Guwahati, July 31 (IANS) Slamming the West Bengal and Jharkhand governments on the Rohingya infiltration issue, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the instances of Rohingyas entering eastern India have significantly increased, posing a serious threat of demographic invasion.

The Assam Chief Minister said that illegal immigration by Rohingyas is a big problem for the security of the country.

“The system of West Bengal to curb infiltration is weak. I request the Central government to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” Sarma told the media.

He said that recently, the Tripura Police have arrested a large number of Rohingyas. Last year, the Assam Police also busted a Rohingya infiltration network – a matter which was also investigated by the NIA.

Sarma said that the Centre should take up the issue of Rohingyas with the West Bengal government in an urgent manner.

“Demographic changes in several states in eastern and northern India are happening which would come as shocking news once a census is conducted. Due to the appeasement policies, we are not able to control it and Indian states are suffering… the entire country is suffering.

“The incumbent West Bengal government is very soft about infiltration despite demography changing in Bengal,” Sarma said, adding that in the 2024 and 2019 voter lists, the change of demography is very visible.

“Due to our constant steps and close monitoring, Assam is no longer a safe haven for illegal immigrants. However, West Bengal and Jharkhand are silent on the issue,” Sarma said.

Suggesting steps similar to those taken by Tripura against the infiltration, the Assam Chief Minister said that if the infiltration does not stop now, the entire country would face a demographic invasion.

“Rohingyas are continuously coming to India through the India-Bangladesh border and many states are already suffering from the demographic invasion.”

Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent statement that the state would provide shelter to those coming from Bangladesh, the Assam Chief Minister said that the neighbouring country has not even endorsed such a statement.

Meanwhile, over the last two-and-a-half months, more than 155 Bangladeshi nationals and 32 Rohingyas have been apprehended by the Government Railway Police, Border Security Force and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and various other places in Tripura after they illegally entered India.

–IANS

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Jaipur, July 31 (IANS) Rajasthan BJP convened a meeting on Wednesday under the leadership of state co-in-charge Vijaya Rahatkar to discuss the arrangements for the programme in which newly-appointed state BJP chief Madan Rathore will assume charge.

Rahatkar said that at 10 a.m. on August 3, Madan Rathore will assume charge as state BJP chief at a grand ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Cabinet ministers, all the Union ministers from Rajasthan, along with party MPs, MLAs, and senior officials.

After taking charge, Rathore will address a special meeting of state officials, and district presidents, among others, he said.

Rahatkar also said that grand decorations will be put up in Jaipur for the ceremony, along with the illumination of the state BJP headquarters here.

A total of 2,000 BJP workers will welcome Madan Rathore with a bike rally from the Jaipur airport to the BJP office.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 (IANS) In the wake of the Wayanad landslide tragedy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that contributions to the CM’s Disaster Relief Fund are welcome and all those who can help should do so for a noble cause.

He said among those who have already contributed include Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, Lulu Group Chairman M.K. Yusuf Ali, Dubai-based businessman Ravi Pillai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Tamil actor Vikram, and the Dalai Lama Trust.

“All the Kerala ministers have agreed to contribute their one month’s salary. I call upon all those who can, to contribute,” Vijayan added.

Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, in an X post, said: “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. The Adani Group stands in solidarity with Kerala during this difficult time. We humbly extend our support with a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.”

The death toll has now reached 205 while around 200 people are currently reported missing. Around 7,000 people have been evacuated safely in around 50 relief camps.

Meanwhile, hundreds of defence personnel and from several other agencies are engaged in rescue and relief operations in the four worst affected landslide areas of Wayanad district — Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu.

The death toll is set to rise further as more bodies trapped under debris are being recovered.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) As many as 10 flights headed to Delhi were diverted after heavy rain lashed Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a ‘red alert’ in the national capital for the next 24 hours.

The incessant rain led to waterlogging in several parts of Delhi -NCR, as traffic came to a standstill in many areas.

The IMD said that clouds have converged over the national capital from all four sectors, as it issued an advisory urging Delhi residents to avoid going out if not necessary.

“Clouds have converged over Delhi from all 4 sectors. Widespread Light/Moderate Rainfall with isolated Intense to very intense Spell (3-5cm/hr) likely over Delhi during next 2 hours,” the weather office said in a post on X on Wednesday evening.

The IMD has also forecast that rainy conditions will continue in the national capital till August 5.

As per the IMD, Mayur Vihar in East Delhi recorded 119 mm of rain between 8.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, while 118 mm of rain was recorded by the National Centre For Medium Range Weather Forecasting in Noida.

Many airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and SpiceJet, have issued advisories about flights getting diverted and asking passengers to leave for airports early and keep checking the status of their flights.

In a post on X, IndiGo said, “The rain gods have decided to shower #Delhi with their blessings tonight. As a result, we’re expecting heavy rainfall throughout the night. Check your flight status.”

Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has directed all the concerned officials to remain on alert and address issues in the waterlogging-prone areas, including areas where coaching centres are located.

“Have cautioned all officers to remain alert in light of the ongoing heavy downpour in Delhi. Apart from ensuring minimum inconvenience to people in general, they are advised to specifically address issues at sites prone to waterlogging, including coaching centres,” the L-G said in a post on X.

–IANS

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Amaravati, July 31 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh’s opposition YSR Congress Party has found fault with the reported decision of the new National Democratic Alliance government in the state to present a vote on account, claiming that not presenting a full budget shows that it is unable to implement its poll promises.

YSRCP leader and former Finance Minister B. Rajendranath Reddy said that it is baffling to note that the new government is unable to place the full budget for the financial year 2024-25 and wants to place only another vote on account budget.

This is contrary to the tradition of the new government placing a budget for the full year, he said, asking why the new government was resorting to passing a vote on account.

Reddy said this could be because the new government is unable to demonstrate the availability of receipts to justify the implementation of its ‘Super Six’ programmes and the tall impractical commitment made by the alliance. He asked if the coalition government is unable to provide an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, give three gas cylinders free of cost to every household, and implement free bus travel for women.

He also wanted to know if the government was conveniently ignoring its commitment of providing Rs 15,000 per annum to each child going to school under the Talliki Vandanam programme, unable to find means to reduce the pension entitlement age to 50 for every beneficiary belonging to SC, BC and Minority communities.

“Is the new government finding ways to hoodwink farmers again by going back on the commitment of providing a financial incentive of Rs 20,000? Is it failing on its commitment of providing a financial incentive of Rs 18,000 per annum to every woman who is above the age of 18 years,” Reddy asked.

The YSRCP leader said that the government may also be finding it difficult to substantiate the claims that the debt during the YSRCP government had risen to astronomical levels.

Before the elections, the TDP and alliance members have continuously alleged that the debt burden on Andhra Pradesh has risen to Rs 14 lakh crore. While placing the budget for the full year, the government has to lay before the house, statements providing the details of the debt, both government and of corporations guaranteed by the government, as part of it. This, by no stretch of imagination, would reach Rs 14 lakh crores, Reddy said.

–IANS

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