Former Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar moved a special court in Barasat on Tuesday, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a CBI notice to him for appearing before it in the multi-crore Saradha chit-fund scam. But the special court judge Sanjib Talukdar refused to hear Kumar’s plea, saying it does not have jurisdiction to hear anticipatory bail prayers.
The special court, in charge of trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs, said it is a trial court and cannot hear an anticipatory bail application. It said Kumar may move the court of Barasat district sessions judge with his application.
On September 13, the Calcutta High Court vacated its interim order granting the former Kolkata police commissioner protection from arrest in the Saradha chit-fund scam case. The high court also rejected Kumar’s prayer for quashing a CBI notice that sought his appearance for questioning in the case.
Kumar, who is currently the West Bengal CID Additional Director General, was part of a Special Investigation Team set up by the state government to investigate the scam, before the Supreme Court handed over the case to CBI in 2014, along with other chit-fund cases.
With the Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled in mid-October this year, Sena-BJP has started negotiating on seat sharing and their deal is almost finalised. This year for the first time, Thackeray family member and the Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray will directly participate in the election process. Shiv Sena’s recent campaign – Jan Ashirwad Yatra – under the leadership of Aaditya Thackeray focused on the rural areas in the state. Aaditya Thackeray has said that his ‘Jan Aashirwad Yatra’ to thank people for party’s good showing in the Lok Sabha polls has been like a pilgrimage. He went on to say that if the places he visited during the yatra get rains then he was ready to criss-cross the state on foot. While speaking in Shrirampur, Ahmednagar district Thackeray said, “Without your (people’s) support I cannot create a new Maharashtra. I need your support to fulfill your dreams and aspirations.”
“We have to make the state drought free, unemployment free and pollution free. I may not be a farmer but I understand their grief. I have been touring drought affected areas and trying to help farmers since 2012,” he said.
When our correspondent Nikhil Sagare spoke to Shiv Sena MLA Anil Parab he said, “Nothing has been finalised pertaining to the constituency from where Aaditya Thackeray will contest assembly polls. Party workers want Aaditya to contest election from Worli. Aaditya will emerge victorious by contesting polls from any constituency. Young people are attracted towards the youth leadership of Shiv Sena.”
If Aaditya Thackeray contests election he will be the first to contest from the Thackeray family in the history of Shiv Sena. According to sources, Shiv Sena is inclined to present Aaditya Thackeray as its candidate for Chief Minister. Until now Sena has always contested polls without a face. Sources say that time has come for Sena to change its strategy.
Dr Neelam Gorhe Shiv Sena leader and deputy chairperson, Maharashtra Legislative Council said, “Shiv Sena leaders are communicating with people to be aware about the problems faced by them. Many party workers are saying that the manner in which a youth leader like Aaditya Thackeray has emerged in Shiv Sena it restores the confidence of the party and people have faith in them. We have received letters from citizens asking Aaditya Thackeray to contest election from several constituencies. The final decision in this regard will be taken by Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray.”
Earlier, there were speculations that Aaditya Thackeray might contest the upcoming polls from Worli assembly constituency. However, Shiv Sena is exploring options for Thackeray in rural parts of Maharashtra, as they want the seat should be safe for their Yuvraj. A Shiv Sena leader said that Aaditya’s presence in the state legislature will have positive influence on party legislators.
Shiv Sena corporator Dilip Lande said, “Shiv Sena will gain from the Jan Aashirwad Yatra organised by Aaditya Thackeray. If Aaditya Thackeray contests election from any constituency people will vote for him and give him an opportunity to serve the people.”
The ruling parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena will be contesting the assembly polls together, as clarified by Uddhav Thackeray during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mumbai. Aaditya Thackeray has been a centre of the political campaigns conducted by Shiv Sena. The ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ aimed to thank voters for a huge win in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, the political motive behind the campaign was to strengthen the party’s roots in rural parts of Maharashtra.
The BJP and Shiv Sena had contested the 2014 Maharashtra assembly polls separately. Later they joined hands to form the government. The BJP had won 122 seats out of 288 seats and Sena won 63 seats. The Congress–NCP had won 42 and 41 seats.
