Indian Sub-continent

Srinagar, Jan 14 (PTI) National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of targeting the Gujjar and Bakarwal tribals at the behest of its political masters.

The former chief minister's remarks came after the houses belonging to the community were demolished by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) as part of its anti-encroachment drive recently.

Mathura, Jan 14 (PTI) Apprehending unlawful activities in the district, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were promulgated here with immediate effect, top district authorities on Friday said.

Prohibitory orders will remain in force till March 12, Navneet Singh Chahal, District Magistrate Mathura said.

He said the orders have been imposed under apprehension of unlawful activities during festivals of different communities and few competitive examinations scheduled to take place.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 15 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday left for the United States of America for a two-week long medical treatment.

The CM is accompanied by his wife and personal assistant.

The Chief Minister did not hand over charge to anyone in the ministry. According to CMO sources, Vijayan will continue to discharge his official duties online.

He will return to the state on January 29.

In 2018, he had undergone treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US.

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI) The Indian Army's message is clear that it will not let any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the country's borders succeed, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Saturday.

In an address at the Army Day Parade here, he said last year was extremely challenging for the Army and cited the developments on the northern borders with China.

Islamabad, Jan 13 (PTI) Pakistan's National Assembly Thursday passed the controversial Finance (Supplementary) Bill, also called the "mini-budget" despite stiff resistance by the opposition parties.

The bill aimed to raise more taxes and duties and to empower the central bank were tabled on December 30 by the government to fulfill a key condition by the International Monetary Fund to approve USD 1 billion under the USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility.

Patna, Jan 13 (PTI) Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal on Thursday lodged an FIR against Sahitya Akademi Award winner Daya Prasad Sinha who is in the eye of a storm over controversial remarks about Emperor Asoka.

Jaiswal lodged the FIR at Kotwali police station here.

He was accompanied by a number of senior party functionaries.

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Three ships of the Russian Navy have arrived on a two-day goodwill visit to Kochi, the Indian Navy said on Thursday.

"During the visit, various professional interactions are planned between the Russian Navy and Indian Navy," the statement said.

The three Russian ships -- missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer Admiral Tribuz and tanker Boris Butoma -- will be departing Kochi on Friday, it mentioned.

Chandigarh, Jan 13 (PTI) Amid a spurt in Covid cases, the Haryana government on Thursday extended various restrictions in all over the state.

The restrictions imposed by January 5 order in "Group A" districts, which had witnessed a big spike in cases, shall now be imposed in all districts, the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority (HSDMA) said.

The guidelines released through orders on January 5 and 10 too shall continue to be imposed in the state, it added.

Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) BJP's West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar on Thursday dissolved all the departments and cells of the party in the state amid growing resentment among its leaders.

The BJP has 35 departments and 15 cells in West Bengal. Among these are the legal department and the refugee cell.

"As per instructions of Dr Sukanta Majumdar, all departments and cells stand dissolved till the time they are reconstituted, and new appointments are made," said a statement issued by the state BJP.

Lucknow, Jan 14 (PTI) Former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and prominent OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Friday joined the Samajwadi Party along with another rebel minister Dharam Singh Saini.

Five BJP MLAs and Apna Dal (Sonelal) legislator Amar Singh Chaudhary also joined the SP in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav.