News for 'district'

SIR row: Centre gives Y-plus security to Bengal CEO after threat

SIR row: Centre gives Y-plus security to Bengal CEO after threat

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The central government has provided armed security to West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer following potential threats related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

'Only secular': Bengali singer harassed for singing 'Jago Maa'

'Only secular': Bengali singer harassed for singing 'Jago Maa'

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Popular Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty alleges harassment during a musical program at a private school in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district. One of the event organizers has been arrested following her complaint.

'India-Bangladesh ties under Khaleda Zia complex and strained'

'India-Bangladesh ties under Khaleda Zia complex and strained'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Former Indian envoys reflect on the life and legacy of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, highlighting her role in restoring democracy and the complex relationship between India and Bangladesh during her tenures.

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were underway in West Bengal, focusing on 'unmapped' voters who are unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll. Many people are being asked to prove their citizenship.

Centre proposes allowing captive miners to sell surplus mineral output

Centre proposes allowing captive miners to sell surplus mineral output

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

The Centre has proposed allowing captive mine owners to sell minerals in the open market after meeting the requirement of their linked end-use plants, as part of a broader overhaul of mineral concession rules aimed at easing operational restrictions and encouraging deeper mineral exploration.

Criminal wanted in 100+ cases comes home to fill SIR form, arrested

Criminal wanted in 100+ cases comes home to fill SIR form, arrested

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

A notorious criminal with over 100 offenses, including murder, was arrested in Indore while attempting to register to vote. Abdul Rashid, also known as Talwar Singh, was wanted in multiple cases in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Sculptor Ram Sutar, Statue of Unity designer, dies at 100

Sculptor Ram Sutar, Statue of Unity designer, dies at 100

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements.

Goa nightclub fire: Kazakh dancer performed without business visa

Goa nightclub fire: Kazakh dancer performed without business visa

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

A video was earlier circulated on social media showing the bursting of electric firecrackers and the blaze appearing from the roof of the nightclub. It shows Kristina, who was performing belly dance, and band members, rushing out in panic as the fire spread rapidly.

How Khaleda Zia rose to dominate Bangladesh's politics

How Khaleda Zia rose to dominate Bangladesh's politics

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a dominant figure in the country's politics, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Her career spanned decades and included periods of both power and controversy.

UP cracks down on illegal cough syrup trade, 75 arrested

UP cracks down on illegal cough syrup trade, 75 arrested

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Uttar Pradesh authorities have registered 74 cases and arrested 75 people in connection with the illegal storage and sale of codeine-based cough syrup. A minister alleges links to the Samajwadi Party and an SIT is investigating.

Modi holds 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' on Brahmaputra cruise

Modi holds 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' on Brahmaputra cruise

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students on a cruise ship on the Brahmaputra River during a 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme on the second day of his Assam visit.

Lawyer who tried to hurl shoe at ex-CJI attacked in court

Lawyer who tried to hurl shoe at ex-CJI attacked in court

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

A lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, who previously attempted to throw a shoe at a former Chief Justice of India, was allegedly attacked inside the Karkardooma district court premises in Delhi. The incident, reportedly stemming from an auto fare dispute, was captured on video and circulated on social media.

Sabarimala gold theft: CM Vijayan questions Sonia Gandhi-Potty meeting

Sabarimala gold theft: CM Vijayan questions Sonia Gandhi-Potty meeting

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has questioned Congress leaders regarding their alleged connections to the accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, dismissing claims of his own involvement and demanding answers about the accused's access to Sonia Gandhi.

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Aravalli definition on hold as SC orders expert review

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has kept in abeyance its previous verdict on the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and proposed a high-powered committee to examine the issue.

MP principal shifted for forcing students to chant 'Allahu Akbar'

MP principal shifted for forcing students to chant 'Allahu Akbar'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The in-charge principal of a government school in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district was removed for allegedly pressuring students to raise the Islamic slogan 'Allahu Akbar' at a 'Gita Jayanti' event.

EC to publish Bengal draft electoral rolls on Tuesday

EC to publish Bengal draft electoral rolls on Tuesday

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Election Commission is set to publish the draft electoral rolls for West Bengal on Tuesday following the completion of the statewide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The publication of the draft rolls will mark the end of the enumeration phase and the beginning of a far more contentious stage - claims, objections and hearings that will stretch into February 2026.

Rape accused AAP MLA Pathanmajra declared proclaimed offender

Rape accused AAP MLA Pathanmajra declared proclaimed offender

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

A court in Patiala declared AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra a proclaimed offender after he failed to appear in a rape case. The court has also directed for a notice to be issued to the investigating officer to place on record the list of properties belonging to Pathanmajra.

24 Elephants Killed By Trains In Assam In 5 Years

24 Elephants Killed By Trains In Assam In 5 Years

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

Among Indian states, Assam tops the list of elephant fatalities caused by train accidents, followed by Odisha, where 16 elephants were killed on railway tracks.

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir impacted tourism, but recovery efforts are underway with government initiatives and events to promote the region and boost MICE tourism.

How security forces capture strategic Maoist strongholds in Bastar

How security forces capture strategic Maoist strongholds in Bastar

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

A security camp has been established in the Naxalite-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh to improve security and facilitate development. The camp, set up by security forces, aims to dominate the area, secure development works, improve coordination with villagers, and intensify anti-Naxal operations.

Sonia Gandhi will look into matter: Govt on Nehru document return

Sonia Gandhi will look into matter: Govt on Nehru document return

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has requested Sonia Gandhi to return Jawaharlal Nehru's documents to the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library, emphasizing their national significance. He also addressed the Aravalli Hills controversy and the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission.

9 killed, 23 injured as bus falls off road in Andhra

9 killed, 23 injured as bus falls off road in Andhra

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

They said the bus, which was headed to neighbouring Telangana from Chittoor, was carrying 37 people, including the driver and the cleaner. Six of them are safe.

US Vice President Vance defends wife Usha against ethnic slurs

US Vice President Vance defends wife Usha against ethnic slurs

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

US Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticized commentators for making derogatory remarks about his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, following racist comments from a right-wing podcaster.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's former first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.

Suspect in Punjab kabaddi player's murder killed in encounter

Suspect in Punjab kabaddi player's murder killed in encounter

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

A suspect in the murder of a 30-year-old kabaddi player in Mohali was shot dead by police in an encounter. The suspect, Harpinder alias Middu, was involved in multiple crimes and had a serious criminal background.

Bihar minister seeks to defuse veil row, says NDA stands for Matri Shakti

Bihar minister seeks to defuse veil row, says NDA stands for Matri Shakti

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey addresses the controversy surrounding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing a female doctor's veil, stating he is unaware of reports that she refused to join duty following the incident. A Congress leader has filed a complaint against Kumar and another minister.

Pak raises concerns over Chenab River flow, writes to India

Pak raises concerns over Chenab River flow, writes to India

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Pakistan has voiced concerns over the alleged variations in the flow of the Chenab River and has written a letter to India seeking clarification. They also commented on an incident in Bihar involving the removal of a Muslim woman's veil.

Ganga, Yamuna overflow in UP; 13 districts flooded

Ganga, Yamuna overflow in UP; 13 districts flooded

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Incessant rainfall in Uttar Pradesh has caused floods in 13 districts, with major rivers like Ganga and Yamuna exceeding danger levels. Varanasi, Prayagraj, and other cities are severely affected, leading to displacement and disruption of daily life.

Ram Janmabhoomi leader and BJP ex-MP Ram Vilas Vedanti dies at 67

Ram Janmabhoomi leader and BJP ex-MP Ram Vilas Vedanti dies at 67

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Ram Vilas Vedanti, a prominent leader in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and former Bharatiya Janata Party MP, died of a heart attack at the age of 67 in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. His last rites will be performed in Ayodhya.

HC sets aside Sabarimala airport land acquisition process

HC sets aside Sabarimala airport land acquisition process

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

The Kerala high court has set aside crucial stages of the land acquisition process for the proposed Sabarimala greenfield airport, holding that the state failed to properly assess the minimum land actually required for the project.

AI Steps In To Avert Elephant Tragedies

AI Steps In To Avert Elephant Tragedies

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

When elephants are identified close to or on the tracks, real-time alerts are sent to locomotive pilots, station masters and control rooms, allowing trains to slow down or stop in time.

Assam Bans Jihadi Digital Content

Assam Bans Jihadi Digital Content

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Officials said the digital ban was intended to disrupt ideological channels that facilitate cross-border radicalisation, particularly in areas where socio-economic vulnerabilities are exploited by extremist networks.

6 killed as car falls into 600-foot deep gorge in Maha's Nashik

6 killed as car falls into 600-foot deep gorge in Maha's Nashik

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

The incident took place at 4pm and the deceased are from Pimpalgaon Baswant in Niphad taluka, the official added.

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The first phase of polling for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra was disrupted by violence and allegations of bogus voting. Clashes occurred between supporters of ruling allies BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena. The Bombay High Court directed the SEC to postpone the counting of votes.

Security stepped up in UP districts bordering Nepal after protests

Security stepped up in UP districts bordering Nepal after protests

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Security has been increased in Uttar Pradesh districts bordering Nepal following violent protests in Nepal over a ban on social media. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have increased patrols and surveillance.

The New Study Abroad Hotspot For Indian Students...

The New Study Abroad Hotspot For Indian Students...

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

MEA data show that the number of Indian students in the UAE in 2025 was 253,832, just behind the United States with 255,447 students, and Canada being on top at 427,085.

Deaf-mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual predator

Deaf-mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual predator

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

According to the police, the survivor, a resident of Mumbai's western suburbs, communicated in sign language during a video call with her friends and colleagues, who were part of a WhatsApp group, that the accused had drugged and raped her when she was a minor.

Coal mine protest turns violent in Chhattisgarh, 30 cops injured

Coal mine protest turns violent in Chhattisgarh, 30 cops injured

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

Villagers protesting against the expansion of a coal mine clashed with police in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, resulting in injuries on both sides. The protest stems from opposition to the Amera extension coal project of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), despite the land acquisition process being completed in 2016.

Convicted Maha minister Kokate moves HC as arrest warrant looms

Convicted Maha minister Kokate moves HC as arrest warrant looms

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate challenges his conviction in a 1995 cheating and forgery case, facing potential loss of his cabinet post and assembly seat.

Teen's death on basketball court: 'Unknown persons' booked

Teen's death on basketball court: 'Unknown persons' booked

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Haryana Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against unknown persons based on a complaint lodged by the family of a teenage basketball player, who died after the iron pole of a basketball hoop fell on him during practice in Rohtak district last month, an official said on Sunday.