Sunday, June 28

Jharkhand

Jharkhand Issues Notification for Elections in 48 Urban Local Bodies; Key Updates for Every Area
Jharkhand, Politics, State

Jharkhand Issues Notification for Elections in 48 Urban Local Bodies; Key Updates for Every Area

Ranchi: Jharkhand is all set to elect its local government as the District Election Officers issued the official notification on Wednesday, kicking off the municipal elections across the state. Through this massive electoral exercise, 9 mayors, 39 chairpersons, and 1,087 ward councilors will be elected. Election Schedule and Key Dates The notification marks the start of the election process. The nomination process begins on 29 January and candidates can file their nominations until 4 February. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 5 February, while candidates can withdraw by 6 February. Election symbols will be allotted on 7 February. Voting is scheduled for 23 February, with counting and result declaration on 27 February. Voter Participation A total of 43,33,574...
Jharkhand Cabinet Set for Major Shake-Up; Hemant Soren Returns from Davos-London Trip with High Confidence
Jharkhand, State

Jharkhand Cabinet Set for Major Shake-Up; Hemant Soren Returns from Davos-London Trip with High Confidence

Ranchi: Twelve days after returning from his successful foreign tour, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has placed the state’s potential on the global stage, raising expectations for accelerated development. His return to Ranchi has also intensified discussions of a cabinet expansion, with reports suggesting that two legislators from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) representing Kolhan and Santhal Pargana are likely to be inducted. Hemant Soren Returns from Davos and London Chief Minister Soren returned to Ranchi after participating in the World Economic Forum in Davos and several key engagements in London. He and his wife, Kalpana Soren, were given a grand welcome at the Ranchi airport. Describing the international tour as a historic milestone for the state, Soren emphasized that Jh...
Jharkhand Municipal Elections: Election Commission Caps Campaign Expenditure for Mayoral Candidates
Jharkhand, State

Jharkhand Municipal Elections: Election Commission Caps Campaign Expenditure for Mayoral Candidates

Ranchi: The political temperature in Jharkhand has risen sharply following the announcement of municipal elections. Along with declaring the election dates, the State Election Commission has also set strict limits on campaign expenditure for candidates. After a long wait, the municipal elections in Jharkhand were officially announced on Tuesday, January 27. The announcement has triggered a surge of activity in urban politics across the state. In the elections scheduled on February 23, a total of 43,33,574 voters will exercise their franchise across 48 urban local bodies, including 22,07,203 male voters, 21,26,227 female voters, and 144 transgender voters. This time, however, mayoral candidates will not be able to spend lavishly on election campaigns, as the Election Commission has impos...
Jharkhand Municipal Elections: Model Code of Conduct Enforced, Several Activities Halted Until February 23
Jharkhand, Politics, State

Jharkhand Municipal Elections: Model Code of Conduct Enforced, Several Activities Halted Until February 23

Ranchi: With the announcement of dates for the Jharkhand municipal elections, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force across the state. Following this, several government and political activities have been put on hold until February 23. Here’s a detailed look at the key developments. The election schedule for 48 municipal bodies in Jharkhand has been declared. Voting for all municipal bodies will take place on February 23, with the counting of votes and announcement of results scheduled for February 27. For the first time, reservations have been provided for the backward classes in municipal bodies. According to the Election Commission’s notification, the mayoral post in Ranchi has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes, while the positions in Dhanbad, Deoghar, and Bokaro munici...
Jharkhand Announces Nagar Nikay Elections: Voting on 23 February, Results on 27 February
Jharkhand, State

Jharkhand Announces Nagar Nikay Elections: Voting on 23 February, Results on 27 February

Ranchi, Jharkhand: The long-awaited municipal elections in Jharkhand have officially been announced. The State Election Commissioner, Alka Tiwari, informed the media in a press conference in Ranchi that elections for all municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats across the state will be held simultaneously. Voting and Model Code of ConductAccording to the Election Commission’s schedule, voting will take place on 23 February 2026, and the results will be declared on 27 February 2026. With the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect across the state. Elections Based on 9 January Reservation ListThe State Election Commission clarified that the elections will follow the reservation list issued on 9 January 2026. For this cycle, the mayora...
Who is IAS Alka Tiwari, Who Coincidentally Took the Same Post as Her Husband
Jharkhand, State

