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Protesting farmers lathi-charged, stripped by police in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh

Published

9 years ago

on

Farmer agitation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Despite winning the President’s award for constantly rising agricultural growth rate, MP has been witnessing recurring farmer agitations for past year

The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh may be spending crores each year to advertise its success in pushing up the state’s agricultural growth rate but its police seems to have no patience for farmers protesting against failing crops and rising loan burden.

On Tuesday, a group of farmers in the state’s Tikamgarh district, that is part of Bundelkhand which is known for its poverty and long spells of drought, were tear-gassed and lathi-charged by the police as their protest turned violent after they failed to meet district collector Abhijeet Aggarwal to hand him a list of demands.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]While the police managed to disperse the agitating farmers, its high-handedness didn’t end at just the use of tear-gas shells, water cannons and sticks. A group of farmers was allegedly detained by the police and made to disrobe while they were holed up in a police station.

Sources said that the agitating farmers, backed by the Congress party, had reached the office of the district collector to demand among other things that Tikamgarh be declared as a drought-hit district in wake of this year’s poor monsoon in the region and that they state government announce a loan waiver for farmers who had lost their crops for yet another year.

The Bundelkhand region, spread across 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most severely drought affected areas of India. Whith the exception of Vidisha, the remaining six Bundelkhand districts that fall in MP – Tikamgarh, Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Datia and Chhatarpur – which have an economy that is heavily reliant on agriculture constantly fall prey either to drought or unseasonal, excessive rainfall which destroys crops year after year.

For the past five years now, Tikamgarh had not received a proposer monsoon and has been grappling with horrors brought on by drought-like situations – distress migration, farmer suicides, poverty, etc.

Former Congress MLA from Tikamgarh, Yadvendra Singh said that on Tuesday, the farmers had gathered outside collector Aggarwal’s office to demand that the administration declare the district as drought-hit. “However, despite waiting outside the collector’s office for almost an hour, Aggarwal did not step out to meet the farmers and the Congress delegation that was led by leader of Opposition Ajay Singh. The protesters then lost their patience and began shouting slogans,” Yadvendra Singh said.

The former Congress MLA claimed that at least 30 farmers were injured in the police lathi-charge . He added: “I received information that around 30-40 farmers had also been detained by the police at the Dehat police station. I went there and found that the police had beaten up the farmers and forced them to strip down to their undergarments. The farmers were kept in the police lock-up.”

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is likely to be the next Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief said: “The manner in which the farmers were beaten up and made to strip shows the insensitivity of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. On the one hand the Chouhan government hails the farmers for the state’s unprecedented and constantly rising agricultural growth and on the other hand it unleashes the police to rain down lathis on agitating farmers.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Congress is set to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission and its state unit against the police brutalities on the farmers and also present photographs and videos of the alleged atrocities to back its claims.

Tikamgarh superintendent of police Kumar Prateek has, meanwhile, claimed that the protestors had turned violent and the police action was merely meant to disperse the crowd and prevent disruption of law and order. He said that the farmers had resorted to pelting stones and that eight cops were injured in the process but denied knowledge of the farmers being disrobed while they were under police detention.

This isn’t the first time that farmers have launched a massive protest in the state and drawn in the support of the Congress which has been desperately trying to revive its political fortunes in the state where it has been kept out of power by the BJP since 2003.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Between February 2016 and mid-February 2017, 1,982 farmers and farm labourers have reportedly committed suicide in the state – this figure accounts for one-fifth of the total suicides registered in the state.

In June this year a massive farmer agitation broke out in the state’s Mandsaur district. Then too reports of police brutalities on the farmers had made headlines in the local media after at least five farmers had been killed in incidents of police firing.

Curiously, despite the recurring protests by farmers across Madhya Pradesh, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has been persistently winning the Krishi Karman award given annually by the President of India to states for registering the highest agricultural growth.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Heavy rain disrupts flights, triggers flood alerts as monsoon intensifies across India

Heavy monsoon rainfall disrupted flights in Mumbai, prompted an orange alert in Delhi and led the IMD to issue heavy rain warnings for several states as a Bay of Bengal depression intensified.

Published

9 hours ago

on

July 6, 2026

By

Monsoon

Heavy monsoon rainfall continued to affect several parts of the country on Sunday and Monday, disrupting air travel, inundating roads and prompting weather alerts in multiple states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to bring widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across eastern India over the next 24 hours.

Mumbai bears the brunt of heavy rainfall

Mumbai experienced one of the most severe impacts of the ongoing monsoon spell after heavy overnight rain and strong winds temporarily halted runway operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for around an hour.

The disruption led to the cancellation of four IndiGo flights, while 13 incoming flights were diverted before operations gradually returned to normal. Flight tracking data also showed significant delays, with nearly 90 per cent of departing flights delayed by more than an hour on average and almost half of arriving flights running behind schedule.

The IMD maintained a red alert for Mumbai after several areas recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, with some locations receiving close to 300 mm.

IMD forecasts widespread heavy rainfall

According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is expected to cross the north Odisha coast within the next 24 hours.

The weather system is expected to bring widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across eastern India, while several other regions continue to remain under rainfall alerts due to active monsoon conditions.

Delhi under orange alert after hottest July day in two years

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi, forecasting a generally cloudy sky with moderate rainfall across the national capital.

The alert comes after Delhi recorded its hottest July day in two years on Sunday, with the maximum temperature reaching 38.6 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, moderate showers provided temporary relief in several areas of Delhi-NCR.

