New Delhi, July 20: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka presented their demands to Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday, stating that the Health Minister assured them that he would discuss the protestors’ demands “internally” with the “leadership”.

In a post on X, Das said, “After waiting for more than 2 hours, Ashutosh Ranka and I just met J.P. Nadda ji at his residence for 10 minutes. While we submitted a written letter with our demands, he has assured us that he will speak internally. We are in that process. There is news of mass detention, etc.”

Ranka also took to X and said, “Nadda ji has requested some time to align with their leadership with regards to our following demands: Immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and 1 crore compensation for all NEET aspirants who committed suicide.”

Earlier, speaking to media, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, “Our demands are clear: Dharmendra Pradhan must resign. The families of the children who committed suicide should receive a compensation of Rs 1 crore. And Sonam Wangchuk should be released immediately.”

Tensions remained high in Delhi as the CJP and its supporters took part in the “Sansad Chalo” protest on Monday, calling for accountability from the government regarding the NEET-UG paper leak case.

As the protesters tried to advance towards Parliament House, they encountered a light police force intended to maintain law and order.

The protest has been organised to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak case and other examination-related irregularities, including the 12th CBSE Board, that have sparked nationwide concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations.

At Jantar Mantar, the situation turned tense as clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, with security personnel attempting to stop them from crossing barricades.

The protest witnessed a heavy security presence, with Delhi Police putting up multiple layers of barricading across the New Delhi district to control the movement of protesters. According to police officials, the protesters gathered at the protest site as crowds continued to swell.

Visuals from the spot showed hundreds of students and young protesters carrying flags and raising slogans. Many protesters were seen attempting to move beyond the barricades, following which police personnel repeatedly pushed them back to maintain order.

Police personnel were deployed in large numbers at Jantar Mantar, with a riot control vehicle also entering the protest site early on Monday. Authorities also imposed restrictions around the area as the march towards Parliament was planned by the protesters.

The police used force to stop demonstrators from crossing security barricades, and a lathi charge was also reported during the confrontation between police and protesters.

The situation remained tense as security personnel attempted to prevent protesters from moving towards restricted areas.

Police also deployed signal jammers in and around the protest area, with some protesters claiming that mobile phone connectivity was affected near the venue.

Patna, July 20: A Class 12 student was shot dead by unidentified assailants while on her way to school in Bihar Samastipur district on Monday, triggering shock and panic in the area.

The incident took place in Kejiya village under the Vaini police station limits in the morning.

According to police, the student, who studied in Class 12 at Kasturba Vidyalaya, had left home in her school uniform to attend classes when she was attacked near her residence.

The assailants allegedly fired multiple rounds at her, killing her on the spot before fleeing the scene.

Police reached the location soon after receiving information about the incident and launched an investigation.

During the preliminary examination, officers recovered four spent bullet casings from the crime scene.

Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the District Investigation Unit (DIU) were also called in to collect forensic evidence and assist in the probe.

Preliminary findings indicate that the student may have been struck by three bullets, although officials said the exact number of gunshot injuries will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination. Her body has been sent for an autopsy.

Sadar-1 SDPO Sanjay Kumar Pandey described the incident as a heinous crime and said the investigation is being conducted on a priority basis.

He revealed that information provided by the victim’s family has helped police identify a suspect, and raids are underway to apprehend the accused.

According to the SDPO, the family has also shared important details regarding a possible motive behind the murder, and investigators are pursuing all available leads.

However, he clarified that the exact number of assailants is yet to be established and remains part of the ongoing investigation.

To ensure a swift and thorough probe, the district police are constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Officials said the investigation is being carried out using both scientific and technical evidence, with efforts focused on identifying and arresting all those involved in the killing.

New Delhi, July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while lauding the Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace for successfully launching Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, said on Monday that the feat was achieved by youngsters with an average age of 28 years and not by a “56-year-old youth”.

He hailed the youth of the nation for achieving numerous milestones, stating that the potential and aspirations of the youth are as “boundless as space” itself.

Speaking to the reporters at the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, PM Modi said, “Be it monsoon or Monsoon Session, both are very productive. When both are productive, it benefits both the welfare of the nation and the welfare of all living beings. That is why I hope that monsoon, as well as the Monsoon Session, is productive.”

“In the last month, the country has achieved numerous milestones, and a series of accomplishments has unfolded that fill its citizens with pride — be it national, international or in the space sector. In a sense, there were many proud moments,” he said.

The Prime Minister recalled that before last year’s Monsoon Session, an Indian reached the International Space Station (ISS), and this time, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, under Mission Aagaman.

“The youngsters working at Skyroot, their average age is just 28 years. These youngsters have done this work. I am not talking about a 56-year-old youth; I am talking about the youth with an average age of 28 years, who have held India’s flag high on the international level,” he added.

PM Modi said that India’s global profile is gaining “universal recognition and acceptance”.

“This is not a coincidence; it is a message, and a very powerful one, that the potential and aspirations of our country’s youth are as boundless as space itself — there cannot be a more inspiring message for the country than this,” he added.

The Prime Minister mentioned a huge oil refinery was dedicated to the nation in Rajasthan, India’s third semiconductor plant was dedicated to the nation and a green hydrogen-powered train — a facility, according to him, very few countries in the world possess.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication of India’s scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and workers — all of whom are living and working together for the country,” he said.