Who is IAS Alka Tiwari, Who Coincidentally Took the Same Post as Her Husband

Ranchi, Jharkhand: The Jharkhand government has appointed senior retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Alka Tiwari (1988 batch) as the State Election Commissioner of Jharkhand. Ms. Tiwari had retired as the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand on 30 September 2025, and shortly after, she was entrusted with this new responsibility. On 27 January 2026, she announced the dates for the upcoming municipal elections in the state. Four-Year Tenure as State Election CommissionerAlka Tiwari will hold the position of State Election Commissioner for a term of four years, or until she attains the age of 65, whichever comes first. Her appointment has been made under the powers conferred by Section 66(2) of the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2001, and the terms and conditions of service are gove...
Who Is IPS Anoop Birthare? Jharkhand IG Awarded Police Medal for Exemplary Service
Jharkhand, State

Who Is IPS Anoop Birthare? Jharkhand IG Awarded Police Medal for Exemplary Service

Ranchi: On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced Police Medals for 12 police officers and personnel from Jharkhand in recognition of their distinguished and meritorious service. Among the recipients is senior IPS officer Anoop Birthare, currently serving as Inspector General of Police (IG), who has been honoured for his contribution to effective policing and maintenance of law and order in the state. The official notification, issued by the Home Ministry ahead of Republic Day, acknowledged the dedication, courage and professional excellence demonstrated by the awardees in safeguarding public security and strengthening the policing system in Jharkhand. Career Profile of IPS Anoop Birthare IPS Anoop Birthare is a 2006-batch Indian Police Ser...
47-Hour Gunbattle in Jharkhand: 13 Naxals Killed in ‘Operation Meghaburu’; ₹4.5 Crore Bounty Neutralized
Jharkhand, State

47-Hour Gunbattle in Jharkhand: 13 Naxals Killed in ‘Operation Meghaburu’; ₹4.5 Crore Bounty Neutralized

Ranchi/Chaibasa, Jharkhand: Security forces achieved a major breakthrough against Naxals in the dense Saranda forests on the Jharkhand-Odisha border under ‘Operation Meghaburu.’ A fierce 47-hour encounter resulted in the deaths of 13 hardcore Naxals, with a total bounty of ₹4.49 crore on them. Among those killed were top commander Rapa Munda and a female Naxal, Muvati Honhanga. The operation also led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition. Rapa Munda and Muvati Honhanga Among the DeadZonal commander Rapa Munda, with a bounty of ₹35 lakh, was killed in the operation. He was the prime accused in a deadly IED blast in April 2025, which claimed the life of a Jharkhand Jaguar jawan. Additionally, female Naxal Muvati Honhanga, with a ₹2 lakh bounty, was also neutralized. Secu...
Jharkhand Underworld Sees Rise of ‘Lady Dons’ as Women Take Over Gang Operations
Jharkhand, State

Jharkhand Underworld Sees Rise of ‘Lady Dons’ as Women Take Over Gang Operations

Ranchi, Jharkhand: A startling shift is emerging in Jharkhand’s criminal underworld, with women—wives and close associates of jailed gangsters—assuming leadership roles in organized crime. According to the state ATS, following the imprisonment of notorious criminals like Aman Saw and Sujit Sinha, figures such as Pammi, Riya, and Priyanka are now controlling extortion, arms supply, and revenue collection syndicates. Women Running the GangsInvestigations reveal that these women are no longer mere bystanders. Operating as ‘Lady Dons,’ they manage gang operations, guide shooters, and oversee financial transactions. Law enforcement officials suggest that the increasing surveillance and encounter risks faced by male gangsters have led them to use women as “safe hands” for core operations. The...
Where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Was Last Seen, 1941 History to Come Alive in Gomo
Jharkhand, State

Where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Was Last Seen, 1941 History to Come Alive in Gomo

Gomo, Jharkhand: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary is being celebrated nationwide today, 23 January, as “Parakram Diwas” with grand events across India. This year, the celebration is especially significant as the Ministry of Culture has selected 13 historic sites closely associated with Netaji’s life, including Gomo and Ramgarh in Jharkhand. Gomo Witnessed the ‘Great Escape’ Gomo Railway Station (now renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Junction) is not just a transit point—it stands as a witness to Netaji’s indomitable courage. On the freezing night of 18 January 1941, Netaji began his legendary “Great Escape” from British surveillance right here. It is said that this was the last time he was seen on Indian soil before boarding the Kalka Mail to Peshawar. From Gomo, he tr...