The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with the land-for-jobs money laundering case. According to official sources, the 76-year-old leader has been asked to appear before the agency in Patna on March 19.

The investigation agency has also summoned some of his family members for questioning in the same case. Their statements are to be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said.

Family members named in chargesheet

Despite the summons, sources indicate that Lalu Prasad and his family members are unlikely to appear before the ED.

Last year, the ED had filed a chargesheet in a Delhi court, naming several members of Lalu Prasad’s family, including his wife, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and their daughters, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, as accused in the case. Others were also named in the chargesheet.

The land-for-jobs scam pertains to allegations that land parcels were taken as bribes in exchange for employment in the Indian Railways when Lalu Prasad Yadav served as Railway Minister. The ED has been investigating the money laundering aspect of the case.

Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 200 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran, cited by a media report. This marks the most severe assault since the ceasefire, which had been in place since January 19, broke down due to stalled negotiations.

“In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military stated on social media.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government accused Hamas of rejecting multiple ceasefire proposals. In an statement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu office said.

Ceasefire collapses over hostage dispute

The ceasefire, which was established in January, had initially facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations over the remaining 59 Israeli hostages reached a deadlock. Hamas demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as a condition for further releases, while Israel sought to prolong the ceasefire without making such a concession.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement and urged mediators to intervene. “We demand that the mediators hold Netanyahu and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for overturning the deal,” the group said.

US backs Israeli action

The White House confirmed that Israel consulted the US administration before launching its renewed strikes in Gaza. “The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated. She also added that President Trump has made it clear that groups such as Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran will see a price to pay.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

The health ministry in Gaza reported that over 48,500 people have died since the war began on October 7, 2023. The initial attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, leaving nearly 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed and worsening shortages of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine. Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced.

Manipur’s Churachandpur district witnessed violent clashes and protests after the general secretary of the Hmar Inpui, Richard Hmar, was brutally assaulted by unknown individuals. In response to the escalating tensions, authorities have imposed a curfew and deployed security forces to restore order.

Assault triggers unrest

The incident reportedly began with a minor altercation between Richard Hmar and a two-wheeler rider. However, the situation worsened when a group of men intercepted him on his way home, blindfolded him, and subjected him to relentless assault despite his repeated assertions of identity.

According to a statement by the Hmar Inpui, the assault took place inside the campus of VK Montessori School in Zenhang Lamka. The leader suffered severe injuries and excessive bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention.

Protests and curfew enforcement

Following the attack, the Hmar Inpui issued a demand for the perpetrators to present themselves at their office by 10 AM on Monday. When this deadline passed, protests erupted in Churachandpur, with hundreds of Hmar community members taking to the streets, shouting slogans and throwing stones.

To prevent further violence, authorities enforced a curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Security forces were called in to control the clashes, which reportedly involved confrontations between Hmar, Kuki, and Zomi tribal groups.

Videos from the protests depict demonstrators removing and discarding a Zomi flag from a mobile tower while others cheered in support.

Calls for peace

The Thadou Students’ Association General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) expressed deep concern over the growing unrest among the region’s non-Naga tribal groups, particularly between the Kuki/Kuki-Zo, Hmar, and Zomi communities.

“We urge all concerned groups… to prioritise negotiations over hostility… We also call upon the government and civil society organisations to facilitate peace-building efforts in the spirit of justice, fairness, and mutual respect,” the TSA-GHQ said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Churachandpur District Commissioner Dharun Kumar S appealed for calm, emphasizing the district’s long-standing values of unity and diversity.

“Violence and unrest will not lead to a solution, and it is in all our best interests to find common ground through peaceful discussions and dialogues,” Kumar said, urging residents to refrain from spreading unverified information that could further inflame tensions.

As the situation remains tense, authorities continue to monitor developments, hoping for a resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.