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400 Maoist Cadres Surrendering Every Year: IG Bastar

By LokMarg 26th April 2023

More than 400 Maoist cadres are surrendering every year following the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy under which they are given all kinds of facilities including financial assistance, said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police of Bastar Range.

“On average, more than 400 Maoist cadres are surrendering every year. A special campaign named “Lone Varratu” has been conducted in District Dantewada for this purpose and results are great,” said Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P while interacting with ANI on Tuesday.
IG further stated that the majority of leaders of the CPI Maoist organizations are usually from the states outside Chhattisgarh like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

“The senior leaders of the CPI Maoist organizations are usually from the states outside Chhattisgarh like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In the past they misguided the local youths and women in the name of Jal, Jungle, and Jameen through compulsion,” said the IG.

“After getting recruited by the organization when the local youths got introduced to the reality of Maoist, that in the last 22 years, 1700 people were killed by them alleging them of being informers. So after witnessing the anti-development face of Maoist, these local youths surrendered under the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, “he added further.

Sundarraj P said they have full faith that other Maoist cadres will soon leave violence and understand the real face of Maoists and join the mainstream of the society and contribute to the region’s development for peace and security.

A former woman Naxalite who now leads the security forces during anti Naxals – operation as she has joined Chhattisgarh’s police force says, “Most people have joined the Naxal organization because of compulsion, majority of the leaders and commanders who take decision are from Andhra and not form Chhattisgarh’s Bastar.”

“In 2012 I got married to the organization only but after getting injured during an ambush I surrendered. When security forces use to raid the village we have to run for life, so … I decided to surrender thinking that I would get some job and if not then we would work as daily wage laborers,” said the former Naxalite.

On 22 April, the State Hawk force and police team killed two women Naxals carrying a reward of Rs 14 lakh each in an encounter in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district. (ANI)

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Kerala: Kochi Water Metro Begins Commercial Operation

By LokMarg 26th April 2023

The Kochi Water Metro, which was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began its commercial operation on Wednesday.

The boats started operating from the High Court Water Metro Terminal and Vyppin Water Metro Terminal at 7 am. The ticket rate for this route is Rs 20. During peak hours, there will be a boat service every 15 minutes on the High Court- Vypin route. The boat services will continue till 8 pm.
Loknath Behera, MD of Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) took the first boat service with Vypin islanders from the Vypin water metro terminal.

Behera said that the operations would be beneficial to the people and in the future, the frequency and the number of boats will also be increased.

“It will be all good today. There is no precedence. If there is any problem, we have to solve it ourselves. The operations will be very beneficial to the islanders. We will increase the frequency and number of boats. More boats will be placed into service,” said Loknath Behera.

The Director of Finance, Kochi Metro Rail Limited Annapoorani S said that initially 76 kilometres will be covered by the Kochi Water Metro.

“Now the Kochi Metro employees including me, feel very happy because a new service has been given by Kochi Metro. All people who have enjoyed the Kochi Metro ride will start enjoying the Kochi Water Metro ride. The service will start in the morning at 7’o clock and ends at 8’o clock. You will get service every 15 minutes during peak hours. I think people will enjoy the benefits in the future. From today, everybody is welcome to the operations. We are all happy to welcome all. 76 kilometres will be covered by the Kochi Water Metro. Initially, High Court to Vypin and the vice versa route will be operated from today. Tomorrow, there will be another route from Vyttila to Kakkanad and vice versa will be operated. There are 9 boats in the service,” he said.

A commuter said that the water metro is unlike the regular public transport system.

“I am very happy. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to travel like this. The views outside are something special. This is not like the regular public transport system. The boat is very clean. It has easy access and a ticketing system. It is possible to travel in air conditions in this humidity. Beautiful views from the outside. It will bring a big change in the map of Kochi. There is no doubt that people will use the Water Metro on a daily basis. I feel more people will rely on the water metro. This will take a quick time to travel from Vypin to Ernakulam. They can be completed more easily than any other public transport system,” said Hariraj a commuter.

The country’s first Water Metro service will provide safe, affordable and pocket-friendly travel for people in and around Kochi and also tourists from across the world.

Initially, the Water Metro will start sailing with 8 electric-hybrid boats in two routes that are, Highcourt- Vypin and Vyttila- Kakkanad stretches.

The single journey ticket fare for the High Court – Vypin route will be Rs 20. The fare for Vyttila- Kakkanad route will be Rs 30.

Other than the single-journey tickets, Kochi Water Metro will also have weekly, monthly and quarterly passes. As an inaugural offer, commuters can enjoy discounts for their purchase of various trip passes.

A weekly trip passes with 12 trips is priced at Rs 180 while the monthly trip passes are valid for 30 days having 50 trips would cost Rs 600. The quarterly pass is priced at Rs 1500 and passengers would be able to avail of 150 trips within a period of 90 days.

