Akola (Maharashtra), July 31 (IANS) In a shocking development, a young activist of Maharashtra Navirman Sena (MNS) died in a hospital a few hours after participating in an agitation and vandalising the car of a ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC and Spokesperson Amol Mitkari, party officials said here on Wednesday.

The deceased, identified as Jay Malokar, 24, suddenly complained of uneasiness, and breathlessness after taking part in the vociferous protest against Mitkari for making certain objectionable remarks targeting MNS President Raj Thackeray.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but barely hours later, the medicos said that he had died during treatment late in the night for suspected cardiac arrest, shocking the MNS and political circles.

Simultaneously, two other MNS activists, including Akola District President Pankaj Sable and Saurabh Bhagat were also admitted to the district hospital for similar complaints, after the agitation held at the government guest house.

Reacting sharply to the attack and smashing of his car, Mitkari alleged that “Raj Thackeray has taken a contract to kill me, his own party workers were talking during the agitation”.

After the attack and a counter-protest by Mitkari’s supporters, the Akola Police have registered a case against over two dozen MNS activists, and nabbed two including Sable and Bhagat, while many others are travelling.

NCP President and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar called up Mitkari late on Tuesday to get a briefing on the incident as the latter (Mitkari) threw the gauntlet at the MNS even as the police beefed up security outside his home.

A video showing MNS general secretary Karnbala Dunbale issuing a threat to his supporters to ‘finish Mitkari within a week’ or he would sack his own (MNS) office-bearers, has gone viral. Dunbale, who is among the suspects wanted by the Akola Police, is currently absconding.

“Mitkari is worthless yet he has dared to criticise Rajsaheb Thackeray, so he has been given the ‘prasad’ (beating). He is a fool and should not be given much importance,” MNS Chief Spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said on Wednesday on the incidents in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, amid pleas for justice by his distraught family, the funeral of Malokar shall be performed in Akola this afternoon, said a local party leader.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, July 31 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday appealed to the corporate sector to make Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions to support relief efforts in Kerala, where at least 159 people have lost their lives due to landslides.

CM Siddaramaiah, in his appeal addressed to the corporate sector, stated, “The situation in Kerala urgently needs financial assistance, food supplies, clothing, and basic ration to address the immediate needs of the affected population.”

“The scale of the disaster necessitates a coordinated and generous response from all sectors of society, particularly from corporate entities that have always been pillars of support in times of need,” he said.

“As you might be aware, our neighbouring state, Kerala, has recently been subjected to a severe calamity that has resulted in considerable hardship for its residents,” he stated.

“The Government of Karnataka is committed to extending support to Kerala in these trying times, and we are reaching out to our valued partners in the corporate sector to join us in these relief efforts,” he stated.

CM Siddaramaiah further stated, “We are specifically looking for contributions in the following areas. Firstly, financial support to facilitate the logistics of relief operations and rebuilding efforts. Secondly, food supplies comprising non-perishable food items and thirdly, clothing.”

“We understand that each organisation has strengths and ways to best contribute. We would appreciate it if you could share how your esteemed organisation would like to assist in this humanitarian effort. Kindly inform us about the support you can offer, and we will coordinate with you to ensure that the contributions are utilised effectively,” the CM appealed.

“This is an opportunity for us to stand together and make a significant impact. Your involvement and contributions will not only provide immediate relief but also help in the long-term rehabilitation of the affected regions,” CM Siddaramaiah maintained.

“We have established a dedicated task force to coordinate relief efforts and ensure that all contributions are utilised effectively and transparently. Please respond to this appeal, so we can effectively organise logistics and distribution,” he urged.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday, displayed the official order on the withdrawal of ban on participation of government employees in activities of RSS, on its website’s home page for public knowledge.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order earlier in July to withdraw ban on the participation of government employees in the activities of RSS. This ban had been in place since 1966.

BJP’s IT head Amit Malviya said in a post on X: “The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on Govt employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi Govt.”

“The original order shouldn’t have been passed in the first place,” he added.

On the other hand, Congress’ Jairam Ramesh also shared in an X post: “Sardar Patel had banned the RSS in February 1948 following Gandhi ji’s assassination. Subsequently, the ban was withdrawn on assurances of good behaviour. Even after this the RSS never flew the Tiranga in Nagpur.”

On November 30, 1966, an order by the government banned the association of government servants with the activities of the RSS and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, various state governments, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, removed the restrictions on government employees being linked to the RSS.

–IANS

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Srinagar, July 31 (IANS) J&K Police on Wednesday booked a drug peddler under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1988 (PIT NDPS) in Baramulla district.

Police said in a statement on Wednesday, “Acting tough against drug peddlers and to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, police booked notorious drug smuggler under PIT NDPS Act in Baramulla after obtaining formal detention order from the competent authority.”

“The notorious drug smuggler namely Nazir Ahmad Gagroo alias Nazira, son of Abdul Karim, a resident of Arampora, District Baramulla, has been booked under PIT-NDPS Act after obtaining formal detention orders from the competent Authority,” the police stated.

The booked drug smuggler has been detained and subsequently lodged in Central Jail Kot-Balwal Jammu.

“Pertinent to mention here that many cases are registered against the said drug smuggler who was involved in promoting drug abuse trade by supplying drugs to local youth of Sheeri, Fatehgarh, Old Town, New Town, Kanispora, Delina & other areas of District,” police said in the statement.

“Despite his involvement in many FIRs, he did not mend his activities and was again involved in promoting drug abuse trade by supplying drugs to local youth,” the police added.

–IANS

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Jammu, July 31 (IANS) Over 4.71 lakh devotees had ‘darshan’ during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra so far breaking last year’s entire Yatra record of 4.45 lakh pilgrims as another batch of 1,654 pilgrims left Jammu for the Valley on Wednesday, said officials.

“This number is more than last year’s total pilgrim number of 4.45 lakh who went to Amarnath cave shrine during the entire Yatra period. Yesterday, 5,000 devotees performed the Yatra while a new batch of 1,654 left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley in two escorted convoys. Both convoys left for the Valley at 3.20 a.m.,” the officials said.

“First escorted convoy of 17 vehicles carrying 456 pilgrims left for the North Kashmir Baltal base camp. The second escorted convoy of 34 vehicles carrying 1,198 Yatris left for the South Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp”, officials said.

Arrangements of security, community kitchens (Langars), transit and base camps and the ubiquitous presence of security forces all along the highway from Jammu to Kashmir have ensured a safe, smooth and hassle-free Yatra this year.

The most important helping hand to the Yatris is provided by the locals. These locals employ ponies and work as porters for the pilgrims often carrying the weak and infirm devotees on their back up and down the treacherous mountain route on both sides of approach.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that this ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. Devotees approach the cave shrine either from the traditional South Kashmir Pahalgam route or the North Kashmir Baltal route.

The Pahalgam-Cave shrine axis is 48 Km long and takes Yatris 4-5 days to reach the shrine. The Baltal-Cave shrine axis is 14 Km long and takes one day for the pilgrims to have ‘darshan’ and return to the base camp.

Helicopter services are also available for the pilgrims both at Baltal on the North Kashmir route and at Chandanwari on the South Kashmir route.

This year’s Yatra will conclude after 52 days on August 19 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

–IANS

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