Recently our Prime Minister Narendra Modi while launching a programme in Mathura for prevention of livestock diseases said that “Some people when they hear the words ‘Om’ and ‘gaay (cow)’ think it takes the country back to the 16th century.” The programme aimed at vaccinating 36 million female bovine calves annually in its fight against Brucellosis disease. It is nice that the programme has two components to control the diseases by 2025 and eradication by 2030. It is reported that with 100 per cent funding from the Central government till 2024, the Rs 12,652 crore disease prevention programme aims at vaccinating over 500 million livestock, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs against the FMD. Modi has rightly said that rural economy cannot be imagined without animals and therefore the government is focusing on animal welfare.
As regards the word “OM”, it is the highest sacred symbol in Hinduism which contains everything from Vedas. This single word produces the sound and vibration which allows you to feel at one with the universe. It is considered so divine in Hinduism that they place it before and after every other Mantra.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of that lives and is helpless and weak in the world.” Reverence for cows is in the major texts of the Vedic religion. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I worship it and I shall defend its worship against the whole world,” Gandhi regarded Cow better than the earthly mother, and called her “the mother to millions of Indian mankind.” Cow protection has become a highly politicised core of the Hindu religion. Killing and maiming innocent animals for human consumption is the most irreligious, immoral and lowest human act. Indians have reasoned that killing a cow is like killing your own mother.
In India, the cow is considered holy, and many devout Hindus devote themselves to protecting cows from slaughter and abuse — sometimes with violent results. Cow protection didn’t become India’s top political issue in 2017 overnight. There is a strong history and background to it that allows the BJP to garner such widespread public support while championing the bovine cause. Cow vigilante groups have become increasingly active in many parts of India. Rather than encouraging these cow vigilantes to take law into their hands, the government should strictly enforce laws so that no such illegal transportation or cow slaughter occurs in the first place. Not just cows but all the animals should be protected and not murdered to merely satisfy our taste buds.
Breaking his silence on cow vigilantes in the country our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly condemned their actions, saying most of them were anti-social elements masquerading as gau rakshaks (cow protectors). India has 150 million cows today, giving an average of less than 200 litres of milk per year. The cow has been a symbol of wealth in India since ancient times. However, they were neither inviolable nor revered in the same way today. Nowadays, it has been slaughtered in large numbers. Commercial benefits are not the only criteria in a human life. Cow-based farming has been the backbone of our agriculture for centuries. The cow is very much attached to the sentiment and the cultural traditions of the people. It is to be remembered that cow is the back-bone of Indian economy. India was golden bird until cow was base of agriculture. It is our duty to inform the poorly informed the bad consequences of animal slaughter for human consumption. We call the cow our mother. It’s not our duty to protect our mother? It is nice that the government runs several gaushalas, shelters for old cattle, across the country, but these are too few and are not governed by serious norms. Government must put a check on the people who are running shops in the name of cow protection which welcomes donations and outside help in the name of cow protection. We need to spread awareness about the cow and its many uses.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Weak economic growth figures are cause for concern!
India’s economic growth is weaker than expected says IMF and this is a matter of grave concern. Multiple factors are responsible for the weak data and time to press alarm bells to undo the damage. Unemployment and inflation are on the rise and these can create social unrest in the country which can have cascading affect not just on economy but law and order situation in the country as well. Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan as well as former PM Manmohan Singh has come out with critical analysis and government needs to pay attention to it.
Government should not just depend on RBI reserves to control fiscal deficit but take strong measures as suggested by economists to put economy back on track. Loss making PSU‘s including Air India should be sold till they command value as job of government is governance and not business. People like Manmohan Singh, Raghuram Rajan and their tribe should be heard as well as suggestions from them acted upon.
The lack of competent primary care bedevils our health system. Unless this is addressed our pitiable health statistics cannot be rectified. Despite having an excellent template provided by the Bhore Committee report, we have not made much progress in the area. The inferiority of the private health system of the U.S. in comparison with the public health service of the European countries should show us the way. Perhaps, we do need our own Aneurine Bevan to get us a National Health Service.
