Motihari: Around 100 tourists, including 12 from Hungary, who had been stranded at various hotels in Raxaul for the past two days, were finally able to enter Birgunj city in Nepal on Monday morning. This came after authorities reopened the India-Nepal border entry gates at Raxaul and the Shankaracharya Gate of Birgunj.
The gates had been sealed on Saturday after the Parsa district administration imposed a curfew in Birgunj to control unrest following incidents of stone-pelting, arson and clashes during a religious procession.
“All tourists who were stranded in Raxaul left for Birgunj and Kathmandu on Monday morning after the gates reopened and the curfew was lifted,” said Ram Prasad, manager of a hotel in Raxaul.
Commercial activity also resumed on both sides of the border. Trucks and containers loaded with foreign goods entered Birgunj, while Raxaul market, deserted just a day earlier, was once again buzzing with business.
The curfew, which had been imposed on Saturday evening in Birgunj’s Chhapkaiya locality, was officially lifted at midnight on Sunday. Birgunj, Nepal’s largest commercial hub and a city adjoining Raxaul in Bihar, is gradually returning to normal after two days of tension and disruption.
Both the Raxaul entry gate and Birgunj’s Shankaracharya Gate were reopened early Monday to facilitate smooth cross-border movement.
Ganesh Aryal, chief district officer of Parsa, issued the order to lift the curfew late Sunday night after assessing the improved situation. “As per the Nepali calendar, Monday marks the first day of the New Year, considered auspicious,” Aryal said. However, prohibitory orders remain in force across the city to prevent further disturbances and public gatherings until further notice.
Commenting on the unrest, BJP MP from Bettiah, Sanjay Jaiswal, said, “The situation has returned to normalcy, but the India-Nepal border area has become a den for anti-social elements and infiltrators from other countries. Some people living near the border are engaged in anti-national activities, drug smuggling and circulation of counterfeit currency. The govt must take strict measures to curb such activities.”
Category: bihar
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
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India-Nepal border reopens as curfew lifted in Birgunj
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Cams to detect uninsured vehicles, impose fines in smart cities
Patna: Vehicle owners without insurance need to be cautious on the streets as the automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in Bihar’s smart cities—Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Biharsharif—will automatically detect and issue fines for the offenders.
Vehicles without insurance would be fined once per day, with a one-day grace period for e-challan payment. Following this period, subsequent violations will incur additional e-challans as penalties.
Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, transport secretary, said that vehicles with outdated insurance certificates are subject to an e-challan under Section 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. “Previously, automatic fines were issued for vehicles without insurance through the e-detection system at toll plazas. Additionally, fines were issued using handheld devices,” he said.
He emphasised that all vehicle owners must have at least third-party insurance. “Having third-party insurance provides financial security and assists accident victims. There is a penalty for not having vehicle insurance, and in the event of an accident, there is a provision for covering medical expenses and compensation of at least Rs 5 lakh in case of death,” Agrawal said.
The transport secretary urged people to act as responsible citizens by getting insurance for their vehicles and ensuring the safety of others on the road.
Third-party insurance provides financial protection to the policyholder in case of an accident or damage to someone else’s property. It also shields the policyholder from lawsuits filed by third parties and reassures the policyholder that they are covered in the event of an accident.
Agrawal said vehicle owners with insurance will get protection of their assets from being seized in a lawsuit, and it also helps the policyholder receive compensation for damages or losses incurred. -
BS College grapples with faculty crunch: Only 29 against 44 sanctioned strength
Patna: Danapur’s Bindeshwar Singh (BS) College, a constituent unit of Patliputra University, is grappling with severe resource and faculty crunch, impacting its ability to provide quality education across undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and vocational courses, despite its long history of 71 years.
College principal Madhu Prabha Singh on Sunday said one of the most pressing concerns is the shortage of faculty teachers. “With a wide range of UG, PG and vocational courses, including MBA and MCA, the existing faculty strength is woefully inadequate — only 29 faculty members out of a sanctioned strength of 44,” she said.
