Category: National

Categories
India Just in Karnataka Kerala latest news National News Tamil Nadu Tamilnadu

NIA raids against ISIS across TN, Kerala, Karnataka in blast cases

nia raids
nia raids

In a major crackdown against ISIS sympathizers, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) early Wednesday morning started raids at multiple locations across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in two separate blast cases under investigation, sources said.

According to sources in the elite anti-terror probe agency, the searches are being conducted in connection with last year’s blasts in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore and Karnataka’s Mangaluru which occurred on October 23, 2022, and November 19, 2022, respectively.

Sources said that nearly five dozen locations across the three states were raided simultaneously, including those Kodungaiyur in Tamil Nadu and Mannadi in Kerala. The NIA began a probe on October 27 last year in a bomb blast in a car laden with explosives in front of Kottai Eswaran Temple of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu on October 23, last year.

Eleven accused persons were arrested earlier by the anti-terror agency in the case in which Tamil Nadu Police initially registered a complaint on October 23 last year.

The deceased accused, Jamesha Mubeen, after swearing bayath (allegiance) to ISIS was planning to carry out a suicide attack and cause extensive damage to the Temple Complex with the intention to strike terror in the community, said the NIA in a statement. “Investigations have revealed that the accused persons had entered into a criminal conspiracy in the interior of forested regions of Asanoor and Kadambur areas of Sathyamangalam forest, Erode district, in February, 2022,” the NIA stated.

“The meetings were led by previously arrested accused Umar Farook and participated by deceased accused Jamesha Mubeen, Mohammed Azharudin, Sheikh Hidayatullah and Sanofar Ali, where they conspired to prepare for and execute terror acts,” it added.

In December last year, the NIA took over the investigation into the November 19 pressure cooker blast in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru wherein a passenger, identified as Mohammed Shariq, was carrying a pressure cooker bomb made from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The auto-rickshaw exploded leading to injuries to the passenger, Mohammed Shariq, who was carrying a pressure cooker turned into an IED, and the auto-rickshaw driver Purushottam Poojari.

The cooker bomb was designed to carry out a large-scale attack to fuel communal tensions in the coastal region and in the state, the agency said. Shariq was en-route to a pre-decided location for carrying out the blast when the explosion took place.

The NIA started its investigation under the provision of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the investigating officers then questioned the main accused Shariq, as the state police found his links with the Islamic State (IS) during its investigation. It also learned that he had radicalized his schoolmates, Syed Yasin and Muneer Ahmed, and introduced them to IS as well.

Together, the three of them had experimented and rehearsed the explosion on the banks of the Tunga river in the Shivamogga district, sources said, adding that the practice explosion was also reportedly successful. Further, according to sources, the main accused, Shariq, had a handler who was orchestrating and instructing him regarding all these activities.

Categories
International National News Politics Politics

Pulwama Terror Attack: A Tragic Reminder

The Pulwama attack, which took place on February 14, 2019, was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent years in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. The attack was carried out by a member of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), who drove a car filled with explosives into a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, resulting in the deaths of 40 soldiers.

The Pulwama attack was a shocking and tragic event that sparked widespread outrage in India and raised concerns about the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region. JeM claimed responsibility for the attack, and India accused Pakistan of supporting and sheltering the group.

In response to the attack, India launched airstrikes against JeM targets in Pakistan, escalating tensions between the two countries. Pakistan condemned the violence and denied involvement in the attack, but India maintained that Pakistan was responsible for supporting terrorist groups.

The Pulwama attack also highlighted the role of social media in spreading extremist ideologies and facilitating the recruitment of terrorists. The attacker reportedly had been radicalized through online content, underscoring the need for greater vigilance and regulation of online platforms.

The attack led to calls for greater cooperation and coordination among international and regional actors to address the threat of terrorism. It also highlighted the importance of sustained efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, as well as the need for unity and shared commitment to peace and security in the face of such threats.

