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Restrictions lifted for politicians in Jammu ahead of block development council polls

Two months after they were put under house arrest, restriction on politicians in Jammu have been lifted ahead of block development council elections.

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Politicians in Jammu, under house arrest since Aug 5 when the Centre ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, splitting it into two Union Territories, are now free to move around and restrictions on them have been lifted.

In Kashmir valley, however, the restrictions remain in force and the politicians continue to be in house arrest.

The leaders appear to have been released in view of the upcoming Block Development Council (BDC) elections in the state nearly two months after being placed under house arrest.

The state’s Chief Electoral Officer had recently announced the schedule for the first-ever BDC elections. Voting and counting will be held on the same day on October 24.

In the BDC elections, elected Sarpanches and Panches will elect chairpersons for the councils which form part of second tier of Panchayati Raj system.

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After the J&K administration lifted the restrictions, National Conference (NC) leaders and former legislators Devender Rana and Javed Rana said they were told by the police that “(we) are now free to do any political activity as restrictions imposed on us are being lifted”.

Some of the other political leaders in Jammu who have been released are Congress’s Raman Bhalla and Vikar Rasool, National Conference leaders Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo and Surjit Singh Salathia, and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh, reported India Today.

The government, however, maintained that the restrictions had never been imposed. Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, however, said these people were never detained, reported The India Express (IE). When asked whether they will now be allowed to participate in political activities, he said, “We had never restrained them from these.” He added that they had been moving freely earlier also.

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Though they were allowed to meet relatives and friends and even travel outside the state on medical or personal grounds, they were refrained from indulging in political activities.

Interestingly, however, on Monday, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav had said “only 200 to 250 people” were still in preventive detention in the state. He claimed these leaders were living “in five-star guest houses, some in five-star hotels”.

Earlier, Union minister Jitendra Singh had said that no politician in Jammu and Kashmir will be detained beyond 18 months and asserted that they are not under arrest, but are living as “house guests”.

“Political leaders have been kept in VIP bungalows. We have even given them CDs of Hollywood movies. Gym facility has also been provided to them. They are not under house arrest. They are house guests,” he had said.

India News

PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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India News

PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

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