Chhatarpur recorded the highest rainfall in the region, receiving 49 mm of rain by Sunday afternoon. However, waterlogging was reported in parts of the locality, affecting commuters and residents.

Heavy rain forecast for Tamil Nadu

The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Coimbatore and the Nilgiris on Monday.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, multiple weather systems, including a trough extending from south Gujarat to Kerala and the depression over the Bay of Bengal, are expected to support widespread rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu. Other districts along the Western Ghats are also likely to receive moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds.

Rain-related incidents reported in Maharashtra

Heavy rainfall also led to several rain-related incidents in Maharashtra’s Thane and Palghar districts.

A 17-year-old boy drowned in the swollen Kamvari River in Bhiwandi, while two people were injured after part of a second-floor balcony collapsed in Navi Mumbai’s Vashi area. Authorities said continuous rainfall also triggered structural collapses and tree-fall incidents in several locations.

With active monsoon conditions continuing across large parts of the country, authorities have urged residents in affected regions to remain cautious and follow official weather advisories.

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India News

Ram Mandir Trust to hold key meeting today amid donation theft investigation

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is meeting in Ayodhya to deliberate on key resignations, review the ongoing donation embezzlement investigation and discuss the temple’s future administrative structure.

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9 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

By

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to hold an important meeting on Monday in Ayodhya as investigations into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations continue. The deliberations are expected to focus on the resignations submitted by the Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, along with other administrative matters.

The meeting will be held at Mani Ram Chhawni, the monastery of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das. It will be the Trust’s first formal gathering since allegations related to the alleged theft of donations came to light.

Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has invited all regular and ex-officio members to participate in the meeting. The ex-officio members include Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.

According to sources, Trust president Nritya Gopal Das is expected to attend the meeting after recently being discharged from hospital. The 89-year-old had been admitted in Lucknow on June 29 due to a urinary tract infection and breathing-related complications before being discharged on Friday.

Senior trustee K Parasaran, who is unable to travel because of age-related health issues, is likely to participate through video conferencing, according to sources.

Administrative changes may be discussed

The Trust is expected to consider the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, who stepped down after their names surfaced in connection with the donation theft controversy. If the resignations are accepted, discussions may also take place on restructuring the Trust’s administrative setup.

The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also likely to come up during the meeting. Besides leadership issues, trustees are expected to receive a briefing on the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is conducting an administrative inquiry into the alleged embezzlement case.

The Trust may also review its future management framework, including the possible appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the administration of the Ram Temple.

Financial statements to be placed before trustees

Sources said the meeting agenda also includes the presentation of the unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and other financial documents for the 2025-26 financial year for approval.

Speaking to reporters, special invitee Gopal Rao said all 14 trustees had been invited for the meeting and expressed hope that every member would attend. He added that Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri had informed all members about the scheduled deliberations.

At present, the Trust has 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das and K Parasaran.

Following the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, along with the recent demise of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the Trust currently has no vice president to chair meetings in the absence of the president.

Two parallel investigations underway

The meeting comes while two separate investigations into the alleged donation embezzlement are ongoing. The Special Investigation Team is carrying out an administrative probe, and its tenure has been extended until the end of July.

Meanwhile, the police are conducting a criminal investigation after an FIR was registered on the Trust’s complaint.

According to sources, statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao have been recorded by both the SIT and the police. However, no FIR has been registered against any of the three Trust functionaries so far.

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PM Modi says India managed Hormuz crisis with minimal impact on citizens through energy diversification

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India successfully navigated the Hormuz crisis by expanding energy imports, reducing the burden of rising fuel prices on citizens and strengthening the country’s refining capacity while inaugurating Rajasthan’s first integrated refinery.

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July 4, 2026

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India successfully managed one of the world’s most challenging energy crises by expanding its energy sourcing, strengthening diplomatic partnerships and shielding citizens from the impact of rising global fuel prices.

Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the country’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Pachpadra, Rajasthan’s Balotra district, the Prime Minister said India adopted proactive measures during the recent Middle East crisis that helped maintain energy security despite global uncertainties.

According to PM Modi, India significantly diversified its energy imports as tensions disrupted global fuel markets.

“When the crisis began, India was importing energy from around 25 to 26 countries. During the crisis, we expanded imports to more than 40 countries,” he said, crediting India’s diplomatic outreach for ensuring uninterrupted supplies.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the financial measures taken by the government to cushion consumers from soaring international crude oil prices. He said public sector oil companies absorbed losses exceeding Rs. 75,000 crore between April and June while the Centre reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs. 10 per litre to prevent a steep rise in fuel prices for consumers.

PM Modi added that despite attempts by some groups to spread rumours and create panic during the crisis, the government’s efforts ensured stability.

He said those who expected India to struggle during the crisis had been proven wrong as the country successfully overcame the challenge.

India strengthening refining capacity

Speaking about India’s energy infrastructure, the Prime Minister said the country has become the world’s fourth-largest refining hub and continues to expand its refining capabilities to meet future energy demand.

He also said the government’s long-term planning helped India deal with disruptions in fuel and fertiliser supplies triggered by the conflict involving Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

Pachpadra refinery inaugurated in Rajasthan

During the visit, PM Modi inaugurated India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra, marking Rajasthan’s first refinery project. He launched the facility by remotely activating the project after inspecting the refinery complex.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for several development projects in the state.

Highlighting the government’s approach towards infrastructure development, PM Modi said the BJP governments focus not only on announcing projects but also on ensuring their timely completion.

He also remarked that work on the Pachpadra refinery had remained largely stalled during the Congress government’s tenure in Rajasthan between 2018 and 2023 before gaining momentum again.

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