The Pulwama attack was a tragic event that had a significant impact on India and the region. It underscored the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for sustained efforts to prevent and combat it. The attack also highlighted the role of social media in facilitating extremist ideologies and recruitment. It is imperative that international and regional actors work together to address this threat and ensure the safety and security of all people in the region.

Categories
Breaking News International National News

LTTE leader Prabhakaran is alive and healthy will return soon

Talking to media persons in Mullivaikkal Memorial in Thanjavur Nedumaran said that the international situation and the powerful insurgency by Sinhalese people which vanquished the Rajapakshe regime in Sri Lanka have made this the right moment for Prabakaran to come out.

He said this announcement will put to rest what he claimed as speculations and doubts spread in a motivated manner. Nedumaran called upon the Eelam Tamils and Tamils the world over to remain united in rendering full support to Prabhakaran. He also called upon the Government of Tamil Nadu, parties and the public in Tamil Nadu to stand by Prabhakaran.

Responding to a question, Nedumaran said he was in touch with the family members of Prabhakaran, who conveyed his well-being. He also claimed he is announcing the proposed coming out of Prabhakaran with the consent of the LTTE leader.

To another question about the whereabouts of Prabhakaran, Nedumaran said he is also as curious as others about Prabhakaran’s whereabouts and the time of his coming out. Kasi Anandhan, poet of Tamil Eelam was present.

The death of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), marks the end of one of the longest and most brutal civil wars in recent history. The LTTE, commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, was a separatist militant organization that fought for an independent Tamil state in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The group was responsible for numerous acts of terrorism, including suicide bombings and the assassinations of high-profile politicians.

Prabhakaran, who was born on November 26, 1954, founded the LTTE in the early 1970s. He led the group for more than three decades, during which time it became one of the most feared and well-equipped insurgent forces in the world. Prabhakaran was known for his ruthless tactics, including the use of suicide bombers and the forced conscription of child soldiers.

The Sri Lankan government, with the support of the international community, launched a military offensive against the LTTE in 2006, and after years of intense fighting, the group was finally defeated in 2009. Prabhakaran was killed in the final stages of the conflict, on May 18, 2009, along with a number of his top lieutenants.

The Sri Lankan military claimed that Prabhakaran was killed while attempting to escape the battle zone in an ambulance, while some sources suggested that he may have committed suicide to avoid capture. Regardless of the exact circumstances of his death, it was widely celebrated by the Sri Lankan government and many of its citizens as the end of a long and bloody chapter in their history.

The death of Prabhakaran was seen as a major turning point for Sri Lanka and a step towards reconciliation and healing. The country has made significant progress in the years since the end of the conflict, with the government taking steps to address the grievances of the Tamil community and to rebuild the areas affected by the war.

However, Prabhakaran’s legacy continues to be a source of controversy. While many Sri Lankans view him as a terrorist responsible for countless deaths and acts of violence, others see him as a hero who fought for the rights of the Tamil people. The debate over his legacy is likely to continue for many years to come.

Death of Velupillai Prabhakaran marks the end of one of the most brutal civil wars in recent history and a turning point for Sri Lanka. While his legacy remains a source of controversy, it is important to remember the lessons of the conflict and to work towards reconciliation and healing for all communities in Sri Lanka.

Categories
Entertainment Entertainment National

“The Thrilling and Action-Packed “Pathan”: A Must-Watch Film Review”

“Pathan” is an exceptional film that showcases Shah Rukh Khan’s remarkable acting skills and the director’s remarkable vision. The movie’s plot is gripping and fast-paced, making it a thrilling and enjoyable experience for audiences.

The film opens with a high-octane action sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the intensity of the scene and the emotion of the characters. The film’s special effects are top-notch, bringing to life the imaginative world created by the filmmakers.

Shah Rukh Khan plays the lead role of Pathan, a charismatic and determined character who is on a mission to uncover the truth behind a sinister plot. He brings a sense of intensity and vulnerability to the role, making the audience care deeply about his journey. The supporting cast also delivers excellent performances, adding depth and nuance to the story.

