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Released tiger creating panic in Vandiperiyar villages
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A fixed cage trap set up by the Forest Department to trap the released tiger in Vandiperiyar in Idukki. | The tiger was originally captured in Munnar and released into the deep forests of Gavi within the PTR on April 2. According to officials, the big cat has been camping in the tea plantations of Vandiperiyar since the last week of April.In the latest incident, the tiger attacked a cow owned by Vandiperiyar panchayat member Mathiyazhakan on Friday evening.The family discovered the injuries after the cow returned home following the attack. Additionally, a group of labourers working in a tea plantation at Granby sighted the tiger on Saturday morning around 9.30 a.m.Following the cattle attack and the direct sighting, panicked plantation workers are now afraid to report for work or travel through the area.Workers stated that the presence of the animal poses a severe security threat to residents in the Granby, Thankamala, and Arnakkal areas of Vandiperiyar.Following the latest sightings, the Forest Department has initiated a drone inspection to locate the big cat.Chief Conservator of Forests D.K. Vinod Kumar stated that the department will launch a special drive to tranquillize and capture the animal. “The tiger is camping in the area, and it is suspected to be the same animal that attacked the cow on Friday evening. The Forest Department has already set up cages, but the animal has not entered them. We have now decided to conduct a mission to dart the tiger,” Mr. Kumar said.The official added that abandoned tea plantations filled with wild bushes are a major hurdle for the forest department’s operations. “When we chase the animal, it retreats into the thick bushes and stays there. The Forest Department has already submitted a letter to the Idukki Collector demanding action to clear the wild growth. We will take up the matter again,” the official said.The tiger initially stayed in the Thankamala area in late April before briefly retreating into the forest. It returned to the Granby area on May 14 and has since roamed through Sathram, Vallakkadavu, Arnakkal, and Granby. Published - June 27, 2026 07:13 pm IST
BJP State president Sanjay Saraogi. | He said that the decision of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi represented a grave misuse of Article 352 of the Constitution, resulting in the suspension of fundamental rights and the suppression of democratic freedoms.He added that the press censorship, political arrests, and authoritarian governance plunged the nation into an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Mr. Saraogi pointed out that the strongest and most organised resistance to the Emergency emerged from Bihar.“Under the leadership of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the ‘Total Revolution’ movement inspired a nationwide awakening and provided a new direction to Indian politics. From Patna to the farthest corners of Bihar, students, youth, and social activists united in a historic struggle against authoritarianism, energising democratic forces across the country,” Mr. Saraogi told the press in Patna.The Bihar BJP president noted that several eminent leaders and dedicated workers played extraordinary roles during the anti-Emergency movement. He added that late George Fernandes led the resistance while being underground, while Jananayak Karpoori Thakur remained actively engaged in the fight to protect democratic values.“Thousands of workers associated with the Jana Sangh and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) endured imprisonment and hardships, yet remained unwavering in their commitment to democracy. At a time when most opposition leaders were impriosoned, volunteers of the RSS, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) continued to operate underground, ensuring that the spirit of democracy remained alive and resilient throughout the nation,” Mr. Saraogi said. He asserted that the BJP is the ideological heir to the democratic struggle that emerged from the anti-Emergency movement. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP remains fully committed to safeguarding democracy, constitutional values, and the rights of citizens, he added. Mr. Saraogi recalled that in the historic 1977 general elections, the people of Bihar delivered a decisive verdict against authoritarian rule and played a pivotal role in restoring democracy in India. He briefed that the legacy of that struggle continues to inspire BJP workers and democracy-loving citizens across the country.He urged citizens to never forget the horrors of the Emergency and to educate future generations about the sacrifices made to protect India’s democratic framework.He called upon all citizens to reaffirm their commitment to democratic values, constitutional governance, and national interest, while ensuring that the eternal flame of democracy continues to shine brightly for generations to come. Published - June 25, 2026 06:57 am IST
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta | In December, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Delhi government will continue its ‘No PUC, No fuel’ policy for vehicles round the year. Delhi govt. notifies ‘Proactive Winter Air Quality Management Framework’Ms. Gupta said the government is committed to ensuring a clean, healthy environment and improving Delhi’s air quality through sustained and comprehensive measures. “Tackling air pollution requires firm and effective interventions. This decision is a crucial step in that direction,” she said, underlining the need for strict compliance.Emphasising that the government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to combat pollution, Ms. Gupta said controlling vehicular emissions remains a key priority. She urged residents to keep their PUC certificates updated at all times and actively contribute to building a cleaner, healthier Delhi. Published - April 23, 2026 03:00 am IST
Speculation of a fresh rebellion within Shiv Sena (UBT) intensified after six Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi. The party had issued a mandatory whip, and the absence of the MPs has fueled rumours of a possible switch to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Party leaders have warned of disciplinary and legal action, while Congress has accused the BJP of engineering defections for political gain. The political battle over the alleged “Operation Tiger” has now sparked a major showdown in Maharashtra politics. Published - June 18, 2026 09:55 pm IST
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