Established in 1954 and spread across 12 acres of land, the college serves a diverse student body, with 50% of the students being women. However, over the years, the institution has struggled to meet the demands of an increasing student population, compounded by an acute shortage of classrooms, outdated infrastructure and lack of proper facilities.
Singh added delay in the release of dues from the state govt towards the reimbursement of the girl students’ fees, pending for a long period, prevented the college from upgrading its infrastructure or providing necessary support to its staff and students. “The state govt owes the college approximately Rs 2 crore towards the reimbursement of the girl students’ fees,” she said.
In terms of infrastructure, the college is also in dire need of renovation, especially its auditorium. Despite repeated requests to the state govt, no financial assistance has been forthcoming to renovate the auditorium or to build additional classrooms to accommodate the growing number of students, the principal said.
The college is also facing difficulties in keeping pace with technological advancements, as it lacks the resources necessary to introduce digital learning tools and modern teaching methods. “It is disheartening to see 71-year-old college with such a long-standing legacy struggling to maintain basic infrastructure and faculty strength,” principal said.
She added that with a significant number of girls (3,750) out of the total strength of 7,500, the college plays a crucial role in providing educational opportunities to young women in the region, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds, and thus empowering them, she said. -
Headless body of fast food vendor found in Saharsa
Patna: The headless body of a fast food vendor was found on the outskirts of Golma village under Patarghat police station area in Saharsa district on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Nirmal Sah, a resident of ward number 12 in Golma. Sah was a fast food vendor. Sah was identified by family members through his clothes and cellphone. The police have launched a search for the missing head.
On being informed, sadar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Alok Kumar also reached the spot with the team. The body was sent to sadar hospital for a postmortem. “Sah used to run a fast food stall at a roadside stall in the market area. The deceased is survived by two sons. The police are searching for the missing head. We suspect that the head was thrown in a tributary of the Kosi river around two kilometres away from the village. The police team and local divers are trying to retrieve the missing head,” he said.
The SDPO further stated that Sah had no dispute or enmity with anyone. “The motive and the persons behind the killing were yet to be identified. Forensic experts, with the help of a dog squad and the district intelligence unit (DIU) team, are assisting in the probe. Further investigation is ongoing into the matter,” he added.
Son of the deceased, Ravi Kumar, said, “For the past 20 years, my father had been selling roasted snacks, noodles, and golgappas. On Saturday, between 2-3 pm, he went to set up his stall, but when he didn’t return home by 10 pm, the family began searching for him. When we reached near my father’s stall, we saw that his cart was overturned. Later, my family was informed that he was murdered. When we arrived at the spot, we identified him by his clothes and cellphone.” -
Rajgir all set to host Women’s Kabaddi World Cup
Patna: In a landmark moment for the state, Bihar is set to host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup from June 1 to June 10 this year in the historic town of Rajgir. Known for its rich cultural heritage, Rajgir will now also be recognised as a global stage for women’s kabaddi with 14 international teams expected to compete.
The tournament will take place at the State Sports Academy in Rajgir and hosts India will fight it out for the title with Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Argentina, Hungary, Germany, Kenya and Uganda.
A memorandum of understanding for the 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World Cup was formally signed in Patna on Saturday. The agreement was inked by Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, secretary general of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, and Ravindran Shankaran, director general and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority.
Indian women’s kabaddi team captain Sonali Vishnu and vice-captain Pushpa Rana were present at the signing ceremony. As a mark of respect, traditional garments and tokens were presented by Ravindran Shankaran to honour the dignitaries.
“It is a matter of great joy and pride for Bihar to host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Rajgir,” Shankaran said. “Due to the govt’s commitment to developing sports, Bihar is gaining the honour of hosting several national and international competitions.”
Shankaran also announced that match entry will be free for spectators, although tickets need to be booked via an online registration. For those unable to secure passes, large screens will be installed outside the venue to allow everyone to enjoy the games.
Shankaran said the Bihar government was ensuring comprehensive arrangements for players’ travel, accommodation and meals during the tournament.
