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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Dalit youth thrashed in Rajasthan for drinking water from pot, three held
JAIPUR: In a shocking case of caste-based discrimination, a Dalit youth was allegedly abused and beaten in Rajasthan's Nagaur district for drinking water from a pot kept outside a grocery shop. The incident took place on Sunday evening in Kantia village under Khinvsar subdivision. The victim, Omprakash Meghwal, a resident of Aau village, had stopped near the shop with a friend while on his way to a relative's function. He used a metal tumbler (lota) to drink water from a pot placed outside the store. Soon after, the shop owner Kaluram Jat and two others — Narsiram and another man also named Omprakash had asked him his name and caste. When they found out that he belonged to a Scheduled Caste, they allegedly shouted casteist abuses, beat him up, and threatened to kill him. Omprakash said he tried to clean the pot with sand to calm them down, but the men continued to assault and humiliate him. Scared, he ran and took shelter at a relative's house. Later that night, around 11:30 p.m., the accused allegedly returned in a camper vehicle, circled the locality several times, and dragged the vehicle's tyres in an apparent attempt to intimidate the residents. The act reportedly caused panic among the largely poor Dalit families in the area. Omprakash filed a police complaint the next day. A team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Rampratap Vishnoi visited the village, but the accused had already fled. After searches, police detained all three. Nagaur SP Narayan Togas said they have been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other charges. A detailed probe is on. The victim's family claimed that police initially tried to ignore the case. Police officials remained tight-lipped even as the incident began gaining traction on social media. Even on Tuesday, local police avoided giving clear answers when asked by reporters. Action was taken only after mounting public pressure and the video went viral. The incident has triggered widespread outrage. Azad Samaj Party chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad strongly condemned the attack, calling it a grim reminder of entrenched caste discrimination in India. 'In Kantia village, Dalit youths were abused, humiliated, and forced to clean utensils just for drinking water. This isn't a mere dispute—it's a reflection of systemic, centuries-old hatred,' he said. 'Does a Dalit still not have the right to drink water?' This incident is similar to a 2022 case in Jalore, where a Dalit student was beaten to death by a schoolteacher for drinking water from a pot meant for upper castes.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rajasthan steps up security measures, imposes blackout from 9pm to 4am in border districts
JAIPUR/JODHPUR/JAISALMER: Amid heightened tensions following Pakistan's attempted attack on 15 military installations in northern and western regions, including three air force bases in Rajasthan, the state govt has initiated a series of precautionary measures. These include blackout in border districts, suspension of leaves for police personnel, school closures, and a ramp-up of ground and aerial security administrations in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar have enforced a nightly blackout from 9pm to 4am, which will continue till further notice. Residents in these areas have been instructed to remain indoors, turn off all lights, and to avoid any outdoor movement during blackout hours. Residents are also advised to stockpile essential rations and keep important documents handy in case of emergency evacuation blackout is part of a larger security plan meant to reduce visibility in border towns and minimise potential threats. Illuminated boards, banners, and signages have also been ordered to be taken down. Anyone found violating the blackout norms could face legal alert residents, the district administration will use a two-phase siren system. The first siren, lasting around two minutes, will signal the start of the blackout. No lights are to be turned on until the second siren indicating the end of the alert period. Officials emphasised that these measures are purely precautionary and urged the public not to panic, cooperate fully, and report any suspicious activity, object, person, or drone to the nearest police station, Army post, or BSF Thursday, the state police cancelled all types of leaves for personnel across the state. In a directive issued by ADGP Vishal Bansal, all police officers, including range IGs, commissioners, district SPs, DCPs, and commandants, have been ordered to ensure that no personnel go on leave unless approved in cases of directive is aimed at maximising deployment and readiness across the state. In Bikaner range, IG Omprakash confirmed that drones have been completely banned in border areas. Police and other security agencies have intensified patrolling to protect civilians and deter any threats. He appealed to residents to remain alert and immediately report any unusual district collector Tina Dabi reaffirmed the blackout order and said the restrictions were necessary in light of current circumstances. Similar announcements have been made by administrative officials in other affected districts. All govt and private schools, including CBSE-affiliated institutions, madrassas, coaching institutes, and anganwadi centers, have been ordered shut in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar and Jodhpur and all examinations have also been put on hold until further orders. University exams in Jodhpur's Jai Narayan Vyas University have also been indefinitely the aftermath of Pakistan's failed attack on Phalodi, SP Pooja Awana said security has been stepped up across the region. As per the district administration's directives, all hospitals have been directed to ensure essentials, including electricity, water, and fuel. Shops and hotels have been directed to down their shutters by 10pm and district collector Harji Lal Atal has directed private blood banks to keep sufficient stock of blood."We have ordered 450 beds to be reserved across all hospitals in the district, including Phalodi District Hospital. Sufficient blood stocks, ICUs, ambulances and oxygen cylinders are being kept in readiness, and all leaves have been cancelled forthwith. Hospitals have also been instructed to keep generators ready for power backup," said have also been issued to reserve around 400 beds in 26 private hospitals across the district with their cooperation. Arrangements have also been made for emergency shelter in approximately 25 buildings in Phalodi and Bap.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Blackouts, curfews, no leave, no lapse: Full-scale emergency mode at borders
