Tag: Uttar Pradesh

ISIS AMU

UP ATS Busts ISIS Module In Aligarh Muslim University

By LokMarg

In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh (ATS) has apprehended two individuals–Amas alias Faraz Ahmed and Abdul Samad Malik–allegedly involved in setting up an ISIS module at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

The action comes under an ongoing investigation launched in November 2023 following intelligence inputs about illegal activities and anti-national plans linked to ISIS.

According to the official press release issued by the UP ATS, Amas was arrested on January 8th, 2024, from Aligarh after evading capture since the arrest of his associates in November 3.

Prior to his apprehension, a reward of Rs 25,000 was declared for information leading to his arrest. Abdul Samad Malik, carrying a similar reward, had already surrendered before the court.

ATS had received information that some people are working for ISIS and are involved in anti-national activities. After confirming this information, ATS registered a case on November 3, 2023 and arrested seven people, including Abdullah Arsalan, Maaz Bin Tariq and Wajihuddin.

After confirming the information and collecting solid evidence, on November 3, 2023, police registered a case under IPC 13/23, Section 121A/122 IPC, 13/18/18V/38 Unlawful Activities Prevenation Act, at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

An investigation has revealed that both Amas Ahmed and Abdul Samad Malik are students of AMU. They were supporters of ISIS and were planning to carry out a major terrorist attack. Amas Ahmed graduated in psychology from AMU in 2022 and appeared for the entrance exam for the MBA in 2023. Abdul Samad Malik was pursuing an MSW (Master of Social Work) in AMU.

Both the arrested suspects will be presented in court as per the rules and further legal action will be taken.

Further investigation is underway. More information is awaited. (ANI)

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Ram Mandir Consecration Yogi

Yogi Holds Meet With Officials Ahead Of Ram Mandir Consecration

By LokMarg

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with officials in Lucknow on Tuesday ahead of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

During the meeting, Ayodhya in-charge minister Surya Pratap Shahi was also present.

Earlier, CM Yogi had chaired a review meeting with state officials to take stock of the preparedness for the Ram Temple consecration.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Preparations are underway in full swing for the event, which is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries and people from all sections of society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav.

A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand consecration.

Local authorities are gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. (ANI)

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ISIS AMU

Youth Arrested In Saharanpur Over Post Threatening ‘Pulwama-Like’ Attack

By LokMarg

The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a youth over a social media post threatening a repeat of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, police informed on Thursday.

The accused was identified as Mohammed Talha, a resident of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand’s Seraikela. He was arrested by Deoband Police over his post on X.

A case was also registered against the accused under stringent sections, the police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police of Saharanpur, Vipin Tada told ANI, “Police received information at Deoband police station that a youth posted some objectionable comments on Twitter (now X), in which he threatened a repeat of the Pulwama terror attack.”

“Taking note of the post, the local police have registered a case and the young man has been questioned. He confessed to putting out the post out of anger,” Tada added.

He said that the intelligence department and police have initiated a thorough probe to understand the motive behind the post.

“The police informed other agencies and a forensic investigation has been initiated on his seized mobile phone,” the SSP informed further.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, the SSP added.

The incident comes nearly a week after a terror attack on army vehicles at Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch in which four Jawans were killed.

According to official sources, the Army is planning to increase the number of troops in the Poonch-Rajouri sector to curb the activities of the Pakistan-based terrorists there.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the terror attack.

“I want to assure you that, as far as the government is concerned, the government stands by you and we give equal priority to your welfare and your convenience. We try to take steps based on whatever information is given to us,” the Raksha Mantri said.

Singh said the army is more well-equipped than before to deal with such threats.

On February 14, 2019, forty personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed when their convoy was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by Pakistani terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. (ANI)

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Christmas historic Roman Catholic Church

UP: Historic Roman Catholic Church In Meerut’s Decked Up Ahead Of Christmas

By LokMarg

The historic Roman Catholic Church of Sardhana town in Meerut City has been decorated ahead of the Christmas festival in Uttar Pradesh.

The historic church is known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The church is the largest in North India and has been preserving its grandeur as an unmatched example of art for the past two hundred years.

The church was built by Begum Samru, a Muslim Nautch girl of 14 who married a European mercenary soldier, Walter Reinhardt Sombre.

Samru converted to Roman Catholicism in 1781 and adopted the name Joanna Nobilis. She is regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India and ruled the Principality of Sardhana in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Meanwhile, the festive spirit is in the air as churches in Srinagar gear up for Christmas celebrations. The city is adorned with twinkling lights, and colourful decorations and the sweet melodies of Christmas carols can be heard echoing through churches.

