Author: LokMarg

Amidst the political uncertainty in the state, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will seek a trust vote in the special one-day Jharkhand Assembly Session on Monday.

The session has been called after the Jharkhand Cabinet recently approved the motion to hold a special Assembly session on Monday. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) MLAs staying in Raipur resort flew back to Ranchi on Sunday to attend this special session.
Notably, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its allies shifted their MLAs to a resort in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh last week amid fears of poaching.

Sources said those who went to Raipur include 13 from Congress including four ministers and 18 MLAs of JMM.

Soon after the return of the MLAs from Raipur, CM Soren met them at the circuit house.

The legislators spend the night at the circuit house and will depart at 10 am in the morning for a one-day session at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

According to government sources, the ruling alliance will bring the confidence motion in favour of Soren in the House today.

However, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had denied that he was harbouring the Jharkhand UPA MLAs in his state and trying to save the Jharkhand government.

On asked about the Jharkhand UPA MLAs in Raipur, Baghel said, “Who am I to save anyone (Jharkhand govt)? …They are guests in my state.”

The statement comes days after CM Baghel said the UPA coalition government in Jharkhand shifted its MLAs to Raipur to protect them from being poached in view of the BJP’s “horse-trading” tactics.

Notably, a political crisis emerged in Jharkhand after a petition by the BJP sought Soren’s disqualification from the Assembly in an office of profit case.

Soren could be disqualified as an MLA, nearly 31 MLAs and ministers of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand were in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur.

Soren told the reporters at the Ranchi airport that the ruling alliance is prepared to face every situation.

“No unforeseen incident is going to take place. We are ready for everything, the situation is under control. I will let you know if I will go with the MLAs”, he said.

The BJP has sought the disqualification of Soren as an MLA accusing him of allocating a mining lease to himself while he held the state Mining portfolio in 2021.

In February this year, the BJP submitted a memorandum to the state Governor Ramesh Bais seeking disqualification of Soren from the House under Section 9(A) of the Representation of People’s Act.

The Governor had forwarded the BJP complaint to the ECI and the poll panel in May had issued a notice to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader. (ANI)

At least 10 persons were killed and 15 injured in stabbing attacks on Sunday (local time) across Saskatchewan Province. Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) has issued dangerous persons alert as the suspects are still at large.

Melfort RCMP has issued a province-wide dangerous persons alert after multiple people were stabbed in the James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, reported CBC.
RCMP said in a press conference at 3:40 CT that they found 10 people deceased in 13 locations, and at least 15 people have been hospitalized.

“There could be more injured,” Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, said.

“We are currently actively looking for it, dedicating maximum resources to this.”

RCMP said they received a report that the two suspects, identified as Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson, may have been travelling in the Arcola Avenue area in Regina. Regina Police said the suspects were seen around 11:20 am, reported CBC.

“As the suspects are at large, we have also asked for the alert to be extended to Manitoba and Alberta,” RCMP said in a news release just after noon Sunday.

In an alert issued at 8:20 a.m. CT Sunday, RCMP said two male suspects are believed to be in a black Nissan Rogue with Saskatchewan licence plate 119 MPI. As the suspects may have access to a vehicle, the RCMP have expanded the alert province-wide.

Blackmore said at the press conference the location and direction of the suspects’ travel is unknown.

“We don’t know if they have changed their vehicle,” she said.

Police are asking Regina residents to take precautions and consider sheltering in place. RCMP said residents should be careful about allowing others into their homes and not leave a secure location, reported CBC.

A 10 am CT update from the Saskatchewan RCMP said there are multiple victims in multiple locations and it appears victims are being attacked at random.

Weldon is located about 50 kilometres southeast of Prince Albert, and about 25 kilometres southwest of James Smith Cree Nation.

In response to the “mass casualties” on James Smith Cree Nation the community, along with the Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation and Peter Chapman Band, declared a state of emergency at noon Sunday, reported CBC.

It’s set to remain in place until 5 pm on Sept 30.

The alert was first issued at 7:12 am CT Sunday and has since had several updates.

Residents in the Regina area are also being advised to not approach suspicious persons and to not pick up hitchhikers.

