India News

No talks with separatists in Kashmir, says Centre in SC

Published

9 years ago

April 29, 2017

No talks with separatists in Kashmir, says Centre in SC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said high-level talks involving Prime Minister and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti are going on to restore normalcy in the valley.

The Centre made clear its stand on Jammu and Kashmir and repeated that there will not be any talks with separatists or those who raise slogans of “secession or Azadi” in the valley. On Friday, the union government said in the Supreme Court that a dialogue to restore normalcy can only be carried out with legally recognised stakeholders or political parties.
The apex court agreed with the view of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and said, “All those whom the law does not prevent, can meet and come out with suggestions, as the situation is not very palpable.” The Supreme Court’s observation came after Rohatgi said, “The government would come to the negotiation table only if the legally recognised stakeholders participate in the dialogue and not with the separatist elements who rake up the issue of accession or Azadi in Kashmir.”

The Attorney General clarified that politics of this nature (involving separatists) will not be allowed. Rohatgi also said that high level talks involving Prime Minister and Chief Minister of the state are going on to restore normalcy in the valley. “The Chief Minister is with the Prime Minister, what further dialogue is required? The Prime Minister has invited the Chief Minister. She (Mehbooba Mufti) is their CM,” he said.

The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association against the High Court order asking to stay the use of pellet guns in the state. During the last hearing on April 10, Centre had told the Supreme Court that it was exploring alternatives like rubber bullets, which are not as lethal as pellet guns for crowd control.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court had rejected a plea in September last seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns ruling that the Centre had already formed a Committee of Experts through its memorandum of July 26, 2016 for finding an alternative to pellet guns.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:Kashmir Unrest Pellet Guns Supreme Court

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India News

Rescue operation underway after water surge traps workers in Chamoli tunnel

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after a sudden surge of water and debris entered a tunnel at a THDC project site in Chamoli.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after water and debris entered a tunnel at a Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. A rescue operation is underway.

According to police, 18 labourers were working inside the tunnel when a sudden surge of water occurred. The strong current swept several workers towards the tunnel’s exit, according to a preliminary report.

Eight workers have been rescued so far, while 10 are still believed to be trapped inside the tunnel.

“Additional ambulances have been dispatched to the site. Police and administrative teams have arrived at the location,” Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Pawar said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been dispatched to assist in the rescue operation.

India News

Delhi Metro to start services at 4 am on Independence Day

Delhi Metro will begin services at 4 am on August 15, with trains running every 30 minutes before regular services start.

Published

13 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Metro services will start at 4 am on August 15 to facilitate the movement of special guests, invitees and members of the public attending the Independence Day celebrations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Thursday.

Metro trains will operate at 30-minute intervals on all lines from 4 am until regular revenue services begin according to the scheduled timetable for the day.

Special QR tickets for Independence Day invitees

The DMRC said 1.30 lakh special pre-vended QR tickets have been supplied to the Ministry of Defence for the travel of special guests and bona fide invitees attending the celebrations.

Invitees carrying valid physical admit cards issued by the Ministry of Defence will also be provided special pre-vended QR tickets at designated Metro stations to facilitate their travel.

The cost of journeys made using these special QR tickets will be reimbursed to the DMRC by the Ministry of Defence, the corporation said.

Nearest Metro stations to Red Fort

The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate Metro stations are the nearest stations to the venue of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

The early start of Metro services is aimed at facilitating the movement of people attending the celebrations on Independence Day.

India News

Bengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP Nagendra Ray over Netaji remarks

West Bengal has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan awarded to BJP MP Nagendra Ray after his controversial remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Published

13 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

The West Bengal government has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan, the state’s highest civilian honour, from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, amid controversy over his remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The award was conferred on Ray on February 21, 2026, when the Mamata Banerjee government was in power. The state government said the honour recognises distinguished and exemplary contributions to the state and its people and carries a high degree of dignity and prestige.

Why Bengal withdrew the award

The decision came less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to take stringent action, including arrests, against people making derogatory remarks about Netaji on social media.

Adhikari had also said that the law would apply equally to MPs, MLAs and government officials.

The directive followed remarks by Ananta Maharaj in which he described Netaji as a “war criminal” and questioned his leadership as well as the role of the Azad Hind Fauj in India’s freedom struggle.

What the Bengal government said

In its order, the state government said that “certain facts and circumstances” had emerged that raised questions over Nagendra Ray’s continued retention of the honour.

The government said the competent authority had concluded that retaining the Banga Bibhushan was inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the award.

It therefore withdrew and annulled the honour conferred upon Nagendra Ray on February 21, 2026, with immediate effect. The order did not specifically identify the particular offence behind the decision.

Who is Nagendra Ray?

Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, is a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal who hails from Cooch Behar in the northern part of the state and is a leader of the Rajbanshi community.

The withdrawal of the state honour comes amid controversy over his remarks concerning Netaji, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and a revered personality in Bengal.