GMC students continue to protest over admission scam
Srinagar: Students of Government Medical College (GMC)here on Saturday staged a protest, demanding expulsion of those students who gained admission by unfair means in the Common Entrance Test (CET). The undergraduate students, who abstained from class for the third consecutive day today, took out a peaceful rally from the college to Karan Nagar Chowk and demanded “concrete measures” against those who gained admission by illegal means. “We demand concrete measures against those students who bought the examination papers to get admission. Those who used unfair means should be punished,” they said. Crime Branch is investigating a scam involving Board of Professional Entrance Exam (BOPEE) officials and middlemen, who allegedly leaked CET question papers to help some students gain admission to GMC. (PTI)
Pickpocket caught, attacks self
with blade
Pune: The city police arrested a youth for allegedly attempting to commit suicide by attacking himself with a blade after he was caught by citizens for his suspected involvement in pickpocketing on a municipal transport bus. The suspect, identified as Mangesh Rajendra Shinde (20) of Jejuri in Purandar taluka of Pune district, was caught red-handed while picking the pocket of a bus passenger by people here yesterday. He was later handed over to the police, sources said. Shinde allegedly attacked himself on the neck and head with a blade later. The Hadapsar police arrested Shinde under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, they added. (UNI)
Two-year-old boy killed after father throws acid on him
Bhadoi: A two-year-old boy today died after his father allegedly threw acid on him and mother-in-law following a dispute in Sitamarhi area. The accused, Babloo, threw acid on his two-year-old son, Nanhu and mother-in-law, Gena Devi (50) in Katra village late last night, police said. The two were admitted to a hospital in Allahabad where the boy died this morning. The accused is at large and efforts are on to nab, they said. (PTI)
Debt ridden farmer commits suicide
Mysore: A debt-ridden tobacco farmer on SAturday committed suicide by consuming pesticide in Guluvetakoppa village in K R Nagara taluk in the district. The suicide comes in the wake of another farmer, a sugarcane grower demanding better realisation for his farm product commited who suicide during Winter session of Karnataka legislature in Belgaum two days ago. The victim was identified as Thamme Gowda who grew tobacco in his two-acre land but was worried over his mounting debts. He had availed a bank loan of Rs 3.5 lakh, besides owed over Rs four lakh to money lenders. Fearing that he could not repay the loan following the tobacco price crashed to Rs 60 to 80 from Rs 150 to 160 last year. He consumed pesticide in his field and was found dead this morning, family sources said. Hearing the incident a large number of farmers gathered in the village an urged the government to ensure suitable compensations and help the tobacco growers amid the prices crash. (UNI)
Man sets ablaze wife, daughter
Madhubani (Bihar): A man allegedly set ablaze his wife and daughter after a dowry dispute with his in-laws at Bhapiyahi in Madhubani district, police said on Saturday. Dharmendra Kumar opened up the knob of a gas cylinder and set afire his wife Lalita Devi (25) and daughther Archana Kumari (2) in his house last night, police said. The mother and daughter died on the spot. The man, arrested on a complaint by Lalita Devi’s father, committed the crime after his in-laws failed to meet his dowry demands, police said. Raids were being carried out to arrest three other accused persons, they said. (PTI)
Two security men killed in encounter with Maoists
Nuapada (Odisha): Two security personnel were killed during an encounter with Maoists in Sunabeda area of Odisha’s Nuapada district, police said today. The gun battle took place when personnel of CRPF, District Voluntary Force and special police officers were carrying out an operation in dense forest near Datutola and Dhekunpani villages last evening, they said. Two security personnel identified as Prakash Rout (constable in DVF) and Devendra Dharua (SPO) lost their lives in the exchange of fire, they said adding both belonged to Nuapada district. Prakash Rout had joined DVF about 5 years back whereas Devendra Dharua joined as SPO about 3 years ago. Additional force was rushed to the area where combing operation was intensified, they said. (PTI)
Absconder arrested after a decade
Jammu: An absconder, involved in various cases of crimes, and was on the run for over a decade, was arrested from Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday. Maphu, resident of Omala in Udhampur, was arrested last evening, police said. He was evading arrest for more than a decade after being convicted in a number of cases, they said. (PTI)
J&K CM says more initiatives require for LoC trade enhancement
Salamabad: Underlining the importance of Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between India and Pakistan, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said more initiatives are required to ensure further growth of the trade across Line of Control (LoC). Interacting with traders after opening the Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) here in Uri border town of north Kashmir, the CM underlined the importance of tranquillity on borders as key to the smooth operation of trade activities across LoC as also safeguarding the life and property of the people living on frontiers. Peaceful and conducive conditions on the borders give fillip to the trade activities and also enable farmers to carry on agriculture operations smoothly and without any fear, he said and expressed the hope that the present peaceful situation will get further strengthened. He also reiterated the need of converting the present Barter System of Trade into the normal trade practices so that traders of both sides get benefits and trade activities would flourish. He stressed on the need for telephone and banking facilities for traders and said his government has already taken up these issues with the Centre and will pursue these matters at the highest level. (UNI)