State – Page 19 – SD NEWS agency

Gujarat Eases Liquor Rules in GIFT City Ahead of Christmas and New Year, Makes Access Easier for Tourists and Foreign Visitors

23Dec

By sd newsNo Comments

Gujarat, State

Gujarat Eases Liquor Rules in GIFT City Ahead of Christmas and New Year, Makes Access Easier for Tourists and Foreign Visitors

Ahmedabad:In a significant policy relaxation ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities, the Gujarat government has further eased liquor consumption rules in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), making it easier for tourists, non-resident Indians, and foreign nationals to consume alcohol. The move is seen as part of the state’s broader strategy to position GIFT City as a global financial and business hub. According to a new government notification, non-residents of Gujarat and foreign citizens can now consume alcohol in GIFT City without requiring an individual permit. In addition, companies operating within GIFT City are now allowed to host parties for up to 25 guests, provided the invitees are from outside Gujarat or are foreign nationals. Major Relief for Emplo...

‘Passengers’ Progress, Our Destruction’: Red Shirts, Brass Badges and Empty Hands — 42 Porter Families Struggle for Survival at Satna Railway Station

23Dec

By sd newsNo Comments

Madhya Pradesh, State

‘Passengers’ Progress, Our Destruction’: Red Shirts, Brass Badges and Empty Hands — 42 Porter Families Struggle for Survival at Satna Railway Station

Satna:Once an inseparable part of India’s railway identity, the sight of porters in red shirts, brass badges strapped to their arms, calling out “Sahab… Coolie!” is fast fading into history. At Satna Railway Station, the porter community—once considered the station’s pride—is now fighting a grim battle for survival as modernization steadily erodes their livelihood. While technological upgrades have transformed Indian Railways into a more passenger-friendly network, the same changes have pushed traditional porters to the margins. Escalators, lifts, battery-operated carts, platform redesigns, and most significantly, wheeled trolley bags, have drastically reduced the need for manual luggage carriers. A Community on the Brink India has over 20,000 licensed railway porters, of whom 42 ...

Police–Gravel Mafia Nexus Exposed Amid Aravalli Row; Five SHOs Suspended, Six Others Attached to Police Lines in Rajasthan

23Dec

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Rajasthan, State

Police–Gravel Mafia Nexus Exposed Amid Aravalli Row; Five SHOs Suspended, Six Others Attached to Police Lines in Rajasthan

Jaipur:In a major embarrassment for the Rajasthan Police amid the ongoing controversy over the Aravalli hills and the contentious “100-metre rule,” a large-scale nexus between police personnel and the illegal gravel (bajri) mafia has been exposed through a statewide decoy operation. The revelations have prompted swift disciplinary action, with five station house officers (SHOs) suspended and six others attached to police lines, while 15 more policemen have come under investigation. The crackdown follows a covert operation conducted to verify complaints of unchecked illegal gravel mining and transportation across the state. The operation uncovered glaring lapses and alleged collusion at police stations spread across eight districts, where vehicles laden with illegally mined gravel were f...

Aligarh Police Face Embarrassment as On-Duty Sub-Inspector Found Sleeping at Outpost, Video Goes Viral

23Dec

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Aligarh Police Face Embarrassment as On-Duty Sub-Inspector Found Sleeping at Outpost, Video Goes Viral

Aligarh:A video showing an on-duty police sub-inspector sleeping inside a police outpost has triggered widespread criticism and embarrassment for the Uttar Pradesh Police in Aligarh district. The incident took place at the Khereshwar Police Outpost under the Lodha police station area, where a sub-inspector was allegedly found asleep during duty hours. The viral video, reportedly recorded by a local resident, shows Sub-Inspector Shiv Kumar Sharma lying on a cot inside the outpost premises, dressed in full police uniform. A cloth can be seen covering his face, while his shoes are placed beside the cot—clearly indicating he was resting while officially on duty. The video has since spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing sharp reactions from both the public and within the poli...

BJP Emerges Strongest in Maharashtra Local Body Polls, But Final Control Hinges on Supreme Court Verdict

23Dec

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

BJP Emerges Strongest in Maharashtra Local Body Polls, But Final Control Hinges on Supreme Court Verdict

Pune:The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest force in Maharashtra’s recently concluded local body elections, securing the highest number of presidents and key posts in municipal councils and nagar panchayats. However, despite the clear electoral advantage, the fate of governance in 57 local bodies remains uncertain and will depend on a Supreme Court verdict scheduled for January 21. Out of these 57 local bodies, the Mahायुति alliance—comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—won 39 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured 17 seats. One seat went to another party. These local bodies are part of a larger group of 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats where the combined reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Schedule...

