released.

Shankaracharya to field candidates for Bihar elections: ‘Will reveal their names after…’

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati announced support for independent candidates in Bihar assembly polls who prioritize cow protection. Criticizing political parties for their inaction on cow slaughter, he emphasized the need for candidates committed to this cause. He plans to field one candidate in each of the 243 constituencies and launched the "Gau Raksha Sankalp Yatra" to advocate for cow welfare.