Babar Ali Balasathwi
Name-and-shame Parliamentarians still gluing to government-accommodation
It refers to 82 former Parliamentarians still gluing to government-accommodations despite a parliamentary-panel ordering to cut their supply of electricity and water. Central government should adopt policy of Name-and-Shame to make their names public through media-advertisements cost of which should be deducted from their pension-amounts as part of cost involved in eviction-proceedings. Rule should be that in case former Parliamentarians and others do not themselves vacate government-accommodations within 90 days of losing entitlement, not only these should be forcefully vacated but also all such persons should lose right to contest any election in future.
Market-rents for unlawfully retaining government-accommodations should be reviewed to match actual market-rents. Overstaying persons not paying such revised market-rents and any other pending dues like for telephone, electricity and water should also not be allowed to contest any election till they clear all their pending dues. Also there should be a system of auto-deduction of such government-dues from salaries and pensions of law-makers.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that talks are going on with Shiv Sena regarding seat-sharing in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and a decision will be taken soon. CM was talking to media regarding his Maha Janadesh Yatra in Karad, Satara district.
Fadnavis said, “Talks are going on, we will soon take a decision regarding seat-sharing.” During this event, CM said that several Congress leaders also supported the central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, while others have opposed it. “I want to ask Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan whether he supports this decision or he is against it,” he questioned.
Targeting NCP chief Sharad Pawar over his recent statement allegedly praising Pakistan, Fadnavis said, “Sharad Pawar is a senior leader. While giving a statement, he should think about whether it will benefit Pakistan or India.” He said that such statements were made to take benefit in Assembly elections.
It is remarkable that Sharad Pawar on Saturday praised Pakistan saying that people are happy in the Islamic nation as against the common belief in India. He said BJP-led central government was spreading fake propaganda against Pakistan for political gains.
Sharad Pawar said, “People here say Pakistanis are facing injustice and are unhappy but it is not true. Such statements are being made only for political gains without understanding the actual situation in Pakistan.” The former Union Minister said that he had visited Pakistan on several occasions where he was accorded hospitality as “Pakistanis believe that even if they can’t go to India to meet their relatives, they treat an Indian as their relatives”.
Tensions prevail between India and Pakistan ever since the Pulwama terror attack in February in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. India had hit back at Pakistan with an airstrike in Balakot. On August 5 India scrapped Article 370 which had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Tensions heightened following the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan started approaching the global community to seek their support on the matter. Incidents of ceasefire violations, attempted infiltration through the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have only added to the tensions.
Frustrated with the snub from the international community over the nullification of Article 370, which India described as “internal matter”, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has even threatened India with nuclear war over the situation in Kashmir.
Encounter cop Pradeep Sharma has joined Shiv Sena ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. He is likely to contest the assembly polls from Nalasopara assembly constituency. Speaking to media, Pradeep Sharma said, “When I was in the service, I was always inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray. He always stood by us.” He stated further, “I have given my best to the department as a cop, now here to win the hearts and bring change in public life.”
Sharma served in the police department for 35 years. Currently, he is indulged in various types of social work through his NGO – PS Foundation.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said, “When Pradeep Sharma was in police, his gun spoke, now his mann (mind) will speak.”
On being asked about possible candidature of Pradeep Sharma from Nalasopara constituency, Hitendra Thakur, president of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) told Afternoon Voice, “This is not a new news, everybody knows it. BVA leaders and workers have spent five years among people of Nalasopara, it is not a matter of one day. It is not a big issue. They are wise and they better know what to do. BVA workers and supporters will tackle the situation very well.”
Sharma joined the Mumbai police force on January 21, 1983 and was posted at Mahim police station. Noticing his skill of gathering intelligence through human resources, Sharma was transferred to the crime branch to eliminate the dreaded Mumbai underworld, which had gained notoriety in the late 1980s and 90s. He was involved in 112 encounters involving several gangsters, including Parvez Siddiqui, Rafiq Dabbawala, Sadik Kalia and three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) suspects.
Manisha Kayande, Shiv Sena spokesperson, said. “The party has not announced any candidate from Nalasopara. Yet, these are speculations only. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will take a final decision in this regard.”
His name cropped up in the fake encounter case of Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya. Sharma was dismissed after the Mumbai police invoked section 311 of the CrPC, which the police officer challenged and his dismissal was revoked. The court also acquitted him.