Instead, the RCMP said they should report suspicious persons, emergencies or information to 911.

They are also being asked to not share the locations of police.

Police checkpoints have been set up throughout Saskatchewan, at least from Prince Albert to Regina, with officers checking identification. (ANI)

As many as two people died and 10 others are injured after a major fire broke out at Levana hotel in the Hazratganj area of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, said Manoj Agarwal, CMO Lucknow.

“The incident of fire in a hotel was reported this morning, after which the rescue operation is on. A fire incident took place in Levana Hotel in Hazratganj this morning, after which patients are being admitted to the hospital. So far 10 people have been admitted to the Civil Hospital, out of which 2 people are brought dead,” Agarwal said.
However, rescue and relief operations are underway at Hotel Levana as several people are feared to be still trapped.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took note of the fire that broke out in a hotel in Lucknow on Monday and directed the officials to provide treatment to the injured.

“The Chief Minister has directed the officials of the district administration to provide proper treatment to the injured. Along with this, the District Magistrate and senior police officers have been instructed to reach the spot immediately and speed up the relief and rescue work,” read a statement by the chief minister’s office.

With an aim to douse the fire at the earliest, all the gas cylinders are being taken out from the hotel while flammable items are also being removed from the spot.

Police and firefighters are constantly engaged in rescue operations.

” Cause (of the fire) is being ascertained. There’s a possibility that it happened due to a short circuit. 18 of the total 30 rooms were occupied & probably 35-40 people were there. The people who were stuck were evacuated and they have been sent to Civil Hospital,” said District Magistrate, Suryapal Gangwar.

“Rooms are filled with smoke making it difficult to go in. Work is underway to break window panes and grills. No info on any casualties so far, 2 people have been rescued, but there is no response from 1-2 rooms. Attempts are being made to enter those rooms,” said DG Fire, Avinash Chandra.

Three ambulance vehicles arrived at Levana Sweets Hotel after the incident was reported while the injured are being taken to the hospital. The security personnel and firefighters were seen entering the hotel with oxygen masks.

An SDRF team also reached the spot.

The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took note of the incident.

“I came to know about the tragic incident of fire in a hotel in Lucknow. I have inquired about the situation from the local administration. Relief and rescue operations are on. My office is in constant touch with the local administration. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident,” tweeted Singh.

A fire broke out at a hotel in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area in the morning hours of Monday.

The incident was reported at Levana hotel.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

Emphasizing on the modernisation of jails, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the perception about prisons needs to be changed in society.

Shah on Sunday inaugurated the 6th All India Prison Duty Meet at Kankaria, Ahmedabad today. The three-day Prison Meet was organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Home Secretary and Director General of BPR&D and several other dignitaries were present at the programme.

In his address, Shah said the Prison Meet will not only promote sportsmanship in a positive way but also the prison administration will be benefited from the interaction and exchange of successful experiences between the participants during their three-day stay.

He said, “Jail administration is also an important part of the internal security of the country and we cannot ignore it. There is also a need to change the way prisons are seen by society. He said if there is no punishment, then there will be no fear, if there is no fear, then there will be no discipline and if there is no discipline, then we cannot imagine a healthy society.”

Therefore, he said the process of punishment is very important, but it is also the responsibility of the jail administration that if someone is not a criminal by nature or habit, then they should become the medium to reintroduce all such prisoners to society.

Shah said that from among those who are punished. 90 per cent are those whose rehabilitation in society is very important, not only from the human point of view but also from the law and order point of view.

The Union Home Minister said a model Jail Manual was brought in 2016 in place of the old Jail Manual after a very comprehensive review. He said that only 11 States and Union Territories have adopted this jail manual. He said the Model Jail Manual contains several remedial points and emphasizes on computerization in prisons to bring about basic uniformity in Human Rights, reformed rehabilitation of prisoners and rules and regulations. It has special provisions for the rights of women prisoners along with aftercare facilities, good scientific manuals for prison inspections, rights of death row prisoners and many good provisions have also been made for staff involved in prison reforms.