One of the highlights of the film is the action sequences, which are expertly choreographed and executed. They are both intense and visually stunning, making the audience feel like they are right in the middle of the action. The film’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, adding to the tension and excitement of the scenes.

The film’s story is engaging and thought-provoking, keeping audiences hooked from beginning to end. The filmmakers have managed to craft a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, exploring themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for truth. The film’s dialogue is sharp and insightful, adding to the film’s overall appeal.

The film’s box office collection is a testament to its popularity and widespread appeal. Audiences have been raving about the film, praising its action sequences, performances, and story. It has become one of the highest-grossing films of the year and is a must-watch for fans of action movies.

“Pathan” is a triumph of filmmaking and a testament to the talent of the filmmakers and actors involved. It is an action-packed, emotionally charged film that will leave audiences breathless. The film’s popularity and box office success are well-deserved and are a testament to its quality and appeal. If you’re looking for a thrilling and entertaining film experience, “Pathan” is the movie for you.

Categories
Breaking News India National Politics Politics States Tamil Nadu Tamilnadu

DMK MP T R Baalu writes letter to party MPs aiming to remove TN Governor

DMK office

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and Lok Sabha MP representing Sriperumbudur constituency near Chennai T R Baalu on Tuesday wrote a letter to ‘all the like-minded MPs’ urging them to back a proposal seeking removal of the Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi. “The proposal is to be addressed to President Droupadi Murmu following the gathering of MPs at the Anna Arivalaiyam headquarters and signing of MPs,” the letter stated.

“Members of Parliament belonging to DMK and like-minded political parties are requested to kindly visit Anna Arivalaiyam Headquarters to read and sign in a memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble President of India, pertaining to the immediate withdrawal of the Governor of Tamil Nadu.

People of Tamil Nadu had witnessed clashes between the DMK party leaders and Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi earlier too. In April, DMK Party leaders registered protests against Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for not sending the NEET Exemption Bill to the President after being passed twice in the state Assembly. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its allies boycotted a get-together party called by the Governor on the occasion of Tamil New Year day.

Earlier, RN Ravi expressed serious concern over the delay of four days in handing over the Coimbatore blast case to NIA and the possible destruction of crucial evidence in a high-profile terror plot.

Categories
Featured Headlines National News States Tamilnadu

Madurai High court canceled Vanniyar’s 10.5% reservation

Madurai High court

Tamil Nadu Government on 26th February passed the bill for a 10.5 percent internal quota for Vanniyar Community in the Most Backward Class category. Edappadi Palaniswami, who was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, read a statement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on February 26 when the election was announced. The statement, “Demands have been received from the Vanniya Kula Chhatriyas for individual reservation in educational institutions and government appointments. Tamil Nadu Backward Commission Chairman We examined the requests made by various communities to provide internal reservations for various sections of the Most Backward, Seer Marabinar.

The judges who passed the order, in this case, today said, “Reservation should be given only after proper caste-wise survey, how can the reservation be given without proper survey?”, This law has been passed in haste considering the assembly elections against the constitution. Does the state government have the authority to enact this?’ The judges also questioned.

Also, ‘Can the reservation be given on the basis of caste? We raised six questions including whether reservation can be granted without proper data. The explanation given by the government is not sufficient. Therefore, the reservation for the Vanniyar community is invalid’.

Categories
Featured India International Just in latest news National News Tech Technology

WhatsApp is down in several parts of the world

Whatsapp down

Many users have raised issues on Twitter and members of the India Today Tech team are also unable to use WhatsApp. Meta says it is working on the issue. Most users could open the app but were not able to send messages and media files. Naturally, users aren’t able to use other services, such as WhatsApp audio and video call.

As per the outage tracker, Downdetector, many users started facing issues with the WhatsApp mobile app and web at around 12:30 PM today, October 25. At the time of writing this article, over 2,000 users reported issues with the app on the website. Downdetector also points out that 69 percent of users are facing issues with sending messages, while 21 percent of users are facing server connection-related problems. Around 9 percent of users face other unknown issues with the smartphone app.