As part of preparations, the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India has been requested to organise a 15-day training camp for the Indian team in Rajgir. This initiative will help the national team adapt to local conditions and offer valuable exposure to Bihar’s budding kabaddi players. Officials have also requested the appointment of experienced coaches and referees to support the development of local talent.
International Kabaddi Federation direcor Tejasvi Singh Gehlot and Thakur praised Bihar’s growing achievements in the field of sports and assured continued support for kabaddi in the state.
“The Bihar kabaddi team is performing well at the junior level and with better training, it is expected to excel at the senior level as well,” they said. -
UPI outage hits businesses in state
Patna: UPI services experienced a major disruption across Bihar on Saturday, causing widespread issues with digital payments and hit the local businesses. Users encountered difficulties while attempting to complete transactions through popular payment applications.
Yash Kumar, a resident of Hanuman Nagar, said he had bought the groceries in bulk from a shopping mart, but when he tried to make payment through a mobile app, it failed. “I tried for five minutes but when it was not done, I contacted the bank and got to know about the disruption in UPI service,” he said.
The local businesses also suffered losses as the payment method was down. Nishant Singh, who runs a grocery store, said most of his customers left due to problems in payment services.
Binod Kumar, a jeweller and president of Patliputra Sarafa Sangh, said they suffered a loss of up to Rs 3 lakh as his three customers left. “They locked the gold price for today. If the price of gold increases tomorrow, we will suffer additional losses. In Patna, the jewellers might have suffered the loss of crores of rupees as more than 80% payment for jewelry purchase is being made by UPI,” he said. -
Three siblings drown in river in Kishanganj
Patna: Three siblings drowned while taking a bath in a river at Balubari village under Dighalbank police station area in Kishanganj district on Saturday. The deceased children were identified as Mahmud Hasan (11), Hussain Ahmed (9), and Mohd Hassan (6), sons of Mohd Anjar Alam, a resident of Dargah Basti in Dahibhat panchayat.
According to police, the children went for a bath in the river around 2pm, approximately three hours before the wedding procession of their maternal uncle. They ventured into the deep water and began drowning. Despite rescue attempts by local residents, the children could not be saved.
Mohammad Nayyar Alam, children’s grandfather, said that the children came to attend their uncle’s wedding on Friday evening. While everyone was occupied with wedding preparations on Saturday, the children reached the river to play and bathe. The wedding procession was to leave in the evening, when the news of their drowning came.
Dighalbank SHO, Ravi Shankar Kumar, and zonal officer Garima Geetika, who reached the village to inquire about the incident, said that the relatives of deceased children went to their native village with the bodies of boys. “The police tried to persuade them for postmortem, but they refused. They have started the process of burying the bodies as per their religious rituals,” Kumar said.
Patna: Three siblings drowned while taking a bath in a river at Balubari village under Dighalbank police station area in Kishanganj district on Saturday. The deceased children were identified as Mahmud Hasan (11), Hussain Ahmed (9), and Mohd Hassan (6), sons of Mohd Anjar Alam, a resident of Dargah Basti in Dahibhat panchayat.
According to police, the children went for a bath around 2pm, approximately three hours before the wedding procession of their maternal uncle. They ventured into the deep water and began drowning. Despite rescue attempts by local residents, the children could not be saved.
Mohammad Nayyar Alam, children’s grandfather, said that the children came to attend their uncle’s wedding on Friday evening. While everyone was occupied with wedding preparations on Saturday, the children reached the river to play and bathe. The wedding procession was to leave in the evening, when the news of their drowning came.
Dighalbank SHO, Ravi Shankar Kumar, and zonal officer Garima Geetika, who reached the village to inquire about the incident, said that the relatives of deceased children went to their native village with the bodies of boys. “The police tried to persuade them for postmortem, but they refused. They have started the process of burying the bodies as per their religious rituals,” Kumar said. -
Double-decker flyover on Ashok Rajpth to open soon
Patna: The much-awaited double-decker flyover on the busy Ashok Rajpath in Patna is expected to become operational by the end of this month. According to sources, 100% of the structural work has been completed. Initially, only the second ramp – from the Gandhi Maidan side up to the Ashok Rajpath section near Krishna Ghat – will be opened to the public.