Shah said after the Prison Manual, the government is now going to bring the Model Jail Act as well, which will bring about necessary changes in the Act which are continuing since the British era. Right now, it is being discussed extensively with the States and it is believed that within the next 6 months, a Model Jail Act will be brought which will make all the jails State-of-the-Art in terms of technology, he said.

The Union Home Minister said the States will also have to think over the issue of overcrowding in prisons because until the overcrowding is not reduced, the jail administration cannot be improved. He requested the States that they should provide video conferencing facilities with courts in every district jail.

Shah said there is also a need to make arrangements to keep those prisoners separate who are convicted of crimes of spreading propaganda of radicalization and promoting narcotics. He said information is also being given in the manual to control the gangs inside jails.

Amit Shah said prisons have been neglected and jails have been a neglected field. While requesting the States, he said there are many States in which even today, jails built by the British remain in the same situation. Along with modernizing them, it is very important to equip them with technology, to make them apt from the point of view of security and to make arrangements for the good living of the prisoners.

“Building a library for prisoners, rehabilitate them by providing them with various types of education, taking care of their health, a good hospital in the jail itself and various programs for mental development can be started,” he suggested. He said during the British era, prisoners were mostly political prisoners, and torture could have been a means for the British to maintain their rule, but now we are free and there is a need to re-evaluate attitudes towards imprisonment.

The Union Home Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the mantra of Fit India to the people. Along with maintaining good health, the body should be kept in such a way that no one needs to go to hospitals and this is the basic mantra of Fit India.

Shah told participants at the meet that sportsmanship is the only thing that takes us forward towards making us ideal human beings. Sports alone can instil the passion to win and the courage to accept defeat. A person who does not have the passion to win and the courage to accept defeat cannot do anything in life. (ANI)

With Dussera around the corner, Delhi’s Luv Kush Ramlila Committee is gearing up with the theme of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir this year to stage its Ramlila.

Luv Kush Ramlila Committee performed the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ at Red Fort ground on Sunday.
Former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, Special Officer of Delhi Municipal Corporation Ashwani Kumar and Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order) Deependra Pathak were present during the ceremony.

After Bhoomi Poojan, Harsh Vardhan said that Luv Kush Ramlila is the number one and most popular Ramlila not only in the country but in the world. He said the Ramlila is widely watched by viewers on TV channels and social media.

“I am glad that I am on the stage of this Ramlila. I have participated in Ramlila play twice,” Harsh Vardhan said.

After the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony, a cultural programme and Ganesh Vandana were performed.

This year Luv Kush Ramlila will be staged between September 26 and October 6. This year’s theme of Luv Kush Ramlila is the Ram Temple of Ayodhya. The stage will be 180 feet long and 60 feet wide. The height of the pandal will be 70 feet.

According to Arjun Kumar, Luv Kush Ramlila Committee president over 20 popular artists from Mumbai will participate in this year’s Ramlila. Further, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and union ministers Ashwini Choubey, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Arjun Ram Meghwal will also participate in the Ramlila.

Kumar said Raghav Tiwari will play the role of Lord Ram while Deblina Chatterjee will play the role of Goddess Sita. Arun Mandola will play the role of Laxman and Nirbhay Wadhwa will play Lord Hanuman. Further, Akhilendra Mishra will play the character of Raavan. Veteran actor Asrani will play the character of Narad. Actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari will play the role of Kewat in the Ramlila.

From the gigantic effigies to the thrilling ferris wheel and the glint of heavy shimmery dresses of Sita and Rama, Ramlila in many ways emboldens the audience to celebrate Dussehra in the most spirited way. (ANI)

A clash broke out between Dera Beas members and Nihang Sikhs in Punjab on Sunday evening that left five to six people injured, police said.

According to police, no death has been reported in the firing so far and the situation is under control.
Speaking to ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Amritsar (Rural) Swapan Sharma said “Dera Beas and Nihangs’ disagreement was so heated that there were at least six rounds of firing in the air. Five to six persons were injured in the clash. However, no death has been reported so far.” (ANI)

The driver of the car in which Cyrus Mistry was travelling lost control due to overspeeding and rammed into the divider, said Palghar Police sources on Sunday.

Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry was killed in a road accident near Mumbai on Sunday. According to Palghar Police, Mistry was travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai when his car hit the divider.

“Prima facie, it looks like the car driver lost control. Cyrus Mistry’s mortal remains are at a government hospital in Kasa. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) is being filed by the police, as per procedure,” Palghar Police sources told ANI.

Police said there were four people including a woman in the car. Two people died on the spot, including Mistry, while the other two were shifted to hospital. Apart from Mistry, another deceased has been identified as Jahangir Dinsha Pandole. The injured Anayata Pandole and Darius Pandole are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

“Around 3 pm, the car met with an accident as it crashed into a divider on the bridge above Surya River while travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. Four people were inside, out of them two people died on the spot and the rest two were shifted to a hospital,” said Palghar Superintendant of Police Balasaheb Patil.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the death of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry and remembered him as a promising business leader who believed in India’s economic prowess.

“The untimely demise of Cyrus Mistry is shocking. He was a promising business leader who believed in India’s economic prowess. His passing away is a big loss to the world of commerce and industry. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” the Prime Minister said in a Twitter post.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condoled the death of Mistry.

“Shocked to hear about the passing away of former Tata Sons chief Cyrus Mistry. He was not only a successful entrepreneur but also was seen in the industry as a young, bright and visionary personality. It is a great loss… My heartfelt tribute,” said CM Shinde.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed condolences on Mistry’s death.

“Deeply saddened to know about the unfortunate demise of Ex-Chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry Ji in a road accident near Palghar, Maharashtra. Sincerest condolences to his family members. May he Rest In Peace,” tweeted Gadkari.

Taking to Twitter, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule said, “Devastating news. My brother Cyrus Mistry passed away. Can’t believe it. Rest in Peace Cyrus.”

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka also expressed grief over Mistry’s demise.

“So sad to hear of the shocking news of the passing away of Cyrus Mistry in an accident. He was a friend, a gentleman, a man of substance. He was instrumental in creating the global construction giant Shapoorji Pallonji and ably led the Tata group,” tweeted Goenka.

Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as the chairman in December 2012 after Ratan Tata announced his retirement. N Chandrasekaran later took over as Executive Chairman of Tata Sons. (ANI)

Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry was killed in a road accident near Mumbai on Sunday.

According to Palghar Police, Mistry was travelling from Ahmedabad to Mumbai when his car hit the divider. There were four people in the car. Two died on the spot, including Mistry, while the other two were shifted to hospital.

Taking Twitter, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule said, “Devastating news. My brother Cyrus Mistry passed away. Can’t believe it. Rest in Peace Cyrus.”

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka also expressed grief over Mistry’s demise.

“So sad to hear of the shocking news of the passing away of Cyrus Mistry in an accident. He was a friend, a gentleman, a man of substance. He was instrumental in creating the global construction giant Shapoorji Pallonji and ably led the Tata group,” tweeted Goenka.

Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as the chairman in December 2012 after Ratan Tata announced his retirement. N Chandrasekaran later took over as Executive Chairman of Tata Sons. (ANI)

Amid the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festival, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday offered prayers at the iconic Ganesh Mandal of Mumbai, Lalbaugcha Raja.

The histroy of the Lalbaugcha Raja has been quite famous since ancient times as it is the popular Ganesh Idol of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, located at Putlabai Chawl, a worship place which was founded in 1934.
The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati idol has been organised by the Kambli family for over eight decades. After the two-year long gap of COVID, devotees thronged in for the darshan of Lord Ganesh and offered prayers.

A day ago the Lalbaugcha Raja witnessed actor, Tamanna Bhatia and her ‘Babli Bouncer’ director Madhur Bhandarkar offering prayers to Lord Ganesha.

This year, in collaboration with Jio Mart and Paytm, they will try to deliver the prasad at the doorsteps of the devotees. The prasad on Jio Mart is in the form of Laddus and will only take orders for Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and the Thane region.

Ganesh Chathurthi or Ganpati Utsav, which starts on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Bhadrapada, is celebrated with much fanfare in Maharashtra and other parts of western and southern India with lakh of devotees converging into pandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh. (ANI)