India

Bijapur, Jan 5 (PTI) A gunfight broke out between the security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bijapur district on Tuesday, following which a firearm, bows and arrows and some Maoist-related materials were recovered, police said.

No casualties were reported in the skirmish that took place around 6.30 am in Gangaloor police station area, inspector general of police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P said.

Mumbai, Jan 5 (PTI) Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday said arrangements are being made to administer coronavirus vaccines to those going from India for the Haj pilgrimage.

He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Haj Committee of India officials and Haj Group organisers at Haj House in south Mumbai.

The last date for submission of application forms for Haj 2021 is January 10, he said. Embarkation point-wise estimated cost per Haj pilgrim has been reduced, he added.

Mumbai, Jan 5 (PTI) A special NIA court here on Tuesday granted exemption from regular appearance to BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur in the Malegaon blast case of 2008.

Thakur, who is one of the seven accused in the case being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), appeared before the court on Monday.

New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Routes connecting Delhi to Ghaziabad and Noida via Ghazipur and Chilla borders remained partially closed on Monday due to the farmers' protest against the Centre's agricultural reforms, the traffic police said.

They advised commuters to take alternative routes for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Bhopra and Loni borders.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3 (PTI):The fourth Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF2021), aimed at a global discussion and development of ayurveda, would be held from March 12 to 19 as a virtual meet, Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan said on Sunday.

The Union Minister, who is also the Global Ayurveda Festival chairman, said the fest would feature 12 seminars per day at five venues.

Bijapur, Jan 3 (PTI) A Naxal wanted for attacks on security forces was arrested from Bijapur in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, police said.

Somlu Kashyap (40) was held from a forest near Kokodipara village under Mirtoor police station limits during a search operation by the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and District Force, an official said.

Bengaluru, Jan 3 (PTI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday warned the BJP to beware of JD(S), as he accused the ruling party of systematically spreading imaginary news about his party joining the NDA.

In a series of tweets the JD(S) legislature party chief also accused the BJP of attempting to erode its party's base by planting such rumours, and said the party "does not need BJP's friendship."

"BJP has realised after the gram panchayat results that all its attempts to finish off the JD(S) have failed.

Chandigarh, Jan 3 (PTI) A group of farmers on Sunday held a protest in Punjab's Sangrur district against state BJP chief Ashwani Sharma who was there to meet party leaders.

The protesting farmers even tried to break barricades put up near the residence of a local BJP leader, forcing the police to use mild force to disperse them.

The farmers, shouting slogans against Sharma, wanted to gherao him in protest against the Centre's three farm laws

Erode (TN), Jan 3 (PTI): The DMK would waive education loans taken by students for higher studies if the party comes to power after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which are to be held in April-May.

The DMK president and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly M K Stalin made this statement on Sunday while addressing a gathering at V Mettupalayam village in Erode west constituency where a people's grama sabha meeting was held.

Noida (UP), Jan 3 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor in 2016, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police said on Sunday.

The order was issued on Saturday by a special judge for cases lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the police said.