The project consists of two flanks. Commuters travelling from the eastern parts of the city towards Gandhi Maidan will use the first tier, which begins at Patna College and ends near BN College, close to Gandhi Maidan. This section is 1.5km long. The second tier, designed for traffic heading eastwards from Gandhi Maidan, extends 2.2km to Science College. However, in the initial phase, this route will be operational only up to Krishna Ghat.
An official associated with the project said some finishing work remains, primarily due to the ongoing metro construction running adjacent to the flyover. “After getting down on Ashok Rajpath coming from the Gandhi Maidan side, one can also move to J P Ganga Path from here,” the official said. “Similarly, another ramp from the Patna University side to B N College will also be made functional by the month-end,” he added.
“Construction of the structure is complete, along with the linking of the bridge. Only electrification and laying of bituminous layers is ongoing,” the official said.
When asked about the inconvenience faced by commuters on Ashok Rajpath, particularly between B N College and Catholic Church, where the road surface has deteriorated due to prolonged construction, the official said, “We are levelling the road too along with the work on the flyover. In fact, a portion near Pirbahore will be widened in a day and will help commuters. Leftover work will be completed once the flyover is made functional.”
The long-awaited two-lane double-decker flyover is being constructed by Bihar Raj Pul Nirman Nigam Limited at a cost of Rs 422 crore. The foundation stone was laid by CM Nitish Kumar in Dec 2021. -
23 kids take part in baby show at railway hospital
Patna: Danapur Women’s Welfare Organisation (WWO) organised a baby show at Danapur divisional railway hospital on Saturday, drawing enthusiastic participation from the wards of railway employees. The event had three age categories: 0 to 1 year, 1 to 3 years and 3 to 5 years.
The show was officially inaugurated by WWO president Shalini Choudhary, who expressed her delight at the overwhelming response and the adorable energy of the little participants. “Such events not only bring joy but also help in fostering a sense of community among railway families,” she said at the opening ceremony.
Altogether 23 children, dressed in vibrant and creative outfits, charmed the audience and judges alike as they competed in various fun rounds. The competition witnessed an impressive turnout, with proud parents cheering on from the sidelines, said Shalini.
Winners from each age group were awarded prizes based on cuteness, personality and overall presentation. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony among 12 children and the rest 11 of them were given consolation prizes.
Danapur railway hospital chief medical superintendent Dr P K Mishra and senior medical officer Dr I N Yadav were present at the function. -
Muzaffarpur man beats wife to death in front of children
Patna: In a harrowing incident in Muzaffarpur, a man fatally assaulted his wife with a stick in front of her children, continuing to strike her lifeless body even after she had died. A video of the attack has emerged, showing the woman lying unconscious on the ground as the man repeatedly beat her while her children stood nearby, crying helplessly.
The incident occurred on Friday evening in Jhinga village under the Motipur police station area in Muzaffarpur. The victim, identified as 40-year-old Mehrunnisa, had married her brother-in-law Kalimullah in 2015 following the death of her first husband. She had two children from her first marriage and three from the second.
According to police, the accused is a known drug addict. On Friday evening, when Mehrunnisa confronted him about his substance abuse, he turned violent. She attempted to escape through the village, crying out for help, but no one intervened. She eventually collapsed near her home, succumbing to her injuries shortly after. Kalimullah is at large.
At the time of the assault, all five children and the victim’s mother-in-law were present at home. Despite her efforts to stop the attack, Kalimullah ignored his mother’s desperate pleas.
“The FSL team has also investigated. Some evidence has been collected. The police sent the body to SKMCH for post-mortem. We have also received the video of the gruesome attack on the victim and it was shocking that no one in the village intervened or informed the police. They became silent spectators,” Muzaffarpur SP (rural), Vidya Sagar, said.
The SP added that three special investigation teams (SITs) have been formed to conduct raids and arrest the accused. “It came to light that Kalimullah is unemployed and used to beat his wife over domestic disputes. He is also an alcoholic. Mehrunnisa went to her maternal home. A few days back, he lured her back and beat her to death. The victim was earlier married to the accused’s elder brother in 2012, who was a criminal. When he died, she was forced to marry her brother-in-law,” Sagar said.
Mehrunnisa’s first marriage took place in 2012 with Mohd Farooq. He was imprisoned in 2015 and was serving his sentence at Khudiram Bose Central Jail when his body was found hanging from a tree inside the jail premises. -
119 J P University students get job offers
Chhapra: Altogether 119 students of the J P University, Chhapra in Saran, got job offers from e-commerce and cellphone manufacturing companies at a placement drive organised at the university’s senate hall here on Thursday, said Rajesh Pandey, PRO of the university.
He said that among the beneficiaries, 89 are men while 30 are women. “The job beneficiaries have been directed by the companies to join office between April 18 and 20,” said Pandey. He also highlighted that this campus drive is the third in the series since the joining of vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Parmendra Kumar Bajpai.
The VC has constituted a placement cell with professors Krishna Kumar and Snigdha Singh from the commerce department to facilitate such initiatives. Previously, the VC also organised a campus drive outside the university headquarters at Kamla Ray College, Gopalganj.
Selected candidates have been offered a salary, ranging from Rs 18,000 to Rs 29,000 per month. Besides the salary, they will receive benefits such as PF, medical, and transport facilities from these companies, said a placement officer of a company, Rahul Pandey, assuring that such placement drives would continue in the future. -
Suicide of CRPF personnel: Mother files complaint against wife, mother-in-law
Patna: The recent suicide of 45-year-old CRPF personnel Ashutosh Mishra, who was deputed in the security detail of Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal, took a new turn on Friday after his mother accused his wife and mother-in-law of being responsible for the death.
Accusing his wife Soni Kumari (35) and mother-in-law Saroj Devi (65) of abetting her son’s suicide, Mishra’s mother Pramila Devi (70) filed a formal complaint in this regard at Sachivalay police station on the day. Pramila claimed her son was physically and mentally tortured for money, leading to his tragic decision.
Sachiwalay station house officer (SHO) Sanjeev Kumar said following the complaint filed by the mother, police have started an investigation into the allegations. Earlier, an FIR was registered on the day of the incident on April 8, on the basis of the statements of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Mishra had shot himself with his licensed pistol at Jaiswal’s residence, MLC House 21.
According to police sources, the deceased had a phone conversation with his wife before the incident, when tension escalated between them, leading to an argument. After the call ended, Mishra shot himself in head with his licensed pistol.
A colleague said when the shot was fired, other colleagues were getting ready for duty. “The night before the incident, Ashutosh spoke to us normally, and did not mention about any marital problem.”
On Tuesday, he was with his colleagues until 9.15am.
“The police recovered the licensed weapon and Mishra’s cell phone from the scene. However, no suicide note was found at the place,” the SHO said.
Mishra had got married to Soni in East Singhbhum district of neighbouring Jharkhand in 2013. He is survived by a five-year-old daughter and an 18-month-old son. He lived with his wife and children at a rented accommodation on Gola Road in Danapur.
Pramila sought strict actions against his wife and mother-in-law. “Driven by greed for job and money, the mother-daughter duo pushed my son to take his own life,” she alleged. -
Honour killing: Youth kills sister, lover with hammer in East Champaran
Motihari: In a chilling case of honour killing, a youth brutally bludgeoned his sister and her lover to death with a hammer after he found them in a “compromising position” in a village in East Champaran district late on Thursday night. What unfolded next was even more disturbing. The accused informed the police and sat beside their bodies through the night, until police arrived at Trilokwa village under Kesaria police station area in the district.
SDPO, Chakia, Satyendra Prasad Singh, said the accused, Aman Kumar (20), a native of Trilokwa village, flew into a fit of rage after allegedly finding his sister, Priya Kumari Sah (22), with her lover, Vikash Kumar Bhagat (24), in an objectionable condition inside her room late Thursday night. Armed with a hammer lying nearby, Aman, younger to Priya, struck both to death in a violent outburst that police have labelled as an act of “honour killing”. He said Vikash had a criminal antecedent and had several cases registered against him. He had come out of jail two months back.
He said Aman confessed to killing his sister and Vikash.
The police arrested Aman and sent the two bodies for postmortem at the Motihari Sadar Hospital. The blood-stained hammer used in the murder was also seized by the police. An FSL team also arrived at the crime spot to launch an investigation.
The police said Vikash, a resident of Raghunathpur village, had a criminal background and was jailed in several cases of murder and vehicle theft. He was under police’s watch during recent Ram Navami celebrations. -
Patna Junction to get a modern makeover
Patna: The Railway Board has approved the inclusion of Patna Junction under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), paving the way for a comprehensive redevelopment of the historic station, aid Danapur divisional railway manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar Choudhary said.
“A detailed master plan for the project is currently being finalised and is expected to be ready by the end of May. The redevelopment would transform Patna Junction into a modern, world-class facility, blending passenger convenience with commercial opportunities,” Choudhary added.
As part of the plan, the railways will construct a new multi-storied building with facilities like a four-star hotel within the station premises, alongside smart parking facilities capable of accommodating up to 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles. The upgraded station will also feature a multi-cuisine restaurant and a shopping complex.
The inclusion of Patna Junction under the ABSS is expected to bring in substantial investment and elevate the station’s profile to that of a modern urban hub. The master plan is likely to retain the cultural essence of the city while incorporating cutting-edge amenities and sustainability features, the DRM said.
Choudhary also appreciated the efforts of the ECR GM Chhatrasal Singh for sanctioning Rs 60 crore from the headquarters funds to build two new foot over bridges (FOBs) having 12 metres width at the east and west end of Patna Junction to decongest a huge traffic flow.
“A new building G+2 has been approved to be constructed at the east end of the Patna Junction parcel office to deal with ‘parcel handling’ smoothly and provide more passenger amenities in view of the sudden increase in footfall of passengers up to three lakh daily and five lakh during the festival period at Patna Junction,” he said. -
2nd year students dies, protests erupt over alleged medical negligence at Patna’s IGIMS
NEW DELHI: A second-year student at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna, Abhinav Panday, died early Thursday morning after suffering injuries in a road accident. The incident has led to student protests, with claims that the college did not provide timely medical help.
According to students, Abhinav sustained injuries three days earlier when his motorbike hit a road divider. Upon returning to the campus, he was allegedly denied admission to the IGIMS hospital, prompting his peers to take him to Paras Hospital.
“When he returned to college injured, he was not provided a bed. So, we took him to Paras Hospital. His condition was fine the first day, but it started deteriorating the next day. He then died at the hospital,” one student said to media.
Students also claimed that when they approached the college for help with an ambulance and reimbursement at around 2:30 am, the college director arrived late and behaved rudely.
They added that IGIMS later agreed to allot a bed to Abhinav, but by that time, his condition was too serious to move him from Paras Hospital.
Since then, IGIMS students have been protesting, demanding better medical services and accountability from the administration.
“We demand better medical facilities so that not only students but everyone can be provided improved medication and care,” a student said to media. -
Gang involved in illegal toll collection busted, 1 arrested
Motihari: Police on Thursday busted a gang involved in the illegal collection of tolls in the name of the Motihari Municipal Corporation on NH-28A, which passes through the Motihari town area. One person was arrested in connection with the racket and a case has been registered against four people.
The gang had been forcefully collecting tolls from cargo-laden trucks and small commercial vehicles at several locations without any official authorisation. Sources said they were making substantial daily earnings, allegedly with the backing of some municipal corporation officials. The operation came to light after several truck drivers travelling to and from Nepal raised concerns and informed senior police officers. On average, between 500 and 1,000 commercial trucks pass through the town each day.
The police swung into action after an audio recording surfaced and went viral. It captured a dispute between a container driver and members of the gang. The illegal toll collection was taking place at Kuwaridevi Chowk under the Mufassil police station area. Acting on this, police reached the spot, arrested one of the collectors, identified as Nikhil Kumar, and filed a case against four other members of the gang.
East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat said, “Illegal collection was going on in full swing in this municipal corporation area by a gang and the police took this step. The illegally acquired assets of the gang members will also be confiscated.” -
9 dead in lightning strikes in Bihar
PATNA: At least nine people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in three districts in Bihar on Wednesday, police said.
The highest number of fatalities were reported in Begusarai district, where five people died. In Madhubani district, three people, including a man and daughter, lost their lives. In Darbhanga, an elderly person was struck by lightning and died.
A severe storm, rain, and hailstorm on Wednesday morning caused significant destruction in different parts of Madhubani, Begusarai and Darbhanga districts in north Bihar.
In Madhubani’s Jhanjharpur subdivision area, three people died after being struck by lightning in different locations. The deceased included a father and daughter from one family and a woman from another family. The two incidents have cast a pall of gloom over the Jhanjharpur area.
The first incident occurred at Alpura village under Rudrapur police station. Seeing dark clouds in the morning, farmer Mohammad Zakir Ansari (58) and his daughter Asma Khatoon (19) went to the field. The senior women of the house were busy cooking, so the daughter was sent to the agricultural field. While the father and daughter were covering the wheat crop with a tarp, lightning suddenly struck, killing both on the spot. Upon hearing the news, family members rushed to the scene. The police have sent the bodies for post-mortem.
The second incident took place at Piprauliya village under Araria Sangram police station in Madhubani district. Here, Durga Devi (45), the wife of Raman Kumar Mahto, was also covering firewood with a tarp when she was struck by lightning and died. The Station House Officer (SHO) Balwant Kumar said that the body has been sent for post-mortem.
In Begusarai district, five people died in five separate incidents of lightning strikes on Wednesday.
Some women and girls of Manopur village under Bhawanipur police station area had gone to the fields for open defecation when lightning struck. Anshu Kumari (13), daughter of Ramkumar Sada of Manopur, died due to the lightning strike. Her sister, Aanchal Kumari, was also seriously injured in the incident.
In another incident of lightning strike that occurred at Bhagatpur under Balia police station area, a young man died, and his wife was burned. The deceased was identified as Viral Paswan (60), son of the late Sukhdev Paswan from Bhagatpur. His wife, Jitni Devi, was seriously injured.
Family members said that Paswan and his wife were collecting wheat straw about 200 meters from their home when they were struck by lightning. Upon receiving the information, a police team of Dial-112 arrived and took them to Balia primary health centre (PHC), where Viral Paswan was declared dead, and his wife is undergoing treatment. Another woman named Pusta Devi of Bhagatpur was also burned by the lightning strike, police said.
In another incident of lightning strike at Gandhi Gram Suja under Mufassil police station, a young man named Pankaj Mahato (45), son of Kamo Mahato, died. Police said Pankaj was sleeping at his doorstep at around 10 am when he was struck by lightning and died instantly. The family is in shock following the incident.
In the Sahebpur Kamal police station area, one Indira Devi (55), wife of Kalo Paswan from Sanha West, died in a lightning strike. Police said Indira Devi went to Mohanpur Bahiyar to cut wheat when she was struck by lightning and died. The laborers working with her informed the family, and the police have taken the body for post-mortem.
In Begusarai’s Matihani police station area, Janardan Mahato (80) of Sihma village died after being struck by lightning. Janardan was in his field when he was struck and died on the spot. The family is in distress, police said.
In Darbhanga district, one Jawahar Chaupal (68) had gone to a field when he was struck by lightning, He died in the field. Jawahar was a native of Ladho Kataiya village under Biraul police station area. Biraul circle officer and a police team reached the village after getting information about the demise of Chaupal. -
Gaya sees 58% reduction in agri land in 20 yrs, but rise in green cover: Study
Patna: Gaya town has witnessed a 58% reduction in its agricultural land area in the last two decades, even as green cover have has increased significantly, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from Central University of South Bihar (CUSB).
