Chennai, March 28: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, held its first-ever general council meeting on Friday in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, where it demanded withdrawal of the Waqf Bill and continuation of the bilingual policy.

The meeting witnessed the participation of over 2,000 members and saw the adoption of 17 resolutions addressing various pressing issues at both the state and national levels.

A key resolution passed at the meeting was the party’s strong demand for the Union government to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill.

The TVK stated that while the Bill was presented as a measure to ensure transparency in managing Waqf properties, it would, in reality, undermine the rights of the Muslim community and impose restrictions that could further marginalise them.

The TVK also demanded the continuation of the bilingual policy and stiffly opposed the three language policy put forward by the Centre.

The party also reiterated its steadfast support for the fishermen of Tamil Nadu, who have long suffered due to frequent attacks and killings by the Sri Lankan Navy.

TVK demanded a permanent solution from the Union government to address the grievances of the fishing community and pledged to go to great lengths to safeguard their interests.

Other significant resolutions passed during the session reflected the TVK’s commitment to social justice, decentralisation of power, and good governance.

The party, in its resolution, also opposed the construction of a new airport in Parandur, citing environmental and displacement concerns.

It also demanded greater devolution of powers to state governments, ensuring more autonomy in regional governance.

The TVK also called for constitution of special fast-track courts to investigate cases of sexual assault, speeding up justice for victims.

The party resolution also condemned the DMK government for its failure to maintain law and order.

The TVK demanded a probe into the Rs 1,000 crore scam in TASMAC, the state-run liquor outlet chain.

The TVK resolution also supported a caste-wise Census to ensure equitable representation and policies aimed at social justice.

The party also urged the government not to deceive employees, teachers, and workers with false promises.

In a move to honour Tamil Nadu’s legacy of social reform, the party proposed naming the upcoming international convention centre on East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai after Periyar, a revered social reformer.

TVK also voiced its continued support for a lasting solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, advocating for a referendum as a democratic way forward.

The party reaffirmed its allegiance to the principles of its policy leaders and unanimously granted its leader, Vijay, full authority to steer the party’s future course.

Vijay officially launched TVK on February 2, 2024, positioning it as a platform against corruption and divisive politics.

While he chose not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has confirmed that TVK will actively participate in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Vijay has made it clear that TVK will align only with parties that accept his leadership, signaling his ambition to emerge as a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post in 2026.

New Delhi, March 28: The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with other party leaders, for alleged violations of the Public Property Act.

The case is currently being heard in Rouse Avenue Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 18.

The FIR was lodged following a directive from a Delhi court, which ordered the police to take action against Kejriwal and other leaders in response to a complaint filed by Shiv Kumar Saxena.

Saxena provided evidence in court alleging that large posters and banners of AAP were illegally put up in the Dwarka area.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal, on March 11, issued the directive to file an FIR against Kejriwal and others regarding the defacement of public property following a complaint lodged by Saxena, who submitted visual proof of unauthorised banners displaying Kejriwal and other AAP leaders across the city.

Taking serious note of the issue, the court stated that such unauthorised hoardings not only diminish the city’s aesthetics but also pose a traffic hazard.

The case has been registered under Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007. The court emphasised that fatalities due to falling illegal hoardings have been reported in the past, making strict action necessary.

In addition to Kejriwal, the court also ordered the registration of an FIR against former MLA Gulab Singh and former councillor Nitika Sharma. The Delhi Police filed a compliance report in the Rouse Avenue Court, confirming the FIR’s registration.

The matter dates back to 2019, when large hoardings were allegedly erected in Dwarka, leading to accusations of misuse of public funds. A complaint was filed at the time, and now, with the court’s order, the police have initiated action.

The development has triggered a stir in political circles. While AAP has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, opposition parties have started targeting the party over the allegations.

Jammu, March 28: The number of terrorists killed in an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district has risen to five after two more bodies were recovered on Friday in the forest area where they had been hiding.

Official sources said that five terrorists had been killed. At the same time, three jawans of the special operations group (SOG) of J&K Police died in the operation in Ghati Heights of Sufiyan Jakhole village of Kathua district.

Seven security personnel, including Deputy SP border, Dheeraj Katoch and a para commando of the Army, were injured in this operation.

The injured have been shifted to a hospital in Jammu city, while the Dy SP is being treated at the government medical college (GMC) hospital in Kathua.

Paying tribute to the martyred policemen, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said, “I bow to the valorous martyrs of J&K Police, who laid down their lives for our motherland. My deepest condolences to their families. In the ongoing Kathua encounter, several terrorists were neutralised. J&K Police & Security Forces are on the job. Operation in progress.”

The operation against the terrorists was resumed this morning with the first light. Given the number of terrorists seen at Sanyal village on Sunday and the fact that five terrorists were killed now in Ghati Heights of Safiyan Jakhole village, it is confirmed that this is the same group which had escaped from Sanyal village and was trying to cross over to Billawar in Kathua district through Ghati Heights.

Official sources said that civilians observed the movement of terrorists at the village Safiyan Jakhole Ghati heights at 7 a.m. Thursday and sounded police.

“Teams of local police and the SOG headed by SDPO Border, Dheeraj Katoch rushed to the spot and engaged terrorists in the gunbattle, who were well equipped with sophisticated weapons like M4 Carbines. Later, Army personnel, including para commandos, were air dropped, and reinforcements of police and paramilitary personnel reached the spot to join the operation,” said the officials.

“Three SOG personnel who were part of the first team to reach the spot were martyred in the operation while the DySP Border was injured. One para commando and six policemen, including the Dy SP, sustained injuries. Three terrorists were neutralized till last evening. Their bodies are lying on a hill and will be brought down once the operation is over,” the officials said earlier.

“The body of one of the terrorists has been burnt. All of them are believed to be Pakistanis,” the officials added.

The police martyrs have been identified as Tariq Ahmad, son of Kabir Hussain of Reasi, Jaswant Singh, son of Angrez Singh of Londi, Hiranagar and Balwinder Singh, son of Prem Singh of Kana Chak, Kathua, all selection grade constables of J&K Police.

“Terrorists are believed to be part of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit. They appeared to be well-trained. The gunfight triggered intense firing and explosions, with the Army using rocket launchers to eliminate the terrorists, who fired heavily with M4 Carbines and other sophisticated weapons and also used grenades. Local youth were seen assisting the security forces in carrying heavy weapons and ammunition deep inside a gorge,” said the officials.

Senior police officers are camping at the spot, supervising the operation.

“Special Army para commandos were airdropped in the evening yesterday to further strengthen the cordon around the area. The bodies of terrorists were noticed by drones and would be retrieved when the operation ends,” official sources said.