State

Sambhal, February 18, 2026: In a bid to curb extravagance in weddings, the Kidwai community of the Muslim society in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, convened a panchayat and issued six strict directives for marriages in the community. Key Directives Only one wedding feast per marriage is allowed. The bride and groom are not to share mobile numbers before the wedding. The wedding procession (baraat) must arrive between 3 PM and 4 PM; any delay will attract a ₹5,000 fine per hour on the groom’s side. DJ music and bhangra performances are banned at wedding venues. Items gifted by the bride’s side should not be displayed or showcased. Enforcement and PurposeThe panchayat has warned that violations of these rules will result in penalties decided by community elders. The move aims...

Lucknow, February 18, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch the Women AI Mission under its “Developed UP @2047” campaign, aiming to train over 1 crore women in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics by 2047. The initiative seeks to increase women’s participation in the workforce and promote both self-employment and employment opportunities in the technology sector. AI Training and PPP ModelThe training program will leverage digital platforms and the existing AI lab network across the state. In collaboration with leading global companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI, women will receive practical training under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The IT and Electronics Department will formalize agreements with multiple companies for this purpose. Additionally...

Sultanpur, February 18, 2026: A constable of the Uttar Pradesh Excise Department was critically injured during celebratory firing at a Tilkotsav event in Karamajitpur village under Motigarpur police jurisdiction in Sultanpur. The bullet, reportedly fired accidentally by a fellow constable, struck him in the waist. Incident DetailsThe injured officer, Vineet Mishra (36), a resident of Malhipur, Chanda police station area, was attending the event at the Tilkotsav of Ankur Shukla, another Excise Department constable posted in Lucknow. Fellow constable Surendra Yadav, from Umarpur, Baghra, Pratapgarh, who had come from Raebareli, was firing in celebration when the accident occurred. Immediately after the incident, colleagues rushed Vineet Mishra to Sultanpur Medical College. However, due...

Lucknow, February 18, 2026: In a shocking incident in Lalata Kheda village under Kakori police station, a young man was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife’s family over a love marriage. The police have arrested four accused, including the victim’s father-in-law and brother-in-law, while a minor is also in custody. Post-mortem reports confirm multiple stab wounds on the neck and face. Incident Planned Under Pretext of FarewellAccording to Rahul Gautam of Madhav Tanda in Pilibhit, his 24-year-old brother, Ramsagar, who sold clothes as a hawker, had developed a friendship with Kamini, a cousin from Lalata Kheda village in Kakori. Their friendship eventually turned into a love relationship, culminating in a marriage in 2024. Kamini’s family reportedly disapproved and had arranged her ma...

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: During the 2026 budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey raised serious concerns over the functioning of police officers at the local station level. Pandey highlighted the difficulty in contacting station officers, saying that while district SPs sometimes answer calls, station in-charges often do not pick up the phone. Concerns Over Police Responsiveness Addressing the House, Pandey said that when representatives try to reach out to officers via telephone, they frequently face inaction. “Even if the SP responds occasionally, the station officers rarely take calls. It seems they may engage in other duties but ignore direct communication,” he remarked. Request to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pandey urged t...