Srinagar, Aug 24: Migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley under the Prime Minister’s package requested the UT government on Monday for enhanced security and protection in view of “fresh threats from the terrorists”.

In a letter addressed to the J&K Chief Secretary, the PM Package Employees Forum requested enhanced security and protection for them after the threats emerged.

“We wish to draw your urgent attention to a serious security concern regarding the safety of migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees serving under the PM Package in the Kashmir Valley. A fresh threat poster, purportedly issued by a terrorist outfit calling itself the United Liberation Council (ULC) and dated 23 August 2026, has surfaced on social media,” it said, adding the poster “reportedly contains threats directed towards migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees and mentions personal details such as names, addresses and vehicle numbers of certain individuals”.

Noting that the authenticity of the poster is yet to be verified by the police and security agencies, the employees forum, in its letter, said: “However, the repeated circulation of such threat letters and posters, particularly those containing sensitive personal information, is a matter of grave concern. The matter has reportedly been brought to the notice of the concerned Police and security agencies for verification and necessary action.”

“Sir, we have already witnessed the tragic loss of Kashmiri Pandit employees in targeted attacks. The repeated emergence of new threats every week has created a deep sense of fear and insecurity among employees and their families. Our elders and the entire community are extremely worried about their safety. In view of the prevailing circumstances, we respectfully request your good office to: Provide enhanced and adequate security cover to all PM Package Kashmiri Pandit employees posted in the Kashmir Valley.”

It sought “an immediate and thorough verification” of the fresh threat poster be conducted and those responsible for its circulation identified.

It also sought a review of the security arrangements at the places of posting, residential accommodations, and transit routes of PM Package employees.

“Take necessary preventive measures based on the latest security assessment and intelligence inputs. Ensure that employees whose names, addresses or vehicle details have appeared in such threats receive immediate protection and necessary security guidance.”

“We sincerely hope that the Government will treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and take immediate steps to ensure the safety and confidence of all PM Package employees”, the letter added.

A threat letter against the Kashmiri Pandit migrant employees appeared on social media, but the veracity of the threat or the authenticity of the so-called terrorist outfit is yet to be confirmed by the security forces.

New Delhi, Aug 24: After Indian agencies apprehended three absconding Indian gangsters in Malaysia, ensured their deportation to India, and handed them over to the police, the Union Home Ministry on Monday said that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a safe and secure India, the agencies had facilitated the deportation of 51 hardened criminals in 2026 alone.

The Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, secured the deportation of three operatives of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Malaysia on August 19 in a major crackdown on transnational organised crime.

“Indian agencies got three absconding Indian gangsters apprehended in Malaysia, deported them to India, and sent them to police custody”, the Home Minister’s Office said in a post on its X handle.

“The fugitives, namely Jaspreet Singh, Ajay Singh, and Pawandeep Singh, are linked to the Bambiha Gang and are accused of multiple crimes, including extortion, cross-border arms and narco-trafficking, and a foiled grenade attack in Ludhiana. Under Modi Ji’s vision of a safe and secure India, our agencies have facilitated the deportation of 51 hardened criminals in 2026 alone.”

Earlier, the Central government said that India had successfully brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and July 2026 as part of an intensified drive to ensure that offenders evading Indian law while staying abroad are brought to justice.

The achievement was made possible through stronger legal provisions, enhanced international cooperation, coordinated action among multiple agencies and technology-driven investigations carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it said.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said: “Previous governments lacked the political will to bring back fugitives; the Modi government has made the extradition of fugitives a ‘national priority’… Amit Shah has described the issue of fugitive offenders as one that is intrinsically linked to the country’s sovereignty, economic stability, law and order, and national security.”

According to the Ministry, the government’s approach to tackling fugitive offenders has been built around three major pillars — global outreach, stronger coordination, and smart diplomacy.

The MHA said that the legal framework for pursuing absconding offenders has been significantly strengthened through the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, amendments to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, along with provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which permit trials in absentia under Sections 355 and 356.

To strengthen international cooperation, the government launched BHARATPOL in January 2025, creating an integrated platform connecting more than 1,400 state and central law enforcement agencies with INTERPOL.

Chennai, Aug 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that the state government would abandon the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur and identify an alternative site that would cause minimal disruption to farmers and residents.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, CM Vijay said the decision was taken following concerns about the project’s potential impact on agricultural lands, waterbodies and residential settlements in Parandur and surrounding villages.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that Chennai required a second airport because of the rapid expansion of the metropolitan region, rising passenger traffic and increasing demand for cargo transportation. However, he said such a major infrastructure project should not come at the cost of farmers’ livelihoods or result in the large-scale displacement of residents.

The existing Chennai airport at Meenambakkam, operated by the Airports Authority of India, can currently handle about 30 million passengers annually.

CM Vijay accused the previous government of attempting to proceed with the Parandur project despite sustained opposition from residents. He recalled visiting Ekanapuram and nearby villages on January 20, 2025, to meet people protesting against the acquisition of their land for the airport. The Chief Minister said he had publicly opposed the project during a meeting at Vikravandi in October 2024.

While reiterating his government’s support for industrial growth and improved aviation infrastructure, he maintained that Parandur was unsuitable for the airport.

CM Vijay said the government arrived at its decision after consulting senior officials, aviation specialists, academicians and other experts. Technical feasibility studies will now be conducted at alternative locations before the new airport site is finalised.

“As promised, the measures initiated to establish the new airport at Parandur will be abandoned by this government,” he told the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the state government will work with the Airports Authority of India to expand the Meenambakkam airport.

A new Terminal 5 has been proposed in the airport’s northwestern section, along with additional roads and flyovers to improve connectivity. The ongoing construction of Terminal 3 is expected to increase the airport’s annual passenger-handling capacity to 35 million. Terminal 5, once operational, could add another 20 million passengers, taking the overall capacity to 55 million annually.

CM Vijay said the expansion would help Chennai manage its growing aviation requirements until the proposed second airport becomes operational at a suitable alternative location.