Pakistan steps up crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants in Peshawar
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Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Lawrence Bishnoi gang members held for ‘Independence Day terror plot', police say
The Rajasthan Police have detained some people who had allegedly planned to carry out terror activities in Delhi and Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on the occasion of Independence Day, August 15. Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Dinesh MN said that Jitendra Chaudhary, a native of Tonk, Sanjay, a native of Hanumangarh district, and Sonu alias Kali, from Kapurthala, Punjab, apart from three minors, were picked up from Jaipur and Tonk districts last week and handed over to Special Operation Cell, Amritsar, Punjab Police. The accused were wanted in connection with a July 7 blast in Nawanshahr, Punjab. The ADG said that in order to spread terror and extort money, the henchmen of Lawrence Bishnoi gang had thrown a grenade in front of a liquor shop in Nawanshahr and fled to Rajasthan. The Punjab Police had lodged a case under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) sections 49 (abetment outside India for offence in India), 55 (abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 61 (2) (Criminal conspiracy) as well as sections of the Arms Act. He said that a team led by Siddhant Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), was sent to Jaipur Range and Ajmer Range, following the Nawanshahr blast. 'The team concealed its identity and, without caring for their lives, worked hard to collect intelligence about the wanted and arrested them on August 10,' the ADG said. 'Upon interrogation, it was found that they are associated with Lawrence Bishnoi gang and that their handler is Zeeshan Akhtar, who lives in Canada and had taken responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique in Mumbai,' he said, adding that Zeeshan Akhtar, Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Manu Agwan and Gopi Nawanshahria are all allegedly connected with each other. 'They carry out criminal activities in different parts of the country and contact local youth by luring them with money to commit the crime. The accused in the present case are connected with Zeeshan Akhtar through Instagram and other online apps. Zeeshan Akhtar had also provided grenades to the accused for the Nawanshahr blast. He used to give instructions to them through online applications. He had also instructed them to carry out blasts in Delhi and Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on Independence Day, August 15,' the ADG said. In June, Mumbai police had said that Zeeshan Akhtar, who is one of the main accused in the murder case of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has been detained in Canada. However, there has been little clarity on the case or Akhtar's whereabouts since then.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
GST reforms: CII hails PM Modi's move; calls it a ‘visionary' step for businesses
Representative image The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has hailed the forthcoming reforms to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of CII, said in a statement, 'On behalf of Indian industry, CII warmly welcomes the Hon'ble Prime Minister's visionary announcement of next-generation GST reforms. This landmark step reflects the Government's deep commitment to building a simpler, more transparent, and growth-oriented tax regime that will empower businesses and benefit consumers alike.' As per news agency ANI, the Prime Minister revealed that a high-powered committee will be set up to review and recommend comprehensive changes to the GST framework. CII called the move 'timely and forward-looking', noting it would help the tax system keep pace with India's fast-changing economy while ensuring stability for investors and entrepreneurs. The industry body welcomed several long-standing suggestions it had championed, including a shift towards a two-rate structure, alongside a separate rate for demerit goods, to simplify the system. CII also backed the correction of inverted duty structures in manufacturing, the reduction of compliance requirements for MSMEs, and the assurance of stable tax rates to boost investor confidence. Banerjee said these measures could significantly improve ease of doing business, cut costs, and speed up economic formalisation and digitisation. The proposed rationalisation of rates, lowering taxes on essential items and adjusting higher rates for luxury and sin goods, was described as a 'balanced approach of equity and efficiency' that would benefit both consumers and government revenue. Since its launch, GST has unified India's market, reduced tax cascading, and created a technology-driven compliance process. According to CII, the reforms mark the beginning of a 'GST 2.0' era, aligned with global standards and supportive of India's $5 trillion economy target. According to ANI, government sources stated that the Centre is considering removing the 12% and 28% GST slabs, retaining only the 5% and 18% rates. Around 99% of items in the 12% category could move to 5%, and nearly 90% of goods in the 28% slab may shift to 18%. CII praised the inclusive approach of the government and pledged to work with the finance ministry, GST Council, and stakeholders for smooth implementation. 'These measures will strengthen India's economic foundations, enhance investor confidence, and position the country among the world's most competitive and resilient economies,' Banerjee concluded. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Bangladesh: Devotees throng ISKCON temple in Dhaka to celebrate Janmashtami
Dhaka [Bangladesh], August 16 (ANI): Devotees take darshan of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha at the ISKCON temple in Dhaka, Bangladesg as ISKCON has begun the three-day celebration amidst Krishna celebrations marks one of the most important religious events for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, told ANI. '… Tomorrow is the appearance day of Lord Krishna… Throughout the day, programs are held on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, including kirtan. In the evening, there will be the bathing ceremony…We have a three-day program, and many people will attend it…The government is taking the best security measures. We had a meeting with the police… They have ensured that nothing will happen this time…" Extending greetings to the Hindu community, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus underscored the spiritual and cultural significance of the festival. 'The birth anniversary of the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna, Shubh Janmashtami, is one of the main religious festivals of the Hindu community. Lord Krishna preached the message of justice, humanity and peace throughout his life to establish equality and peace in the society," Yunus further emphasized communal harmony, adding, 'Since ancient times, the people of this country have been practicing their respective religion while maintaining communal harmony. Let us, through the collective efforts of all, build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, full of communal harmony."Devotees are flocking to ISKCON's central temple in Swamibagh, Dhaka, to participate in various phases of the festival, which include pujas, kirtans, aartis, the Mahabhishek ceremony, discussion meetings, cultural programmes, Kirtan Mela, and religious plays. The temple also hosts a fair, where devotees buy sweets and gifts to mark the on the spiritual essence of the festival, Das Brahmachari said, 'May Lord Krishna bless who are righteous and may He change the mindset of those who are evil and turn them into good people. I pray that as many people as there are in the world, everyone will be happy. We have bathing programs – water to Krishna, religious meetings, Kirtans. So many people will attend."He also reflected on past challenges, saying, 'Sometimes, there were attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. We have helped the victims' families. We are going to village to village, city to city, giving assurance. We will not leave Bangladesh. Bangladesh is our birthplace. We are giving assurance to the Hindu communities." (ANI)
