June 2023 - Page 44 of 52 - Lokmarg

Bihar: Under Construction Bridge Collapses In Bhagalpur

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

An under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur collapsed on Sunday.

The moment when the bridge collapsed in the Ganga River was caught on video by locals.
A similar incident of bridge collapse happened last year as well.

A portion of a bridge that was built across the Burhi Gandak River in Sahebpur Kamal of Bihar’s Begusarai district collapsed and fell into the river, but no casualty was reported.

As per information, the 206-metre-long bridge had developed cracks. The front part of the bridge between pillar no 2 and 3 collapsed. (ANI)

PTI Prez Sent To Jail On Judicial Remand

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi on Sunday was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in illegal appointments case, reported Geo News.

On Sunday, a Lahore anti-corruption court denied the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment’s (ACE) request for physical detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Punjab Assembly unlawful recruitments case.
Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk sentenced the former Punjab chief minister to 14 days in prison.

Earlier today, the former Punjab chief minister, who was arrested by ACE authorities for allegedly making unlawful appointments in the Punjab Assembly, appeared in court in Lahore under tight security, Geo News.

Elahi was detained for the third time by the Punjab ACE on Saturday after a local court in Gujranwala awarded him relief in two corruption allegations.

According to an ACE spokeswoman, Elahi illegally recruited 12 people for grade 17 jobs in the Punjab Assembly.

By manipulating the documents, the candidates were recruited in the provincial legislature. “The illegal recruitments were made through fake testing services,” claimed the spokesperson reported Geo News. (ANI)

Manipur: 3 Member-Panel Formed To probe Causes, Spread Of Violence

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

The Centre on Sunday constituted a three-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba, to investigate into the incidents of violence in Manipur which started in early May.

The Commission shall submit its report to the Central Government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting.
The Government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has notified a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, chaired by Justice Ajai Lamba, former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court with Himanshu Shekhar Das, IAS (Retd.) and Aloka Prabhakar, IPS (Retd.) as members to inquire into the incidents of violence in the state of Manipur on May 3 and thereafter, the official notification said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in a release said the commission shall make inquiry with respect to the causes and spread of the violence, which took place in Manipur, and whether there were any lapses on the part of any of the responsible authorities or individuals.

The headquarters of the commission shall be in Imphal – the capital of Manipur.

Meanwhile, a total of 202 arms, 252 ammunition and 92 bombs of all kinds recovered after the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah to Manipur. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered till date.

Security Advisor to Government of Manipur Kuldiep Singh said that the situation in Manipur by and large remained under control.

There are reports of blockades at Imphal-Dimapaur National Highway-2. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the people to lift the blockade.

In his tweet Home Minister has said, “My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 Highway, so that food, medicines, Petrol/Diesel, and other necessary items can reach the people.I also request that Civil Society Organisations do the needful in bringing consensus. Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state”.

“We hope that people will surely take into account the Home Minister’s appeal and lift the blockade on the Imphal-Dimapaur National Highway-2 at the earliest,” the official release said.

“Curfew relaxation has been made for 12 hours in the valley and 10 hours and 07 hours in the neighboring hill districts.During the last 24 hours 23 more arms have been recovered. This makes a total of 202 arms, 252 ammunition and 92 bombs of all kinds recovered after the visit of Home Minister. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered till date,” the official statement said.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah had visited Manipur during May 29 till June 1, 2023, and after taking stock of the situation had announced appointment of Commission of Inquiry.

Shah’s visit to the violence-hit state was to take stock of the situation and to hold talks with different stakeholders in a bid to restore a sense of calm in the state.

Amit Shah had urged all communities and sections of society to maintain peace, hold discussions and promote harmony as well as surrender their weapons to the police. He also appealed to the people not to pay heed to rumours and maintain peace and harmony.

Internet services continue to remain suspended and security forces deployed in Manipur after clashes between communities residing in hills and plains districts. The violence apparently started after a Scheduled Tribes reservation was demanded by the plains dwellers, who are predominantly Meiteis and are the majority in numbers.

Against those demands, a rally was organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) — mostly from Kuki community.

Manipur on Wednesday, which later turned violent and ever since there has been incidents of violence and arson with dozens of lives so far. However, curfew has been withdrawn in some districts.