People would also be able to use Kochi One Card for travelling in Kochi Water Metro. Mobile QR tickets could be booked through Kochi One app. (ANI)

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2024 US Elections: Biden, Harris Officially Announce Re-Election Campaign

By LokMarg 26th April 2023

President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) announced that he will be running for a second term in office, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate.

“Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours. That’s why I’m running for re-election as President of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job,” tweeted Biden.
This sets up the possibility of a rematch with Donald Trump. Moreover, Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders, a former two-time presidential candidate, said he endorses President Biden’s re-election bid on Tuesday, foregoing a third run for the White House.

According to the report, Sanders said he would “do everything I can to see the president is re-elected”, warning against a victory by former President Trump or another Republican, Fox News reported.

“The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism or homophobia,” Sanders reportedly said. “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the President is re-elected.”

In the video titled “Freedom,” President Biden echoed his 2020 campaign message of battling for the “soul of our nation,” uniting the country, and supporting the middle class, his campaign said. The video opens with footage of the January 6 US Capitol protest.

“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden, 80, said in the video. “That’s been the work of my first term: To fight for our Democracy. This shouldn’t be a red or blue issue.”

Vice President Harris also released a statement, calling the 2024 presidential election a “pivotal moment in our history.”

“For two years we have made transformational investments to build a nation in which everyone can be safe and healthy, find a good job, and retire with dignity,” she applauded.

“As Americans, we believe in freedom and liberty–and we believe that our democracy will only be as strong as our willingness to fight for it. That’s why @JoeBiden and I are running for reelection,” tweeted Harris.

Meanwhile, Biden and Harris remain immensely unpopular, with Biden’s approval ratings in the low 40s in most polls.

According to the latest Fox News national survey, his job performance rating currently stands at 44 per cent approve vs. 56 per cent disapprove.

Biden’s time in office has also been roiled by a series of world issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea launching ballistic missiles towards and over Japan, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s unchecked ascendancy in the Indo-Pacific region, including their pushing countries away from using the US dollar and from supporting Taiwan.

Domestically, Biden also has been subject to an investigation of mishandling classified information, which included documents spanning decades found at his different properties, violent crime remains high in cities across the country and the US-Mexico border faces record-high immigration figures, including the surge of deadly fentanyl. He also allowed a Chinese spy aircraft to float across the country.

His son’s involvement with the Chinese and a Ukrainian energy firm, and other business dealings have also raised issues for the administration.

Biden’s entry into the 2024 contest comes as several Republicans have already joined the running, including Biden’s 2020 opponent Donald Trump, Gov Nikki Haley, Sen Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy and others.

On the Democratic side, Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced his intention to seek his party’s nomination. (ANI)

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Street Crimes Increasing At Alarming Rate In Pak

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Street crimes have increased at an alarming rate in Pakistan, said police officials, reported Pak vernacular media.

According to Daily Jang, more than 41 people were killed in street crimes in Karachi during the month of Ramadan. People coming out of banks with cash were the main targets of criminals.
As many as 12 street criminals were also killed in police encounters while 17 got injured. There were almost 300 cases of street crimes on a daily basis.

Another report by Daily Jung says that in the Bani Police operation, the ringleaders of the Sajiv Gang and Chata gang were arrested along with their accomplices, involved in street crimes. Stolen cash and weapons used in the crimes were also recovered from their possession.

Not only street crimes but also terrorist attacks are on a rise in different areas of Pakistan. Two explosions rocked a counterterrorism facility in northwest Pakistan – Swat’s Kabal on Monday, killing at least 12 policemen and injuring more than 40 people, reported Geo News.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan said security officials were on high alert throughout the province.

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Khalid Sohail told Geo News that the blast was not a suicide attack.

“There was no attack or firing on the police station. The explosion occurred at a place where ammunition and mortar shells were stored,” he added.

He further said that the cause of the explosion — whether negligence or something else — was being investigated. Bomb disposal squads were also conducting an investigation, he added.

Sohail earlier said two explosions had occurred and the building that collapsed was an old one while most offices and personnel were located in a newer building, reported Geo News.

Meanwhile, the provincial health department imposed a state of emergency at hospitals in Swat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast. He expressed grief over the lives lost and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, reported Geo News.

He also directed authorities to submit a report regarding the incident, according to Radio Pakistan.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the blast and expressed sadness over the lives lost. “This scourge of terrorism will be uprooted soon,” he asserted.

Two attacks on large police bases have been linked to the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) since the start of the year.

In January, a suicide bomber detonated his vest in a mosque inside a police compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 80 officers as the building collapsed and rained down rubble on worshippers, reported Al Jazeera.

