India

Dehradun, Jan 11 (PTI) Amid an avian influenza scare in several states, nearly 200 birds, mostly crows, have been found dead in Uttarakhand's Dehradun and Rishikesh, officials said on Monday.

A total of 165 birds were found dead in different parts of Dehradun on Sunday, including 121 crows in the Bhandari Bagh area only.

There were 162 crows, two pigeons and an eagle among the dead birds found in Dehradun, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rajiv Dhiman said.

Chandigarh, Jan 10 (PTI) A group of farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws on Sunday tried to disrupt a BJP programme in Punjab's Jalandhar district.

They shouted slogans against the Centre and the Punjab BJP leadership over the farm laws.

Heavy police security arrangements were made by the Punjab Police to maintain law and order, said officials.

Barricades were put up, a water cannon and an earthmoving machine were deployed to prevent protesters from disrupting the BJP's programme at Company Bagh in Jalandhar.

Gwalior (MP), Jan 10 (PTI) The Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday opened a "gyanshala" or a study centre on Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, at its office here in Madhya Pradesh to 'educate' youngsters on the Partition of India and to spread awareness about historical personalities like Maharana Pratap, a functionary said.

Lucknow, Jan 10 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu on Sunday attacked the BJP government over law and order, saying the state is setting new records in "ease of doing crime".

In a statement issued here, Lallu said, "Anarchy and crime are at their peak in the state. As far as the law and order situation in UP is concerned, Uttar Pradesh is setting new records in ease of doing crime."

Kolkata, Jan 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said her government is making arrangements to provide free COVID-19 vaccination for people in the state, an announcement the opposition BJP and Congress made light of, dubbing it as "poll gimmick.

In an open letter, Banerjee said COVID warriors, including police, home guards, civil defence volunteers, correctional home and disaster management employees, will be administered the vaccine on a priority basis.

Shahjahanpur (UP), Jan 10 (PTI) A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped at her home by a man from her village here when her parents had gone out, police said on Sunday.

A case has been registered against the accused who is on the run, they said.

Circle Officer Mahendra Pal Singh said the girl was raped at her home by a man from her village under Kanth police station area when her family members were away on Saturday.

The girl narrated her ordeal to her mother after she came back home and she filed a police complaint, he said.

New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) NCP president Sharad Pawar met Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja here on Monday and discussed the ongoing farmers' agitation.

"We did discuss the Supreme Court order, informally. But the decision on what has to be done has to be taken by the farmers. They have to react to it. We stand by their demand for the repeal of the laws," CPI general secretary D Raja said.

Nashik, Jan 11 (PTI) A 13-year-old girl has been allegedly gang-raped in Maharashtra's Nashik district following which police have arrested five men and a woman, a police official said on Monday.

A minor boy has also been detained in connection with the incident took place on Saturday in Nashik Road area, he said.

When the victim's parents returned home after work on Saturday night, they did not find their daughter in the house.

Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 11 (PTI) A total of 20 people were injured in a clash between two groups over chasing away stray cattle, police said on Monday.

A heated argument ensued between Manish Tripathi and Suryabali Tripathi in Teermau village on Sunday which soon turned into a clash, they said.

Twenty people were injured in the clash and the condition of three of them was stated to be serious, SHO of Rajapur police station Anil Singh said.

A case was registered against 17 people in connection with the matter, he said.

Mumbai, Jan 11 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Monday extended the interim relief of no coercive action against actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel till January 25 in connection with an FIR registered against them under sedition and other charges.

The HC also directed the city police not to summon the duo for questioning till then.

Ranaut and her sister appeared before Bandra police in Mumbai on January 8 for recording their statement in the case, pursuant to an assurance given to HC in November last year.