Patna, Dec 12: A shocking incident has emerged from Samastipur’s Vidyapati police station area, where four men posing as police personnel stole goats purchased under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Women’s Employment Scheme.

The incident occurred on Friday in Dhaneshwarpur South Panchayat, Ward No. 9, when the victim, Champa Devi and her family were asleep.

Suddenly, a four-wheeler pulled up outside their home, and the men inside woke the family.

Claiming they were police officials searching for a liquor mafia suspect, the men forcibly entered the premises.

Inside, they took away four goats that Champa Devi had bought using the Rs 10,000 financial assistance she received under the Women’s Employment Scheme.

When she tried to stop them, the accused reportedly brandished a pistol, abused her, and threatened to kill her.

“They said they were police and that a liquor mafia had passed that way. They showed a pistol and told us to move aside. Fearing for our lives, we stepped back. They loaded all four goats into their vehicle and fled,” said Champa Devi.

The same group allegedly targeted another house nearby, stealing three more goats.

According to the victims, they too had purchased the goats with government assistance.

Before the villagers could understand what was happening, the thieves fled in their vehicle with all seven goats.

Locals have demanded strict police action. However, Vidyapati police said they are awaiting a formal complaint to begin proceedings.

“A report of theft has been received, but no application has been filed yet. Action will be taken as soon as we receive it. The gang involved is being investigated,” said Suraj Kumar, Police Officer, Vidyapati Police Station.

The area has witnessed several such goat thefts in the past. Thieves often arrive in four-wheelers—not on motorcycles or on foot—making quick escapes difficult to track.

In an earlier incident a few years ago, villagers even held a DSP hostage after mistaking him for a goat thief.

Under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Women’s Employment Scheme, women are provided Rs 10,000 each to start income-generating activities.

So far, 1.56 lakh women have received the amount. After six months of evaluation, beneficiaries showing positive outcomes become eligible for Rs 2 lakh in additional support to expand their ventures.

New Delhi, Dec 12: India’s year-on-year inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was estimated at 0.71 per cent for November this year which was marginally higher than the 0.25 per cent in October, according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Friday.

Food inflation stayed in the negative zone during November at (-) 3.91 per cent as prices of food goods fell compared to the same month of the previous year. Food inflation has now stayed negative for the sixth month in a row, easing the burden on household budgets.

However, the increase in headline inflation during November 2025 is mainly attributed to an increase in the inflation of vegetables, eggs, meat and fish, spices, and fuels compared to October, according to an official statement.

The retail inflation had eased further in October, after having plummeted to an over 8-year low of 1.54 per cent in September, as prices of food items and goods across sectors fell during the month.

The declining trend in food prices continued in October as food inflation fell deeper in the negative zone at (-) 5.02 per cent from (-) 2.28 per cent in September.

However, the overall outlook for inflation remains benign.

The RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) last week slashed its forecast for India’s inflation rate for the financial year 2025-26 to 2 per cent from 2.6 per cent predicted in October due to the sharp decline in food prices and the GST rate cuts playing out.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a reduction in the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25 per cent from 5.5 per cent earlier, as inflation had come down and the monetary policy could focus on boosting growth.

Malhotra said that the surge in economic growth to 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of the current financial year and the sharp decline in inflation to 1.7 per cent had provided a rare “Goldilocks period” for the Indian economy.

“The MPC noted that headline inflation has eased significantly and is likely to be softer than the earlier projections, primarily on account of the exceptionally benign food prices. Reflecting these favourable conditions, the projections for average headline inflation in 2025-26 and Q1:2026-27 have been further revised downwards.”

Malhotra also pointed out that core inflation (which excludes food and fuel) remained largely contained in September-October, despite continued price pressures exerted by precious metals. Excluding gold, core inflation moderated to 2.6 per cent in October. Overall, the decline in inflation has become more generalised, he added.

The RBI Governor observed that food supply prospects have improved on the back of higher kharif production, healthy rabi sowing, adequate reservoir levels and conducive soil moisture. Barring some metals, international commodity prices are likely to moderate going forward.

Mumbai, Dec 12: Indian stock markets gained for the second straight session on Friday, supported by a strong global rally and heavy buying in metal stocks.

Sentiment also improved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump on Thursday to discuss strengthening economic ties, as both countries continue working toward a trade agreement.

At the closing bell, the Sensex had risen 449.53 points, or 0.53 per cent, to 85,267.66.

The Nifty also moved higher, adding 148.40 points, or 0.57 per cent, to trade at 26,046.95.

“In the near term, the trend is likely to remain constructive as long as the index holds above 25,900, which is expected to serve as a key support level,” experts said.

“On the higher side, the index may move towards 26,300 in the short term,” they added.

Several major stocks led the gains on the Nifty, including Tata Steel, Eternal, UltraTech Cement, L&T, Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Axis Bank and Bajaj Finance.

However, some stocks came under pressure due to profit booking. HUL, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, ITC, Power Grid and HCL Tech were among the top losers.

In the broader markets, the Nifty MidCap index rose 1.18 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index advanced 0.94 per cent.

Sector-wise, the Nifty Metal index led the rally with a jump of 2.63 per cent, followed by realty, consumer durables and oil and gas. The FMCG and media sectors slipped into the red.

Meanwhile, silver prices in India continued their sharp upward trend. Silver futures crossed the historic Rs 2 lakh per kg mark for the first time on Friday, extending a rally that has pushed the metal up nearly 130 per cent so far this year.

Experts said that the combined boost from global cues, strong sectoral performance and improving geopolitical engagement helped the markets end the week on a positive note.