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Tribal leaders, PDP demand release of arrested nomadic community leader Talib Hussain in Jammu
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Tribal leaders and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) demanded the release of tribal leader Choudhary Talib Hussain, who the J&K Police arrested on Monday (June 1, 2026) following a clash at the site in Jammu where the authorities carried out demolitions of 32 structures of tribal community during “anti-encroachment drive” on May 19. A police spokesman said they registered a First Information Report (FIR) at Jammu’s Bandi Ragoora after alleged stone-pelting, obstruction of duty, and provocative speeches by Talib Hussain during an unauthorised protest. “Aerial warning shots were fired, and an investigation is underway,” said the police.Mr. Hussian, a well-known tribal leader, was stopped by the J&K Police from holding any assembly at the demolition site “without permission”. Mr. Hussian intended to spearhead a protest march from Jammu to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office in Srinagar. Officials said there was a heated exchange between a police officer and the tribal leader at the site.PDP leader Iltija Mufti, who condemned the arrest of Mr. Hussain, said, “The arrest of a political leader for peacefully voicing the concerns of vulnerable and marginalised citizens reflects an alarming intolerance towards dissent and democratic expression.Ms. Mufti said instead of engaging with distressed families, addressing their grievances, and ensuring that justice is done, the administration has chosen the path of intimidation by targeting those who are speaking on behalf of the poor and neglected sections of society. “Arresting Mr. Hussain for standing alongside affected families is deeply unfortunate and raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to democratic values and civil liberties,“ said Ms. Mufti.She said the demolition of homes belonging to economically weak families and tribal communities has already generated widespread concern, with even the government constituting an inquiry committee which till today has not published its findings.“The people of J&K have the constitutional right to peacefully express their grievances. The repeated use of force, detentions, and intimidation against those demanding justice only deepens public alienation and erodes trust in institutions,” said Ms. Mufti.Ms. Mufti demanded the “immediate release” of Mr. Hussain, who is also a member of the PDP. Scores of tribal leaders from the Pir Panjal valley have also come out in support of Mr. Hussian. “I strongly condemn the arrest of Mr. Hussain while leading a peaceful march from Jammu to Srinagar in solidarity with the victims of the demolition drive at Bandi and Sidra and demanding implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in J&K,” said Mohd Shahnawaz Choudhary, a tribal leader from Poonch district. He said instead of delivering justice to the affected families, the government is busy suppressing voices seeking justice. “Silencing peaceful activists is not the answer. Democracy demands dialogue, not repression,” said Mr. Choudhary. Published - June 03, 2026 08:26 am IST
Against the backdrop of the notice issued to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi to vacate the 10, Circular Road bungalow in Patna, the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday came out with a list of several Bihar leaders who, it alleged, have been allotted ministerial bungalows in violation of rules.RJD national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui, State president Mangani Lal Mandal and the party’s national president of the Scheduled Caste/Tribe Cell Sheo Chandra Ram raised questions over the allotment of official residences under the BJP-led NDA government.Addressing a press conference at the party office, the leaders questioned how six MPs—Upendra Kushwaha, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Nitin Nabin, Nitish Kumar, Sanjay Jha and Devesh Chandra Thakur—have been allotted bungalows in Patna.Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to curb discretionary spending, Mr. Siddiqui said, “The Chief Minister of the country’s poorest State has the most luxurious, lavish, and seven-star bungalow in India. Samrat Choudhary’s bungalow is even larger than the Prime Minister’s residence. He has also merged 5, Deshratna Marg, formerly designated for the Deputy Chief Minister, into the Chief Minister’s residence.”The RJD MLC further claimed that Mr. Choudhary has expanded his official residence to more than 15 acres in Patna.Mr. Siddiqui pointed out that in Patna, two residences—5, Deshratna Marg and 3, Stand Road—had earlier been designated for the Deputy Chief Minister in Bihar. He asked if the Chief Minister is so strict about rules and regulations, why is he not shifting Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav to the previously designated residences?“If Vijay Choudhary and Bijendra Yadav are living in bungalows previously allotted to them as Ministers, why is Rabri Devi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar, being treated in an immature, politically malicious, biased, and vindictive manner? The government is acting out of jealousy and hatred, “Mr. Siddiqui said.He further claimed that the Bihar government had earlier informed the Patna High Court in writing that the 5, Deshratna Marg bungalow was earmarked for the Deputy Chief Minister and questioned under what rule it had now been merged with the Chief Minister’s residence.“Can the government justify under what capacity the BJP national president Nitin Nabin is residing at 3, Taylor Road bungalow. How have Rajya Sabha members Upendra Kushwaha and Sanjay Jha been allotted bungalows in Patna? On what basis has Lok Sabha member from Janata Dal (United) Devesh Chandra Thakur been allotted the 1, Taylor Road bungalow? Two former Chief Ministers, Jitan Ram Manjhi (now Union Minister) and Nitish Kumar, have been allotted bungalows in Patna, even though they are MPs,” Mr. Siddiqui said.He added that neither of the former Chief Ministers is a member of the Bihar Legislature, and Samrat Choudhary should explain in what capacity they have been allotted bungalows both in Patna and Delhi.“If both former Chief Ministers have been allotted bungalows, why has Lalu Yadav not been given one as a former Chief Minister? It’s well known that Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi are both former Chief Ministers, yet they have been allotted only one residence,” he said.Mr. Siddiqui asserted that if the government allocates a new bungalow to Rabri Devi in her capacity as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, then Lalu Prasad is also entitled to a residence as a former Chief Minister.He listed out several ruling alliance leaders who, according to the RJD, have been allotted ministerial bungalows, like former Minister Raju Singh, MLA Karanjit Singh, MLA Manorama Devi, former Minister Krishna Kumar Mantu, Taraiya MLA Janak Singh and former MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu.“The Bihar CM cannot make rules according to his convenience,” said Mr. Siddiqui, questioning why Minister Santosh Kumar Suman and his wife Deepa Kumar
Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Kalinga Komati Corporation Boina Govinda Rajulu. | Speaking to the media here, he said the opposition was trying to create doubts about the examination and recruitment process, which was carried out under the supervision of academic experts and senior officials.Mr. Govinda Rajulu said the agitation that YSRCP leaders and cadre had planned in Srikakulam on Monday (June 1, 2026) would cause many problems for the selected candidates of the district.He said the government’s initiatives, such as the construction of the Bhogapuram International Airport and the Google data centre in Visakhapatnam district, would benefit thousands of youngsters in the district. Published - June 01, 2026 01:50 pm IST
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