Trinamool councillor in Bengal held on extortion charge
Kolkata: A councillor of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress in North 24 Parganas district was on Tuesday arrested and remanded to custody on charges of extortion, police said. Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation member Anindya Chatterjee was arrested from Kolkata’s satellite township Bidhannagar after a complaint that he demanded Rs 12 lakh as extortion money from an area resident, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Santosh Pandey. Chatterjee was booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt in order to commit extortion). He was produced before a court which rejected his bail plea and remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. The arrest comes days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her displeasure over the law and order situation in the district and asked police to curb illegal syndicate business. (IANS)
6-year-old girl fails to recite numbers, father kills her
Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a man allegedly killed his six-year-old daughter by stuffing onion into her mouth after he lost his cool over her failure to recite numerals from 1 to 13 near Aurangabad, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on July 9 at Balapur village near Aurangabad and the accused, Raju Kute, was last night arrested for killing his daughter Bharti, a police official from Chikalthana police station told over phone. “Bharti recited numerals from 1 to 12, but stumbled thereafter, which enraged Raju. He was so livid that he took an onion and stuffed it in her throat, following which she choked to death,” police said. After the gruesome deed, Raju buried his daughter’s body near a crematorium, police said, adding the victim’s mother witnessed the crime. On the basis of her complaint, Raju was arrested and a case has been registered against him under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender). Further investigation into the case is underway. (PTI)
Statue for police horse Shaktiman removed in two days
Dehradun: Police horse Shaktiman has again fallen prey to politics. Fatally beaten up by a BJP MLA during a protest in March, Shaktiman’s plight had drawn a lot of people and politicians alike towards it but the statue of the horse erected close to the state Assembly two days ago apparently did not evoke the same feelings and it was removed in the wee hours on Tuesday. Backlash on social media and protests over the decision to install the statue of the horse prompted the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority to remove the statue. However, the authority has refused to comment on it. The statue was inaugurated on Ripasna Bridge two days ago following which there were protests by people who demanded that there should be statues for those who sacrificed their lives for the separate statehood movement and not for a horse. Apparently taking note of the sentiment, the statue was removed. (PTI)
France keen to invest in Haryana
Chandigarh: France on Tuesday showed keen interest in investing in Haryana in the areas such as new and renewable energy, semi hi-speed train, management of railway stations and water and waste management. A four-member delegation led by Ambassador-designate of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler met Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here and discussed various issues to explore the potential areas of partnership between France and Haryana. Ziegler informed Khattar that a special seminar of French companies will be organised in Chandigarh in September and Haryana can also take part in it. The chief minister said the state government would nominate an officer to remain in touch with the French Embassy in India, a government release said. Khattar invited the envoy to join the golden jubilee year celebrations of the state on November 1 in which Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest. The delegation was informed that the state government has laid emphasis on ensuring ease of doing business, the release said. (PTI)
Himachal to plant one cr saplings
Bilaspur: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday launched the 67th state-level Van Mahotsav or sapling plantation in which more than one crore saplings would be planted this year, an official said. The chief minister planted a sapling at Samoh near Gherwin in Bilaspur district. Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri presided over the function. A target to plant one crore saplings of various species has been fixed this year on 15,000 hectares. Besides, 35 lakh medicinal plants would also be planted during this period, a government spokesperson told. According to a Forest Survey of India report, out of the state’s geographical area of 55,673 sq km, 3,224 sq km is under very dense forests, 6,381 sq km under moderately dense forests and 5,074 sq km under open forests. (IANS)