New Delhi, Oct 6: Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), the students’ wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), said on Tuesday that it will undertake a protest march to the national capital’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

CEC Kumar has come under fire following a media report which claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vijay Joshi had “objected on record” to several decisions taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI), allegedly without their knowledge, specifically over the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a post on the social media platform X, Eeshna Gupta, Co-in-charge of ASAP, said: “Across the country, thousands are raising their voices against the functioning of the Election Commission, demanding the resignation and prosecution of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, withdrawal of the SIR, and comprehensive reforms to the ECI.”

“Despite repeated instances of police action, manhandling and sexual assault against protesters and journalists, the movement for democratic accountability continues to grow. On October 10, ASAP will march to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi alongside student organisations, democratic groups, and individuals united around these demands,” she added.

According to a statement issued by the organisation, the protests across the country reflect “growing public concern” over the functioning of the Election Commission, with demands for the resignation and prosecution of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the withdrawal of the SIR, and comprehensive reforms within the ECI.

Noting that thousands of students and individuals have come together in defence of constitutional and democratic values, the AAP students’ body added: “ASAP stands in solidarity with those participating in these demonstrations and with the broad demand for the protection of democratic rights, constitutional freedoms, and the right to peaceful protest. We call upon democratic organisations, student groups, and individuals committed to constitutional values to participate in the protest.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Opposition INDIA bloc MPs launched a protest march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of the CEC.

However, the opposition leaders were stopped by security personnel midway.

Last week, the Aam Aadmi Party and several left-wing student organisations, including Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA), staged a protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar, with several being detained by the police.

Mumbai, Oct 6: Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Anurag Garg called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai and discussed measures to intensify the fight against drug trafficking, an official said on Tuesday.

The NCB official said on X, “Detailed discussions were held on the various steps being undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Whole-of-Government Approach against drug trafficking and distribution in line with the Central Government’s objective of making the country drug-free by December 2029, along with Maharashtra’s ongoing efforts and the action plan for the coming period.”

“The state continues to be at the forefront of this nationwide mission to build a drug-free Maharashtra,” said the NCB.

Earlier in August, the India-US Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) Pillar I Working Group Meeting was hosted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a hybrid format to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating narcotics trafficking.

The NCB shared details of the meeting on the social media platform X, stating, “The India-US Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) – Pillar I Working Group Meeting was hosted by the Narcotics Control Bureau on 6 August 2026 in hybrid mode.”

The meeting brought together representatives from several Indian and US agencies. Participants from the Indian side included the NCB, Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Department of Revenue and Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.

The US delegation included officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), LEGAT, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the US Department of State.

The discussions focused on strengthening operational cooperation, preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals, enhancing policy coordination, and advancing capacity building, said the NCB.

According to the Union Home Ministry, the NCB has strengthened international cooperation in drug control through bilateral agreements with 27 countries and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries.

India holds regular Director General (DG) Level/bilateral talks on drug-related matters with countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore and the US, said an official.

Bhopal, Oct 6: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday promised to expand employment and career opportunities for young people in Madhya Pradesh, announcing twice-yearly MPPSC examinations and separate job-oriented tests from 2027 as part of a series of youth-focused measures.

Addressing the CM Youth Conclave-2026 at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal, Yadav declared 2027 as the “Year of Youth” and said the state government would focus on education, skill development, research, innovation and employment. “Next year will be observed as the Year of Youth. Therefore, the PSC examination will be conducted twice a year,” Yadav said.

He said separate employment-oriented examinations would also be conducted in addition to the regular MPPSC examinations, describing the initiative as a first in the country. The Chief Minister announced that 12 medical colleges and 12 new skill-oriented universities would be established in the state.

The government plans to open one medical college every month, he said. Free coaching for competitive examinations will be provided in government colleges across all districts, while state-of-the-art laboratories for Artificial Intelligence and advanced computing will be established, Yadav said.

The government will also increase the monthly stipend for research scholars from Rs 16,000 to Rs 25,000. Each university will be provided a dedicated fund of Rs 1 crore for research activities, he said. “An Idea Fund of Rs 5 crore will be created at the state level to encourage innovation and startup ideas among the youth,” Yadav said.

The state will enrol one lakh youths in skill-enhancement programmes and facilitate job placements through placement agencies. An Investor Meet will also be organised next year to help generate employment opportunities, he said.

Yadav said the measures were aimed at creating a wider ecosystem for young people to pursue higher education, research, entrepreneurship and jobs within the state.

During his address, the Chief Minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public life and urged the youth gathered at the conclave to applaud and greet him.

“Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, tomorrow marks 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public life. Today, all of us in Bhopal and the youth of the entire state should applaud and extend our greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Yadav said.

According to government data cited at the event, around 36.74 crore people aged 15-29 years live in India, accounting for nearly 26 per cent of the country’s population.