Himachal govt failed to deliver even single poll commitment, says Anurag Thakur

Shimla, March 26, 2026
Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, on Thursday, launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in the state, saying that the party, which came to power in 2022 on the basis of tall poll promises and “10 guarantees”, has completely failed to deliver even a single commitment.

The BJP leader said that the Congress government has instead continuously burdened the people with rising taxes and inflation.

He added that the state government has “failed miserably”, adding that what was promised as relief has turned into economic exploitation of the common man.

“Soon after coming to power in Himachal Pradesh, the state government increased VAT on diesel, taking it up to Rs 10.4 per litre. As a result, thousands of crores have been collected from the people of Himachal Pradesh over the past 40 months.”

BJP leader Thakur alleged that the state government is now preparing to impose an additional cess on petrol and diesel, which will directly hit the common man.

Reacting to the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s statement that the cess has not yet been implemented, the BJP MP said, “Once such a thought has entered their policy framework, it is clear they intend to impose it. The BJP will strongly oppose this move and will not allow even a single rupee’s additional burden on the people.”

He accused the state government of favouring its close aides while ignoring the hardships of the public.

“While the common man suffers under inflation, the state government has increased salaries of chairpersons manifold, provided luxury vehicles, and extended undue benefits to its favourites. This is the real face of the Congress,” BJP MP Thakur said.

Anurag Thakur, who is the BJP MP from Hamirpur, said there is internal dissatisfaction within the Congress, saying that even their own party leaders are not in agreement with the state government’s policies, leading to discord within the party.

Dismissing the state government’s claim that the cess would be imposed only on traders, Thakur clarified that the burden will ultimately fall on farmers, transporters, taxi operators, shopkeepers, and the general public, as fuel price hikes impact every sector of the economy.

Raising concerns over the state’s financial condition, the BJP MP said that Himachal Pradesh has been pushed into a debt of more than Rs 1 lakh crore under the present Congress-led state government.

“If the Chief Minister (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu) lacks financial management capability, he should consider handing over the Finance portfolio to someone competent,” he added.

BJP leader Thakur demanded that the Congress-led state government fulfil its 10 guarantees instead of imposing new taxes.

He asserted that the BJP stands firmly with the people of Himachal Pradesh and will continue to oppose any ‘anti-people’ decisions both on the streets and in the State Assembly.(Agency)

J&K Counter-Intelligence raids multiple locations in Valley in transnational LeT terror module link case

Srinagar, March 26, 2026
The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday raided multiple locations across the Valley in connection with a transnational terror module linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit.

A spokesperson of the CIK said on Thursday that the sleuths of CIK conducted raids at multiple locations across the Valley in connection with a transnational terror module linked to the banned terrorist outfit LeT.

Officials said the CIK, the Intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, carried out searches at a minimum of 11 locations spread across Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Shopian districts.

Of these, six locations were raided in Ganderbal, three in Srinagar and two in Shopian district.

The module has a transnational dimension and is being directed by handlers operating from across the border, particularly in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

One of the key handlers of the module, Shabir Ahmad Lone, a resident of Akhal village in Kangan tehsil of district Ganderbal, and is currently based in Bangladesh, is believed to be coordinating the activities of the module.

The operatives are also receiving instructions from Pakistan-based handlers, indicating a broader cross-border network.

The raids were carried out under the authority of a court-issued search warrant in connection with a recently registered terror investigation case at the CIK police station.

Officials said the operation is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle networks involved in facilitating militant activities in the region. During the searches, the sleuths seized incriminating material aimed at establishing links between local operatives and their foreign handlers.

The searches were conducted to gather evidence, including digital data, documents, and other materials related to the functioning of the terror module.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify more members of the network and to uncover the full extent of its operations.

CIK is a Counter-Intelligence wing of the J&K Police that is aggressively carrying out anti-terrorist operations in the Valley.(Agency)

Undertrial prisoner dies by suicide in Mathura jail, probe ordered

Mathura, March 26, 2026
An undertrial prisoner lodged in a district jail in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura died by suicide after allegedly being distressed over not getting bail, officials said on Thursday.

The prisoner succumbed during treatment, triggering panic within the jail administration and prompting an inquiry into the incident.

The deceased has been identified as Suresh, a resident of Govardhan, who had been lodged in the district jail since May 2025, in a case registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).

According to officials, the incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday when Suresh went to the toilet inside the barracks but did not return for an unusually long time.

