Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Mar 11 : The number of people eligible to vote in Lok Sabha polls beginning next month has increased by 8.4 crore as compared to 2014 general election, and these include 1.5 crore "young voters" who are in the 18-19 age group and would exercise their franchise first time, according to the Election Commission.

The total electorate in the country this year has increased to approximately 90 crore compared to 81.5 crore in 2014.

"This marks an increase of more than 8.4 crore electors," the Commission said.

Panchkula, Mar 11 (PTI) A special NIA court Monday put off the pronouncement of verdict in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case and posted the matter for March 14 after a Pakistani woman filed a petition claiming she had some evidence relevant to the case.

The petition was filed by an advocate on behalf of Rahila L Vakeel, National Investigation Agency (NIA) counsel Rajan Malhotra said.

Special NIA court judge Jagdeep Singh posted the matter for March 14 after the application was filed.

New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) A former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and an environmentalist have urged the Supreme Court to direct the Election Commission to ban roadshows and bike rallies during polls, saying they violate EC's instructions and cause damage to the environment.

The plea, filed by former director general of police Vikram Singh and environmentalist Shaivika Agrawal, was mentioned for urgent listing on Monday before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna.

The bench, however, refused to accord urgent listing.

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 11 (PTI) A Students' Federation of India (SFI) leader was attacked by BJP workers at Parassala in the district, police said on Monday.

The SFI leader sustained serious injuries in the late Sunday night attack, they added.

Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists were arrested in connection with the incident on Monday, the police said.

Kashmir, 12 March 2019: The mastermind of the February 14 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, has been killed in an encounter in south Kashmir's Tral area, alleged Indian officials on Monday.

Chennai, Mar 11 (PTI) Observing that corruption was spreading like "cancer", the Madras High Court asked the Vigilance personnel in Tamil Nadu on Monday to conduct periodical raids in taluk offices, where it said bribe was demanded for issuing every document such as a legal heir certificate.

Hyderabad, Mar 11 (PTI) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi Monday said coinciding of Lok Sabha polls with Ramzan would not hamper poll percentage, rubbishing claims made by some leaders to the effect.

The general election will be held from April 11 to May 19 and the results will be declared on May 23 while Ramzan is expected to commence either on May 5 or 6, depending on sighting of the moon and lasts about 29 days.

Amaravati, Mar 11 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh appeared headed for a multi-cornered contest in the state assembly and Lok Sabha elections to be held on April 11, a do-or-die battle for major political parties, including ruling TDP.

Over 3.71 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise for electing 25 Lok Sabha members and 175 members of the state assembly in the polls, the first after the state was bifurcated to create Telangana.

Kota (R'than), Mar 11 (PTI) A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped in an agricultural field in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district, police said on Monday.

According to a police complaint filed by the woman, her neighbour, Dhulichand Tanwar (30), allegedly raped her on Sunday afternoon, Station House Officer Dangipura police station Raju Udaiwal said.

The victim approached police late Sunday evening. The accused has been booked for rape, the SHO said.

The accused has not been arrested yet.

Thiruvananthapuram/Kottayam, Mar 11 (PTI) The Election Commission Monday warned political parties in Kerala not to use the Sabarimala temple matter as a campaign issue, drawing a sharp reaction from the BJP which termed the directive "illogical."

With the poll dates being announced, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said "citing or invoking" religious propaganda on the "Sabarimala issue" would be a clear violation of the model code of conduct.