The following month, five were killed when a TTP suicide squad stormed a police compound in the southern port city of Karachi, prompting an hours-long shootout.

Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks focused on its border regions with the country. Islamabad says offensives are being launched from Afghan soil, reported Al Jazeera.

Moreover, Pakistan saw a rise in terror attacks after a shaky six-month ceasefire between the TTP and Islamabad failed in November. (ANI)

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Parkash Singh Badal Passes Away At 95

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron S Parkash Singh Badal passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 95.

This was confirmed by the Personal Assistant of his son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that he was under close observation in the ICU, at Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

Badal was admitted to ICU on April 21, following complaints of breathing difficulties, according to the party.

Parkash Singh Badal served as the Chief Minister of Punjab multiple times. He was the CM from 1970-1971, from 1977-1980, from 1997-2002, and from 2007-2017.

He was also the youngest Chief Minister to have ever held office in the state of Punjab. (ANI)

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Matter Is In Supreme Court, It Will Decide: Brij Bhushan

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Tuesday did not directly reply to questions over protesting wrestlers’ allegations against him and said the matter is pending in the Supreme Court.

Some prominent wrestlers, who have resumed their protest seeking registration of criminal case on their allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, moved the Supreme Court on Monday.
“The matter is in the Supreme Court and the court will decide,” Brij Bhushan Singh told media persons.

The wrestlers said they had resumed the protest as “no action has been taken in the matter”.

Ace India wrestler Sakshi Malik broke down while interacting with the media as wrestlers protested at Jantar Mantar.

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia are among those who have resumed their protest over their demands.

“We wanted to file a sexual harassment FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Two days ago we got a complaint filed but FIR hasn’t been registered yet. There are seven female wrestlers and one of them is a minor. We want the investigation to happen fast. It is a sensitive matter. We are being framed as liars which we cannot bear. We are waiting for two-and-a-half months now but no one is listening. People are saying we are spent force that is why we are protesting. We just won a medal at CWG 2022,” Sakshi Malik told the media at Jantar Mantar.

“It is being heard that we are finished, that’s why we are protesting. For two and a half months the government has not taken any action. We cannot reveal the name of a minor,” she added.

Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik, held a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this year, demanding that Brij Bhushan be removed from and the Wrestling Federation of India be disbanded. They had accused the body and its chief of sexual harassment and mistreatment of wrestlers.

Following the protest, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe the allegations.

Olympic medalist Mary Kom is heading the Oversight Committee. Former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former shuttler Trupti Murgunde, SAI member Radhica Sreeman, ex-CEO of the Target Olympic Podium Plan Rajesh Rajagopalan, and CWG gold medalist Babita Phogat are the other members of the Mary Kom-led committee. (ANI)

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Aryan’s Directorial Debut Ad Featuring King Khan Out Now

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan decorates son Aryan Khan’s vision in his directorial debut ad.

Aryan directed his debut ad for a luxury streetwear brand D’yavol X which is being endorsed as a luxury streetwear line. On Tuesday the complete ad was released via the official handle of the brand after teasing the audience by releasing a teaser on Monday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Crc-8v9oH_f/

The ad’s caption read, “Drop goes live on 30th April. Only at dyavolx.com Limited Release. Don’t be late.”

At the beginning of the ad Aryan can be seen cutting down a few words like timeless on a blackboard and getting irritated as he slashes the blackboard with a paintbrush dipped in red colour. As he walks out, SRK enters the room and picks up the brush after stepping on it unintentionally. After seeing the blackboard and spotting what is written on it, Shah Rukh adds up another slash to make the alphabet X on the blackboard which symbolises the brand name of D-yoval X. The video ends with Shah Rukh posing to the camera as he sits holding the paint brush in his hands.

The fans can’t keep calm about this father-son duo working together. SRK looked dapper with pumped-up muscles as he wore a t-shirt to show the ‘Pathaan’ physique.

“WOOOOWWW!! This is tremendous!! Shah Rukh Khan directed by Aryan Khan Many congratulations to the whole team” a social media user commented.

A few months ago, Aryan announced on Instagram that he has completed the writing of his first project which he will also be directing.

Previously, in 2019, Shah Rukh appeared on David Letterman’s talk show, where he talked about his son Aryan’s career ambitions. On ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman’, Shah Rukh told the eponymous host that Aryan doesn’t want to be an actor.

Shah Rukh said though his son is a ‘good writer,’ he doesn’t have what it takes to be an actor.

“He (Aryan) doesn’t have what it takes to be an actor and he realises that too but he’s a good writer… I think wanting to be an actor has to come from within. Something you really need to do and find a set of skills that helps you do it and learn it. But I think I realised it from him when he said that to me,” Shah Rukh had said.