Earlier today, Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the people of Manipur to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2 so that basic food items, medicines, fuels and other necessary items can reach the citizens.

“I also request that Civil Society Organisations do the needful in bringing consensus. Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state,” Shah wrote on Twitter. (ANI)

PM Should Seek Resignation Of Vaishnaw: Rahul

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that the Prime Minister should immediately seek resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore in which 275 people died and 1000 people were injured.

The Congress leader stepped up the attack at the Central government stating that till now “no accountability even after 270+ deaths”.
“No accountability even after 270+ deaths! The Modi government cannot run away from taking responsibility for such a painful accident. The Prime Minister should immediately seek the resignation of the Railway Minister!” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh also demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s resignation in the wake of the triple train tragedy in Odisha.

Digvijay Singh expressed grief over the tragedy that took place on Friday evening and involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in the Balasore district of Odisha.

“When Railways Minister repeatedly says that our system is fool-proof and any severe accident cannot happen then how this happened… He (Ashwini Vaishnaw) is an ex-IAS officer of Odisha cadre, where this tragedy has taken place. There is an example where in such a train accident, Lal Bahadur Shastri had resigned from his post,” said Digvijaya Singh told reporters on Saturday.

“We don’t expect this from PM Modi’s cabinet, but if he (Ashwini Vaishnaw) has a little bit of shame, he should resign,” the Congress leader said.

On Saturday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday hit out at Union Railways Minister saying that “he should tender his resignation”.

“The entire nation is saddened by the incident. Do they have morality or not…BJP which speaks about morality then he should resign,” Baghel said.

Without taking anyone’s name, he said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always speaks about responsibility, therefore he [referring to the Railway minister] should tender his resignation after this major train accident.”

He further added that the railway minister had claimed that Railways have adopted a modern technique according to which if another train comes on the track that it gets stopped before 400 metres.

“But three trains collided here [in Odisha], in his state,” he remarked.

“Our Railway Minister comes from Odisha and if such a big incident took place in his state then definitely it is his responsibility and it would be seen whether he will fulfil his responsibility or not,” Baghel said.

Expressing anguish over the incident, Baghel condoled the loss of lives in the crash and wished for the early recovery of the injured. (ANI)

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China Mountain Collapse: 14 Killed, 5 Missing

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Fourteen people were killed after a mountain collapsed in China’s South-Western province of Sichuan on Sunday, Global Times reported citing the local authorities.

Five people are reportedly missing after the incident occurred at a state-owned forest farm in Leshan, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
The collapse took place at around 6 am in a forest farm in Yongsheng Township, Jinkouhe District of the city, Xinhua news agency reported.

The local authorities have said that search and rescue efforts are underway.

More than 180 rescue personnel have been deployed to the area, armed with 14 specialised rescue devices, according to Global Times.

Global Times is a daily tabloid newspaper under the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, the People’s Daily.

According to a villager, the mountain’s rubble fell and tumbled on surrounding structures, including a hostel housing personnel from all over the nation, the Global Times reported.

“There aren’t many locals working there; most of the workers and victims are from other places,” said another villager, adding that routes in the hamlet had been closed down following the collapse, which was connected to the recent rise in rainfall.

Further details awaited as the rescue operation is underway. (ANI)

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Only Coromandel Express Met With Accident: Railway Board

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Days after the Odisha triple train tragedy, Railway Board on Sunday citing premiliary investigation said there was some issue with the signalling and only Coromandel Express met with an accident in Balasore that claimed the lives of 275 passengers.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board said, “According to the preliminary findings, there has been some issue with the signalling. We are still waiting for the detailed report from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Only Coromandal Express met with an accident. The train was at a speed of around 128 km/h.”
In a major breakthrough in the tragic accident, she said that the goods train did not get derailed since it was carrying iron ores and had maximum damage on Coromandel Express.

“The goods train did not get derailed. Since the goods train was carrying iron ores, the maximum damage of the impact was on Coromandel Express. This is the reason for a huge number of deaths and injuries,” said Jaya Varma Sinha.

She further said that derailed bogies of the Coromandel Express hit the last two bogies of the Yashwantpur Express.

“The derailed bogies of Coromandel Express came on the downline and hit the last two bogies of Yashwantpur Express which was crossing at the speed of 126 km/h from downline,” she said.

Sinha said that the Railways first focused on relief and rescue work after the accident.