View of a blackout at the Golden Temple premises, amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan, in Amritsar. Nightly blackouts, curfews, and mass leave cancellations for medical and security personnel were imposed Thursday as Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat fortified their Pakistan frontier. Rajasthan imposed power blackouts for the second consecutive night in Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, and Jodhpur, adjusting the timing from the previous midnight to 4am schedule to a new window of 9pm to 4am. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far Residents have been ordered indoors, instructed to shut off lights, and warned against outdoor movement. Sirens will signal blackout start and end. Violations could lead to legal action, officials said. All schools, coaching centres, madrassas, and anganwadi centres in affected districts, including Jodhpur, are closed. Exams in Jai Narayan Vyas University have been postponed indefinitely. Rajasthan police suspended all leave. "All personnel, from IGs to constables, must remain on duty unless urgent leave is sanctioned," said ADG Vishal Bansal. IG Omprakash said drone activity is banned in border areas and intensified patrolling is underway. In Barmer, district collector Tina Dabi stressed the necessity of restrictions given current tensions. Hospitals across Phalodi district and nearby areas are on standby. "We have reserved 450 beds across all district hospitals, ensured blood supply, ICU readiness, power backup, and suspended all medical staff leave," said collector Harji Lal Atal. Twenty-six private hospitals have contributed 400 additional beds, and 25 emergency shelters have been readied. In Punjab, blackout orders are in effect in Gurdaspur from 9pm to 5am. Power was snapped in Ferozepur at 2.30am Thursday, sirens wailed at 4am, and supply resumed at 6.30am. Shelling and explosions in Amritsar Wednesday night have suspended all joint ceremonies with Pakistan at Wagah, Hussainiwala, and Sadiqi indefinitely. "No public will be permitted, keeping in view safety," said a BSF spokesperson. This includes Beating Retreat ceremony, performed daily by BSF and Pakistan Rangers at Attari-Wagah border-crossing. Residents in border villages are preparing shelters, moving valuables inland, and securing livestock. "People are building safe zones inside homes, drawing from past war experiences," said a local official. Panic buying surged in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Jalandhar DC Himanshu Aggarwal urged calm and warned against hoarding. "Strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty," he said, directing stores to curb bulk sales. Punjab and Haryana governments cancelled all leave for police, healthcare, and fire department personnel to ensure uninterrupted emergency services. Health departments in both states have been instructed to maintain full staff presence and stock essential medicines, while civil surgeons and CMOs were told to stay on alert for any health crisis. Rajasthan also cancelled leave for doctors, paramedics, and support staff. Principal secretary Gayatri Rathore said district hospitals must remain on full alert. "Asha, ANM, and CHO workers are to list vulnerable people in border villages for monitoring," she said. District CMHOs must maintain supply of blood, oxygen, medicines, and ensure ICU functionality. Gujarat placed Banaskantha, Patan, and Kutch districts under heightened alert. A drone-like object was found Thursday near Khavda in Kutch, prompting investigation by armed forces. "Special evacuation plans for vulnerable villages are in place," an official said. (Inputs from Nitesh Kumar, Ajay Parmar, Vimal Bhatia & Intishab Ali in Rajasthan; Neel Kamal & Yudhvir Rana in Punjab; Kapil Dave in Gujarat)
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Retired employee loses Rs 50L to investment fraud
Ahmedabad: A 61-year-old retired general manager of a telecommunications equipment company filed a formal complaint alleging a Rs 50 lakh investment fraud involving his former neighbours in Amarnath Omprakash, currently residing in Bengaluru, claims he was cheated by Bhavik Thakkar , his wife Dolly Thakkar and father Nitin Thakkar — former residents of Vishal Residency, to the complaint filed with Anandnagar police, Omprakash lived next to the Thakkars from 2006 to 2023. In 2024, he retired and shifted to Bengaluru to live with his son. Planning to rent out or sell his Ahmedabad house, he was allegedly persuaded by Bhavik and Dolly Thakkar to instead sell the house and invest the proceeds in their firm, AB Plastics, promising higher returns than April and July 2024, Omprakash and his wife Preetirani transferred a total of Rs 50 lakh to AB Plastics' Central Bank of India account. In return, the couple received approximately Rs 1.83 lakh as profit between May and September 2024, after which all returns follow-up calls to Bhavik and Nitin Thakkar were allegedly ignored. Upon contacting local residents, Omprakash discovered the Thakkars vacated their residence. When approached in November 2024, Nitin Thakkar allegedly claimed ignorance of his son's whereabouts and stated he lacked funds to return any accused the Thakkars of criminal breach of trust, fraud, and cheating with a calculated intention to deceive. Anandnagar police registered the complaint and initiated an inquiry.