After nearly ten minutes, on-duty Constables grew suspicious and went to check on Suresh.

Upon opening the toilet door, they found Suresh hanging from the latch of the gate, allegedly using his lower garment.

The sight shocked the jail staff, who immediately brought Suresh down and rushed him to the jail hospital for emergency treatment.

Given Suresh’s critical condition, doctors referred him to the district hospital.

However, despite efforts to save him, Suresh succumbed during treatment in the early hours of Thursday, officials confirmed.

Mathura Jail Superintendent Anshuman Garg said that preliminary information suggests Suresh had been under mental stress for a considerable period due to the delay in securing bail.

The prisoner’s family had also approached the Allahabad High Court seeking relief, but even on March 24, his case could not be listed for hearing.

“Before the incident, he (Suresh) had spoken to his father over the phone and expressed deep frustration over his situation,” Garg said, adding that all aspects of the case are being examined.

The incident led to panic among jail authorities, with senior officials rushing to assess the situation.

Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to Suresh’s suicide and to determine whether there was any lapse in his monitoring or care.

Officials said further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.(Agency)

More LPG released for priority sectors, petrol pumps getting regular supplies: Govt

New Delhi, March 26, 2026
All the oil refineries in the country are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories in place, while domestic LPG production has been increased to support local consumption, and the country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel, according to the update issued by the government on Thursday.

Delivery of domestic LPG cylinders is normal, and the government has made additional LPG allocation to priority sectors, including migrant labourers, with over 37,000 small LPG cylinders of 5 kg sold on Wednesday.

All fuel retail outlets are operating normally across the country with no dry-out reported at LPG distributorships or petrol pumps in the country. The public is advised not to believe rumours on fuel shortage, the official statement said.

The government has already restored partial commercial LPG supply of up to 20 per cent to consumers. Further, an additional 10 per cent of commercial LPG is being provided to states and UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.

The Centre has also urged states and UTs to step up action against hoarding and black marketing.

Raids continue to be carried out in many of the states and UTs to check the hoardings and black marketing of LPG. More than 2600 raids have been conducted, and more than 450 cylinders have been seized in Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, etc., on Wednesday.

Officials of public sector oil companies have conducted surprise inspections at about than 1700 retail outlets and LPG distributorships on Wednesday across the country to ensure smooth supplies and to check any hoarding and black marketing. More than 680 FIRs have been registered, and 195 people have been arrested so far.

Priority allocation continues with 100 per cent supply to domestic PNG for cooking and CNG for fuelling vehicles, while supply to industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid is being maintained at around 80 per cent of average consumption.

City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities have been advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens.

CGD companies, including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL, are offering incentives for domestic and commercial PNG connections.

An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been made to all states and UTs over and above the regular allocation. States and UTs have been requested to identify district-level distribution points.(Agency)

Nuwan Thushara to miss IPL 2026 after SLC refuses to give NOC under new fitness policy: Report

New Delhi, March 26, 2026
Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara is likely to miss out on the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) refused to give him a No Objection Certificate (NOC), following the implementation of a strict new fitness policy, a news report claimed on Thursday.

Under the revised regulations, SLC has made it mandatory for players to meet newly introduced physical performance benchmarks before being cleared to participate in overseas franchise leagues, including the IPL and Pakistan Super League (PSL). Thushara’s participation depended on successfully passing these assessments, but he reportedly did not meet the required standards.

According to Newswire Sri Lanka, SLC withheld the NOC, a decision that could cost the pacer his contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, reportedly valued at around INR 1.6 crore.

The setback marks another difficult chapter for Thushara, who featured prominently during Sri Lanka’s 2025 Asia Cup campaign but subsequently fell out of favour ahead of the T20 World Cup. Despite a spate of injuries among fast bowlers, he was overlooked for selection, raising questions about his position in the national setup.

While reports indicate that Thushara is not currently dealing with any injury concerns and remains available to bowl, doubts over his overall fitness appear to have influenced the selectors’ firm stance.

SLC has adopted a no-compromise approach in its new policy, granting NOCs only to those who have met the fitness criteria. Several players, including Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis, have met the standards and secured clearance to participate in the IPL.

In contrast, Kusal Janith Perera was permitted to join the PSL without undergoing the fitness tests, with SLC clarifying that he is not presently in contention for national selection.

For Thushara, missing the IPL, widely regarded as the premier franchise T20 competition, represents a significant blow to both career progression and financial opportunity.(Agency)

EAM Jaishankar arrives in France to attend G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Paris, March 26, 2026
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar arrived in France on Thursday to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, on the sidelines of which he is also expected to hold significant bilateral discussions with many of his counterparts.

