[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following an offer for talks on the Gorkhaland statehood issue from Union home minister Rajnath Singh, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung hadon Tuesday night declared that he was calling off the indefinite shutdown
After 104 days shops opened their shutters and people poured out on the streets of Darjeeling and its hinterland as normalcy returned to these restive hills where the past 104 days had seen an absolute shutdown of all activity.
Late on Tuesday night, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung had announced that he was withdrawing the call for an indefinite economic shutdown of the Darjeeling hills and that regular activity would resume in this region from 6 amon Wednesday morning.
Gurung’s announcement, made from an undisclosed location, had come hours after Union home minister Rajnath Singh issued a statement saying: “Eleven precious lives have been lost so far, several have been injured and the entire people of Darjeeling hills have suffered a lot since the strike. I have been pained immensely by what has happened in Darjeeling hills”.
Singh had appealed to Gurung to withdraw his indefinite shutdown on the demand of his long-standing demand of separate statehood for Gorkhaland. The home minister also said that he had asked Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba to convene an official-level meeting in the Ministry of Home Affairs within a fortnight to discuss all issues related to the demands of the GJM and people of the Darjeeling hills.
The GJM had been demanding that a tripartite dialogue involving the Centre, State and the GJM be started.
While Singh did not make any direct assurance of tripartite talks, the proposal of an official-level meeting was enough for the GJM to withdraw the indefinite shutdown. It remains unclear as to why the Union home minister failed to effectively communicate the Centre’s stand to Gurung earlier and instead waited for the strike to intensify and wage on for over three months, crippling life and business in the Darjeeling hills.
Pressure had in fact been mounting on the GJM leadership to call off the strike as markets, tea gardens, markets and other commercial installations were slowly opening in the hills.
The shutdown of administrative offices was announced on June 12 and on June 15 the GJM gave a call for a complete shutdown when police raided the house of Bimal Gurung.
In the past three months, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts also witnessed several incidents of violence as incessant clashes broke out between Gorkhaland supporters and police.
Two rounds of talks with the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government and hill parties, held on August 29 and September 12, had failed to break the deadlock.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The much-anticipated teaser for L2: Empuraan, the second chapter of the planned trilogy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been unveiled, offering a glimpse of a darker, more brutal narrative. Starring Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, the film continues the story of Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi Ab’raam, a character that mesmerized audiences in Lucifer.
The teaser debuted at a grand event attended by the film’s key players, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and Mammootty, who released the teaser in style. Clocking in at 143 seconds, the preview immediately sets a grim tone, beginning in Qaraqosh, a war-torn town in Iraq. The atmosphere is tense, underscored by the chilling phrase, “Death to the Evil.”
One of the standout moments in the teaser recalls PK Ramdas (Sachin Khedekar) advising Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier) in the first film: “If one day you feel everything is falling apart and I’m not around, the only person you can turn to is Stephen.” This sentiment reverberates through the teaser as it shifts to Stephen’s iconic black Ambassador car, now layered with dust—an ominous sign of his long absence.
The suspense builds as a voice declares, “He leads the most powerful mercenary group in Asia,” introducing audiences to Stephen’s transformation into a figure commanding immense influence and fear. The teaser’s climactic moments highlight Mohanlal’s commanding return as Khureshi Ab’raam, warning of the perils of dealing with the devil.
Star-Studded Cast and Stellar Crew
Joining Mohanlal in this cinematic spectacle are Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and others reprising their roles from Lucifer. The film also features Saniya Iyappan, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, Fazil, and Sachin Khedekar in key roles.
The story, penned by Murali Gopy, is brought to life with the expertise of cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev, editor Akhilesh Mohan, and composer Deepak Dev, whose score amplifies the teaser’s intensity.
As the teaser hints at power struggles, deceit, and vengeance, L2: Empuraan sets the stage for an explosive continuation of this gripping saga, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its release.
The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has officially announced the results for the Winter 2024 diploma exams. Students who appeared for these exams, held in December 2024, can now access their results on MSBTE’s official website, msbte.org.in.
To check the MSBTE Winter Exam Result 2025, candidates must have their enrollment or seat numbers ready. The results are accessible via a direct link available on the website.
Navigate to the “Examination” section and click on “Winter 2024 Exam Result.”
Enter your enrollment number or seat number in the required fields.
Click on the “Show Result” button to view your marksheet.
Download and save the PDF for future reference.
Details mentioned on the MSBTE Winter Diploma results:
The MSBTE Winter Diploma Marksheet 2025 includes the following information:
Student’s name
Register number
Course name
Marks obtained in each subject
Subject codes and names
Total marks
Maximum marks
Result status (Pass/Fail)
The announcement is crucial for diploma students across Maharashtra as it determines their academic progress and eligibility for future courses or career opportunities.
Students are advised to verify all details on their marksheets and contact the board in case of discrepancies. For further updates, visit the official MSBTE website.
The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised for a final vote on January 29 in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee had been tasked with reviewing the bill by November 29, which was then extended to February 13, approved 14 changes to the draft. The 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by its chairman BJP MP Jagadambika Pal.
The Opposition had accused the BJP of bias in several sittings of the committee leading to the suspension of several MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, both vocal critics of the Bill.
The Opposition MPs had also written to Speaker Om Birla against Pal, saying he was rushing the Bill to gain political mileage ahead of the Delhi Assembly election due to be held on February 5.
Earlier, reports had said Banerjee had broken a glass during a verbal altercation while in deliberations with BJP MP and former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.
The Bill aims to reform Waqf Board administration, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim and women members. The Central Waqf Council’s composition would also change, incorporating a Union minister, MPs, ex-judges, and individuals of national repute, regardless of religious affiliation. Crucially, the Council’s land acquisition powers would be removed. A controversial clause restricts donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, prompting concerns about religious freedom.
While proponents claim the bill empowers Muslim women and children, critics, including the Congress and the DMK, allege it infringes upon Articles 15 and 30 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of minorities to administer educational institutions. The final report is expected by January 31.
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