“Railways first did relief and rescue work after the accident and after that repair work is being done. There are four lines at Bahanaga station. It has two main lines. There was a goods train on the loop line. The driver had received the green signal at the station. Both vehicles were running at full speed,” she said.

The official further said that the helpline number has been made available for the family members of the injured or deceased.

“Our helpline number 139 is available. This is not a call centre number, our senior officers are answering the calls and we are trying to connect as many people as possible. The family members of the injured or deceased can call us and we will make sure that they are able to meet them. We will take care of their journey and other expenses,” said Jaya Varma Sinha.

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Secy Pradeep Jena clarified that the death toll is 275 and not 288, it was checked and found that some bodies were counted twice.

“The death toll is 275 and not 288. The data was checked by DM and it was found that some bodies have been counted twice, so the death toll has been revised to 275. Out of 275, 88 bodies have been identified,” Jena told ANI.

“Out of 1,175 injured, 793 have been discharged after treatment. The figure will be updated around 2pm,” he added.

As per the Ministry of Railways, the restoration work is going in full swing and the officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident site.

A manpower of over 1000 people is engaged in the work. More than seven Poclain Machines, two Accident Relief Trains, and 3-4 Railway and Road Cranes are deployed, the Ministry stated. (ANI)

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Odisha Govt Appeals To Next Of Kin To Identify Bodies

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Odisha government has urged people to the next of kin from different states to identify and claim the bodies of the deceased in the tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore.

As per the government, there are still a number of bodies yet to be claimed in various morgues.
The accident that occurred on Friday night killed 288 people and left over 1000 people injured, as per the official figure.

“There are still a number of bodies yet to be claimed in various morgues. The state government is appealing to the next of kin from different states to identify and claim the bodies. Details can be found on this website https://srcodisha.nic.in/” the government stated in a release.

According to state government sources, around 200 bodies of victims from the train accident are yet to be identified.

A lot of the bodies are assumed to belong to states where the two passenger trains originate and terminate at. Several passengers from Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other neighbouring states frequently travel on these passenger trains, so it is expected that the majority of the bodies are likely to be of people from these states, the government added.

The Odisha government has uploaded the lists of passengers who are undergoing treatment in different hospitals on the government website.

It has also uploaded the lists and photographs of deceased passengers on the websites to facilitate identification.

The websites on which the state government has uploaded the data are; https://srcodisha.nic.in/ https://www.bmc.gov.in and https://www.osdma.org.

“The photographs of the deceased in the Balasore train accident are being posted only to facilitate identification. Given the nature of the accident, the images posted are disturbing. It is advised that children avoid viewing these images. Viewers’ discretion may be exercised. None (Media/Individual/Firms etc.) shall reproduce/publish and use the images for any purpose without the prior written approval of the Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha),” the release stated.

The Bhubaneshwar Municipal Commissioner’s office has also established a control room to facilitate people to the hospital or mortuary, as per the requirement through vehicles.

It also launched a helpline number ‘1929’ for extending assistance to the relatives of the victims

The release stated that the help desks have been set up at all entry points in Cuttack Railway Station, Bus Stand and SCB Medical College; and Bhubaneswar Railway Station, Baramunda Bus Stand and Airport.

Meanwhile, as per the Ministry of Railways, the restoration work is going in full swing and the officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident site.

A manpower of over 1000 people is engaged in the work. More than seven Poclain Machines, two Accident Relief Trains, and 3-4 Railway and Road Cranes are deployed, the Ministry stated.

The three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in the Balasore district.

Seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Teams, five Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) Units and 24 Fire Services and Emergency units were involved in rescue operations.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mi-17 helicopters for the evacuation of the deceased and injured. According to the Eastern Command, IAF coordinated with the rescue efforts with the civil administration and Indian Railways.

The preliminary report on the tragedy said the three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district.

As many as 17 coaches of these two passenger trains were derailed and severely damaged in the accident on Friday evening. (ANI)

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Amit Shah Appeals For Lifting Blockades On Imphal Highway

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday appealed to the people of Manipur to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, National Highway-2 so that basic food items and other necessary items can reach the people in the strife-hit state.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Shah wrote, “My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH-2 Highway, so that food, medicines, petrol/diesel, and other necessary items can reach the people. I also request that civil society organisations do the needful in bringing consensus.”