As part of the preparations for the impending festivities, churches are being decorated with Christmas trees and vivid floral arrangements.

The Christmas season offers joy and happiness to the Srinagar community. Families gather in churches to plan for the event. Srinagar’s churches are ready to invite everyone to share in the celebrations of this unique time of year.

With the festive fervour in the air, the Khan market in Delhi is also lined up with stalls selling Santa caps, trees, reindeer, wreaths, candles and other items of decor while the stores are decorated with baubles and fir trees, marking the arrival of Christmas.

Revellers could be seen rummaging through the stores to purchase decorative items such as pine trees, Santa replicas and garlands for the festival.

Tourists have started flocking to the hill towns of Himachal Pradesh with family and friends ahead of the festival.

Several tourists are coming to Shimla and Manali to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families and friends.

Many parts of India come alive with the festive spirit of Christmas. With this, several streets in Aizawl, Mizoram, were also decorated and lit up ahead of the festival.

Christmas is an annual festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed by billions of people worldwide on December 25 as a religious and cultural event.

Many, but not all, countries observe Christmas as a holiday. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, many homes have Christmas trees and other decorations.

Some workplaces host Christmas parties before December 25. Exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and attending parties are all festive activities.

Christmas cards are also presented or mailed out before the festival. (ANI)

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Modi Honours ‘Nari Shakti’ At Mirabai’s 525th Birth Anniv Event In Mathura

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 525th birth anniversary of saint Mirabai in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura on Thursday, emphasized India’s reverence for ‘Nari Shakti’ and Mirabai’s significant contributions to society.

He also highlighted Mirabai’s role during challenging times, saying, “A saint like Mirabai showed that the self-confidence of women has the power to give direction to the whole world.”

“Our India has always been a country that worshipped Nari Shakti. Who else can understand this better than the people of Braj? Here, address, communication, respect, everything happens only by saying Radhe-Radhe. Even Krishna’s name is complete when Radha is used first. Women in our country have always taken up responsibilities and have also continuously guided the society,” PM Modi said while addressing the ‘Saint Mirabai Janmotsav’ programme.

Highlighting Mirabai’s contributions to society, PM Modi said, “Saint Mirabai ji showed the society the path which was most needed at that period. During India’s difficult times, a saint like Mirabai showed that the self-confidence of women has the power to give direction to the whole world.”

He further said that Mirabai’s 525th birth anniversary is not just the birth anniversary of a saint.

“This is a celebration of the entire culture of India, this is a celebration of love-tradition, this festival is also a celebration of the idea of non-difference between Nar and Narayan, Jeeva and Shiva, devotee and God,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that his visit to Mathura is ‘special’ adding that Braj has a unique relation with Gujarat.

“The Kanha of Mathura became Dwarkadheesh after going to Gujarat. Saint Mira Bai who came to Mathura from Rajasthan, spent her last moments in Dwarka. Saint Mira’s worship is incomplete without Vrindavan,” he said.

PM Modi also pledged development for the Braj region, expressing that the area was overlooked post-independence.

“Braj region kept the country safe even in difficult times. But when the country became independent, this holy pilgrimage did not get the importance it should have. Those who wanted to disconnect India from its past, those who were detached from India’s culture and its spiritual identity, who could not give up the mentality of slavery even after independence, also deprived Braj land of development,” he said.

“Today Vishwanath Dham is in front of us in a grand form in Kashi. Today, divinity as well as grandeur can be seen in Mahakal Mahalok of Ujjain. Now, the date of the inauguration of Lord Shri Ram’s temple in Ayodhya is also drawing near. Mathura and Braj will also not be left behind in this race of development,” the Prime Minister added.

Further emphasizing on building a developed India, PM Modi said, “These changes and developments taking place in the Braj region and the country are not just a change in the system. This is a symbol of the changing nature of our nation, its reawakening consciousness.”

“And Mahabharata is proof that, wherever India is reborn, there is definitely the blessings of Shri Krishna behind it. With the strength of that blessing, we will fulfil our resolutions and build a developed India,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Actor and BJP MP from Mathura, Hema Malini, also graced the event held in Mathura today.

During the event, PM Modi released a commemorative stamp and coin in honour of Sant Mirabai. (ANI)

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Gopal Rai Delhi Air Pollution

Stubble Burning In Haryana, UP, Causes Delhi’s Air Pollution: Rai

By LokMarg

Amid the spike in air pollution, Delhi Environment Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said on Sunday that the stubble burning in Punjab does not have as much impact on the national capital as the smoke coming from farm fires in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

The minister said that as per the Centre’s data, cases of stubble burning in Punjab have been reduced.