WhatsApp Web also appears to be affected by the outage, and we can confirm that the app’s web client is also unable to connect to the WhatsApp servers, suggesting a server-level outage, and not one that only affects the Android and iOS apps. Anyone trying to use WhatsApp Web will be greeted with an error message like the one seen below.

WhatsApp has acknowledged the issue. “We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble sending messages and we’re working to restore WhatsApp for everyone as quickly as possible,” a Meta spokesperson said.
It is not clear what has caused the disruption. There is no statement on WhatsApp or parent company Meta’s (erstwhile Facebook) official Twitter account.

Categories
National News States Tamilnadu

Centre will continue to support farmers to promote coconut cultivation

Narendra Singh Tomar

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the Centre will continue to provide all possible assistance to the farmers in the coastal states to promote coconut cultivation in the country. The efforts made in the field of research and development in the last few years have resulted in the development of new technologies in the field of farming and processing and further improved the available technologies.

With the increase in the number of coconut-based industries in the country, new products, and many employment opportunities are also increasing in the market. Tomar was addressing the Coconut Community Farmers’ Conference in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. He further said that he is happy to be among the coconut farmers, and he congratulated the Coconut Development Board and Sugarcane Breeding Institute for their initiatives toward the prosperity of the coconut growers community. He said that the agriculture sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, so it is the responsibility of the Central and State governments to strengthen it, promote it and ensure profitable farming for the farmers.

The contribution of coconut cultivation to the agricultural economy is very important. India is a leader in coconut cultivation and among the world’s three largest producers. Tamil Nadu contributes 21 percent of the area under coconut in the country and 26 percent of the production. Tamil Nadu ranks first in coconut processing activities and Coimbatore is first in terms of area under coconut cultivation, with an area of ​​88,467 hectares under coconut cultivation. Shri Tomar said that the farmers are making significant contributions to the development of the coconut sector and increasing the agricultural economy. Coconut Development Board is forming a three-tier farmer group by integrating small and marginal farmers.

Presently there are 697 Coconut Growers Societies, 73 Coconut Growers Federations, and 19 Coconut Producing Companies in the State. Support has been given to set up 537 new processing units in India with a processing capacity of 3,638 million coconuts per year. This success has been achieved through the Mission Programme implemented by the Coconut Development Board in the country. Out of these, 136 units are from Tamil Nadu, which is creating employment opportunities and also helping improve the financial condition of the farmers.

Tomar said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken many steps for the betterment of the agriculture sector in the last 8 years. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), more than Rs 2 lakh crore has been deposited in the accounts of about 11.50 crore farmers. In lieu of damage to crops due to natural calamities in last 6 years, a claim amount of more than Rs.1.22 lakh crore has been deposited in the accounts of the farmers through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Earlier, there was a provision of Rs 5,000 crore under the micro irrigation scheme, which has been increased to Rs 10,000 crore.

70 lakh hectare farming area has been brought under micro-irrigation. Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, earlier crop loans were given to farmers only up to five to six lakh crore rupees only, which has been increased by the Prime Minister to about Rs. 18-and-a-half lakh crores. To improve the infrastructure in each and every village, a provision of Rs. one lakh crore Agri Infra Fund has been made. Farmers, groups of farmers, FPOs, PACS, and Krishi Upaj Mandis all can use this to develop warehouses, cold storage, or infrastructure as per requirement in villages. The government is trying to make farmers grow remunerative crops, setting up processing units through FPOs, for which arrangements for loans and subsidies have also been made.

He added that the schemes of the Central Government are for the prosperity of the farmers and to bring happiness in their lives. He assured that the farmers should submit the projects in collaboration with the State Government, the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi is standing with farmers and matching step by step for the development of the farmers.

Categories
Breaking News Headlines India Just in latest news National News Politics Politics

CNG And Cooking Gas Hiked By 40% To Record Levels

Natural gas prices hiked 40%; CNG

The rate paid for gas produced from old fields, which make up for about two-thirds of all gas produced in the country, was hiked to USD 8.57 per million British thermal units from the current $6.1, according to an order from the oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).