It is worth mentioning that Pradeep Sharma had applied for a VRS on July 4, 2019. Since then there was speculation that he might join the Shiv Sena and fight elections from the Andheri Saki Naka or the Nalasopara constituency. The state government accepted his resignation on September 9, 2019. However, Pradeep Sharma will not be able to get retirement benefits like pension etc. till the Bombay High Court gives its verdict on a petition challenging Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) order in the Ramnarayan Gupta alias Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter case.
Adv. Pratibha Bangera (Divorce and Family court lawyer) explains how domestic violence in families separates the family bond to our Editor in chief Dr Vaidehi Taman.
Is it really necessary to file PWDV complaint for family matters?
Domestic violence of any kind may deny a woman from enjoying a good family bond. Every citizen is entitled to have a good family life and dignity. How can a person suffer humiliation and not react. And why should any woman suffer the reckless violent behaviour of another family member?
Unfortunately there is no constitutional duty towards “Good Family behaviour or community behaviour” neither does our education system train families. Some educated and socially well settled persons also treat members of their family with violence. Giving and taking respect from family comes with personal responsibility and if it does not come, there are courts to help.
Can everyday fights of family be termed as Domestic violence?
No. Only those family fights that have a “criminal intention” to cause physical, emotional, mental, sexual or financial harm to “a woman” is unlawful. Including name calling for not having children or male child or alienating property or holding valuables or jewellery, or restricting movements or household facilities or even willful omission can be termed as abusive depending on overall facts and circumstances.
Is the PWDV Act only for protection of wife?
No. Every woman including mother or sister or daughter who is suffering within the family can file a DV complaint.
And should this complaint be only against men or other women also?
“DV” complaint can be filed against another woman including a mother-in- law or a sister-in-law in addition to other male members of family.
But can a mother-in-law also file a “DV” complaint against a daughter-in-law?
Earlier only a wife could file a “DV” complaint against a husband or his relatives but the Supreme Court has deleted the words “adult male” from the Act as its unconstitutional and if other ingredients of domestic violence are satisfied, a suffering mother-in-law can also file DV complaint against her daughter-in-law.
What is the procedure to file this complaint?
The police of area in which the suffering woman stays with her family acts upon her complaint and makes a “domestic incident report” but the police cannot provide any reliefs without a court order. The suffering woman therefore should get court order and seek implementation through police.
Why was the “PWDV Act” introduced when relief in Family court are almost similar?
A suffering woman needs protection orders. A registered company or cooperative society can also file a complaint on her behalf and no action can be taken against them for helping such woman. There are several shelter homes who take such distressed women by virtue of this Act.
Under the PWDV Act, there is an urgency made out to expedite hearing of these matters. The judiciary and police officers are given periodic sensitisation and awareness training. While family courts cases are for disputes between husband and wife, the “PWDV” complaints are responsibility of the State and police machinery to reduce criminal acts.
Is it not encouraging women to misuse this special right given under DV?
Every Act is introduced to reform laws. The use or misuse of these Acts are also checked from time to time as required and necessary. To ensure that these complaints have substance, the family is sent to police mediation center to resolve disputes amicably. There are Supreme Court guidelines for procedure and the Magistrate is also required to check the “domestic incident report” before registering the complaint.
While final decision is subject to trial and “proof of violence” the suffering woman gets immediate relief and financial support through court which directs husband to pay for monthly maintenance, child support, fees and residence for herself and her children.
Misuse of any law happens mostly because of wrongful means for which judiciary cannot be blamed. There are reliefs and remedies available even for false cases. Ignorance of law is no excuse.
What is the time frame for completion of DV cases and does the court complete such cases within that time?
A Magistrate is required to fix hearing date within three days of receipt of DV complaint and dispose off the entire application within 60 days. In most of the cases urgent reliefs are granted speedily but trial may delay or take time. The delay is caused due to reasons beyond control of court for reasons such as husband does not receive service or remains absent or evades filing replies on time. In such cases also the court passes ex parte orders. There are remedies available which parties should exercise even for such delays.
Is it necessary to file DV complaint along with 498 A case?
