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Top Maoist Leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao Surrenders with 60 Cadres in Maharashtra, Calls for Peace Talks

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Top Maoist Leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao Surrenders with 60 Cadres in Maharashtra, Calls for Peace Talks 2

In a major blow to Left-Wing Extremism, senior CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Sonu, surrendered along with 60 Maoist cadres at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters in Maharashtra, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The surrender marks a turning point in ongoing efforts to restore peace and end decades of violence in Maoist-affected regions. Rao, one of the top leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist), laid down arms on Tuesday and expressed readiness to engage in formal peace talks with the government. He urged the Centre to allow a one-month ceasefire to facilitate consultations with party cadres across multiple states and prisons.

“I am laying down weapons and will now be part of movements working for the oppressed in India,” Rao stated. “Since March 2025, our party has sought dialogue with the government. A ceasefire proposal was made in May, but there was no official response. Instead, the intensity of operations was increased.”

Rao said his decision followed a peace appeal made earlier this year by CPI (Maoist) Chief Secretary Basavraju, who was later killed in a security operation in May. “We are not abandoning that call. Despite our losses, we have chosen the path of peace,” he emphasized.

Appealing for a one-month halt in security operations, Rao said, “We are ready to hold discussions via video conferencing if required. Leftist organisations and sympathisers may also send their views, which we will consider.”

The surrender comes amid intensified operations by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state police forces targeting Maoist strongholds across central and eastern India. In September, Rao had hinted at his willingness to surrender — a move reportedly supported by cadres in Chhattisgarh and other Naxal-affected areas.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently said India would be free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026, while addressing the valedictory session of ‘Bharat Manthan-2025: Naxal Mukt Bharat – Ending Red Terror Under Modi’s Leadership’ in New Delhi.

“Figures show that more are choosing surrender and rehabilitation over violence, reflecting a significant ideological shift. For those who lay down their arms, there is a red carpet — but it is the government’s duty to protect innocent tribals from Naxalite violence,” Shah said.

The surrender of Mallojula Venugopal Rao, one of the most influential figures in the Maoist hierarchy, is expected to encourage more militants to join the mainstream and could mark a decisive step toward ending the decades-long insurgency.

India Re-Elected Unopposed to UN Human Rights Council for Seventh Term

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India Re-Elected Unopposed to UN Human Rights Council for Seventh Term 4

India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the seventh time, securing a three-year term starting in 2026.

Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, announced the victory on X, saying the election “reflects India’s unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.” He added that India looks forward to advancing these ideals during its tenure.

In its nomination statement, India emphasised that its candidature represents “a dedication to promoting global human rights, fostering dialogue, and bridging divides for collective progress.” The statement also underscored India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “The world is one family” — as a guiding principle for promoting global unity and mutual respect.

India highlighted that its Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens and enshrines the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality.

The Geneva-based 47-member Human Rights Council serves as the UN’s primary body for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. It reviews human rights situations in member states and provides a platform for international dialogue on key issues.

Seats on the Council are allocated regionally, with 17 reserved for Asia-Pacific nations. This year, four seats were up for election. Although India was unopposed, it received 177 of the 188 votes cast in a proforma election, reaffirming its strong international support.

India last served on the UNHRC in 2024, completing two consecutive terms. After a mandatory one-year break, it will now begin a new term next year.

The other 13 countries elected to the Council include Angola, Britain, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, Slovenia, South Africa, and Vietnam.

India reaffirmed its intent to bridge divisions within the UN system, which it said has become increasingly polarised, and pledged to continue working for consensus-based progress in human rights governance.

Rajasthan Tragedy: 20 Dead in Jaisalmer Bus Fire, PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

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Rajasthan Tragedy: 20 Dead in Jaisalmer Bus Fire, PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia 6

At least 20 people were killed and several others injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Tuesday.

Officials said the fire erupted when smoke was noticed emerging from the rear section of the moving bus, which had departed from Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. “The moving bus burst into flames. Casualties have been reported, and the injured have been rushed to the hospital. Rescue operations are ongoing,” said Jaisalmer Additional SP Kailash Dhan.

Local villagers and passersby rushed to help passengers before fire and police teams arrived at the site. Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash Paswan confirmed that 16 injured passengers were taken to Jodhpur for treatment — 15 to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital and one to Shri Ram Hospital.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, posting on X that the loss of lives in the Jaisalmer bus fire was “deeply saddening.” She extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief and announced financial aid for the victims. In a statement, the Prime Minister said, “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.” The Prime Minister’s Office announced that ₹2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the accident site and met officials supervising the rescue operation. He termed the incident “extremely heart-wrenching” and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.

“The state government stands firmly with the families of the victims and will provide every possible assistance,” he said in a post on X.