Simultaneously, the price of gas from difficult and newer fields like the ones in Reliance Industries Ltd and its partner bp plc operated deepsea D6 block in the KG basin, was hiked to USD 12.6 per mmBtu from $9.92, the order said. These are the highest rates for administered/regulated fields (like ONGC’s Bassein field off the Mumbai coast) and free-market areas (such as the KG basin). Also, this will be the third increase in rates since April 2019 and comes on the back of firming benchmark international prices.

Gas is an input for making fertilizer as well as generating electricity. It is also converted into CNG and piped to household kitchens for cooking purposes. A steep increase in prices is likely to reflect in higher rates for CNG and piped natural gas (PNG), which has in the last one year risen by over 70 percent. The government sets the price of gas every six months — on April 1 and October 1 — each year based on rates prevalent in gas surplus nations such as the US, Canada, and Russia in one year with a lag of one quarter.

So, the price for October 1 to March 31 is based on the average price from July 2021 to June 2022. This is the period when global rates shot through the roof. As higher gas prices can potentially further fuel inflation, which has been stubbornly above the RBI’s comfort zone for the past eight months, the government has set up a committee to review the pricing formula. The committee, under former planning commission member Kirit S Parikh, has been asked to suggest a “fair price to the end-consumer” by September-end but the report is delayed.

The government had in 2014 used prices in gas surplus countries to arrive at a formula for locally produced gas.
The rates according to this formula were subdued and at times lower than the cost of production till March 2022 but rose sharply thereafter, reflecting the surge in global rates in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The price of gas from old fields, which are predominantly of state-owned producers like ONGC and Oil India Ltd, was more than doubled to $6.1 per mmBtu from April 1. Similarly, the rates paid for gas from difficult fields such as deepsea KG-D6 of Reliance went up to USD 9.92 per mmBtu from April 1 against $6.13 per mmBtu.
The panel has been asked to recommend a fair price to end-consumers and also suggest a “market-oriented, transparent and reliable pricing regime for India’s long-term vision for ensuring a gas-based economy,” according to an oil ministry order.

The government wants to more than double the share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15 percent by 2030 from the current 6.7 percent. The volume-weighted average of the price prevalent in a 12-month period in US-based Henry Hub, Canada-based Alberta gas, UK-based NBP, and Russia gas are used to fix prices for administered fields of ONGC and Oil India Ltd.

For difficult fields like discoveries in deepwater, ultra-deepwater, and high pressure-high temperature areas, a slightly modified formula is used by incorporating the price of LNG, which too had shot through the roof in 2021. Reliance-bp operated KG fields are classified as difficult fields.

Sources said the increase in gas prices is likely to result in a rise in CNG and piped cooking gas rates in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. It will also lead to a rise in the cost of generating electricity but consumers may not feel any major pinch as the share of power produced from gas is very low. Similarly, the cost of producing fertilizer will also go up but as the government subsidizes the crop nutrient, an increase in rates is unlikely. For producers, it will bring in higher revenues.

Categories
Events Featured Headlines India National News Politics Politics States Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu Government Denies permission for RSS Rally

RSS planned to Conduct in Tamil Nadu over 50 places in Tamil Nadu on October 2nd, 2022 Gandhi Jayanthi. Tamil Nadu Police department immediately rejected the permission for the Rally. Tamil Nadu Police Department instructed several norms and rules to follow during the rally and dismissed the plea.

The members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had moved the Madras High Court seeking permission to conduct a procession (Route March) wearing their uniform and led by a musical band on 2nd October 2022 and conduct a public meeting after that.

The bench of Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan directed the authorities to grant permission before the 28th of September. The exact order is awaited on 28th September.

VCK Chief Thirumavalavan invited all other parties for a Social rally on the same day. Major parties joined hands with Thirumavalavan. On the 29th of September, The Tamil Nadu government Canceled all Political gatherings and rallies in Tamil Nadu on 2nd October.

Exit mobile version