On the other hand, Suhana is following in her father’s footsteps. She is all set to make her acting debut with Zoya Akhtar’s film ‘The Archies’.

Based on the backdrop of the 1960s, the film also marks the debut of producer Boney Kapoor’s daughter Khushi Kapoor and megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda.

The film will exclusively stream on Netflix. The film is the Indian adaptation of the iconic comics ‘The Archies’. Produced by Tiger Baby and Graphic India, ‘The Archies’ is a coming-of-age story that will introduce the teenagers of Riverdale to a new generation in India. The official release date of the film is still awaited. (ANI)

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Anupam on demise of Pak-Canadian Columnist Tarek Fatah

Anupam Mourns Demise Of Pak-Canadian Columnist Tarek Fatah

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Veteran actor Anupam Kher expressed grief over the death of Pakistani-Canadian columnist and commentator Tarek Fatah.

Taking to Instagram, Kher penned an emotional note in memory of Tarek Fatah, who died after a long battle with cancer, on Monday.
Kher wrote, “Deeply saddened to know about the demise of my friend, a true Indian at heart, most fearless and kind-hearted man @TarekFatah. His courage was infectious! His laughter was pure. We met on many occasions. But visiting his home in Toronto & spending an afternoon with him over some delicious food and amazing stories was so special. My condolences to his family & friends! #TarekFateh @natashafatah.”

Kher also shared a few pictures of himself with Tarek Fatah.

The news of Tarek Fatah’s demise was shared by his daughter Natasha, who herself is a journalist.

“Lion of Punjab. Son of Hindustan. Lover of Canada. Speaker of truth. Fighter for justice. Voice of the downtrodden, underdogs, and the oppressed. Tarek Fatah has passed the baton on… his revolution will continue with all who knew and loved him. Will you join us? 1949-2023,” Natasha tweeted.

Tarek Fatah was 73. (ANI)

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Delhi Excise Policy: CBI Files Chargesheet Against Sisodia

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia and four others in the Delhi excise policy case.

According to sources, the supplementary chargesheet has been filed under IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (Cheating) and other section of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
An official confirmed that the supplementary chargesheet has been filed against former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Amandeep Singh Dhall, Arjun Pandey and Butchi Babu Gorantla in the Delhi excise policy case.

In its first chargesheet in the case, CBI alleged that around Rs 20-30 crore was arranged by suspect Abhishek Boinpally at the behest of South Group and paid to Vijay Nair via Dinesh Arora in cash between July and September 2021. Allegations have also been made that Sisodia intervened personally to get Mahendru-promoted Indo Spirit’s application processed after anomalies were initially flagged.

Former Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna’s name is also mentioned in the chargesheet in column 12 as a suspect.

Court noted that out of four accused, two accused Manish Sisodia and Amandeep Dhall are in Judicial custody presently.

Butchibabu has been granted bail in the matter on March 6, 2023.

Arjun Pandey was never arrested in the case by the prosecution agency, noted the court. (ANI)

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Operation Kaveri: First Batch Of Stranded Indians Leave Sudan

By LokMarg 25th April 2023

Indians stranded in Sudan have departed from the conflict-torn country in the first phase of ‘Operation Kaveri’, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

The third Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departed from Port Sudan for Jeddah.
Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi wrote, “First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under #OperationKaveri. INS Sumedha with 278 people onboard departs Port Sudan for Jeddah.”

As the fighting between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary groups intensified in the capital Khartoum, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed on Monday that its ‘Operation Kaveri’ to evacuate its citizens from battle-torn Sudan is underway and about 500 Indians had reached Port Sudan.

India has launched “Operation Kaveri” to bring back stranded Indians from the war-torn Sudan.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back our citizens stranded in Sudan. About 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. More on their way. Our ships and aircraft are set to bring them back home. Committed to assisting all our brethren in Sudan.”

Previously, France Embassy in India informed that their country has evacuated some Indians along with citizens of 27 other countries as part of its evacuation mission from violence-hit Sudan.

Earlier, on Saturday, Saudi Arabia said it has evacuated 66 citizens of “brotherly and friendly” foreign countries that included a few Indian nationals from the conflict-hit nation.

The evacuation came days after Jaishankar spoke to his Saudi Arabia counterpart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan.

“In the implementation of the directives of the Kingdom’s Leadership, we are pleased to announce the safe arrival of the evacuated citizens of the Kingdom from Sudan and several nationals of brotherly & friendly countries, including diplomats & international officials,” Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry statement said.

Sudan is facing violence due to fighting between the army and the paramilitary forces. There are reports of violence even amid a 72-hour ceasefire.

Earlier, Jaishankar had on April 20 met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the developments in Sudan.

“We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan,” Jaishankar told ANI.

Jaishankar said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan.

Fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan’s military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. (ANI)

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