A farmer who borrowed Rs 10,000 was found dead in a private finance firm's office in Nanded. Police have registered a murder and kidnapping case against the firm's owner and two others. The family alleges the farmer was assaulted and then hanged, with the company demanding Rs 70,000 for the original loan.
A farmer was found dead inside a private finance company's office in Nanded, Maharashtra, with his family alleging he was forcibly taken, confined, and assaulted over a disputed loan amount. Police have detained three individuals and registered a case of murder, kidnapping, and wrongful confinement. A similar case of loan recovery harassment has also emerged in the area, prompting the Nanded Superintendent of Police to urge farmers to report such incidents.
A 60-year-old farmer, Ramkhelawan alias Suwalal, was killed in alleged celebratory firing during a traditional Tesu-Jhanjhiya event in a Kanpur village on Monday. Police have arrested Guddu Singh, 28, who allegedly fired the fatal shot while intoxicated, and detained two other suspects. Celebratory firing is prohibited in Uttar Pradesh.
Four farmers in Latur, Maharashtra, suffered an estimated loss of Rs 14 lakh after their harvested soybean stocks were allegedly set on fire by an unidentified person late on Monday night. The incident occurred amidst drought conditions, exacerbating the financial hardship for the farmers who had cultivated the crops with limited water. Police are investigating, and villagers are demanding justice and financial assistance for the affected.
Maharashtra is grappling with an escalating drought crisis, with 305 talukas now declared drought-hit, prompting the state government to announce Rs 5,000 in financial aid for farmers before Diwali and extend comprehensive relief measures.
A 65-year-old farmer, Sitaram Pal, was found murdered with a sharp-edged weapon near his tubewell in Satopit village, Fatehpur. Police have registered a murder case against unidentified persons and formed special teams to investigate the incident.
A 62-year-old farmer from Dakshina Kannada district was digitally arrested and duped of Rs 1.31 crore by cybercriminals impersonating Mumbai police and ATS officers. The fraudsters coerced him into transferring money by falsely claiming he was involved in a terror attack. A case has been registered, and investigation is ongoing.
A 50-year-old farmer in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district was allegedly beaten to death with bricks and stones on Tuesday following a dispute over cutting grass. Three people who intervened were injured, and an angry crowd thrashed one of the accused before police rescued him. One main accused has been taken into custody, while two others are absconding.
A 50-year-old farmer in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district was allegedly beaten to death with bricks and stones on Tuesday following a dispute over cutting grass. Three people who intervened were injured, and an angry crowd thrashed one of the accused before police rescued him. One main accused has been taken into custody, while two others are absconding.
'The drought situation of Maharashtra is more severe than in 1972.'
A court in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of farmer Fatte Khan. The murder stemmed from a dispute related to a village head election, intensifying after another murder in which Fatte Khan was an accused. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs 1.55 lakh on the convicts, with a portion directed to the victim's family.
Salman Khan, a 28-year-old farmer's son from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has won a historic bronze medal in men's double sculls rowing at the Asian Games in Nagoya. This marks India's first-ever podium finish in this event, bringing pride to his hometown and inspiring young athletes.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced the withdrawal of police cases against farmers who protested against the Parandur airport and SIPCOT projects, and against teachers who protested for their rights. The decision, made on humanitarian and democratic grounds, aims to strengthen democratic rights and public trust in the government.
Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha have initiated a week-long protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, demanding a minimum support price (MSP) based on the C2 plus 50 per cent formula, debt waivers, and opposing the proposed India-US trade deal, Electricity Amendment Bill, and Seed Bill. They also raised concerns about water depletion and sought resolutions based on riparian principles.
The Supreme Court has permitted Ashish Mishra, an accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra, to travel to his hometown for Diwali celebrations. The court also emphasised the need for a timely conclusion of the trial, noting that 90 out of 131 witnesses have been examined and a new judge and prosecutor have been appointed.
The Haryana Congress has strongly criticised the BJP government's two-year tenure in the state, alleging widespread misgovernance, unfulfilled election promises, a surge in crime, and rampant corruption. Senior Congress leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja, highlighted issues faced by farmers, traders, and youth, demanding accountability and a white paper on the government's performance.
Thousands of protesters, including farmers, trade unionists, students, and Left party members, marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging 'vote chori' and exclusion of eligible citizens.
'Nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra has been drought-prone on and off, and climate change is making it worse.'
