Lucknow, Oct 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress, saying that its fight was neither for the Election Commission nor for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), but solely to capture power by creating anarchy in the country. Referring to Bangladesh, he accused the party of advocating “regime change”.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Singh said the incidents that occurred in Delhi in recent days raised serious questions about the Congress’s intentions, alleging that the party was trying to divert the energy of the country’s youth from national progress and use it to create disorder.

“They want to change the regime like in Bangladesh and openly mention in their press conference that they are motivated by Bangladesh and talk about bringing down the government. It clearly shows that their sole agenda is to destroy democratic institutions.

“They are using words such as ‘regime change’, which clearly shows that their fight is neither for the Election Commission nor for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), nor against Gyanesh Kumar, nor for the bright future of the youth. They simply want power by creating anarchy in the nation. When political selfishness is placed above truth or the nation’s interests, democratic discourse, instead of being guided by facts, becomes a victim of obstinacy and malicious propaganda,” Singh said.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi and his supporters, the Defence Minister said democracy could not be used as a licence to create anarchy, damage constitutional institutions, or obstruct India’s progress.

“Rahul Gandhi and his supporters must understand that democracy is not a licence to create anarchy, harm constitutional institutions or hinder India’s progress,” he said.

“To maintain law and order, laws must be respected. India’s constitutional institutions cannot be destroyed for political interests,” he added.

Singh also advised Rahul Gandhi to respect the people’s mandate and introspect on his political role, instead of engaging in political disruptions in the name of protecting democracy.

“Rahul Gandhi, instead of causing political disruptions in the name of saving democracy, should respect the people’s choice and undertake a self-evaluation of his political role. This is my suggestion to him. India’s future is the responsibility of everyone,” he said.

Rajkot, Oct 16: Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rajkot, have removed a sharp metal pin lodged in the small intestine of a 12-year-old girl through endoscopy, avoiding the need for major surgery.

The girl, who had been experiencing persistent abdominal pain after accidentally swallowing the object, was discharged the day after the procedure.

A resident of Junagadh district, the girl had swallowed the pin accidentally a few days before being brought to AIIMS Rajkot.

Her family initially took her to Junagadh Civil Hospital and a private hospital, where an X-ray revealed a metallic object in the upper abdomen. They subsequently approached AIIMS Rajkot for further treatment.

The girl was examined at the General Surgery outpatient department, where doctors conducted further investigations in view of her continuing abdominal pain.

An X-ray showed that the sharp metal pin was lodged in the duodenum, with the first part of the small intestine beyond the stomach, at the junction of its second and third portions.

Doctors decided to remove the object through endoscopy to prevent prolonged retention from causing injury or other complications.

The procedure was performed by a senior team of doctors, and the anaesthesia team supported the procedure and administered anaesthesia.

During endoscopy, the medical team located and safely removed the sharp metal pin from the duodenum. The procedure was completed without an abdominal incision or major surgery, and the girl’s condition remained stable.

Following the procedure, doctors monitored her condition and reported no complications. She was started on a liquid diet six hours later, after which her diet was gradually returned to normal.

As her recovery progressed satisfactorily, she was discharged the following day. The doctors also advised parents to remain alert to the possibility of children accidentally swallowing small objects, including pins, coins and toy parts, while playing.

They cautioned against treating such incidents as harmless, even when a child does not immediately show symptoms.

Parents should not attempt to induce vomiting or remove a swallowed object themselves, but should seek medical attention promptly so that doctors can determine its location and provide appropriate treatment.

AIIMS Rajkot has endoscopy facilities to manage such cases, with treatment determined by the patient’s condition and the assessment of specialist doctors.

Varanasi, Oct 15: A massive explosion triggered the collapse of a two-storey building in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Thursday, leaving two people injured and a woman trapped under the debris, officials said.

The incident took place in the Paigambarpur area under the Sarnath police station area of Varanasi.

According to preliminary information, an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was operating inside the house. The explosion is suspected to have occurred due to highly inflammable materials on the premises.

Two people were injured in the incident and have been taken to hospital for treatment, while efforts are underway to rescue a woman trapped under the rubble.

Speaking to media, DCP Rajesh Pandey said: “Information was received at 5 p.m. that a two-storey building had collapsed. Upon reaching the spot, we found firecrackers scattered around the place, so it is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers.”

He said that according to locals, a woman is trapped under the debris and a rescue operation is currently underway to pull her out.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite relief operations, NDTV reported.

Further, CM Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured. The officials have also been directed to contact the families of the injured and provide them with all possible assistance.

In August, eleven people were killed, and five others suffered serious injuries after an explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facility in Chilla Shahbazi village, under the Pipri police station area in UP’s Kaushambi.

The UP government had then announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for three absconding suspects wanted in connection with the blast.

Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three absconding accused – Shakeel, Kahaksha Bano, and Adil, said an official statement.

Earlier, as part of action against the accused in the firecracker factory explosion, the police arrested the main accused, Naushad, following an encounter on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan road in the Charwa police station area, an official said.