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Azaan vs Hanuman Chalisa: Karnataka government to act in a restrained way

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At a time when the loudspeaker issue in Karnataka is refusing to die down, the ruling BJP in the state has decided to handle the sensitive matter in a restrained way.

Sources in the ruling BJP explained that the state government would not blindly support the Hindu organisations and activists who have kicked-off a campaign to chant Hindu prayers in temples against Azaan.

Reacting to the latest development on the loudspeaker issue, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday stated that there is a Supreme Court order in this regard. “It applies to everyone,” he said.

“We will implement the orders in the most cordial way in Karnataka. We have seen what is happening in other states. The High Court has also given orders to implement the Supreme Court guidelines strictly, he said.

“I am discussing the issue with the senior officers and will give necessary directions,” he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of legislators from the Congress party met Bommai and submitted a memorandum and requested him to ensure that Muslims are not targeted in the backdrop of the loudspeaker row.

Senior leaders U.T. Khader, N.A. Haris and Nazir Ahmad urged Bommai to initiate strict action to ensure communal harmony. They have also ensured that mosques will follow the court guidelines.

Former Minister and Congress MLA U.T. Khader stated that 99 per cent of people in the state are peaceful. “A few forces are bringing in discord. The government should establish a peaceful and harmonious society,” he added.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant met Bommai and briefed him about the situation in the capital city in the backdrop of the loudspeaker issue.

Crime

DRI seizes 2 leopard skins, wild boar horn; two suspects apprehended

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Bhopal, May 6: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Nagpur unit, under the Mumbai Zonal jurisdiction, successfully apprehended two individuals engaged in illegal trade and possession of leopard skins.

Following the seizure, the confiscated wildlife articles and the detained individuals were handed over to the District Forest Division of Ujjain for further investigation in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The operation, conducted in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in the seizure of two leopard skins with heads, along with an ivory (wild boar horn), from the suspects.

Acting on specific Intelligence regarding attempts to sell these prohibited wildlife items, the DRI team intervened at a hotel in Ujjain on the morning of May 4 leading to the suspects’ capture.

The seized leopard skins and ivory were confiscated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which strictly prohibits the trade, purchase, or possession of leopard skins or any part of the animal, as leopards are listed under Schedule I of the Act.

The agency is active in various wildlife enforcement actions, including a recent operation in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, where it seized two leopard hides and 18 leopard nails, leading to the arrest of five individuals.

In March 2024, another mission in Vizag city resulted in the seizure of a leopard skin and the apprehension of four traffickers.

Additionally, DRI’s Pune unit intercepted a leopard skin in Akola, Maharashtra, leading to the arrest of three persons.

This operation is part of DRI’s ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

Earlier in January 2025, the Nagpur unit intercepted three individuals in Maharashtra’s Akola district and recovered one leopard skin.

These successful missions reaffirm DRI’s steadfast commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trade and safeguarding India’s biodiversity.

Employing its Intelligence-based approach and enforcement capabilities, the DRI continues to dismantle trafficking networks and enforce wildlife protection laws in collaboration with other agencies.

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Crime

12 more militants apprehended in Manipur, large cache of arms recovered

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Imphal, May 6: Security forces have arrested 12 more militants, including a woman cadre, of different outfits and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur during the past 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said that of the 12 militants apprehended, 11 belong to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) outfit and one to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) group.

The militants, including a woman cadre, were arrested from four districts — eight from Imphal East, one from Imphal West, two from Thoubal, and one from Kakching.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK series/A1/M4/self-loading rifles, .303 rifles, pistols, camouflage uniforms, mobile phones, various electronic devices, incriminating documents and various other materials were recovered from the militants.

These extremists were involved in kidnapping, threatening people, various types of crimes, forcible collection of money from government employees, contractors, traders and common people.

The security forces, comprising Central and state forces, arrest militants of different outfits almost every day.

Meanwhile, police, during the past 24 hours, have recovered six more stolen vehicles in a special drive conducted for the recovery of stolen/snatched vehicles from anti-social elements/ miscreants.

Amid the ethnic violence in Manipur, widespread theft of cars and two-wheelers was reported, and 151 stolen cars and 30 two-wheelers have been recovered since April 16 from different places in the state when a special drive for the recovery of stolen/snatched vehicles was launched.

Combined security forces have continued search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. Manipur has two National Highways — the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), both very crucial to bring in foodgrains, various essentials and useful items, medicines, transport fuels, construction materials, machineries, and numerous other commodities from outside the state. To prevent any attack or any untoward incident, the security forces provide escorts to all kinds of vehicles when they move through the National Highways.

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National News

High level meeting begins in Home Ministry regarding mock drill, many officials also present

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New Delhi, May 6: A high level meeting has started in the Home Ministry on the mock drill to be held on May 7. The Home Secretary is holding a meeting with representatives of 244 civil defense districts.

In fact, this is an important meeting regarding the mock drill to be held on May 7, which has been organized in North Block under the chairmanship of Home Secretary Govind Mohan. The presence of Chief Secretaries and senior officials of the states in the meeting makes it clear that this is a national level coordination effort related to security and disaster management.

The objective of this meeting is to ensure preparation and coordination for the mock drill to be held on May 7. Due to this, officials of NDRF, Civil Defense DG, DG Fire and Air Defense as well as representatives of state governments have also participated in it.

Apart from this, the focus is on border and sensitive districts. Representatives of 244 civil defense districts and border areas have specially participated for this meeting. Also, this drill will focus on preparing for emergency scenarios like rockets, missiles and air strikes. Apart from this, discussions are also possible in the meeting on how to make arrangements for sirens and blackouts. This meeting is being considered a big step towards testing and improving the country’s security and disaster handling capabilities.

It is worth mentioning that after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, the central government has taken a big step regarding security preparations. The Home Ministry has directed many states of the country to organize a comprehensive civil defense mock drill on May 7.

According to government sources, important activities will be carried out under the mock drill. During this, air raid warning sirens will be operated. This is a step related to issuing alerts about major danger and enemy activities.

Citizens and students will be trained in necessary civil defense techniques to keep themselves safe in case of possible attacks. Crash blackout will be arranged. Under this, emergency protocols will be implemented to hide cities and structures from enemy aerial surveillance or attack.

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