Open Borders for Bangladeshi Hindus, Deport Illegal Pakistanis: Sadhvi Prachi

23Dec

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Open Borders for Bangladeshi Hindus, Deport Illegal Pakistanis: Sadhvi Prachi

Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh:Hindu leader Sadhvi Prachi has issued a strong appeal to the Government of India, urging it to open the country’s borders to provide shelter to persecuted Hindus from Bangladesh and to deport illegal Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals currently residing in India. Speaking to the media in Muzaffarnagar, Sadhvi Prachi expressed deep anguish and anger over alleged attacks and killings of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. She said India has a moral responsibility to protect Hindus facing violence in neighboring countries. Allegations of Selective Humanitarianism Sadhvi Prachi accused political leaders of selective outrage, claiming that those who speak passionately about humanitarian crises in regions such as the Gaza Strip remain silent when Hindus are att...

Bihar Records Decline in Crime Rates; Nitish Government Counters Tejashwi Yadav’s Crime Bulletin

23Dec

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Bihar, Politics, State

Bihar Records Decline in Crime Rates; Nitish Government Counters Tejashwi Yadav’s Crime Bulletin

Patna:The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has released its annual crime data, claiming a significant decline in major criminal incidents across the state. The report, presented jointly by the Home Department and Bihar Police, appears to be a direct rebuttal to Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav’s periodic “crime bulletins,” which have frequently questioned the state’s law-and-order situation. According to the official data, murder cases in Bihar have declined by 7.72 percent, incidents of dacoity by 24.87 percent, and riot-related cases by 17.97 percent compared to previous years. The government asserted that the figures reflect improved policing, stronger intelligence mechanisms, and proactive law enforcement. Women’s Crime Rate Nearly Half of National Average One of the key high...

Bulandshahr Gang-Rape Case: Life Sentence Leaves Victim Disillusioned, Convict Seen Smiling

23Dec

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Bulandshahr Gang-Rape Case: Life Sentence Leaves Victim Disillusioned, Convict Seen Smiling

Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh:Nearly nine years after the horrific Bulandshahr gang-rape incident, a special court sentenced five convicts to life imprisonment. However, the verdict failed to bring closure to the survivor, who expressed deep disappointment, stating that such “monsters deserved public execution, not just imprisonment.” The reaction intensified after one of the convicts, Zubair, was seen smiling moments after being awarded life imprisonment. His conduct sparked outrage and added to the survivor’s trauma. “I am studying law. If I ever become a judge, I will ensure justice for victims like me,” the survivor said, her voice trembling. “Even today, recalling that dark night sends shivers down my spine. My entire family was destroyed. We were forced to abandon our life and liv...

Supreme Court Bans Bonfires in Tiger Reserves, Resorts to Follow Strict Rules This New Year

22Dec

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Madhya Pradesh, State

Supreme Court Bans Bonfires in Tiger Reserves, Resorts to Follow Strict Rules This New Year

Bhopal: The Supreme Court has imposed a strict ban on lighting bonfires in core areas of tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, following earlier restrictions on mobile phone usage. The move aims to enhance wildlife protection and significantly affects hotels, resorts, and commercial centers operating within or near these eco-sensitive zones. Ban Extends to Commercial and Recreational ActivitiesAccording to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Shubh Ranjan Sen, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has issued orders prohibiting the use of firewood for bonfires in all tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the state. The directive explicitly states that bonfires in hotels, resorts, and business centers located in eco-sensitive ...

Two Bears Invade Chamoli School; Brave Student Saves Classmate from Attack

22Dec

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State, Uttarakhand

Two Bears Invade Chamoli School; Brave Student Saves Classmate from Attack

Chamoli, Uttarakhand: In a shocking and terrifying incident at Junior High School Harishankar in Pokhri, Chamoli district, two bears entered the school premises on Monday morning, putting students in grave danger. During the intrusion, a bear lifted a sixth-grade student, Arav, but quick thinking and bravery by eighth-grade student Divya Chaudhary saved his life. Following the incident, the school declared a precautionary holiday until 25 December. Chaos Erupts Around 9:30 AMAccording to reports, the bears appeared around 9:15 AM as students were arriving. Screams of panic erupted among the children. Eighth-grader Divya immediately assessed the situation, raised an alarm, and instructed students to run into their classrooms. One of the bears attempted to break down a classroom door and ...