Two monkeypox cases reported in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec 18: Two cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) have been reported in Kerala.Two men, who recently returned to Kerala from the UAE, tested positive for the disease.One of the men, a resident of Wayanad district, was initially found to be infected, while the second individual, from Kannur, tested positive later.Both patients are currently undergoing treatment.Their contact tracing details and movement history will be published soon, a statement said.In response to the cases, the Health Department has instructed those who came into contact with the patients to monitor themselves for symptoms and report any signs of illness promptly.(PTI)
CBI arrests 2 IRS officers, for alleged corruption
MUMBAI, Dec 18: The CBI has arrested seven people, including two officers of the IRS posted at the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone in Mumbai, in connection with an alleged bribery racket, officials said on Wednesday.In an operation that started Tuesday, the CBI has arrested the IRS officers–Joint Development Commissioner CPS Chauhan and Deputy Development Commissioner Prasad Varwantkar–besides five other people, including two assistant development commissioners for allegedly favouring a group of middlemen in return for illicit monetary favours, they said.During the searches, the CBI has seized documents of 25 properties from Chauhan believed to be worth Rs 40 crore, the officials said.In total, around Rs 50 lakh has been seized during the searches at the premises of the seven suspects, with Rs 40 lakh understood to be from the premises of arrested Assistant Development Commissioner Rekha Nair, they said. (PTI)
Congress activist shot dead in Jharkhand
JAMSHEDPUR, Dec 18: A Congress worker was shot dead in Jamshedpur city of Jharkhand on Wednesday, police said.The deceased, identified as 28-year-old Alok Kumar Bhagat alias Munna, was standing near his house when two motorcycle-borne assailants came near him and opened fire at him.He received four gunshot wounds and collapsed on the spot, even as he made an abortive attempt to save himself, police said.Doctors declared him dead on arrival.The accused have been identified but no arrests have been made so far. Bhagat, who recently got married, was named in an FIR for allegedly beating up a rival party worker. (PTI)
Two Bangladeshi nationals held for illegal stay
THANE, Dec 18: Police on Wednesday arrested two Bangladeshi nationals for staying illegally in Maharashtra’s Thane district, an official said.The two men worked as plumbers in Bhiwandi here, he said.Based on a tip, the police conducted a raid on Tuesday and apprehended the two persons from a rented house, police said.The duo, aged 32 and 40, could not produce any valid documents for their stay in India, he said.They were arrested under provisions of the Foreign Nationals Act. (PTI)