More than 700 Maoists surrendered from 2005 to 2025 in Maharashtra
The Centre, which has set a deadline of March 31, 2026 to end Naxalism and the states from where the Red Corridor passes, has appealed for the CPI (Maoist) cadres to lay down their arms.
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Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
India looking for other magnet sources after China's curbs on rare earth metals
India is in talks with China on ensuring the supply of permanent magnets derived from rare earth minerals but is also working on 'alternate sources' for the critical components, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said. He said the government is in constant touch with Indian industry to speed up the development of local sources. China, which controls 90% of the supply of rare earth magnets, has imposed curbs on supplies. These magnets are essential inputs in the manufacturing of cars, electric vehicles and renewable energy equipment, among others. 'There is a concern... our embassy is in dialogue with them (China)... commerce and industry ministry is also working,' Goyal said, adding that the government had already begun work on developing alternate sources. 'Hope Good Sense Prevails' Goyal was speaking to reporters after his interaction with local industry in Bern. "In a way, it's a wake-up call for all those who have become over-reliant on certain geographies. It's a wake-up call for the whole world that you need trusted partners in your supply chain,' the minister said. Auto industry and other industry bodies have represented the matter to the government seeking an early resolution of the problem. China had in April mandated special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets. It is seeking an undertaking that permanent magnets it supplies will not be re-exported to the US, nor will they find applications in the defence industry. ET reported on June 4 that nine auto component manufacturers have received endorsement from the Chinese embassy in India for importing critical rare earth magnets, but supply has not resumed as the neighbouring country's commerce ministry has not given its nod. "Obviously, there are issues around the stopping of permanent magnets from China to India, which will affect our auto sector, particularly, and several white goods and other sectors. Some companies have put in their applications, and we hope that good sense prevails and they get their approvals for permanent magnets," the minister said. The Centre is also looking to Indian Rare Earths Ltd to speed up the development of domestic resources, Goyal said. Asked if the government will consider a production-linked incentive scheme for these magnets, Goyal said he had discussed the matter with the auto industry and was confident of resolving the matter. "They are in dialogue with our innovators, startups and they say they will take care of any funding requirement or pricing correction that may need to encourage faster rollout and growth of this sector," Goyal said. On alternative sources, the minister said these could also be some technologies that India is developing. "The government, the industry and startups and innovators are all working as a team and we are confident that there may be a problem in the short run but we will emerge winners in the mid to long runs," he said. (The reporter is in Bern at the invitation of the ministry of commerce & industry)
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Setback for forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma: ASP Akash Rao Girepunje killed in Maoist IED blast
In a major setback for security forces, an additional superintendent of police was killed and two police officers injured in an improvised explosive device blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. The IED was planted by Maoists near Dondra village on Konta-Errabor road. The incident took place when additional superintendent of police (Konta division) Akash Rao Girepunje and others were patrolling on foot after receiving inputs that an earth-mover machine was torched by Maoists in the area, an official said. When the police team reached the spot an IED exploded, causing injuries to ASP Girepunje, sub divisional officer of police Bhanupratap Chandrakar and station house officer Sonal Gwala, he said. All the injured personnel were shifted to Konta Hospital for initial treatment, he said. "Girepunje sustained serious injuries. He succumbed to his injuries during treatment," the official said. The 42-year-old ASP, who hailed from Raipur district, was recruited as deputy superintendent of police in 2013. He was serving as ASP, Konta since 2024, according to Bastar Police. Bastar Range IGP, Sundarraj P, said, "He was one of the bravest personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police who served in Maoist-affected areas like Manpur-Mohla and Sukma. Two other injured officials are reported to be out of danger. They were airlifted to Raipur for further medication." "At present, the Left-Wing Extremists are on the backfoot and the organisation is completely weak. They do not have the courage to face the security forces directly. Therefore, they have resorted to targeting our brave forces and civilians. They have been using IEDs for killing innocent civilians and policemen," Sundarraj said, adding Bastar will be free of Maoists soon. "The Chhattisgarh government, police, all citizens and the police family stand firmly with the family of martyr Girepunje in this hour of grief. His sacrifice will further strengthen our commitment to completely destroy a cruel and conspiratorial organisation like the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," a police statement said. (With Agency Inputs)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bhatti vows caste-based budget allocations
Hyderabad: Riding high on the momentum of social justice following the recent induction of three new ministers, deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday said the Congress govt would aim to allocate funds proportionate to the population of each caste and community in the 2025–26 state budget. Speaking at a public meeting in Khammam during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Gouda Sangham Bhavan, Bhatti said the next budget would reflect the govt's commitment to social equity by enhancing access to education, employment, and welfare for all communities. "The Congress govt is committed to building an egalitarian society where every section is given equal opportunity. As promised in our manifesto, we conducted a caste census which revealed that BCs constitute 56% of the population," he said. He added that the govt passed 42% reservation bills for BCs in local bodies and govt jobs and had forwarded the proposal to the Centre. "This is a major achievement of the Indiramma govt," he noted. Bhatti also credited Telangana's inclusive policies for inspiring the national discourse. "When Rahul Gandhi began advocating the Telangana model, many laughed. But today, it has become a model for the entire country — this is a victory of Telangana's people," he said. He assured the Goud community that the new building would be completed within a year, alongside a coaching centre for unemployed youth and a statue of Sardar Sarvai Papanna. Earlier in the day, the deputy CM flagged off 45 battery-operated buses at the Suryapet bus stand. He announced that 79 such buses were sanctioned for the depot and that 2,800 more would soon be launched within Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road. Since the launch of the women's free travel scheme, RTC has issued 182 crore zero-fare tickets, with the govt reimbursing ₹6,088 crore, he added.