“Arrived at Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay, France to participate in G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Partner Countries. Was received warmly by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot of France for my first bilateral,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

EAM Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to France to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Partner Countries at the invitation of Barrot. The meeting is set to deliberate on a range of pressing global issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflict in West Asia.

In a statement, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated, “On Iran and the Middle East, the partners will seek avenues for negotiation to encourage de-escalation, while promoting the security of civilian populations, the re-opening of maritime and trade routes and the cessation of the Iranian regime’s nuclear and ballistic programmes.”

“On Ukraine, the G7 partners will reiterate their support for Kyiv in terms of energy and capabilities, and will step up pressure on Russia, especially regarding its shadow fleet,” it added.

The ministers will also address several regional situations, including the Indo-Pacific, Sudan, Haiti, Gaza, and Venezuela and Cuba, in light of the events which have taken place since the start of 2026.

According to the statement, France and its partners are seeking to work together to raise funds internationally to repair Chernobyl’s confinement structure, which was severely damaged by a Russian strike in 2025, and to organise a regional conference to combat the trafficking of synthetic drug Captagon in Syria. The ministers will also discuss regional economic integration in the Middle East.

“The Ministers will establish a G7 task force to work on creating a network of ports in G7 countries and other partner countries to step up the fight against drug trafficking.

Another priority will be to organise a regional security conference in the Caribbean in Martinique in July 2026, convening countries in the region and G7 partners to step up the fight against drug trafficking in the region, and to organise the fifth ‘No Money for Terror’ conference, to be held in Paris on 19 May 2026 to combat terrorist financing. Finally, we will discuss securing critical mineral supply chains, following on from the discussions held under the Canadian G7 Presidency,” the statement added.(Agency)

Reliance Industries refutes reports that it purchased Iranian crude

New Delhi, March 26, 2026
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Thursday refuted reports that it has purchased Iranian crude, calling these reports “baseless”.

Reports earlier claimed that RIL had purchased 5 million barrels of Iranian crude after the US administration temporarily removed sanctions on ‌Iranian oil at sea.

According to the report, RIL bought the oil from the National Iranian Oil Co.

“Reliance Industries Limited categorically rejects recent media reports that the company has purchased crude oil of Iranian origin. These reports are baseless, leading to misleading and incorrect claims,” the company said in a statement, urging the media outlets concerned to verify facts before publication.

Last week, the US issued a short-term authorisation allowing the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea, a move the Donald Trump administration says will quickly boost global supply while maintaining pressure on Tehran, according to the Treasury Department and media reports.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the step is designed to stabilise energy markets amid ongoing conflict and supply disruptions. “Today, the Department of the Treasury is issuing a narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea,” he had said.

The authorisation applies only to crude already loaded on vessels as of March 20 and remains in force until April 19, according to a Treasury general licence. Bessent said the move could bring “approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets”, helping to ease pressure caused by recent disruptions.

“By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United States will quickly bring approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets, expanding the amount of worldwide energy and helping to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran,” he said.

At present, much of the sanctioned Iranian oil is believed to be held offshore or routed through indirect channels. Bessent said some of it has been “hoarded by China on the cheap”, and that releasing it would help undercut Tehran’s leverage.(Agency)

ISS astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to interact with students in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, March 26, 2026
Thiruvananthapuram is set to host a landmark scientific engagement as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), arrives in the city on March 28.

He will be in Kerala as a guest of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and is scheduled to interact with selected students at Lok Bhavan.

The highlight of the visit will be an address on the theme, ‘India Advancing in Space, India Gaining Strength: A Youth Pathway to a Developed Nation.’

The event, slated for 4 PM, will see participation from 500 selected students, offering a rare opportunity for young minds to engage directly with one of India’s foremost space pioneers.

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation. Commissioned into the Air Force, he has flown a range of fighter aircraft and later served as a test pilot, building an extensive aviation profile before transitioning into the country’s human spaceflight programme.

He was among the four astronauts shortlisted in 2019 for India’s ambitious human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

In July 2025, Shukla etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4.

He is also the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, who made the historic journey in 1984.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Shukla was awarded the Ashoka Chakra in 2026, India’s highest peacetime military honour.

His visit is expected to inspire students and reinforce the growing momentum of India’s space ambitions, while underscoring the role of youth in shaping the country’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

Ever since Arlekar took over he has ensured that the Lok Bhavan is a centre of activity as he holds regular meetings with a cross-section of people and through his pleasing personality he has walked into the hearts of many by inviting them to his office.(Agency)

Elevator death: Probe reveals RG Kar lift operators got no training on handling emergency situations

Kolkata, March 26, 2026
Investigations into the RG Kar elevator death revealed that the lift operators at the hospital had received no training on how to handle emergency situations and they had been appointed just one month prior to the tragic incident on March 20.

Detectives from Kolkata Police uncovered this crucial information while interrogating the three lift operators arrested in connection with the fatal incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in which Arup Banerjee of Nager Bazar was crushed between a lift and a wall.

A senior police officer said on Thursday that the Public Works Department (PWD) had outsourced the maintenance of the lifts at RG Kar Hospital to one agency, while the responsibility for providing lift operators was contracted to a different agency.

The contract with the previous agency responsible for supplying lift operators expired last February. From mid-February onwards, the PWD awarded the contract to a new agency. Consequently, a new team of lift operators was recruited by this new agency.

These new operators were assigned a supervisor; however, the supervisor would leave for home at night. During interrogation, the arrested lift operators admitted to the police that, since the supervisor was not present at night, hardly any of them would actually remain inside the lifts during their night shifts.

Instead, some would sleep, others would listen to music and some would simply pass the time chatting. For this very reason, on the day of the incident, there was not a single lift operator anywhere near the lift.

During interrogation, the three arrested lift operators informed the detectives that, prior to commencing their duties, they were taught only how to operate the lift. They were instructed that if the lift were to stall midway, they should proceed to the floor above and pull a lever to manually hoist the lift upwards.

However, they were not taught what specific measures to take in the event of an emergency or disaster. Detectives are now preparing to interrogate the authorities of their employing agency regarding this matter.

The arrested lift operators further disclosed to the detectives that while the commotion and shouting were ongoing, all three of them took a different lift down to the basement. The grille gate in front of that lift, too, was found to be locked. Upon descending into the basement, the lift operators heard the screams of Arup and his wife, Sonali.

The accused lift operators claimed that they believed Arup’s family was trapped inside the elevator car. They failed to realise that Arup and his companions were actually stuck between the elevator car and the outer grille, desperately trying to survive while standing in the elevator shaft pit.

They took that very elevator back up to the top floor. Upon reaching the uppermost level, they cut off the power supply to Elevator No. 2 of the Trauma Care unit. Subsequently, by pulling a lever, they began hoisting the elevator car upward using a pulley system.

As a result, the elevator door momentarily sprang open before slamming shut with tremendous force. At that precise moment, Arup’s leg was caught in the door.

With Arup still trapped in the doorway, the elevator car began to ascend slowly. The accused continued to manually haul the elevator upward; as a result, Arup was dragged upward in that precarious position and was crushed between the elevator car and the shaft wall.(Agency)

PM Modi to interact with Chief Ministers on West Asia crisis tomorrow

New Delhi, March 26, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday interact with Chief Ministers through video conferencing on the West Asia conflict to review preparedness and plans of states, said an official.

The meeting will focus on ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of ‘Team India’, said the official.

With geopolitical tensions escalating and their global fallout becoming more pronounced, the meeting is likely to serve as a platform for PM Modi to brief Chief Ministers and seek broader consensus on India’s approach to the crisis.

“Chief Ministers of election-bound states shall not be a part of this meeting due to the model code of conduct,” said the official.

There will be a separate meeting for Chief Secretaries of election-bound states which will be held through the Cabinet Secretariat, he said.

Earlier, the government convened an all-party meeting on the West Asia situation at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

The meeting followed PM Modi’s address to Parliament on the West Asia situation. In his statement, PM Modi said the government has constituted seven empowered groups to develop strategies on fuel, supply chains, fertilisers, and other areas to mitigate the impact of the Iran-Israel-US conflict.

The all-party meeting on Wednesday was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, JD-U Working President Sanjay Jha, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, and other leaders.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Kiren Rijiju thanked members of all parties who participated, stating that all questions and concerns raised by opposition leaders were addressed by the government.

He added that all opposition parties have assured their support for the government in the measures it takes in response to the situation.

Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik and Tariq Anwar, CPI-M MP John Brittas, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and other Opposition leaders were also present.

The meeting came amid escalating tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted critical maritime corridors and raised concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in Gulf countries.(Agency)