No. They are absolutely different category of cases.
Can a DV case be filed where husband and wife are residing outside India ?
Yes. An Indian woman residing outside the country can file a case in the country where she resides or even in India. But since the nature of this complaint is of criminal nature, she may have to remain present for important court dates and otherwise if she is a working woman, she may request for a video conference court appearance to address her issues. And in some case, even her other family members in India can initiate or proceed to appear in such case on her behalf.
In the fashion world, Sari has assumed prominent place, with the womenfolk preferring the six yard wonder as the best dress for all the seasons. It is worth mentioning here that the women in Pakistan prefer saris even though ex-president Zia declared it un-Islamic. By draping the sari around your body with proper matching blouse, you get the feeling of security and the posh look. The Kancheepuram Sari get the top spot but the chiffon and pure silk saris assumes greater look when you attend a function. The traditional dress sari is a household dress amongst Indian women living abroad also. The pallu and the pleats all give you a gorgeous look as well as good appearance. There is nothing like a sari to make you look most elegant all the times. There is no doubt about it. Thus, by far the sari is the most flexible garment available in the fashion world.
The symbolism of sari go a long way in developing the personality of a woman in the office as a PRO or a Company or a Personal secretary. It is a wrap worth wearing with all glamour and style. The sari is much more than just six yards of cloth. Its history can be traced right back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Dyes used in ancient times like indigo, yellow and red are still in existence. The sari is not exclusive to India; it is worn in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka too. Of course the manner of draping it is different. But then that is true of states within the country too.
In Tamil Nadu alone, there are three distinct styles. Apart from the normal drape, there is the nine-yard madissar worn by the Tamil Brahmins. The Kongu style with the pleats at the back is common in Coimbatore. Visitors to Coimbatore usually ask about the saris of this region and picking up silk and cotton saris is definitely of their choice. Not just texture, the colour combinations and motifs are also unique. The saris of the South have been inspired by nature and temple architecture. Traditional motifs like the rudraksham, simham, mayil kannu, paalum pazhamumand kodivisiri are becoming rarer. This makes the ones we have inherited even more valuable.
In modern times, contemporary saris like Palum Pazhamum is giving way for new trend of designer saris. I think that the sari has evolved from a traditional garment to one that is capable of showcasing the diverse fashion statement of each individual woman. Sari is considered best worn attire during summer, it is the perfect opportunity to bring out your choice of cotton saris. Pick cool cottons for work and soft silks for special occasions. Staying comfortable is as important as being stylish. With women opting to wear saris in the corporate world, the sari means business and is here to stay. The air of grace that a vintage sari can give is like no other. Of course, one can give it a modern twist depending on the occasion. For example, you can pair it with a contemporary boat-necked sleeveless blouse and wear modern jewellery.
In recent times, cine actors like Vidya Balan are die hard sari lovers and their success in the big screen is counted upon by the sari culture. There was organic and synthetic sari used by the old timers. But the present generation go for pattu and chiffon of different colours and designs. Women make big collection of saris and prefer to wear it according to the occasion with matching blouses. A subtle current of Indianising the fashion was already there, but now with government backing, it has gained renewed momentum. Nalli Silks famous for silk and pattu saris and having branches in almost all parts of the country and also abroad achieved an award from Smriti Irani for all the good work they have done in sari business for years. The success story of sari will continue so long as women love to wear lovely saris with different colours and attractive border to back them. Saris are here to stay for centuries.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
I have seen on several occasions traffic policemen not issuing challans to their own men in uniform for violating traffic rules. If there is a law, it should be for everyone and not just for the common man.
With this new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 in several States of India, there is going to be more corruption in the country and people will lose faith in the government and in the judiciary. There is also going to be more traffic policemen and traffic inspectors on the roads to collect bribes from people and arrest them under false cases. The government, it looks like, is hell bent on looting the common man of his hard-earned money to mobilise additional revenue to the exchequer.
JubelD’Cruz
BJP should stop migration of corrupt leaders
BJP has become a hot destination for the corrupt as those with corruption charges insure themselves by joining the ruling government. People who voted the Modi government in power are being let down and such act of sympathy towards the corrupt are unwarranted. The Prime Minister enjoys not just public faith but even the mandate which is so very important in a democracy.
