National

Amit Shah Claims Naxalism Will Be Eradicated by March 31 Next Year, Addresses Rajya Sabha

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, declaring in the Rajya Sabha that Naxalism will be eliminated in the country by March 31 next year. During a discussion on the operations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah explained how the government has utilized ‘Sanwad, Suraksha, Samanvaya’—which translates to dialogue, security, and coordination—to combat this threat.

He highlighted the effectiveness of the BJP’s approach in Chhattisgarh, where, since taking power in December 2023, 380 Naxals have been killed within a year, not including 30 additional Naxals killed recently. Furthermore, 1,194 individuals have been arrested, and 1,045 have surrendered, resulting in a reduction of 2,619 active Naxals. Tragically, 26 security personnel lost their lives during these operations. “This is the same Chhattisgarh, the same police, the same CRPF, and the same Government of India. It was merely a change in the ruling party,” Shah noted, emphasizing the shift in approach under the BJP.

Shah pledged, “We will eradicate Naxalism before March 31, 2026,” while criticizing the previous Congress-led government for its leniency towards terrorism. He stated, “The Modi government enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. In the past, no action was taken following terror attacks, and people simply moved on. We responded to the Uri and Pulwama attacks with surgical strikes and airstrikes within ten days.”

While acknowledging efforts to advance development, Shah admitted that some areas, particularly those affected by Maoist attacks, were neglected. He mentioned improvements in road connectivity and internet access in Naxalite territories, as well as the establishment of new banks and ATMs.

Shah remarked that many young people are abandoning their weapons and reintegrating into society, and noted successful agreements with extremist factions in states like Assam. He indicated that when the Narendra Modi government assumed office in 2014, it inherited numerous legacy issues from previous administrations, particularly concerning security and development, hindered by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Leftist insurgencies, and challenges in the North East.

He pointed out that the combined toll of these issues has resulted in approximately 92,000 deaths over four decades. Shah underscored that, under PM Modi’s leadership, substantial efforts have been made to tackle these challenges—efforts that had previously been lacking.

Citing the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Shah noted a significant decrease in terror incidents—from 7,217 between 2004 and 2014 to 2,242 between 2014 and 2024—in Jammu and Kashmir, along with a 70% reduction in terrorism-related deaths since the Modi administration took office.

The Minister disclosed that an enticing industrial policy has attracted ₹12,000 crore in investments to Jammu and Kashmir, with MoUs worth ₹1.1 lakh crore signed. He also expressed gratitude to the state police and central paramilitary forces for their sacrifices in upholding the nation’s security.

Shah highlighted that, after 76 years, law and order issues have evolved, with many crimes now transcending state boundaries, including narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, organized crime gangs, and hawala operations. He emphasized that the Modi government made necessary reforms in the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen national security.

In a comparison to Congress, Shah stated, “There’s a stark contrast between a government that treats Naxalism as a political issue and one that prioritizes security and development.” He committed to combating the drug problem, asserting, “Our policy is clear: we will not allow one kilogram of drugs to enter or exit the country.”

He highlighted missions Sagar Manthan 1, 2, and 3, mentioning joint operations with states like Gujarat, Punjab, and Karnataka. Through initiatives like the Spandan mission, support has been extended to those struggling with addiction, along with the establishment of a hotline for assistance.

National

Delhi Techie Found Dead During Honeymoon Trip

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

National: A 27-year-old IT professional from Delhi was found dead at a homestay in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The woman, P Radha Gayatri, had gone on a honeymoon trip with her husband.

According to police, the couple checked into a homestay on June 14. Her husband said they had consumed alcohol and went to sleep late at night.

The next morning, he found Gayatri unconscious on the floor. Police said she was lying in a pool of urine, and blood was coming from her nose. She was declared dead at the scene.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Police are investigating the case and waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

National

Pakistan Ranked World’s Most Polluted Country in 2025

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked as the most polluted country in the world in 2025, according to a new report released by Swiss air quality monitoring company IQ Air.

The report found that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 pollution level was 13 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5 refers to tiny harmful particles in the air that can enter the lungs and cause serious health problems.

IQ Air said that only 13 countries and territories met the WHO air quality guideline of less than 5 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air in 2025. This was an improvement from seven countries in 2024.

The report also revealed that 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet the WHO standard.

Bangladesh was ranked as the second most polluted country, while Tajikistan secured the third position. Chad, which was the most polluted country in 2024, ranked fourth in 2025.

Experts said that Chad’s lower ranking may be linked to missing pollution data. In March 2025, the United States ended a global air quality monitoring program due to budget cuts. The program had collected pollution data from US embassies and consulates around the world.

Christi Chester Schroeder, the lead author of the report, said that the loss of data makes it difficult to know the true pollution levels in some countries.

Because of data shortages, Burundi, Turkmenistan and Togo were not included in the 2025 report.

The report also identified Loni in India as the world’s most polluted city. The city recorded an average PM2.5 level of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Hotan in China ranked second with 109.6 micrograms.

According to the report, the 25 most polluted cities in the world were all located in India, Pakistan and China.

Only 14 percent of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard in 2025. This was lower than the 17 percent recorded in the previous year.

The report noted that large wildfires in Canada increased air pollution levels across the United States and even affected parts of Europe.

Countries that met the WHO air quality guideline in 2025 included Australia, Iceland, Estonia and Panama.

Meanwhile, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia reported significant improvements in air quality. Experts said wetter and windier La Niña weather conditions helped reduce pollution levels in these countries.

Mongolia also recorded a 31 percent drop in average PM2.5 levels during the year.

Overall, 75 countries reported lower pollution levels in 2025, while 54 countries experienced an increase in air pollution, according to the IQ Air report

National

Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes

Published

5 days ago

June 13, 2026

Namma Kudla

Dispur: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.

According to reports, the AN-32 aircraft went down within the premises of the air base. A fire broke out immediately after the accident.

Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the flames. The fire was brought under control after their prompt response.

The exact cause of the crash is not known yet. Authorities are investigating the incident.

So far, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. The Indian Air Force has confirmed the accident and said that more details will be shared after a complete assessment of the situation.

Further information is awaited.