National

MV Govindan Reappointed as CPM Kerala Secretary for Another Term

Published

11 months ago

March 9, 2025

The 24th CPI-M Kerala state conference, which wrapped up in Kollam on Sunday, has re-elected MV Govindan as the party’s state secretary. At 71 years old, Govindan will lead the party for the next three years, during which local body polls are expected this year, followed by the assembly elections in early 2026.

Govindan, a member of the CPI-M Politbureau, first took on the position of state secretary on August 28, 2022, succeeding the late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who resigned due to health issues.

The state conference also saw the election of an 89-member state committee and a 17-member state secretariat. The new leadership has incorporated more younger members, while the representation of women remains unchanged. Several senior leaders, including A K Balan, P K Sreemathy, Anavoor Nagappan, Gopi Kottamurickal, P Nandakumar, NR Balan, and MK Kannan, were removed from the state committee due to the 75-year age limit.

Notably, former state health minister and prominent leader KK Shailaja, already a member of the central committee, surprised many by joining the secretariat. Other new members of the secretariat include Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan and Ernakulam district secretary CN Mohanan. Although senior leaders AK Balan, PK Sreemathy, and Anavoor Nagappan did not secure spots in the secretariat, P Jayarajan, who had been a candidate for elevation after being overlooked in 2022 for possibly trying to build a personality cult, will remain in the state committee.

Among the 89 members of the CPI-M state committee, 17 are newcomers. This includes two women: higher education minister R Bindu and CPI-M’s Kongad MLA K Shanthakumari. Although health minister Veena George was not included, she has been granted special invitee status on the state committee.

The new members of the state committee feature Biju Kandakkai, John Brittas, DYFI secretary VK Sanoj, president V Waseef, S Jayamohan from Kollam, M Prakashan Master from Kannur, K Santhakumari from Palakkad, Minister R Bindu, Kochi Mayor M Anil Kumar, K Prasad from Alappuzha, TR Reghunath from Kottayam, and Vamanapuram MLA DK Murali, in addition to five new district secretaries: M Rajagopal (Kasaragod), VP Anil (Malappuram), K Rafique (Wayanad), KV Abdul Khader (Thrissur), and M Mehboob (Kozhikode).

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.