BJP should immediately stop this migration, else their own leaders would face conflict as well as defection. A rotten apple spoils the barrel and BJP should not let the corrupt spoil its own bunch of leaders who have been elected due to their clean image. ‘Aaya Ram Gaya Ram’ (defections) culture should have no place in a democracy more so when it is done with vested interest in mind!
S.N. Kabra.
Operate Rajdhani Express daily
It is welcome to note the extension in days running of 22221/22222 Mumbai CST- H.Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express via Nashik. The train now operates four times a week instead of earlier slot of bi-weekly schedule. The move will highly benefit many passengers bound to New Delhi via the Central line and also connect to important places like Nashik on this route.
It is further requested to the Central Railway authorities to now consider running Rajdhani Express from Mumbai CST on all 7 days of the week. As the response to this train is very overwhelming leading to high demand and hence there is an urgent need to convert this into a daily train. An arrangement needs to be considered to run the train on all the days of the weekend i.e. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in both the directions. The same will facilitate passengers to utilise the Rajdhani Express services especially on weekends and thus further help ensure optimum utilisation of the rakes on a daily basis.
Hence it is hereby requested to the Central Railway authoriites to consider operating the train number 22221/22222 Mumbai CST- H.Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on all the seven days of the week instead of present four days a week.
Varun Dambal
Centre should follow UP for eviction of government-bungalows
It refers to welcome news about UP government implementing court-order to get vacated government-bungalow allotted to Lohia Trust. Instead of such PILs being filed by rightful-thinking persons in respect of different states, policy of allotment of government-bungalows should be uniform for all states and centre. Or else, Supreme Court can sue-motto extend such welcome order for all states and the centre to save precious time of court, and safeguarding public-resources wasted by governments for pleasure of politicians.
The central government should get government-bungalow numbers 6 Krishna Menon Marg and composite unit of bungalow-numbers 12, 14 and 16 at Gurudwara Rakabganj Road (New Delhi) vacated by cancelling lease of these bungalows. UPA government had succumbed to demands of the then Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and BSP Supremo Mayawati to indirectly convert these bungalows as memorials for Babu Jagjiwanram and Kashiram respectively by giving these on long lease to trusts managed by Meira Kumar and Mayawati after forcefully keeping these properties occupied against se norms.
Enquiry should be made and guilty ones exposed and punished who allowed violation of rules in regard to large-scale structural changes at composite unit of bungalow-numbers 12, 14 and 16 at Gurudwara Rakabganj Road (New Delhi) where rules for Leyton Zone does not permit even minor changes in government-bungalows in New Delhi.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Two Naxals were killed and several injured in an encounter with police in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district on Sunday morning, a police official said.
The gun-battle took place in Narkasa forest area, located around 170 km from Nagpur, when commandos of C-60, a specialised anti-Naxal unit of Maharashtra police, were combing the area, he said.
On specific information, the security men went to the forest area and were conducting an anti-Naxal operation when the exchange of fire took place between the two sides, the police spokesperson said.
“Two Naxals were killed in the skirmish,” he said, adding that the deceased were yet to be identified. A large number of daily use items were recovered from the spot, he said.
It is remarkable that sixteen persons, including 15 security personnel, were killed as Maoists triggered an IED blast on a truck carrying a team of C-60 commandos in Gadchiroli on May 1, 2019. Sources said that the attack was revenge for the encounters conducted by the commando unit in the region last year, in which 40 Maoist cadres were killed. This blast was triggered at 12.30 pm, hours after Maoists torched at least three dozen vehicles belonging to private contractors in Kurkheda sub-district of Gadchiroli. The impact of the blast, left a large crater on the road.
The commando unit, part of the Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police, had set out in a private vehicle for patrolling after the arson incident, said officials. As per reports, the targeted vehicles, mostly belonged to Amar Infrastructures Ltd, and were engaged in construction works for the Purada-Yerkad sector of NH 136 near Dadapur village. The Maoists have been observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their comrades who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.
With the 
Recently our Prime Minister 
Encounter cop 
In the fashion world, 