Uttar Pradesh

Agra: A controversial video showing a man allegedly claiming political influence and openly glorifying corruption has gone viral on social media in Agra, prompting police to register a case and launch a search operation to trace him. The accused has been identified as Dama Yadav, a resident of Awas Vikas Colony under the Jagdishpura police station area. He reportedly projects himself as a Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and was seen driving with a convoy of vehicles carrying an SP flag. Viral Reel Sparks Outrage In the viral Instagram reel, Dama Yadav is seen moving through city roads with a show of strength. The video features an objectionable audio track in the background, which includes a dialogue claiming that officials can be “bought” at different rates. The audio reportedly s...

Ghaziabad: The controversy surrounding the proposed Solid Waste Management Plant in Mirpur Hindu village of Loni area in Ghaziabad has further escalated, with farmers and villagers intensifying their protest after a recent police lathi-charge and multiple FIRs. Following clashes between the police and locals on Sunday, FIRs were registered against more than 150 villagers, triggering widespread anger in the area. In response, a large village panchayat was held on Tuesday, attended by representatives of various farmer organisations and political groups. Panchayat Resolution: Protest Will Continue During the meeting, the panchayat unanimously resolved that the agitation will continue until the cases registered against villagers are withdrawn and a concrete decision is taken to remove...

Banda, UP: The electoral verification work in Uttar Pradesh has been ongoing for several months, and the intense pressure appears to have taken a serious toll on one of the officers. Anita Rawat, a female BLO (Booth Level Officer) assigned to SIR duty in Banda, suffered a heart attack on Monday evening. She was initially admitted to the district hospital and later referred to Gwalior for specialized care, where she remains in the ICU in critical condition. Family Points to Work PressureAnita, posted as a Shiksha Mitra at the Primary School Ganchha in Kahla village of the Sadar Assembly constituency, had reportedly been under significant mental stress due to the rigorous demands of the voter list revision process. Her family claims the sustained pressure contributed to her sudden cardiac...

Ghaziabad: The District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, Ravindra Kumar Mandad, has issued a strict ultimatum to departmental officers, warning that salaries of officials in poorly performing departments may be withheld until targets are met. During a review of the Chief Minister’s dashboard and revenue collection, several departments were found to be performing well below expectations. DM Mandad stated that officers in departments ranked “C” and “D” will have their salaries suspended until they achieve their set goals. Officers absent from the meeting were also asked to provide explanations. Strict Accountability and ActionDM Mandad emphasized that delays in government work and public grievance redressal will not be tolerated. Tehsildars and SDMs were directed to expedite the resolution of ...

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...

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: As the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approach, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) appears increasingly active in the state. In line with the RSS completing 100 years, the organization is implementing plans to expand its grassroots presence. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has taken a hands-on approach in these initiatives, emphasizing outreach beyond party lines. Message of Political Inclusivity During a meeting with volunteers at Yogiraj Gabhiranath Auditorium, Bhagwat stressed that the RSS should maintain connections with supporters and workers of all political parties. “Instead of creating divisions based on political affiliations, we must coordinate and bring everyone together,” he said. He urged volunteers to build friendships with supporters of vari...