The district administrations of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer have issued helpline numbers for families seeking information about their relatives. Authorities have also requested public assistance in identifying victims of the KK Travels bus (RJ 09 PA 8040). DNA samples are being collected from close relatives of the deceased at Cottages 4 and 5 of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur and at the Trauma Centre of Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer.

EC Orders Crackdown on Money Power, Freebies Ahead of Bihar Elections

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EC Orders Crackdown on Money Power, Freebies Ahead of Bihar Elections 8

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued strict directives to all enforcement agencies to curb the use of money power, freebies, and illicit substances during the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and bye-elections in eight constituencies.

Expenditure Observers have been deployed across all constituencies to closely monitor the candidates’ spending since the election schedule was announced on October 6. These observers are coordinating with field teams to ensure transparency and adherence to expenditure rules.

Flying Squads, Surveillance Teams, and Video Surveillance Teams have been ordered to maintain round-the-clock vigilance to detect and prevent any attempts to influence voters through cash or inducements. To strengthen enforcement, the ECI has activated the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), an online platform for real-time reporting of seizures and interceptions during the election period.

Since the announcement of the polls, enforcement agencies have seized ₹33.97 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and other illegal inducements. The ECI emphasized that while strict action is being taken, ordinary citizens must not face undue inconvenience or harassment during inspections.

The Commission also urged voters to use the C-Vigil App to report any violations or suspicious activities, ensuring that citizens play an active role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.

Rupee Slips 9 Paise to 88.77 Against US Dollar Amid Global Risk-Off Mood

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Image: PTI

The Indian rupee depreciated 9 paise to 88.77 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, weighed down by the greenback’s strength in overseas markets and persistent foreign fund outflows.

Forex traders said that optimism around the ongoing India-US trade talks failed to support the domestic currency as a global risk-off sentiment dominated investor mood. They added that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is closely monitoring the USDINR pair as it edges toward the 88.80 level.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 88.73 and slipped to 88.77 against the greenback, down 9 paise from its previous close of 88.68.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, was slightly lower by 0.07% at 99.19. Brent crude futures rose 0.36% to USD 63.55 per barrel.

Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said, “Trade tariffs are the only point of concern for now. The rupee’s cautious movement near key technical levels like 88.80 and 88.50 suggests a finely balanced market. RBI actions and global trade developments will determine USDINR’s direction.”

A team of senior Indian officials is in the US this week to advance talks on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with both sides aiming to conclude the first phase by the fall of 2025. So far, five rounds of negotiations have been completed.

On the domestic front, equity markets opened higher, with the Sensex climbing 246.32 points to 82,573.37 and the Nifty rising 83 points to 25,310.35. However, Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth ₹240.10 crore on Monday, exchange data showed.

LG Electronics India Shines on Dalal Street: Shares Soar Over 50% on Market Debut

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LG Electronics India Shines on Dalal Street: Shares Soar Over 50% on Market Debut 11

LG Electronics India Ltd made a spectacular debut on the stock market on Tuesday, with its shares listing at a premium of over 50% against the issue price of ₹1,140 per share.

On the BSE, the stock opened at ₹1,715, a 50.43% jump, and later surged further to ₹1,736.40, marking a gain of 52.31%. On the NSE, it debuted at ₹1,710.10, reflecting a solid 50% premium. With this impressive start, the company’s market capitalization touched ₹1,12,380.95 crore during morning trade.

The ₹11,607-crore initial public offering (IPO) received a massive response from investors, subscribing 54.02 times on the final day of bidding, largely driven by strong institutional participation. The IPO had a price band of ₹1,080–₹1,140 per share and was entirely an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) of 10.18 crore shares, representing about 15% stake, by the South Korea-based parent company.

LG Electronics India is the second South Korean firm to enter the Indian stock market after Hyundai Motors India’s listing in October last year.

A dominant player in home appliances and consumer electronics, LG Electronics India manufactures and sells products such as washing machines, refrigerators, LED TV panels, inverter air conditioners, and microwaves. It also offers installation, repair, and maintenance services through its facilities in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and Pune, Maharashtra.

With its blockbuster debut, LG Electronics India has lived up to its tagline—“Life’s Good”—on Dalal Street.

Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur Sent on Leave Amid IPS Officer’s Suicide Row Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Visit

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Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur Sent on Leave Amid IPS Officer's Suicide Row Ahead of Rahul Gandhi's Visit 13

The Haryana government has sent Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on leave amid mounting political pressure and public outrage over the alleged suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The move comes as the opposition intensifies its attack on the BJP-led government, and the deceased officer’s family demands action against senior officials accused of harassment.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet Kumar’s family later today.

The decision was confirmed late on Sunday night, just days after the government transferred Narendra Bijarniya, the then Superintendent of Police of Rohtak. “Yes, the DGP has been sent on leave by the government,” said Rajiv Jaitly, media adviser to the Haryana Chief Minister.