He further wrote, “Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state.”

Shah recently concluded a four-day visit to Manipur to take stock of the situation and held talks with different stakeholders in a bid to restore a sense of calm in the state.

On the last day of his visit, Amit Shah urged all communities and sections of society to maintain peace, hold discussions and promote harmony as well as surrender their weapons to the police.

Shah warned that strict action would be taken against those found possessing weapons during the combing operation by the police.

He also appealed to the people not to pay heed to rumours and maintain peace and harmony.

Meanwhile, the security advisor to the Manipur government, Kuldiep Singh, on Saturday said peace is returning to the state after a wave of ethnic clashes and violence and normality is being restored.

“Peace efforts are on in Manipur in close coordination with civil society people. Peace is returning to the state and normalcy is being restored. There has not been an incident of firing and arson in Manipur in the last 24 hours. Besides, joint security forces, including the Assam Rifles, have recovered 35 arms and 88 bombs in multiple operations in the last 24 hours,” Singh said earlier. (ANI)

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US Defense Secy Arrives In India To Strengthen Ties

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin arrived in India from Singapore on Sunday to further strengthen the defence partnership between the two nations.

Upon his arrival, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, received the Pentagon Chief who kickstarted the third leg of his four-nation tour.

Taking to Twitter, the US Defence Secretary wrote, “I’m returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership.”

“Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Austin’s New Delhi visit will prominently focus on advancing India-US new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and continuing with the efforts to expand operational cooperation between the US and Indian militaries.

The Pentagon, while elaborating on the details of the Defence Secretary’s visit, said, “After Singapore, Secretary Austin will visit New Delhi to meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as the United States and India continue to modernize the US-India Major Defence Partnership.”

“This visit provides an opportunity to accelerate new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and drive ongoing efforts to expand operational cooperation between the U.S. and Indian militaries,” the statement added.

During his New Delhi visit, Austin is set to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with an aim to expand the defence-industrial partnership.

The visit holds particular significance considering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the White House in June.

Austin attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and his first stop was in Tokyo where he met with Japanese Defence Minister Yasukasu Hamada and other senior leaders and visited US troops stationed in Japan.

Later, from Japan, he flew to Singapore, where he addressed plenary remarks at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 20th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

During his stay in Singapore, he also held key bilateral meetings to advance US partnerships across the region.

After New Delhi, the US Defence Secretary will embark on a visit to France.

Also just before PM Modi’s visit to the US, a powerful Congressional Committee has recommended strengthening NATO Plus by including India. This step is a move to deter China.

The suggestion of including India in the five-member grouping has been made by the committee to win the “strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party”.

Presently, NATO Plus 5 is a security arrangement that works towards boosting global defence cooperation and comprises NATO and five aligned countries, Australia, Japan, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea.

India getting included in NATO Plus would mean the facilitation of seamless intelligence sharing between these nations and India and access to the latest military technology with a minimal time lag, reported NewsonAir.

Secretary Austin will conclude his four-nation trip in France and will take part in events commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day and meet with French and United Kingdom defence leaders. (ANI)

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Taliban Guards Publicly Flog Two In Paktika Region

By LokMarg 4th June 2023

Two convicts guilty of theft in the Khusamand area of eastern Paktika province were publicly flogged, Taliban’s Supreme Court announced, according to Khaama Press which reported the incident on Sunday.

According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court on Saturday, Taliban security forces apprehended individuals who confessed to their crimes.

The convicts were apparently punished in public so it should be an example for others, according to the Taliban.

Despite the fact that the type of punishment was not indicated in the proclamation, local outlets claimed that offenders were lashed in public, Khaama Press reported.

Last year, Taliban officials began whipping inmates convicted of various offences, prompting significant condemnation from human rights organisations and the international world, the Afghan news agency said.

The UN has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s de facto government to immediately halt public executions and to uphold human rights, decency, and principles.

According to Khaama Press, the United Nations produced a detailed report last month, revealing that 274 men, 58 women, and two youngsters were publicly flogged in the previous six months. According to this account, Taliban officials publicly executed another inmate.

Since the Taliban seized control once again in August 2021, the group has consistently placed restrictions on women and girls, preventing them from participating in public life, employment, or education.

Taliban leaders have not only disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. (ANI)

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