Navi Mumbai, July 30 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, the Navi Mumbai Police has managed to track and arrest prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a 22-year-old Belapur girl, from his hideout in Karnataka, an official said here on Tuesday.

The absconder, Dawood M. Shaikh was traced to the Shahapur Hills in Gulbarga district, said Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Kale.

The investigators were hot on the trail of Shaikh after the brutal murder of the girl, Yashashri Shinde, came to light on July 27 when her mutilated body was found in some bushes near the Uran railway station.

The murder assumed political overtones after the Bharatiya Janata Party labelled it as a ‘love-jihad’ case and demanded stringent against Shaikh, a history-sheeter.

On Monday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader of Opposition in Council Ambadas Danve called on the family of Yashashri Shinde to offer support to the victim’s kin and assured them of getting justice for their daughter.

“The SS(UBT) has assured the family that we are with them. We urge the government to track and give the most stringent punishment to the accused,” Danve said, accompanied by others like Deputy Leader Kishori Pednekar and Raigad District chief Manohar Bhoir.

Since quite some time, Shaikh was in a relationship with the girl but her family was against it, while the BJP has termed the incident as an instance of “love-jihad”.

On July 25 evening, Yashashri left her home in Belapur ostensibly to meet a friend, but failed to return even the next day, after which her family lodged a missing complaint.

Two days later, her body was found in a mutilated state with multiple injuries and stab wounds near Uran station, with the family accusing Shaikh, a driver by profession.

According to police, Shaikh has a previous criminal record, including a 2019 complaint by the deceased girl for molestation, and a crime under the POCSO Act, for which he was out on bail, and is believed to have fled to his native Karnataka.

Highlighting the incidence of growing crimes against women in Navi Mumbai, Danve said that recently a housewife, Akshata Mhatre, 30, was allegedly gang-raped by three temple staffers in Koparkhairne, and her body was dumped in a deep ditch on July 9, and alleged a breakdown of the law-and-order situation in the state.

BJP ex-MP Kirit Somaiya and Uran BJP MLA Mahesh Baldi also visited the victim’s family and urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to ensure justice in the matter.

–IANS

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Kozhikode, July 30 (IANS) The death toll in the massive landslides at Churalpara in Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday reached 24, said the district authorities.

The landslides were reported to have occurred at around 2 a.m.

Due to the inclement weather, two Helicopters were unable to land in the affected landslide areas and are now waiting at Kozhikode.

The two helicopters arrived with men and materials for commencing rescue operations but will have to wait to land in the affected areas.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday morning after having discussions with top Kerala State Disaster Management Authority ( KSDMA) officials in the state capital city told the media that information about the landslide-affected areas was trickling in and at the moment it was a bit early to say more.

According to reports around 400 families are trapped in a few areas at Churalmala.

State Health Minister Veena George said all the available health officials in and around the district are being asked to join the operations as there are reports of several getting injured.

“We have started to ensure that all medical supplies are being transported to the affected areas and in the hospitals in the area. Medical teams from Kannur and Kozhikode will be reaching out to speed up treatment of the injured people. At the moment 70 injured are being treated at a few hospitals in Wayanad,” said Minister George.

Earlier, Kerala Chief Secretary V. Venu told local media, “Around 2 a.m., landslides took place at least two to three times. At this point, few affected areas are cut off. The weather is also adverse for NDRF teams to go to some of these affected areas. Everyone is on alert. We will carry out the rescue in a coordinated manner. We are still ascertaining about how many people are trapped. All options, including airlifting people, are being looked into to ensure rescue work is carried out.”

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) In response to the devastating landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow and called for urgent rescue and relief operations.

At least 24 people were killed in a massive landslide at Churalpara in Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday at around 2 a.m.

The area was cut off, and the local people and a team of professional rescue operators were engaged in locating people in the area, which has been ripped into two, with around 400 families being isolated.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

Taking to his X handle, he said, “I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.”

Mentioning his discussions with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad District Collector, he said they assured him that rescue efforts are underway.

“I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts. I will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad,” he further wrote, advising all the United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to assist in the rescue and relief efforts.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his grief, saying, “Extremely pained by the landslides in Wayanad, where several people are reportedly trapped. My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved.”

He urged the state and Central governments to “expedite relief and rescue operations and provide urgent medical help to the victims, in coordination with all the agencies.”

“Congress leaders and workers should put in all their efforts to provide every possible assistance to the people,” he said in a post on X, advising them to “coordinate with doctors, paramedics and kindly follow up with the agencies to support the victims of the tragedy.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi stated, “I am deeply saddened to see the devastation caused by the massive landslide near Meppadi, Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones.”

She urged the government to expedite relief and rescue operations and called on UDF workers to provide support and comfort to those affected by the tragedy.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 30 (IANS) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday after having discussions with top Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) officials on the situation in the landslide-affected Wayanad areas, where 19 people have died, said that the Air Force is joining the rescue mission.

He told the media here that information about the landslide-affected areas was coming in and at the moment it was a bit early to say more.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called me and have assured all the support and help. A team of Air Force officials are coming to speed up the rescue operations. We are getting information and once we get it we will be informing the media. So let us wait for it,” said CM Vijayan at the KSDMA office.

At least 19 people were killed in a massive landslide at Churalpara in Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday and around 400 families are trapped in a few areas in and around the affected areas.

The landslides were reported to have occurred at around 2 a.m. and the area was cut off.

Noorudhin, a resident at Churalpara, said there are around 40 people in the area where he lives are stranded and waiting for rescue operators to arrive.

Union Minister of State George Kurian said the Army, Air Force and Navy officials besides teams of the National Disaster Response Force are also reaching.

The affected areas include Velarimala which is now been identified where the landslides took place.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday and assured him of all possible Central assistance following the massive landslides in the Wayanad district, in which 19 people have died.

“Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there,” PM Modi posted on X.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a post on X.

Sources said the Prime Minister also spoke with the two Union Ministers from Kerala, Suresh Gopi and George Kurien, about the situation.

PM Modi has instructed BJP president J.P. Nadda to mobilise party workers in the region to assist with the ongoing relief efforts, the sources also said.

The landslides were reported to have occurred at around 2 a.m.

Kerala Chief Secretary V. Venu told local media, “Around 2 a.m., landslides took place at least two to three times. At this point, few affected areas are cut off. The weather is also adverse for NDRF teams to go to some of these affected areas. Everyone is on alert. We will carry out the rescue in a coordinated manner. We are still ascertaining about how many people are trapped. All options, including airlifting people, are being looked into to ensure rescue work is carried out.”

State Forest Minister A.K.Saseendran, who rushed to the spot said it was a bit early to assess the damages.

“At least 53 people are admitted to a hospital here and six bodies are there. At another hospital, 13 injured are admitted and six bodies are also there. We have started the rescue operations and are waiting for helicopters to arrive. A new ropeway is going to be erected soon and the Army will be building a temporary bridge also to rescue people who are trapped in the area after a bridge was swept away,” said Saseendran.

A control room has been opened in the wake of the heavy rain and landslides in Wayanad district. The Health Department – National Health Mission has opened a control room — 9656938689 and 8086010833 for emergency assistance.

–IANS

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