Connect with us
Friday,05-September-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Roll back Agnipath scheme, Punjab assembly adopts resolution

Published

on

Led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Union government to roll back the Agnipath scheme in the larger interest of the country.

Moving a resolution in the House, amidst protest by two BJP members, the Chief Minister read that the unilateral announcement of the government of India to introduce the Agnipath scheme in the armed forces has witnessed widespread reactions across the country, including Punjab.

“The Punjab Vidhan Sabha strongly feels that the scheme where youth will be employed in armed forces only for a period of four years and out of which only 25 per cent will be retained is neither in the interest of national security nor of the youth of this country,” he said.

Mann further said, “this policy is likely to create dissatisfaction among the youth who wish to serve the armed forces of the nation throughout their life”.

The Chief Minister reminded the House that more than one lakh soldiers from Punjab serve the armed forces and a large number of them sacrifice their lives at the altar of their motherland while safeguarding the borders of the country every year.

He apprised the House that the youth of Punjab, known across the globe for their traits of valour and courage, consider it a matter of pride and privilege for them to serve their motherland by joining the armed forces.

However, Mann bemoaned that this scheme has crushed the ambitions of several youths of Punjab who have been aspiring to join the armed forces as regular soldiers.

The Chief Minister envisioned that the scheme also has the propensity to weaken the long standing espirit de corps of the armed forces. “The Vidhan Sabha urges the Union government to roll back the Agnipath Scheme immediately,” read the resolution moved by the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, training his guns at the BJP-led NDA government for this whimsical move, the Chief Minister, while participating in the debate, dared the BJP leaders to enroll their own sons as Agniveers before supporting this anti-youth move.

He said that those who are advocating this move should set an example by sending their sons first in the Army under the scheme.

Mann said in this way they will get a fresh young lot of Agniveers who will be saluting their leaders in their office, after a service of four years.

The Chief Minister asked the BJP leaders to explain how will the country combat its infiltrators and enemies with an ‘army on rent’.

He cautioned them that this move will prove fatal for the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country in the coming times.

Opposing the resolution, BJP member Ashwani Sharma said it is nothing but doing politics on the security of the country. The scheme was wrongly interpreted. “It is rather aimed at instilling discipline, skilling and patriotism in the youth,” he said.

Congress Legislature Party leader Partap Singh Bajwa, while supporting the resolution, said the Agnipath scheme is fraught with danger. He said a majority of the retired army officers were opposing the scheme.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Update: Heavy Rains To Lash City Today, IMD Issues Yellow Alert For Sept 5-6

Published

on

WETHER

Mumbai: Mumbaikars woke up on Friday to a grey sky and yet another spell of rain-soaked morning showers, as the monsoon continued its firm grip over the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning of heavy rainfall through the day on September 5 and 6. The prediction has kept civic authorities and residents on watch, with the city bracing for another round of waterlogging and traffic snarls.

According to the IMD’s forecast, the next 48 hours are expected to bring intermittent spells of heavy rain across Mumbai and its suburbs. Friday and Saturday will see generally cloudy skies with intense downpours, accompanied by humid and sticky weather. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover between 30–31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will remain close to 24 degrees, offering little comfort to residents battling the damp conditions.

The rains, however, are not expected to last with the same intensity throughout the coming week. From September 7, Mumbai may finally witness a gradual dip in rainfall activity. The IMD has forecast moderate showers on Sunday and Monday, which will bring some relief to commuters. By September 9 and 10, the city is likely to experience light rainfall, and no weather warnings have been issued for these days, hinting at a much-needed break from the heavy monsoon spell.

Meanwhile, across Maharashtra, the weather department predicted varying rainfall intensity. On September 5, the monsoon remains active over the state. Light to moderate rain is expected in several districts, while central Maharashtra may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated pockets. Northern coastal Maharashtra is also on alert, with winds forecast to blow at speeds of nearly 50 kmph, raising concerns for fishermen and coastal residents.

