Two BSF personnel among three dead in highway accident in J&K
Banihal/Jammu: Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were among three killed on Wednesday when a truck carrying the jawans plunged into a gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, police said. The private truck, hired by the BSF, was part of a convoy carrying personnel to Kashmir reportedly for deployment in connection with the upcoming municipal and panchayat polls, a police officer said. The accident occurred around 2.10 pm at Rattan Bass near Banihal in Ramban district when the driver lost control over the vehicle which rolled down into an over 150-feet-deep gorge, he said. Civilian volunteers along with police and BSF personnel immediately launched a rescue operation, the officer said. After hectic efforts, the bodies of two BSF personnel, Ajit Singh and Atma Singh of 89th battalion, were retrieved from the mangled truck. The driver, Balbir Singh of Simbal area of Jammu, was rescued in a critical condition but succumbed while being shifted to a hospital, he said. (PTI)
CBSE mulling introducing sign language, braille as subjects
New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is mulling introducing sign language as a subject, computer-based tests, attendance waivers and flexible subject selection options for students with special needs. The board which is in the process of formulating comprehensive guidelines for students with special needs has proposed that such children may also be given exemptions from the already existing criteria of two or one compulsory languages in board examinations. “It has been proposed that Indian sign language or braille should be treated as a language to satisfy the formula prescribed by the board,” a senior official said. “For students with mobility issues, the CBSE has recommended creation of online class content for children. Attendance requirements in cases of children with severe disabilities can be waived,” the official added. The board has written to states and stakeholders inviting their feedback on the policy draft which has been prepared after widespread consultations with various quarters. (PTI)
Police inspector injured, two criminals arrested in UP
Azamgarh: A police inspector sustained injuries in an encounter on Wednesday that led to the arrest of two criminals as well, police said. The encounter broke out at Lahua Morh in the Kotwali police station area in the morning when police were checking vehicles, they said. On being signalled to stop, a car attempted to speed away while its occupants opened fire at the police, Superintendent of Police Ravi Shankar Chhabi said. “In the retaliatory firing, Kaleem — a criminal carrying reward of Rs 25,000 — was injured. Another criminal Rahul Yadav was arrested by the police,” the SP said. He said Lalganj police station in-charge Anirudh Singh was injured. The injured criminal and the inspector were admitted to the district hospital, he added. The vehicle was seized, along with a country-made pistol and cartridges, the Sp said. Police also said efforts were on to nab two other criminals. (PTI)
Babul Supriyo shown black flags in Asansol
Asansol (WB): Union minister Babul Supriyo was shown black flags on Wednesday by TMC supporters who were protesting against the construction of a railway overbridge at Assansol in West Bengal, alleging loss of their livelihood. Supriyo was on his way to Kumarpur level crossing in Asansol area to participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the railway overbridge when he was shown black flags. “Why are you showing black flags? Black flags and development cannot go hand in hand. This bridge is a long-time demand of the people of Asansol,” Supriyo told protesters. The Union minister of state for heavy industries and public enterprises has convened a meeting of hawkers organisations and the railways, where he will be present to discuss the issue raised by the hawkers. The Asansol MP alleged that the Trinamool Congress government in the state had not extended any support except providing a no-objection certificate for the bridge. “But still the TMC activists have misled the hawkers and are organising protests. The TMC doesn’t want any sort of development,” he told reporters. Later, the Union minister laid the foundation stone for the rail overbridge. (PTI)
BSF trooper honeytrapped by ISI arrested in Noida
Lucknow: A Border Security Force (BSF) Constable was arrested on Wednesday in Noida for passing “secret and sensitive” information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, officials said. The arrest was made by the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police. The trooper has been identified as Acchutanand Mishra and officials said he was “honeytrapped” by “a person who used a fake ID of a woman” in social networking site Facebook. He was befriended by a woman ISI agent. Briefing the media, Director General of Police O.P. Singh said Mishra was arrested from Sector 18 in Noida, adjoining Delhi. Hailing from Reva in Madhya Pradesh, Mishra had been passing off secret and sensitive information to the Pakistani intelligence agency, Singh said. Singh said that during interrogation, Mishra admitted to sharing details pertaining to vital installations and locations of the BSF and Indian Army training camps. Many other details were also leaked. (IANS)
Not opposed to English: Bhagwat
New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said the Sangh was not opposed to any language, including English, but it should be given its proper place, suggesting it cannot replace an Indian language. “You should not be opposed to any language, including English, and it should not be removed,” Bhagwat said while replying to written questions on the last day of the Sangh’s three-day mega outreach conclave. He also said: “We have no enmity with English. We need proficient English speakers.” (PTI)
Man held with 2 kg poppy husk
Dharamshala (HP): A man was held with around 2 kg of poppy husk in Kangra district on Wednesday, police said. SP Santosh Patial said: “During patrolling at Milwan village, staff of Indora police station seized 1 kg 904 gram poppy husk from the possession of one Mangal Dass (48), son of Chaman Lal from Indora tehsil.” A case under NDPS Act was registered and the accused was arrested. (PTI)