Buxar, Oct 25: Former IPS officer and BJP candidate from the Buxar Sadar seat, Anand Mishra, on Saturday expressed confidence in winning the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, asserting that the people of the state now recognise the NDA’s commitment to welfare and development.

His remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Mahagathbandhan during a massive rally in Siwan, accusing them of trying to revive the “jungle raj” era in Bihar.

Speaking to reporters, Mishra said, “You must have understood by now that our BJP and the NDA genuinely want the welfare and progress of Bihar. They wish to promote the right candidates — those who can unite society, uphold the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ and work towards building a Viksit Bharat with a Viksit Bihar and Viksit Buxar.”

Describing the public’s response to Amit Shah’s rally in Buxar, Mishra said, “Home Minister Amit Shah received a warm welcome in Buxar, and the crowd’s continuous response to his every word reflected their faith in the Indian government. Everyone who came there resolved that for the future of a better Buxar and a better Bihar, we will move ahead with a determined spirit to build a golden Bihar.”

Taking aim at the dynastic politics, he said, “If you look at the past, many times politics was used only to serve personal or family interests. But today, Bihar is awakened — it has given direction to the country’s politics. This time, Bihar is determined not to give any opportunity to those who would harm its progress for their selfish motives.”

BJP National Secretary Rituraj Sinha also backed Mishra’s confidence and said that the people of the state will give a “massive victory” to the NDA.

Speaking to media, Sinha said, “Whatever was lacking in the 2020 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the soil of Shahabad has now been fulfilled. The people have made up their minds to give the NDA a massive victory. The huge crowd and enthusiasm at Amit Shah’s rally in Buxar clearly showed that Shahabad will take the lead in ensuring the NDA’s return to power.”

“We have received tremendous support from the people of Buxar. Tomorrow, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will also visit the district. This time, the NDA will win all 22 seats of Shahabad,” he added.

The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11 to elect 243 members. The counting of votes and the declaration of results will take place on November 14.

New Delhi, Oct 25: Three criminals and a head constable were injured during an exchange of fire between Delhi Police and a group of wanted offenders in the Nangloi area early on Saturday.

According to officials, the gang — known for attacking police teams — had been under surveillance by the Outer District Police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Sachin Sharma told media, “Two days ago, the same group was involved in a hot chase during which they opened fire on the police party. The officers retaliated, but the accused managed to escape at that time.”

The criminals resurfaced in Nangloi on Saturday morning, where they were intercepted by the police. When challenged, the gang once again opened fire, prompting officers to return fire. In the ensuing exchange, three of the four criminals sustained bullet injuries and were later apprehended.

“All injured accused have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment,” officials said, adding that a head constable also sustained injuries in the encounter.

In a separate incident, another exchange of fire took place between Delhi Police and a wanted criminal, Kanishk Pahadia, in the Mehrauli area on Saturday morning.

During the gun battle, Pahadia sustained a gunshot wound, while two police personnel were hit on their bulletproof jackets, and one constable suffered an injury on his arm.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan told IANS, “The arrested accused has been identified as 27-year-old Kanishk Pahadia, a resident of Madangir, Delhi. The accused has 13 previous criminal cases registered against him. He used to post photos and videos of himself brandishing weapons on social media. Police recovered two pistols, loaded magazines, and four empty cartridges from him.”

According to the police, Pahadia procured weapons from Uttar Pradesh and supplied them across Delhi-NCR.

He had reportedly come to the Chhatarpur area late on Friday night to strike a weapons deal when he was intercepted.

A case has been registered against him, and further investigation is underway.

Officials said the encounter occurred after the police team received a tip-off about Pahadia’s movements. When they tried to stop him, he opened fire in an attempt to flee.

Police retaliated and managed to overpower him after he was shot. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable.

Senior officers confirmed that Pahadia has a long criminal history and is wanted in several cases, including illegal arms supply.

“Further investigation is underway to trace his network and sources of weapons,” Chauhan added.

New Delhi, Oct 25: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday extended greetings to the people of the state and the nation on the first day of Chhath Puja, praying to Lord ‘Bhaskar’ (Sun) for the progress, happiness, peace, and prosperity of the state.

CM Nitish took to the social media platform ‘X’ and wrote, “Greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and the country on the occasion of Chhath, the four-day grand festival of folk faith. This grand festival of folk faith is a festival of self-discipline, in which people offer oblations to the setting and rising Sun God with a pure conscience and a clean mind. On the occasion of the great festival of Chhath, we pray to Lord Bhaskar for the progress, happiness, peace, and prosperity of the state.”

Union Food Processing Industries Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan also greeted the people, saying, “Heartiest greetings to everyone on the occasion of ‘Nahay-Khaay’ of Chhath Puja, a celebration of tradition, faith, and social harmony. I pray to Chhathi Maiya for everyone’s happiness and prosperity.”

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also shared his message on ‘X’, writing, “Heartiest greetings to all Chhathvratis on the first day of Chhath Puja, the grand festival of folk faith, ‘Nahay-Khaay’. May everyone attain happiness, prosperity, and health by the grace of Chhathi Maiya. Jai Chhathi Maiya.”

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha extended his wishes on social media, saying, “Heartiest wishes to you and your family on the first day of Chhath Puja, the grand festival of folk faith, world famous for worshipping nature. May Chhathi Maiya fulfil all your wishes.”

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also extended greetings through ‘X’.

AAP chief Kejriwal posted, “The grand festival of Chhath, a festival of folk faith, begins today with Nahay-Khaay. Salutations to the devotion, dedication, and faith of all devotees. May Lord Bhaskar and Chhathi Maiya shower blessings of happiness, prosperity, and health in everyone’s lives.”

On the first day, devotees, known as ‘Vratis’ (people who are fasting), take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple, ‘sattvic’ (having qualities of purity, harmony, and balance) meal of arwa chawal (plain rice) and lauki ki sabzi (bottle gourd curry) after offering prayers. Other traditional foods like chana dal, amla chutney, and papad are prepared and later served as ‘prasad (ritual food offering)’.

With roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga, Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship. Devotees observe strict fasting, abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness. Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivity.