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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gadchiroli's Maraknar gets its first-ever bus service since Independence
Residents of Maraknar—in Gadchiroli district on the foothills of Abujmarh which had no access to public transport until now— got a reason to rejoice as an MSRTC bus made inroads into this remote village on Wednesday, the first time since Independence. Until last year, residents had to walk five to six hours through dense forests to reach Kothi, the nearest village with bus connectivity. Although a road upto Markanar was built last year, bus services began only on Wednesday. Over 1,200 people, including students, patients, and farmers, are expected to benefit from the bus service. According to Gadchiroli police, the new bus route from Markanar to Aheri will also benefit nearby villages such as Murumbhushi, Phulanar, Koparshi, Poyarkothi, and Gundurwahi, which for long did not have access to public transport. The initiative was made possible through the concerted efforts of Gadchiroli Police and the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Gram Patil of Maraknar Jhuru Malu Mattami inaugurated the bus while CRPF Assistant Commandant Avinash Chaudhary and police sub-inspector Dilip Gawali of Kothi police station formally flagged it off. The moment was celebrated with the distribution of sweets by the police. Located just 6km from the Chhattisgarh border in the Bhamragad sub-division, Maraknar is one of several villages now benefiting from recent development under police protection. Roads like the one from Kothi to Maraknar were completed last year, and the ongoing Maraknar to Murumbhushi road has opened up long-isolated areas in the region. A mobile tower was also installed in Maraknar recently, improving communication in the village. On February 9 this year, villagers unanimously passed a resolution refusing to support Maoists in any way. Subsequently development work was expedited under the civic action programmes by the Gadchiroli Police Force. In recent years, the Gadchiroli Police Force has facilitated the construction of over 420km of roads and 60 bridges, despite security threats. Earlier this year, similar services were launched from Gatta-Gardewada-Wangeturi and from Katezari to Gadchiroli, also aimed at easing life in some of the most difficult terrains. This initiative was the result of efforts led by PSI Dilip Gawali, CRPF personnel and Kothi police in Gadchiroli. The initiative was guided and supported by senior officials of Gadchiroli, including Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal, Additional SPs M Ramesh, Satya Sai Karthik, Gokul Raj G, and DySP Vishal Nagargoje, along with SDPO Bhamragad Amar Mohite.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Dark Web, VPNs: Delhi Cops Scramble To Probe Bomb Threats To Schools
New Delhi: A fresh wave of bomb threats targeting schools and colleges has kept Delhi Police on its toes as many education institutes panicked for three days straight, with senior officers saying the emails were sent using encrypted networks, making them hard to track. Cyber experts of the Delhi Police and senior officers investigating the threats said the senders are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and the dark web. The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and is accessible only through special browsers, allowing illegal activities such as cybercrime, human trafficking and drugs and weapons trade to thrive. VPN adds a layer of anonymity by allowing users to create a secure connection to another network. "Tracking someone on the dark web is like chasing a shadow in a room full of mirrors. The moment you think you have found a lead, it vanishes behind another layer of anonymity," a Delhi Police officer explained. Ten bomb threat emails have been received by nine schools in the city in the past three days. Last February, a private school and a Delhi University college in the capital received bomb threat emails, which were later confirmed by authorities to be hoaxes. In October last year, an explosion occurred outside the CRPF school in Prashant Vihar, but no one was injured. In January this year, police arrested a Class 12 student who had allegedly sent bomb threats to over 400 schools. Amid growing concerns over such threats, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a comprehensive 115-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in May to handle bomb threats in schools. Sources said that each of the recent emails carried a similar pattern: vague but alarming language, timed before school hours and often routed through international servers. Police believe that the sender or the group involved is adept at using anonymising tools and cyber tactics to avoid detection. "It is not easy to trace emails that are routed through multiple proxy servers. They are using VPN chains and tools on the dark web to bounce their location across several countries. In such cases, even service providers are often helpless," a source said. A cyber expert of the Delhi Police said the investigating officers are no longer treating the threats as a mere prank. "Multiple probe agencies are involved in investigating the matter. These threats are affecting children, parents and the school staff psychologically," the expert said on the condition of anonymity. During a press conference, a senior Delhi Police officer said that the use of VPN by the sender of the emails significantly hampered efforts to track the threat. "We were tracking the emails, but VPN makes it difficult to track their origin. We also had to check for any possible terror link," he had said. The recurring threats have caused considerable anxiety among parents and teachers. At St Thomas School in Dwarka, which received two threats in less than 24 hours, Rakesh Arora, the father of a 12-year-old student, said, "Schools receiving bomb threats is very worrying. It not only creates fear but also disrupts the children's studies. "These may turn out to be hoaxes, but as parents, we can't help but be scared," he said. On Tuesday, Varun Kumar, whose daughter is a kindergarten student, said, "This is not the first time. These kinds of threats are happening quite often. Police must take strict action against those responsible for sending such emails. It creates unnecessary panic and disturbs everyone." "Parents are genuinely scared to send their children to school now," Kumar added. Following the DoE's SOP, schools have tightened their security protocols, increased bag checks, restricted outsider entry, and are coordinating with the local police stations on a daily basis. Police said that they are not ruling out any angle in their probe into the threats. "The January case had revealed a possible link to a civil society group and a political entity, which had drawn significant attention. The accused student's father was reportedly associated with an NGO that had previously supported terrorist Afzal Guru," a senior police officer said. Police have urged people not to panic over such threats and to report any suspicious activity. They have issued advisories and hold interactive sessions in schools from time to time, informing stakeholders how to handle threat emails and maintain evidence that could help in tracking the perpetrators. Police said that they are studying earlier cases where the teams have arrested the accused for sending bomb threats to learn how they solved the cases. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Jharkhand: Maoist with Rs 5 lakh bounty killed; CRPF jawan martyred in gunfight accorded emotional farewell
Ranchi: CRPF jawan Praneswar Koch of the 209 CoBRA Battalion, who was martyred in an encounter with Maoists in the dense Birhordera forest of Bokaro district's Gomia area, was given a solemn and emotional farewell at the CRPF 133 Battalion headquarters in Ranchi on Wednesday evening. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar led the tributes, laying a wreath on the mortal remains of the brave soldier. In his address, the Governor said, 'The supreme sacrifice of Jawan Praneswar Koch will not go in vain. His courage during the anti-Maoist operation will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences to his family. It is because of brave soldiers like him that Maoist activity has declined in the state.' He also expressed confidence that Maoism would be completely eradicated in the coming months. Several top officials of the state government and police department paid homage to the martyr, including Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, DGP Anurag Gupta, and IG Operations Dr Michael Raj S. They laid floral tributes and observed a moment of silence in honour of the fallen soldier. The encounter took place on Wednesday morning during a joint search operation by CoBRA and CRPF units, following Intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the forest area of Gomia. As the forces moved in, Maoists opened fire, prompting a retaliatory operation. In the gunfight, a Maoist commander, with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head, was killed. The deceased has been identified as Kunwar Manjhi, also known as Sahdev Manjhi. During the operation, CRPF jawan Praneswar Koch was martyred, and a local villager tragically lost his life in the crossfire between the Maoists and security personnel. DGP Gupta, addressing the media, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. He stated, 'We are deeply saddened by the martyrdom of our jawan and the death of a villager. However, it has been resolved that any Maoist who refuses to surrender will be dealt with decisively.' Hailing from Kokrajhar district of Assam, Praneswar Koch was remembered by CRPF officials as a courageous and committed soldier who never wavered in the face of danger. 'He was known for his sense of responsibility and fearlessness,' an officer said. His body will be sent to his native village in Assam, where he will be cremated with full state honours. DGP Gupta further revealed that 22 Maoists have been killed in encounters so far this year. 'We continue to urge those still active to surrender. Many have already laid down arms. Under the Jharkhand government's surrender policy, those who choose to return to the mainstream are placed in open jails and provided with financial assistance, educational support for their children, and help with rehabilitation,' he said. He emphasised that while the government welcomes those who renounce violence, it will respond firmly to those who continue to bear arms.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Dark web makes it tough for Delhi Police to probe bomb threats to schools
A fresh wave of bomb threats targeting schools and colleges has kept Delhi Police on its toes as many education institutes panicked for three days straight, with senior officers saying the emails were sent using encrypted networks, making them hard to track. Cyber experts of the Delhi Police and senior officers investigating the threats said the senders are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and the dark web. The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and is accessible only through special browsers, allowing illegal activities such as cybercrime, human trafficking and drugs and weapons trade to thrive. VPN adds a layer of anonymity by allowing users to create a secure connection to another network. "Tracking someone on the dark web is like chasing a shadow in a room full of mirrors. The moment you think you have found a lead, it vanishes behind another layer of anonymity," a Delhi Police officer explained. Ten bomb threat emails have been received by nine schools in the city in the past three days. Last February, a private school and a Delhi University college in the capital received bomb threat emails, which were later confirmed by authorities to be hoaxes. In October last year, an explosion occurred outside the CRPF school in Prashant Vihar, but no one was injured. In January this year, police arrested a Class 12 student who had allegedly sent bomb threats to over 400 schools. Amid growing concerns over such threats, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a comprehensive 115-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in May to handle bomb threats in schools. Sources said that each of the recent emails carried a similar pattern: vague but alarming language, timed before school hours and often routed through international servers. Police believe that the sender or the group involved is adept at using anonymising tools and cyber tactics to avoid detection. "It is not easy to trace emails that are routed through multiple proxy servers. They are using VPN chains and tools on the dark web to bounce their location across several countries. In such cases, even service providers are often helpless," a source said. A cyber expert of the Delhi Police said the investigating officers are no longer treating the threats as a mere prank. "Multiple probe agencies are involved in investigating the matter. These threats are affecting children, parents and the school staff psychologically," the expert said on the condition of anonymity. During a press conference, a senior Delhi Police officer said that the use of VPN by the sender of the emails significantly hampered efforts to track the threat. "We were tracking the emails, but VPN makes it difficult to track their origin. We also had to check for any possible terror link," he had said. The recurring threats have caused considerable anxiety among parents and teachers. At St Thomas School in Dwarka, which received two threats in less than 24 hours, Rakesh Arora, the father of a 12-year-old student, said, "Schools receiving bomb threats is very worrying. It not only creates fear but also disrupts the children's studies. "These may turn out to be hoaxes, but as parents, we can't help but be scared," he said. On Tuesday, Varun Kumar, whose daughter is a kindergarten student, said, "This is not the first time. These kinds of threats are happening quite often. Police must take strict action against those responsible for sending such emails. It creates unnecessary panic and disturbs everyone." "Parents are genuinely scared to send their children to school now," Kumar added. Following the DoE's SOP, schools have tightened their security protocols, increased bag checks, restricted outsider entry, and are coordinating with the local police stations on a daily basis. Police said that they are not ruling out any angle in their probe into the threats. "The January case had revealed a possible link to a civil society group and a political entity, which had drawn significant attention. The accused student's father was reportedly associated with an NGO that had previously supported terrorist Afzal Guru," a senior police officer said. Police have urged people not to panic over such threats and to report any suspicious activity. They have issued advisories and hold interactive sessions in schools from time to time, informing stakeholders how to handle threat emails and maintain evidence that could help in tracking the perpetrators. Police said that they are studying earlier cases where the teams have arrested the accused for sending bomb threats to learn how they solved the cases.
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Sub-Zonal Naxal commander gunned down in Jharkhand during encounter
The Security forces in a joint operation neutralised a Sub-Zonal Naxal Commander in an early morning encounter in the forest area of Bokaro district in Jharkhand, officials said on Wednesday. According to officials, the operation, which began around 6:30 AM, was carried out jointly by the 209 CoBRA unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Police. The slain Naxal, who was killed during an exchange of fire, has been identified as Kunwar Manjhi, also known by his aliases Sahdeo Manjhi and Sade. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the site following the exchange of fire. Meanwhile, CRPF Constable Praneswar Koch of the 209 CoBRA unit sustained a bullet injury during the operation. He has been admitted to the hospital, officials said. The operation is underway. Amid ongoing action against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday claimed that Naxalism is taking its last breath. Speaking to reporters after children from Naxal-hit Sukma district visited the Chhattisgarh Assembly, CM Vishnu Deo Sai said, "Naxalism is taking its last breaths, our security forces have been fighting Naxalites with strength for the past one and a half years, and we are also benefiting from the double-engine government." He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resolve to end Naxalism by 2026. "PM Modi and the Union Home Minister have resolved to eliminate Naxalism from the entire country by March 31, 2026, and their dream will also come true. Our forces are fighting with great strength," he told reporters. Twenty-three Naxalites, carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 1.18 crore, surrendered in Sukma district on Saturday. The group comprises 14 men and nine women, all identified as hardcore Naxalites, said officials. Sukma SP Kiran Chauhan said, "23 Naxalites have surrendered. All are hardcore Naxalites. They will be provided with facilities as per the government policy. On this occasion, I appeal to all Naxalites to lay down their arms and join the mainstream." Earlier on July 8, the IED bomb planted by the Maoists caused injuries to two CRPF jawans in Chhattisgarh's Timapur-Murdanda road, under the Awapalli police station area.
