Fresh consignments of India’s pomegranates and kiwi fruit exports have hit the Dubai market, opening new markets for the country’s farmers, backed by the Centre’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

APEDA has facilitated the export of 1.3 metric tonnes (MT) of Sinduri variety pomegranates from Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district and the trial export of 1.5 metric tonnes (MT) of kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a Commerce Ministry statement issued on Tuesday.

The consignment of pomegranates, comprising 650 boxes of 2 kg each, was exported by Uttar Pradesh-based Amama Exports. The initiative connects local growers and a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) with an exporter, creating opportunities for Himachal Pradesh’s horticultural produce to access international markets. The pomegranates were sourced directly from local farmers and the Bhuntar FPO, which is associated with approximately 600 farmers. The Kullu district horticulture administration supported the initiative by facilitating procurement and coordination, the statement said.

The initiative demonstrates the role of direct procurement and collective participation through FPOs in strengthening market linkages for farmers. The export enabled participating farmers to achieve 50 per cent higher price realisation compared with the prevailing domestic market benchmark.

The Sinduri variety is among the pomegranate varieties grown in Himachal Pradesh, alongside Bhagwa and Kandhari. Known for its attractive red skin, juicy arils, and sweet-tart flavour, Sinduri pomegranates are suitable for fresh consumption and offer potential for export markets.

The trial export consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes (MT) of kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh successfully reached Dubai and was showcased at LuLu Hypermarket in Al Qusais. The initiative marks a step towards assessing the fruit’s potential in international markets.

The initiative, undertaken under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), seeks to promote and strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s kiwi sector under the branding initiative “Kiwi: USP of Arunachal Pradesh”. Implemented in collaboration with the state government, the initiative aims to introduce the state’s kiwis to international markets, assess consumer response and develop stronger market linkages to expand export opportunities for local growers.

Arunachal Pradesh’s high-altitude growing conditions and natural environment support the cultivation of kiwi with distinctive fruit quality and flavour. The state’s produce offers potential in premium domestic markets, export promotion and value-added products. The major varieties grown in the region include Hayward, Monty, Allison and Bruno, with the Hayward variety showing good demand in international markets.

The initiative also seeks to connect local kiwi growers with potential overseas markets, creating additional sales channels and opportunities for improved farmer returns through future shipments. The trial export is expected to provide a basis for assessing market response and identifying requirements for expanding the presence of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi in international markets.

Tension prevailed in Bihar’s Madhubani district after women protesting against a police firing incident allegedly grabbed District Magistrate (DM) Anand Sharma by his collar when he arrived to pacify an agitated crowd in Khojpur.

The incident occurred during a road blockade staged by residents demanding strict action against Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Chandramohan Singh, who allegedly opened fire on villagers in Balirajgarh village under Babubarhi police station area, killing one person and injuring three others.

A video of the confrontation has surfaced, showing some women arguing with the DM and allegedly grabbing his collar. The situation briefly turned chaotic before security personnel intervened and brought it under control. Superintendent of Police (SP) Yogendra Kumar was also present at the spot.

The firing incident took place around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. ASI Chandramohan Singh, who was posted at a local police picket, allegedly opened fire with his service weapon following a confrontation with villagers at a private residence.

According to reports, the ASI had visited the house of a woman, where residents allegedly caught him in a compromising situation. The villagers reportedly surrounded him and locked the door from outside. As the situation escalated, the ASI allegedly opened fire to escape.

Four villagers were hit by bullets. Fifty-year-old Ashok Yadav died during treatment, while Dhanik Lal Yadav, Phulo Devi and Vijendra Yadav sustained injuries. The accused ASI fled the scene after the shooting.

Taking serious note of the incident, the police have suspended Chandramohan Singh and announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to his arrest. Madhubani police have constituted a five-member special team to trace him and are conducting raids at suspected locations.

According to SP Yogendra Kumar, an FIR has been registered for murder, and the police are making efforts to ensure a speedy trial and conviction of the accused.

The police are also examining the accused officer’s previous record. In July 2025, he faced disciplinary action in connection with the death of a minor motorcyclist during his deployment with a Dial-112 emergency response team in the Madhwapur police station area.

Security has been strengthened in the affected area amid continuing public anger. The police are continuing their search for the absconding ASI.

A CBI court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced former Bank of Baroda branch manager Subodh Kumar Rastogi to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 in a bribery case dating back to 2015, an official statement said on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Rastogi, who was serving as the Branch Manager of Bank of Baroda’s Balrampur branch in Uttar Pradesh at the time of the offence, was found guilty of demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a borrower. The court delivered its judgment on November 2 after completing the trial.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case against Rastogi on October 26, 2015, based on a complaint filed by a businessman who had secured a loan of Rs 5 lakh from the bank for the expansion of his solar lights business.

The complainant alleged that while disbursing Rs 1.25 lakh as a term loan, the branch manager collected around Rs 25,000 under the pretext of chartered accountant fees, stamp paper charges and file processing expenses, the CBI said in the statement.

It was further alleged that after a cash credit limit of Rs 3.75 lakh was sanctioned, Rastogi demanded an additional bribe of Rs 25,000 and threatened to close the borrower’s account if the payment was not made.

Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while allegedly accepting Rs 10,000 as illegal gratification from the complainant.

Following the investigation, the agency filed a charge sheet against Rastogi on December 18, 2015.

After examining the evidence and hearing the case from both sides, the court found him guilty and awarded the sentence, bringing the decade-old corruption case to a close.