Lucknow, March 1: As Ramzan approaches, the streets around Akbari Gate in Nakhas, Lucknow, are abuzz with activity. The vibrant markets are filled with people eager to shop for the holy month, with excitement building for the upcoming celebrations.

For many, this is a time of joy, and the enthusiasm is evident as shoppers scour the stalls. Shopkeepers too are energised, witnessing the surge in footfall. Dates, chips, papads, and clothes are in demand, as preparations ramp up for the special occasion.

reporter spoke to several locals about the preparations taking place in the city.

Farah Khan shared, “It feels wonderful to get ready for Ramzan, picking up outfits, and gearing up to keep Roza. We’re in the midst of preparations, and we’re excited. After our shopping spree, we’ll focus on Eid celebrations, but for now, it’s all about Ramzan.”

Mohammad Urtusam said, “The excitement around Ramzan is palpable. Look at the crowd shopping around – everyone’s gearing up for this beautiful time of the year.”

Mohammad Siddiqui Khan expressed his joy, saying, “Ramzan, the month of blessings, has begun. I am overwhelmed with happiness. This is the month of Allah’s mercy, and I pray for forgiveness for all those who have passed. Right now, we’re stocking up on household essentials. The shops will quiet down for a few days, but In Sha Allah, once the moon is sighted, the shopping frenzy will pick up again. It’s truly a blessed month.”

Ubaid Ullah added, “The market is lively, and it will only get busier as the evening draws near. This is the month of Ramzan, and the energy only grows. People shop for the festival, for weddings – it’s a time of celebration. Ramzan starts tomorrow, In Sha Allah. There’s so much happiness in the air, and we thank Allah for giving us life to witness this blessed occasion. May we continue celebrating festivals like this for years to come.”

A local woman shared her thoughts, “This is a sacred time for all of us. We pray that everyone, regardless of their background, finds blessings in this month. While Ramzan is primarily a time for worship, we each prepare in our own way – through food, clothing, and other traditions.”

In India, moon-sighting committees will observe the skies at 6 pm on March 1. If the crescent moon is visible, Ramzan will begin on March 2. If not, the first day of fasting will be on March 3.

New Delhi, March 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed authorities on Saturday to ensure the free movement of people on all roads in Manipur starting March 8, warning them of strict action against those creating obstructions.

The directive came during a high-level review meeting at 11 am in the North Block Home Ministry.

Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, senior Army officials, and top paramilitary officers were present. This was the first meeting on the Manipur crisis following the imposition of the President’s Rule in the state.

The primary focus of the meeting was to restore normalcy and peace in Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence between the two groups — Kuki and Meitei — since May 2023. The state has witnessed nearly two years of unrest, resulting in over 200 deaths.

According to the Home Ministry statement, during the meeting, the Home Minister instructed officials to take strict action against extortion in the state.

He also directed that work on fencing both sides of the entry points along the international border with Manipur should be expedited.

Additionally, a decision was made to dismantle the entire network involved in drug trafficking to make Manipur drug-free.

The security review followed an ultimatum issued by Governor Bhalla on February 20, urging individuals to surrender illegal and looted weapons.

In the seven-day period since the announcement, more than 300 weapons have been surrendered, mainly in the valley districts. Among them, 246 firearms were handed over by the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol.

This was followed by the meeting held by Amit Shah on Friday regarding the Rohingya and illegal immigration situation in Delhi. He directed Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the Delhi Police to intensify efforts in identifying and deporting Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants, calling them a “threat to national security.”

Kolkata, March 1: The supplementary charge sheet that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to submit to a special court in Kolkata regarding the RG Kar rape and murder case will focus on specific issues, while shedding light on the broader conspiracy behind the heinous crime, sources familiar with the investigation have revealed.

The CBI recently informed the special court that it would be submitting the supplementary charge sheet soon, which will address the tampering and altering of evidence in the case. Officials are working to ensure that it is filed before the next Supreme Court hearing, scheduled for March 17.

According to sources, the supplementary charge sheet will focus on several critical aspects, with the first being the final report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). This report raises doubts about the “actual scene of the crime.”

The body of the victim, a junior doctor, was found in a seminar hall at the RG Kar premises on the morning of August 9 last year. However, the CFSL report specifically mentions that there was no evidence of a scuffle in the seminar room, suggesting that it may not have been the actual crime scene. It raises the possibility that the body was placed there after the rape and murder took place elsewhere.

The second key issue that may be highlighted will be the CCTV footage available to investigators. The analysis of the footage suggests a possible connection to the larger conspiracy, particularly regarding the tampering and altering of evidence.

The third issue will focus on the analysis of mobile SIM card data, especially from the former and controversial principal of RG Kar, Sandip Ghosh, and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal.

The fourth point concerns the questionable arrangement of the victim’s personal belongings in the seminar hall, which again casts doubt on whether it was truly the scene of the crime.

Earlier this week, the victim’s parents travelled to New Delhi to meet with CBI Director Praveen Sood, expressing concerns over the slow progress of the investigation by the agency.

“We had a patient hearing with the CBI Director for about an hour. He urged us to remain patient and assured us of justice. We trust his assurance. We also consulted with our counsel, Karuna Nundy, regarding the strategy for the upcoming Supreme Court hearing,” the victim’s father told the media.