In an eight-page note believed to have been left by Kumar, he accused eight senior IPS officers, including Kapur and Bijarniya, of “blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation, and atrocities.”

Kumar’s wife, senior IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, has demanded that both Kapur and Bijarniya be named in the FIR for abetting her husband’s suicide. The family has refused to allow the post-mortem and cremation until their demands for arrests are met.

The 52-year-old officer, a 2001-batch IPS officer, allegedly shot himself dead on October 7. Following the registration of an FIR, Chandigarh Police formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a “prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation.”

The police have maintained that all aspects of the case are being examined transparently and that no angle will be left unexplored in the probe.

Western Railway Halts Platform Ticket Sales at Bandra, Surat and Two Other Stations Amid Festive Rush

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Western Railway Halts Platform Ticket Sales at Bandra, Surat and Two Other Stations Amid Festive Rush 15

In view of the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivities, the Western Railway (WR) has temporarily suspended the sale of platform tickets at four major stations to prevent overcrowding and ensure passenger safety.

According to a WR release issued on Monday, the restriction will be in force from October 15 to 31 at Bandra Terminus in Mumbai, and at Vapi, Udhna, and Surat stations in Gujarat.

The decision comes as a precautionary step, following last year’s festive rush in October when nine passengers were injured in a stampede while attempting to board a train at Mumbai’s Bandra station.

WR Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said the temporary measure is aimed at ensuring smooth passenger movement within station premises during the peak travel season.

However, exemptions will be granted in genuine cases such as individuals assisting senior citizens, women travellers, persons with disabilities (divyangjan), illiterate passengers, or those requiring special care.

The Western Railway has appealed to passengers to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with railway staff to maintain order and safety during the festive period.

Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe Into Karur Stampede, Ex-Judge Ajay Rastogi to Oversee Inquiry

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Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe Into Karur Stampede, Ex-Judge Ajay Rastogi to Oversee Inquiry 17

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives and appointed former apex court judge Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation.

A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria criticised Madras High Court judge Justice N. Senthilkumar for entertaining petitions related to the September 27 stampede at actor Vijay’s rally and ordering a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

“There was no occasion for the single judge of the main seat to entertain the petitions without the chief justice’s orders when similar matters were already pending before the Madurai bench,” the Supreme Court observed.

The bench also noted that Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and its members were not made parties to the case, yet adverse observations were passed against them without an opportunity to present their side.

“The judgment is completely silent about how the single judge reached such conclusions or what materials were examined. The order merely refers to submissions made by the additional advocate general,” the bench remarked.

The order comes after the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on October 10 on a plea filed by TVK and others seeking an independent probe under the court’s supervision. The petitioners argued that a fair investigation could not be expected from the Tamil Nadu Police alone and alleged a possible pre-planned conspiracy behind the tragic incident.

The plea also objected to the Madras High Court’s sharp criticism of actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, which had accused them of abandoning the site after the tragedy without expressing remorse.

According to Tamil Nadu Police, around 27,000 people attended Vijay’s rally in Karur — nearly triple the expected turnout — and a seven-hour delay in the actor’s arrival contributed to the chaos that led to the stampede.

Heavy Vehicles Banned on Ghodbunder Road Till Oct 14 Amid Repair Work, Traffic Diversions Announced

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Heavy Vehicles Banned on Ghodbunder Road Till Oct 14 Amid Repair Work, Traffic Diversions Announced 19

The Mira-Bhayandar Vasai Virar Police has announced a temporary ban on heavy and oversized vehicles on the Ghodbunder Road’s Gaymukh Ghat section till October 14 due to ongoing repair work. The restriction will remain in force until 12 am on October 14, officials said.

According to the official notification, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation is carrying out geometric improvement and asphalting work on the Thane-Ghodbunder State Highway (No. 42) at the Gaymukh Ghat stretch. The section, which has long suffered from deep potholes and severe congestion, has been a major cause of inconvenience for daily commuters between Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai, Virar, and Thane.

The police have issued diversion routes to ensure smoother traffic flow during the maintenance period. Light vehicles and those providing essential services, however, are permitted to use the route as usual.

Alternative Routes for Commuters:

  • From Palghar–Virar: Shirsat Phata → Parol → Akololi (Ganeshpuri) → via Ambadi.
  • From Palghar–Vasai: Chinchoti → Kaman → Kharbav → Anjur Phata → via Bhiwandi.
  • From Mumbai / Kashimira: Versova Bridge → Gujarat Highway → via Shirsat Phata or Chinchoti.
  • From Thane / Mumbai (for heavy vehicles): Entry restricted at Y Junction / Kapurbawdi → Kharegaon Toll Plaza → Mankoli → via Anjur Phata.

Officials have urged motorists to follow the advisory and use the suggested alternate routes to avoid congestion. Repair work is expected to improve the road’s surface and ease long-standing traffic woes once completed.

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