Maharashtra
‘Intellectual Bankruptcy’: Shiv Sena(UBT) mocks Mahayuti govt’s Rs 5,000 Diwali gift to farmers in ‘Samaana’
Mumbai, Oct 16: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Friday attacked the Mahayuti government led by Devendra Fadnavis, labelling its festive financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for farmers and Rs 2,000 for Anganwadi workers as an “insult” to the working class.
It said that amid soaring inflation and widespread drought, the announced package is nothing short of a cruel joke. By announcing these as “Diwali gift, the Fadnavis government has “bankrupted its own intellect”.
The Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Samaana’, said that over 300 talukas in the state have been officially declared drought-hit, leaving rural families grappling with severe water shortages, failed kharif and rabi crops, and mounting debts. Instead of substantive relief, the administration is merely holding meetings and making empty declarations.
The editorial highlighted that the Rs 5,000 being distributed to farmers is not a special grant, but rather an advance drawn from funds expected from the Central government. It criticised the government for rebranding an advance payment as a benevolent “Diwali gift” to take undeserved credit.
Questioning how a family can celebrate a festival or buy basic essentials and clothing with such a small sum during a massive inflation wave, the editorial labelled the payout a mockery of the hardships faced by the agricultural community and Anganwadi workers. “How to rub salt into the wounds of the poor should be learned only from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The fire of drought is blazing. The lives of people and cattle are being scorched, and the government is making a dry rain of meetings and announcements on drought relief. Moreover, the whole affair is such that the helping hand is a span wide, but its publicity is a cubit wide,” remarked the editorial.
The editorial further stated that CM Fadnavis has done a great favour to the drought-affected people. “This bountiful assistance is being trumpeted so much that people might mistake this five-thousand figure for five lakhs. Fadnavis and his people must think that this five-thousand assistance will bring a tide of joy into the lives of farmers, make farming families happy, and sweeten their Diwali. If they think that 1.25 crore farmers will benefit from this five-thousand assistance, then they do not know the plight of the devastated farming brethren of rural Maharashtra,” it commented.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena drew a sharp contrast between the state’s financial allocations, pointing out that while districts receive hefty sums of Rs 50 lakh for events like the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan, only nominal pittances are doled out to drought-stricken farmers and grassroots workers. “This is not assistance; it is a mockery of their plight and a cruel joke on the ongoing drought,” the editorial said, summing up the widespread discontent in rural Maharashtra.
Crime
Two wanted accused in cow slaughter case injured in UP Police encounter in Kanpur, arrested

Kanpur, Oct 16: Two wanted accused who were absconding in connection with a cow slaughter incident in the Nawabganj police station area were injured in a police encounter in the Fazalganj police station area in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur on Friday.
Police arrested both accused and admitted them to a hospital for treatment. They are being interrogated in connection with the case.
According to police, the cow slaughter incident occurred during the intervening night of October 7 and 8, in the Nawabganj police station area. After cow remains were recovered from the spot, police registered a case under relevant sections of the law.
Teams comprising the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, surveillance, cyber and Nawabganj police were formed to investigate the case. Police arrested one accused on Thursday, while the search for the remaining suspects continued.
On October 16, police received information about the presence of two wanted accused in the Fazalganj police station area. Acting on the tip-off, teams from Fazalganj police station, SWAT, surveillance and the cyber unit jointly launched a search operation and cordoned off the area.
Police claimed that the accused opened fire at the police team with the intention of killing the personnel. In retaliatory firing, both accused sustained gunshot injuries.
The injured accused were subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Atul Srivastava said the accused were being interrogated and that further legal action would be taken based on the facts and evidence gathered during the investigation.
Separately, on October 15, two veterinary officers were suspended over alleged serious negligence in connection with the recent deaths of cattle during heavy rainfall in Badaun.
Departmental action was ordered against the Chief Veterinary Officer, while the Divisional Additional Director was directed to submit a response within 15 days. Suspension and disciplinary action were also recommended against the Block Development Officers of the two blocks concerned.
Crime
Two arrested in copper coil theft case in Rajasthan Bhiwadi

Bhiwadi, Oct 16: The police have arrested two accused, Shahid and Salman, in connection with the theft of copper coils worth approximately Rs 1.50 crore from a private company in Bhiwadi in Rajasthan Khairthal-Tijara district.
The accused conspired with a security guard, drugged a worker and a gunman, and stole the goods from the warehouse. A police team led by Station House Officer (SHO) Sachin Sharma made the arrests.
SHO Sharma said a case was registered at Bhiwadi Police Station following a complaint by warehouse in-charge Mahesh Chandra Sharma.
According to the complaint, on the night of June 9, security guard Ramnarayan, gunman Mukesh Kumar and worker Balmukund were on duty at the warehouse. As part of a planned conspiracy, Ramnarayan mixed a drug into a cold drink and gave it to the worker and the gunman, causing them to lose consciousness.
Subsequently, unidentified outsiders, allegedly acting in collusion with the guard, damaged the warehouse’s CCTV cameras and loaded two copper coils into a vehicle before fleeing.
During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding area, gathered information from informants, sought assistance from the cyber team and questioned suspects arrested in other theft cases.
Following a detailed investigation, police arrested Shahid, son of Salim, and Salman, son of Ishayak. Both accused are residents of Risaldaran under the Sikandrabad police station area of Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district.
Police said the accused sold the stolen copper coils to an unidentified scrap dealer in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and spent the proceeds on luxuries and drugs.
According to police, the duo are habitual offenders who targeted drug-addicted security guards and workers at companies to facilitate copper thefts.
Police further stated that several criminal cases have previously been registered against both accused.
Further investigation is underway to recover the stolen property and establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
Crime
Maha woman dies by suicide; note alleges film job promise, blackmail, Rs 1 Cr extortion demand

Virar, Oct 16: A woman died by suicide in Virar, Maharashtra, amid allegations that she was lured with promises of work in the film industry, threatened with the circulation of a private video and blackmailed for nearly Rs 1 Crore, police said.
The woman allegedly consumed pesticide at a public park in Olanda at around 6.30 a.m. on Thursday. Police have launched an investigation based on a suicide note reportedly recovered from the spot.
Senior Police Inspector Satish Nikam of Arnala Sagari Police Station said the deceased, identified as Nanili Joshi, was a resident of J.P. Nagar. In the note, she allegedly accused a man identified as Patki of repeatedly extorting money from her by promising to arrange work for her in the film industry and subsequently threatening to circulate a private video.
According to the police, the note stated that the woman had been in contact with the accused since January. He allegedly promised to help her secure work in the film industry and subsequently developed a relationship with her. During the relationship, some private videos of the woman were allegedly recorded.
The accused then allegedly threatened to make the videos public and demanded money from her, the note reportedly stated.
The note mentions an amount of approximately Rs 1 crore. However, the exact amount allegedly demanded and the money exchanged between the two have not yet been established, police said.
The woman’s brother also alleged in his complaint that she had been in contact with the accused since January and had faced harassment and blackmail over various issues. Police are examining the complaint and investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to Nikam, the accused is believed to be a Mumbai resident and was acquainted with the deceased. His mobile phone is currently switched off, and police teams are conducting searches to trace him. Investigators are also attempting to gather further information about the accused, as the woman’s brother reportedly has limited details about him.
Police have registered a case under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the information provided. The crime scene inspection and other necessary legal formalities have been completed.
Nikam said the investigation was in its preliminary stages and that tracing and arresting the accused, identified as Yogesh Mhapnkar alias Saurabh Patki, was a priority.
Police said further legal action would be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation. The allegations against the accused are yet to be established.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
