National News
Varanasi official admits ‘lapses’ in EVM row, claims SP

A day after Akhilesh Yadav alleged that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were moved illegally in Varanasi just 48 hours before the counting of votes in state elections, his party tweeted the on-camera statement of an official conceding there were ‘lapses’.
Varanasi’s Commissioner Deepak Agarwal appeared to accept that there was a lapse in protocol in the movement of EVMs. However, he insisted that the vote machines in question were only for training purposes.
“If you talk about the protocol for the movement of EVMs, there was a lapse in the protocol, I accept that. But I can guarantee you, it is impossible to take away machines used in voting,” he said and explained that there were CCTV cameras, security guards and political party representatives at the counting centres.
“Political party workers can even sit outside the centres to keep an eye,” the Commissioner added.
The Samajwadi Party shared the comment on Twitter and said it was an admission that protocol was not followed.
“There is information of violations in EVMs from various districts. On whose order is this happening? Are officials under pressure from the Chief Minister’s (Yogi Adityanath) Office? The Election Commission must clarify,” the Samajwadi Party tweeted, tagging the Election Commission.
On Tuesday evening, Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling BJP of trying to ‘steal’ the election and alleged that EVMs were moved out of a counting centre in three trucks.
Claiming video evidence, the Samajwadi chief also said his party workers had intercepted one of the trucks in Varanasi.
“In Varanasi, we caught one truck with EVMs and two others fled. If the government is not trying to steal votes, then it should at least explain why there was no security while moving EVMs,” Yadav said.
He also alleged that officials had orders to slow down the counting of votes at places where the chances of the BJP candidate’s win are slimmer. The instructions were specifically given for 47 seats where the BJP’s margin of victory in the 2017 election was less than 5,000 votes, he claimed.
BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya rubbished the Samajwadi Party chief’s allegation and said, “I would ask Akhilesh Yadav to be patient. What is in the EVMs will be known on March 10 (Thursday) when votes are counted.”
Exit polls have predicted a big victory for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh Yadav, who is the main challenger to the BJP in this election, is tipped to finish second.
National News
India and Pakistan to stop all firing and military action: MEA

New Delhi, May 10: A few minutes after US President Donald Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire” between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea with effect from 5 PM Indian Standard Time, on Saturday.
“The Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hrs earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hrs Indian Standard Time today,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a short media briefing.
“Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Director General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours,” the Foreign Secretary added.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire” between India and Pakistan without sharing any details of the negotiations or the ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Rubio also said in a State Department statement that he and Vice-President J D Vance conducted the ceasefire negotiations.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns.
“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.
Secretary of State Rubio said in a separate statement: “Over the past 48 hours, Vice President Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik.
“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” he stated.
National News
Trump says India and Pakistan ‘agree to full and immediate ceasefire’

Donald Trump says “India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire”.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, the US President says: “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.
“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
We have not heard this from either India or Pakistan, stay with us for the latest developments.
Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar says.
He adds: “Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Cyber Department warns against fake news circulation amid rising India-Pak tensions

Mumbai, May 10: The Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber Department, on Saturday issued an advisory warning against the circulation of fake news amid cross-border tensions, asking the citizens to show restraint.
“Spreading false information, knowingly or unknowingly, is a punishable offence under relevant provisions of law. Maharashtra Cyber strongly advises all citizens to exercise restraint and discernment while consuming and sharing information, particularly in relation to matters of national importance. The Government of India maintains official communication channels and verified platforms for issuing statements, updates, and press releases concerning national security and defence matters. Citizens are urged to rely exclusively on these official sources for information and are firmly discouraged from forwarding or amplifying unverified messages, videos, or images that may contribute to social discord or misinformation,” said the advisory.
The department has appealed to all individuals to act responsibly, verify facts from authorised sources, and report any suspicious or misleading content at the earliest opportunity.
“In view of the prevailing cross-border tensions, accurate and timely information concerning developments at the border and adjoining regions holds vital importance for citizens. However, Maharashtra Cyber has observed with concern that amidst the dissemination of critical information, several instances of fake news are being circulated across various digital platforms. This misinformation not only misleads the public but also promotes confusion and unrest within society,” said the advisory.
“A considerable volume of this fake content pertains to alleged army movements, strategic operations, or retaliatory measures from neighbouring countries. Such unverified and misleading content poses a serious risk to national security and may contribute to the escalation of tensions. Unsocial elements appear to be exploiting the sensitivity of the situation by generating and distributing this fake news with the intention of gaining followers, inciting panic, or manipulating public perception,” said the advisory.
Taking cognisance of these developments, Maharashtra Cyber has issued several notices for the removal of such false narratives across social media and communication platforms. The department remains fully committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy information environment and will continue to coordinate with platform operators and enforcement agencies to curb the spread of misinformation.
The Cyber Department’s advisory comes a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde warned that the government will take stern action against those spreading fake news on social media.
CM Fadnavis, at the meeting he chaired to review the security arrangement and preparedness amid escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, asked the administration to study the central government’s ‘Union War Book’ in depth and inform everyone about it.
Police cyber cells in every district should monitor social media and identify handles that are helping Pakistan and take action against them. If anyone is helping the enemy or spreading false information, take action against them, he said at the meeting.
Further, Eknath Shinde said, “Spreading fake news on social media is a serious crime. Strict action would be taken against it. We request that people not film, video, and broadcast whatever preparations are being made by the military and coast guard forces, as it is important from a security perspective.”
He announced that the government will initiate strong action against those engaged in spreading fake news on social media.
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