Latest news with #SRE
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
TN RIGHTS census to identify disabled begins in Erode, seven other districts
COIMBATORE: The TN RIGHTS project, functioning under the Department of Welfare for Differently-Abled Persons, has launched a Social Registry Enrollment (SRE) census to identify persons with disabilities (PWD) in eight additional districts, including Coimbatore, Erode and Salem in the western region. The state is implementing the TN RIGHTS project, supported by World Bank funds, to strengthen the differently-abled department's ability to promote inclusion, accessibility, and opportunities for people with disabilities. The focus of the project is to enhance social protection systems for them. As part of these efforts, the department is conducting area-wise SRE census to assist the government in improving the management of services for beneficiaries, and the drive was launched on Monday. This initiative is designed to collect data on disabled people across all blocks, town panchayats, municipalities and Coimbatore corporation. Volunteers will visit every household to identify PWDs. P Sundareswaran, project officer for TN RIGHTS in Coimbatore district, said they have appointed 200 volunteers who will meet targeted individuals in 20 blocks, with 12 blocks located in rural areas and 4 blocks covering corporation and municipality limits.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Maoists from J'khand involved in explosive-laden truck theft: Police
1 2 Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: Odisha police confirmed on Wednesday that Maoists from neighbouring Jharkhand were responsible for hijacking an explosive-laden truck from a stone quarry in K Balang area of Sundargarh district on Tuesday. The incident marked a significant Maoist operation after an extended period of reduced LWE activity in Odisha, triggering apprehension of a disruption of the Centre's objective to establish a 'Maoist free' India by March 2026. The daylight theft of four tonnes of gelatin sticks, which cops fear could be used against security personnel, has raised concerns as Sundargarh had been declared Naxal-free in April 2024. DGP Y B Khurania, IG (operations) Deepak Kumar and special intelligence wing (SIW) DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh visited Rourkela to review the investigation. Odisha police have launched an extensive anti-Maoist search operation with the help of the neighbouring Jharkhand police and CRPF. "The Naxals entered from neighbouring Jharkhand, given the Banko quarry's proximity to Maoist-active areas of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. Joint anti-Maoist search operations are underway," DIG (western range) Brijesh Rai told TOI. Rai mentioned that Sundargarh, free from Maoist activities and violence for over 10 years, was removed from the left-wing extremism (LWE) affected areas list and the Centre's security-related expenditure (SRE) scheme last year. According to police reports, roughly 25 to 30 armed Naxals entered the quarry on Tuesday around 10 am, holding two labourers and a manager at gun-point after the explosives-laden lorry arrived. The armed group compelled the driver to operate the vehicle under duress. They released him at Relhatu area under K Balang police limits around 5 pm. "They were speaking in Hindi and claimed to be Maoists. I pleaded for mercy. They spared me," said the truck driver, Debnath Toppo. Police have sealed an explosive storage facility at Itma under Bargaon police limits in Sundargarh, which supplied the gelatin sticks to the Banko quarry. Security analysts criticised the SIW's performance. "Despite Sundargarh's removal from the LWE affected areas list and the SRE scheme, the special intelligence wing should have continued monitoring Maoist movements. They should not have lowered their guard. Naxals must have conducted recce before striking," said S N Sahoo, a retired police officer. Records indicate a similar incident took place in 2012 when Maoists hijacked an explosive-laden van in Sundargarh district.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Rahul Gandhi to visit J-K's Poonch tommorow to meet families of victim's kiiled in Pakistani shelling
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 23 (ANI): Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh said that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Saturday to meet the families of victims killed in recent shelling by Pakistan. In a post on X on Friday, Ramesh said, 'Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri@RahulGandhi will be visiting Poonch tomorrow, May 24th, to meet the families bereaved during the shelling by Pakistan very recently.' 'Earlier he had visited Srinagar on April 25th to meet with those injured during the brutal Pahalgam terror attack and many other stakeholders. He had also met with the LG and the CM then,' he said on X. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the victims of the shelling in both Poonch and Rajouri, stressing that the proper rehabilitation of affected families is his top priority. According to an official statement from Raj Bhavan, the closest kin of the victims will be offered government jobs, and assistance will be provided to the families from the Central government. 'The proper rehabilitation of affected families is my top priority. The J&K administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, is committed to ensuring proper rehabilitation, enhanced border infrastructure, and security for the residents of border areas. We are significantly expanding our efforts to construct individual and community bunkers across Jammu and Kashmir under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE),' said the Lieutenant Governor. Apart from Poonch, Rajouri district has also been affected. Locals have suffered damage to their homes and lost their sources of livelihood due to the shelling. The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those killed. Lieutenant Governor Sinha has held several meetings with civil administration officials, police, and local residents to assess the situation. He added that a rehabilitation package for the victims will soon be approved by the Central government. (ANI)
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Rahul Gandhi to visit J-K's Poonch on May 24, meet kin of civilians killed in Pakistani shelling
