Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3: In a swift action following the viral video of a woman tourist being harassed by local taxi drivers in Munnar, the Kerala Police, on Monday, have suspended two officials and taken two taxi drivers — identified as Vinayakan and Vijayakumar — into custody.

The case has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting the state government to promise corrective steps to ensure tourist safety in the hill station.

The video, originally posted by Janvi, a Mumbai-based assistant professor, showed a group of taxi drivers confronting and intimidating her and her friends for booking an online cab instead of a local taxi near the KSRTC bus stand in Munnar on October 30.

The drivers, reportedly opposed to app-based taxi services, allegedly warned the tourists that they would not be allowed to travel unless they hired local taxis.

Janvi alleged that when she approached the police for help, officers failed to act, echoing the stance of the taxi union.

“We were forced to take another vehicle and eventually cut short our trip out of fear,” she said in the video, which has since been deleted but had already gone viral.

Following the public outcry, the Munnar police registered a suo motu case under Sections 126(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.

The FIR did not initially name any accused, but police have since identified three taxi drivers, two of whom are in custody, with the third expected to be taken into custody soon.

State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas called the incident “unfortunate” and said it “should never have happened,” adding that steps will be taken to strengthen police vigilance and prevent the harassment of tourists in the future.

The incident has reignited debate over the monopoly of local taxi unions in tourist destinations and the challenges faced by app-based cab services in Kerala.

Mumbai: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has resumed its demolition drive against illegal constructions in the Khan Compound area of Mumbra, Maharashtra. Just days after 17 unauthorised buildings were razed, civic officials have now turned their attention to more illegal structures in the nearby Shil Daighar locality.

This renewed action has once again stirred tension in the area, with hundreds of residents gathering to oppose the demolitions.

Fearing unrest, the Thane Police and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been stationed at the site. The presence of uniformed personnel and demolition machinery has created a charged atmosphere in the locality.

The action is being carried out under the directives of the Bombay High Court, which ordered the removal of unauthorised constructions built without proper permissions or safety clearances.

The Bombay High Court had earlier directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to take strict action against illegal structures in and around Mumbra. The civic body had previously demolished several such buildings but had paused operations after widespread protests from local residents.

Despite multiple notices and warnings, the unauthorised structures continued to expand, prompting the latest round of demolitions.

Civic officials indicated that the demolition drive will continue in phases until all unauthorised constructions identified in the High Court order are cleared. The Thane Municipal Corporation has also urged citizens to verify property documents before purchasing any new homes.

While authorities maintain that the action is lawful, the human cost of the demolition has once again highlighted the growing tension between development enforcement and urban housing distress in Mumbra.

Mohali (Punjab), Nov 3: With India delivering a memorable performance to seal their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who not only enabled to add a glorious chapter in India’s cricketing history but also gave a “new life” to her elderly ailing grandmother, an inspiration for her to rise to fame with sheer hard work and determination despite humble background.

Amanjot’s grandmother, Bhagwanti, is bedridden after suffering a heart attack in September. “The news of India’s victory last night and the outstanding performance by Amanjot have given a new life to my mother,” was the first reaction of the cricketer’s father, Bhupinder Singh, 54, who is a carpenter and crafted her first bat with his own hands, on Monday.

He told Media that his 75-year-old mother Bhagwanti Kaur suffered a heart attack and was again hospitalised last week owing to deteriorating health.

On the request of the family that she should be allowed to stay at home till the final match, doctors discharged her on November 1.

“Though my mother is bedridden but conscious, and we informed her about Amanjot’s grand win, and she responded by opening her eyes,” he added.

India defeated South Africa by 52 runs. Amanjot joined the academy of cricket coach Nagesh Gupta when 15 and her father used to take her daily to the academy from Mohali, located on the outskirts of Chandigarh, on a scooter.

Amanjot was primarily a bowler before she met Chandigarh-based coach Gupta, who transformed her into an all-rounder after her debut in domestic cricket for Punjab in 2017-18. Later, she played for Chandigarh in 2019-20 and, from 2022-23, moved to Punjab.

Amanjot’s catch in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final swung the game for India.

Narrating her daughter’s struggle in the initial years, Bhupinder Singh, who was gifted a Mahindra Thar by his cricketer daughter in 2023, told Media that his mother has been Amanjot’s inspiration to enter the world of cricket.

“When Amanjot started playing ‘gully’ (street) cricket with boys with a dupatta tied around the waist in front of our residence (in Mohali), my mother used to sit there for hours to see her performance and for a pep talk. Also, she used to keep an eye on anti-social elements,” he said, adding that before entering cricket, his daughter played hockey, handball and football.

He said if his daughter had missed securing the catch of the South African skipper, she should be blamed if India lost the final. “If Amanjot had missed the catch and India lost the match, the entire blame should fall on my daughter. But the spectacular catch is a huge moment,” he said with moist eyes and ‘shukrana to waheguru’, adding, “In fact, the catch was a game changer and that was the moment when India won and South Africa lost.”

He said he got the phone call from his daughter at around 1 p.m. Sunday-Monday night about the team’s win and said she would come to stay with the family in six to seven days. “India’s win and the spectacular play of their daughter are inspiring her bedridden ‘dadi’ (grandmother) to live life more, as she is the force behind her success,” Bhupinder Singh said with festivity at his residence in Punjabi style since the team’s win.