India

Tiruchirappalli (TN) Sep 27 (PTI) A statue of reformist leader E V Ramasamy Periyar here was found smeared with saffron dye on Sunday by unidentified miscreants, drawing strong responses from political leaders in Tamil Nadu.

A slipper was also found near the statue at Samathuvapuram colony in Inamkulathur here early this morning, police said, adding, a case has been registered for defacing and vandalising the statue.

Chandigarh, Sep 27 (PTI) Described the SAD's decision of snapping ties with the NDA as unfortunate , Punjab's senior BJP leaders Manoranjan Kalia and Master Mohan Lal on Sunday asserted that the party is able to fight and also win the 2022 Punjab assembly polls alone.

The SAD on Saturday night had announced to quit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the farm bills issue.

Amritsar, Sep 27 (PTI) Farmers squatted on the Amritsar-Delhi railway track here on Sunday, continuing their 'rail-roko' agitation against the contentious farm bills passed by the Parliament last week.

People from nearby villages brought cooked food and other items for the demonstrators. 'Langar' (community kitchen) has also been organised at the site by local gurdwaras.

Women wearing saffron dupattas also joined the protest, raised slogans against the Centre and said they would not allow the implementation of the three legislations.

NEW DELHI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India Saturday morning rose to 5,903,932, India's federal health ministry said.

During the past 24 hours, 85,362 new cases were reported from across the country. Besides this, 1,089 deaths were also recorded.

"The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India is 5,903,932 and death toll is 93,379," reads the information released by the ministry.

According to ministry officials, 4,849,584 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

Kanpur: Though the district administration particularly the health department is going to start an awareness programme against the communicable disease programme from October 1, the denizens in Jajmau area thank the authorities concerned for uninterrupted power supply.

This is a big solace for the public who usually face enough power cuts in this area. How has it been possible? The political pundits say it is because of the election on one seat which was declared vacant following elected member's death.

Muzaffarnagar, Sep 26 (PTI) An official of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation was booked for allegedly raping a woman in Shamli district, police said on Saturday.

According to a complaint lodged by the woman, the official allegedly raped her when she had come to his office on Friday demanding restoration of power supply.

A case was registered against the official on the basis of the complaint and a probe was underway, police added.

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said his government would make water supply in Delhi as good as in developed countries and it is hiring a consultant for this purpose.

He also dismissed allegations that water supply in Delhi was being privatised.

"Some opposition leaders are saying water supply in Delhi is being privatised. It can never happen and I assure you this," the chief minister said.

Kota (Raj) Sep 25 (PTI) A 23-year-old woman here has accused her father of repeatedly raping her for the last 10 years, police said on Friday.

In a complaint to Bhemganjmandi police station sent by post on Thursday, the woman has accused the father, an employee with the Indian Railways, of repeatedly raping her at home and at places where he was posted, they said.

She also has alleged that her father attempted to sexually harass her younger sister on a number of occasions, a police official said.

New Delhi, Sep 25 (PTI) Political parties and candidates can hold rallies as part of their campaigning for the Bihar assembly polls and the grounds where such meetings will be held will have white circles to ensure distancing norms.

Addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Bihar assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said he wants to dispel doubts that there will only be virtual campaigning in the state. The "propganda" that only virtual meets will take place during campaigning is way off the mark, he said.

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Some of Bollywood’s biggest actors are being questioned in a widening drug probe by federal agencies that has sent shockwaves through India’s beleaguered film industry and dominated prime time news headlines.

Officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have been investigating alleged drug use in Bollywood for the last month in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a popular actor who was found dead at his residence in June.