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday (May 24) to meet the families of civilians who were killed in recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan, sources told ANI. Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the victims of the shelling in both Poonch and Rajouri, stressing that the proper rehabilitation of affected families is his top priority. According to an official statement from Raj Bhavan, the closest kin of the victims will be offered government jobs, and assistance will be provided to the families from the Central government. 'The proper rehabilitation of affected families is my top priority. The J&K administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, is committed to ensuring proper rehabilitation, enhanced border infrastructure, and security for the residents of border areas. We are significantly expanding our efforts to construct individual and community bunkers across Jammu and Kashmir, under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE),' said the Lieutenant from Poonch, Rajouri district has also been affected. Locals have suffered damage to their homes and lost their sources of livelihood due to the shelling. The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those killed. Lieutenant Governor Sinha has held several meetings with civil administration officials, police, and local residents to assess the situation. He added that a rehabilitation package for the victims will soon be approved by the Central government. 'A necessity for bunkers is being felt. New bunkers will be built so that people of J&K can stay safe,' Sinha said. On May 9, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned Pakistan for deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools and places of worship. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri criticised Pakistan for attacking religious sites along the Line of Control (LoC), calling the strikes 'a new low even for Pakistan.' According to the MEA, one shell fired by Pakistan hit the home of two students from the Christ School in Poonch. Bhai Surender Singh, Head Granthi of Sahab Mahant Saab Ji Gurudwara, also confirmed the damage to religious places. Speaking to ANI, Bhai Surender Singh said, 'It wasn't done by the Indian Army; it was actually firing from Pakistan. There was damage to gurdwaras, mosques, and temples, and we also had casualties. A teacher who was teaching children was killed. Pakistan fired on our city, on people's homes, and even our gurdwaras were hit.' India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, post the 'Barbaric' Pahalgan terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including a Nepali national. Following the launch of the operation, Pakistan attempted to carry out a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites. However, India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems successfully neutralised all incoming threats, preventing any major damage. (ANI)
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
'Proper rehabilitation of affected families is my top priority: LG Sinha visists Poonch, meets shelling victims
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 21 (ANI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited Poonch and met the grieving family members who lost their loved ones due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan. According to a release, the Lieutenant Governor announced Government job to the closest kin of Pakistan shelling victims. He said, ex-gratia and other reliefs have been provided and Government of India is committed for further necessary assistance. 'The proper rehabilitation of affected families is my top priority. The J&K administration, under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hon'ble Home Minister Amit Shah, is committed to ensuring proper rehabilitation, enhanced border infrastructure, and security for the residents of border areas. We are significantly expanding our efforts to construct individual and community bunkers across Jammu Kashmir, under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE),' the Lieutenant Governor said. During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor paid obeisance at Gurudwara Dera Santpura Nangali Sahib and interacted with the citizens. He lauded the residents of Poonch, civil society members and all the communities for their display of courage and social harmony. 'Pakistan had shown its cowardice by targeting sacred Gurudwara Dera Santpura Nangali Sahib. In its despicable act, the terrorist country Pakistan had also targeted temple and mosque. By firing and heavy shelling on our sacred sites, terror state Pakistan had tried to damage our social fabric. I salute the people of Poonch. Their courage provided moral strength to our brave Soldiers. We are proud of our citizens, Sikh Community, who stand united against adversary's conspiracy to divide the society on religious lines,' the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated the resolve of Government of India, J&K Administration and Armed Forces for exemplary action against terrorism and those trying to divide the people on religious and sectarian lines. He said the people are witnessing that under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister, every section of society is strengthened and India's unbeatable prowess is shining globally. Later, the Lieutenant Governor visited the Dungus area affected due to shelling, and also took stock of the situation during a meeting with senior administrative and district officials at Poonch. The Lieutenant Governor directed for necessary measures to ensure restoration of all essential services and supplies and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Divisional Commissioner's Office and the Chief Secretary's Office. He further instructed for taking comprehensive assessment for requirements and construction of bunkers, upgradation of medical services at District hospital and strengthening Civil Defence system. The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated the local administration and security forces for their prompt and responsive measures for the safety and rehabilitation of affected families. The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; IG Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti; Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal and other senior officials. (ANI)