“Central government figures show that less stubble has been burned in Punjab this year in comparison to last year. Punjab’s stubble smoke does not have as much impact on Delhi as that of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This is because there is no movement in the wind. Only if the wind blows, the smoke of Punjab will reach Delhi. Right now, there is smoke all around Delhi. The smoke of stubble from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is reaching Delhi,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the fourth consecutive day, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘Severe’ category on Sunday.

According to the data issued by SAFAR-India, the air quality in the Lodhi Road area was recorded at 385 (Very Poor) while at Delhi University area stands at 456 (Severe).

ANI drone camera footage from the Qutub Minar area showed a thick layer of haze in the air.

A morning walker in Lodhi Garden complained of difficulty in breathing due to an increase in pollution.

“The situation of pollution is extremely poor. It is difficult to breathe these days. Several people used to come to Lodhi Garden earlier, but now only 10 per cent of people are coming here. Pollution is at its maximum this year,” Manohar Lal said.

Another person, Ajay, said that the pollution is causing a burning sensation in the eyes.

“The situation of pollution is such that we are experiencing a burning sensation in our eyes. The situation was better earlier, but now it is getting worse,” he added.

A similar situation was recorded in Noida, as air quality plunged to the’severe’ category with AQI at 466, as per SAFAR-India.

Gurugram recorded an AQI of 392, keeping the air quality under the ‘Very Poor’ category.

According to doctors, for any healthy person, a recommended AQI should be less than 50, but these days the AQI has spiked beyond 400, which could prove fatal for those suffering from lung-related diseases and even poses a risk of lung cancer.

Amid the rise in pollution, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday sought responses from the Chief Secretaries of the affected states and directed to take immediate remedial action and submit the action taken report before the Tribunal.

NGT in a statement said that immediate action is required for the prevention and control of air pollution in these cities so as to ensure better air quality to the residents.

“In view of the NGT seeks response of Chief Secretaries of the States where the cities AQI has dipped to severe, very poor and poor, are directed to take immediate remedial action and submit action taken report before the Tribunal,” added the statement. (ANI)

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Mayawati

Mayawati To Hold Party Meeting For 2024 Lok Sabha Poll Strategy

By LokMarg

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Sunday called a special meeting of senior leaders and district heads of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to review the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday.

The meeting will be held in Lucknow, where important guidelines regarding the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be given. Sources confirmed that the meeting will start at 11 am.

During the meeting, discussions regarding the strategy to publicize the party’s demand before the Central government to increase the participation of Other Backward Classes and SC-STs in the Women’s Reservation Bill will take place.

Earlier last month, Mayawati had said that leaders of her party are working to strengthen preparation for the Lok Sabha elections due next year.

Taking to her X handle, Mayawati said that after Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, senior leaders of the BSP discussed strengthening the party organisation in Jharkhand and also selected candidates for 14 seats in the state.

“Continuing the series of state-wise meetings by the BSP regarding the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, after UP and Uttarakhand, senior leaders discussed strengthening the party organisation in Jharkhand, increasing the mass base at all levels, and the selection of candidates for 14 seats in the state. An important meeting with office bearers has concluded,” wrote Mayawati on Twitter.

“A call to strengthen the party at every level by putting forward hardworking and honest people in the tribal-dominated Jharkhand state, because the anti-Ambedkarite people are continuously neglected and despised by the anti-Ambedkarite parties,” she added.

Earlier, the BSP chief had asked her party leaders and workers to not depend on alliances and to stand on their own. The development comes as the BSP chief last month announced that the Bahujan Samaj Party would not join any alliance and would fight the elections “single-handedly”.

She also referred to the INDIA parties and NDA as “anti-poor, casteist, communal, and pro-capitalist”.

“BSP, like in 2007, will single-handedly contest the upcoming general elections and four state assemblies by connecting crores of neglected and scattered people of the society on the basis of mutual brotherhood, rather than the jugaad’ and manipulation done by opponents,” she wrote on X.

“The policies of most of the parties in the NDA-India alliance are anti-poor, casteist communal, and pro-Dhanna Seth (capitalist), and the BSP has been contesting elections in the alliance with them. Hence the appeal to the media—no fake news, please,” the BSP head said. (ANI)

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Ayodhya

Modi To Attend Ram Temple’s Consecration in Jan 2024

By LokMarg

As preparations are in full swing for Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishta (consecration) ceremony in Ayodhya, Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das Ji Maharaj on Tuesday asserted that ‘Pran Pratishtha’ will take place on January 22, 2024, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part. 

“From January 15 to 24, there will be an ‘Anushthan’ and the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ will also take place during it. The time of the arrival of the PM is decided. He will come on January 22. ‘Pran Pratishtha’ will also take place on January 22. All are invited and welcome to come. The trust will welcome and respect each and everyone,” Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das Ji Maharaj said. 

When asked about reports of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visiting Ayodhya, Satyendra Das Ji Maharaj said that the grand temple of Lord Ram is ready and the Lord Ram will be installed after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’.

“This information is sent all over the world that more and more people should come and attend it. Whether it is the opposition or the ruling party, whoever comes, each and everyone would be welcomed and respected… Whoever comes with the view of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, would be welcomed and respected,” he added. 

Meanwhile, he further said that Ram Mandir is divine and grand and is being built beautifully. 

“It (Ram Mandir) is divine and grand and is being built beautifully. Especially, the ‘Garbh Grih’ on the ground floor is ready, and carving is underway. Installation of windows and gates is pending,’ he said. 

“The floor is ready. They are trying to build it in a way that no other temple is as beautiful as this one… People would be able to see how it was in the ‘Treta Yug’… It will be on three floors and there will be a dome on the top… The preparations are being well done,” he added.

On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram Temple and since then the construction work of the temple is going on. Union Minister Home Minister Amit Shah had announced that the Ram Temple will be opened for devotees by January 1, next year. (ANI)

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Owaisi to Rahul

Owaisi Challenges Rahul To Contest Elections From Hyderabad

By LokMarg

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday challenged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to contest elections from Hyderabad and not Wayanad in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. 

The AIMIM MP was addressing a public gathering in his parliamentary constituency, Hyderabad. 

Owaisi said that the Babri Masjid, in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, was demolished under the regime of the grand old party. 

“I am challenging your leader (Rahul Gandhi) to contest elections from Hyderabad and not Wayanad. You keep giving big statements, come to the ground, and fight against me. People from Congress will say a lot of things, but I am ready…Babri Masjid and Secretariat’s mosque were demolished under the Congress regime…” he said. 

The Congress and AIMIM are at loggerheads in Telangana as both parties are slugging it out to reach the helm in the upcoming state’s Assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held later this year.  

Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi while speaking at Vijayabheri Sabha in Telangana’s Tukkuguda, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and AIMIM are working in unison in Telangana and that his party fighting against this troika. 

“In Telangana, the Congress party is not fighting against BRS but with BRS, BJP and AIMIM combined. They call themselves different parties but they are working together unitedly,” Rahul Gandhi had said. 

The Wayanad MP had also claimed that there are no CBI-ED cases against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers them his “own people”.

All political parties in the fray are leaving no stone unturned to emerge victorious in the Telangana Assembly polls. The ruling BRS has already announced its list of candidates, while the Congress has announced its “six guarantees” which the party says will be fulfilled if they are voted to power. (ANI)

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House Collapses In Lucknow

Five Of A Family Killed After House Collapses In Lucknow

By LokMarg

At least five people belonging to a family died after a house collapsed in the Anand Naga area of Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, said the police on Saturday. 

According to the police, the incident took place in a Railway colony under the Alambagh police station in Lucknow. 

“We got the information that five people were injured in the house collapse that occurred in the railway colony of the Anand Nagar area under the Alambagh police station area in Lucknow. Later, they were taken to a hospital where they were declared dead by the doctors”, said Upendra Kumar Aggarwal, Joint DCP, Law and Order, Lucknow. 

“The incident took place this morning. The house belonged to a former railway employee who was living with her family”, added the Joint DCP. 

Speaking further, the joint DCP said that the colony was abondoned by the Railways Department and the railway had given the notice to vacate the house. 

However, the reasons behind the collapse have not been ascertained yet.

Meanwhile, the Lucknow District Magistrate also reached the spot and took stock of the situation. 

“The incident is saddening. There were five peopl belonging to a family who were sleeping in the house located in the Railways Colony.  Suddenly, the house collapsed and they died. The officials are present at the spot. We are discussing this with the Railways officials and inspecting the nearby houses too”, said Surpal Gangwar, District Magistrate (DM), Lucknow. 

Further, the DM added that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also taken cognizance of the situation and asked the officials to provide all possible help to the locals. 

“CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the situation and asked the officials to reach the spot and provide all possible help to the locals. Along with this, we are giving notice to the locals to vacate all the damaged houses in the colony”, DM Gangwar added.  

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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