India's Deepthi Jeevanji secured her second consecutive Asian Para Games gold medal in the women's 400m T20 event, setting a new Games record. The 23-year-old athlete, who also holds the Asian record and is a Paralympic bronze winner, overcame a challenging background with support from her parents and Pullela Gopichand.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to continuously monitor Cyclone Arnab's movement, undertake precautionary measures and ensure there was no loss of life or property.
Tamil Nadu is experiencing heavy rainfall due to the active northeast monsoon, leading to severe inundation in Chennai and southern districts, significant waterlogging, and rising water levels in reservoirs. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reviewed preparedness, while the IMD predicts continued moderate to heavy rainfall across the state until October 26, with two low-pressure systems forming. The rains have also impacted agriculture and infrastructure.
Police in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in a multi-crore fraud targeting the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The investigation revealed an inter-district gang, with the arrested including a Common Service Centre operator, a contractual government operator who allegedly leaked official credentials, and a network partner involved in money laundering. Authorities recovered significant evidence and are continuing their probe into the wider network.
'Without that one critical irrigation, the entire crop can be lost.'
A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Arnab, expected to become a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27. It is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on the morning of October 28, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert and take precautions.
A panel supported by Congress MLC Satej Patil has won the election for the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Gokul Dairy), defeating the Mahayuti-backed group led by NCP minister Hasan Mushrif. This victory marks a setback for the ruling Mahayuti alliance in western Maharashtra and gives the Patil-backed panel control of the influential cooperative's board.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) is set to host its inaugural women's conclave in New Delhi, aiming to advocate for increased representation of women farmers in agricultural policymaking. The event will bring together 7,000 women farmers to discuss their significant contributions to farming, livestock, and fisheries, and to push for policy changes, including a shift from MSP to MRP for produce.
Indigenous communities fear that a large reservoir could submerge ancestral land and settlements, disrupt traditional livelihoods and damage forests, wildlife habitats and river ecosystems in a seismically active Himalayan region.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Researchers at IIT Guwahati have conducted a study on how plants' internal plumbing systems respond to drought conditions. Their findings, published in "Applied Physics Reviews journal," reveal that plants narrow their microtubes and pits during water shortages to conserve water and maintain internal balance, offering crucial insights for developing drought-tolerant crops.
Following the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar, a Maharashtra village, Dhondalgaon, recalls how his NAAM Foundation funded a water conservation project ten years ago, transforming it from a drought-prone area to a 'tanker-free' and economically thriving community. The project, which involved desilting barrages, boosted agriculture and dairy farming, and eliminated farmer suicides.
Built during the reign of Pallava King Dantivarman, the well features four-way steps that form a swastika pattern for easy access to water.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested that Ukraine should elect a "new President" capable of negotiating a deal to end the conflict with Russia, while warning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy against targeting Russian oil refineries, a day after announcing a diesel fuel supply agreement with Moscow.
Security has been intensified at the Noida-Delhi borders ahead of a major protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi on Saturday, demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. Police and BSF personnel are deployed, conducting checks, and placing barriers. Commuters from Noida and Greater Noida are concerned about potential traffic disruptions, though Noida Metro services are confirmed to run as usual. Some activists allege house arrest.
The Maharashtra government has declared 265 out of 358 talukas as drought-affected, covering 74% of the state, due to significant rainfall deficit. This declaration activates 'Trigger-1' of the state's drought management framework, leading to the announcement of various relief measures for farmers and residents, including loan restructuring, revenue concessions, and provisions for water and fodder.
The Supreme Court has directed the Allahabad High Court chief justice to promptly address allegations against the presiding officer of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, who is accused of transferring cases to himself and acquitting defendants. The apex court also urged the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint a new public prosecutor for the high-profile trial.
The owner of a medical store, Ashwani Kumar, accused of fatally shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa, has been arrested from Rajasthan. Following his arrest, angry mobs set his medical store ablaze and authorities razed a portion of his house, while Jhota's father has called for a statewide bandh on October 15.
France is preparing for fresh demonstrations on October 24 with a "massive" police deployment and extended curfews, following days of violent unrest. The protests, initially sparked by school conditions, have broadened into a nationwide campaign against rising living costs and declining public services, leading to over 2,500 arrests and significant damage.
Accept the right to peaceful assembly; reverse the injustice done to crores of voters; punish the man responsible, points out Aakar Patel.
Olympique de Marseille and Lille, two prominent French football clubs, reported that their official stores were looted during the widespread weekend unrest across France, which saw thousands arrested and significant property damage.
'...He would have hated to be ill or to be hospitalised.'