In the Konkan region, the situation remains mixed. Raigad district has been placed under an orange alert with the possibility of very heavy rains in some parts. Meanwhile, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, on the other hand, are under a yellow alert, indicating heavy rain at isolated places but not of the same intensity as Raigad. Temperature-wise, Konkan is recording a maximum of around 29.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25 degrees, reflecting the cloudy and damp weather conditions.

Continue Reading

Crime

Palghar: ₹33 Lakh Jewellery Stolen From Naigaon Bungalow; Thieves Set Fire To Adjacent Shop, Four Arrested Within 8 Hours

Published

on

Maharashtra: In a shocking incident in Chandrapada, Naigaon East, thieves looted jewellery worth Rs 33 lakh from a bungalow and then set fire to an adjacent grocery shop. The Naigaon Police acted swiftly and arrested four accused, including a woman, within just eight hours of the incident.

The burglary took place at a bungalow named ‘Bhimai’, owned by Harshad Mhatre (39). Adjacent to the bungalow is a grocery store named Kamini. On Monday, Mhatre had left for Virar to celebrate Ganeshotsav with relatives, leaving the house unoccupied, as reported by Loksatta. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused broke into the bungalow via the terrace on Tuesday night.

The thieves stole jewellery worth Rs 33 lakh from the house and then set fire to the neighbouring grocery shop. The incident came to light when the fire broke out, prompting a response from the municipal fire brigade, which managed to bring the blaze under control.

Following the incident, a case was registered at Naigaon Police Station under Sections 305, 331(4), and 326(G) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police launched an immediate investigation, and within eight hours, arrested four accused: Ajay Yadav (20), Sonu Faizan Khan (20), Deepak Kharat (21), and Fatima Sheikh (25). The arrests were confirmed by Police Inspector (Crime) Abhijit Madke, who stated that further investigation is ongoing, as reported.

In separate news from Palghar, a 25-year-old pregnant woman gave birth to a baby girl in an 108 ambulance in the early hours of Monday, September 1, while being transferred from Saphale Primary Health Centre to Palghar Rural Hospital due to concerns over possible complications during delivery.

The woman, Vidhi Sambre, a resident of the Saphale area, was pregnant with her second child and had been admitted to Saphale Primary Health Centre late on the night of September 1. After assessing the risk of delivery-related complications, the attending medical officer decided to refer her to Palghar Rural Hospital for advanced medical care.

At around 2:50 a.m., an 108 ambulance was called to transport her. However, during the journey, Vidhi went into labour and successfully delivered a baby girl with the assistance of the ambulance medical team.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Thane: Two Minor Girls Missing From Sainik Chawl Area In Kalyan; Police Launch Probe

Published

on

Thane: Two minor girls, aged 15 and 16, from Sainik Chawl in Amardeep Vasahati, Kalyan West, have been missing for the past five days, raising serious concerns among their families. A complaint has been filed at Manpada Police Station, where it is suspected that the girls were abducted by an unknown individual.

According to the report, Ashabai Ganpat Kale, the mother of the 15-year-old girl, reported the disappearance and filed a formal complaint under Section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023. The girls are residents of Sainik Chawl, and their families are engaged in the small trade of selling lemon and chilli.

The family originally hails from Pardhi Tanda, Pandadhari village in Jat taluka, Sangli district. The disappearance of both girls has caused deep distress within the family. Despite ongoing efforts, their whereabouts remain unknown.

The two girls have been missing since 12 noon on August 30. Initially, the family believed the girls might have gone out to see public Ganpati idols in Kalyan, as part of the Ganeshotsav celebrations. However, when they failed to return even after mealtime, the family grew concerned and began searching for them in the surrounding area, as per the report.

They contacted the girls’ school friends and checked with relatives, but the girls were not found. After an extensive but unsuccessful search throughout Kalyan, the family lodged a police complaint, suspecting they may have been lured and abducted.

Senior Police Inspector Sandipan Shinde has taken serious note of the matter and has formed special teams to trace the missing girls. Additionally, Assistant Police Inspector Rupali Karkade is conducting a parallel investigation to ensure a thorough probe into the incident. Police are actively investigating the case, and efforts are ongoing to locate the minors.

Continue Reading

Trending