“There has been a 58% reduction in the agricultural land between 2000 and 2022, primarily due to urbanisation and expansion of built-up areas. The agricultural land in Gaya was 1,908 hectares in 2000, which reduced to 810 hectares by 2022,” says the study, conducted by CUSB economics teacher Firdaus Fatima Rizwi, in association with Alok Kumar Dubey and Akash Tiwari. The study, conducted using GIS and remote sensing techniques, utilised CA-Markov model, which will predict changes in land use till 2030.
The study adds that if the current trend of urbanisation continues, it is estimated that the the agricultural land will further decrease by 19% to only 657 hectares by 2030, posing a serious threat to Gaya’s food security and environmental balance. Subsequently, a significant increase in the built-up area has been observed, from 1,543 hectares in 2000 to 2,560 hectares in 2022. The trend is likely to continue, and the built-up area is expected to reach 2,580 hectares 2030.
However, the study has noted an increase in forest area due to govt’s water conservation and afforestation programmes, even as revealing over 16% decline in water bodies (ponds and rivers).
The forest area was 255 hectares in 2000, which increased to 694 hectares by 2022. It is estimated that this area could further increase to 726 hectares by 2030.
The study further reveals that there was 913 hectares of barren land in year 2000, which decreased to 580 hectares by 2022, but there is a possibility of an increase in barren land again by 2030, indicating the impact of climate change and uncertain pattern of rainfall.
The study suggests that the govt should implement strict policies to control urban expansion of the town, because of which agricultural land is rapidly being converted into land for residential, industrial and commercial use, affecting local food production.
Without the rigorous enforcement of land use planning and conservation policies, it will be challenging task to protect agricultural land in Gaya city, the study adds.
Patna: Gaya town has witnessed a 58% reduction in its agricultural land area in the last two decades, even as green cover have has increased significantly, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from Central University of South Bihar (CUSB).
“There has been a 58% reduction in the agricultural land between 2000 and 2022, primarily due to urbanisation and expansion of built-up areas. The agricultural land in Gaya was 1,908 hectares in 2000, which reduced to 810 hectares by 2022,” says the study, conducted by CUSB economics teacher Firdaus Fatima Rizwi, in association with Alok Kumar Dubey and Akash Tiwari. The study, conducted using GIS and remote sensing techniques, utilised CA-Markov model, which will predict changes in land use till 2030.
The study adds that if the current trend of urbanisation continues, it is estimated that the the agricultural land will further decrease by 19% to only 657 hectares by 2030, posing a serious threat to Gaya’s food security and environmental balance. Subsequently, a significant increase in the built-up area has been observed, from 1,543 hectares in 2000 to 2,560 hectares in 2022. The trend is likely to continue, and the built-up area is expected to reach 2,580 hectares 2030.
However, the study has noted an increase in forest area due to govt’s water conservation and afforestation programmes, even as revealing over 16% decline in water bodies (ponds and rivers).
The forest area was 255 hectares in 2000, which increased to 694 hectares by 2022. It is estimated that this area could further increase to 726 hectares by 2030.
The study further reveals that there was 913 hectares of barren land in year 2000, which decreased to 580 hectares by 2022, but there is a possibility of an increase in barren land again by 2030, indicating the impact of climate change and uncertain pattern of rainfall.
The study suggests that the govt should implement strict policies to control urban expansion of the town, because of which agricultural land is rapidly being converted into land for residential, industrial and commercial use, affecting local food production.
Without the rigorous enforcement of land use planning and conservation policies, it will be challenging task to protect agricultural land in Gaya city, the study adds. -
Ex-IPS officer Shivdeep Lande launches political party ‘Hind Sena’, to contest all assembly seats in Bihar
PATNA: Former IPS officer, Shivdeep W Lande, on Tuesday announced launch of his new political party, ‘Hind Sena‘.
While addressing reporters in Patna, Lande said his party will contest all the 243 seats in the coming state assembly elections.
In recent times, Lande is the second person to float a political party after poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who launched his party Jan Suraaj and plans to contest all the assembly seats. Unlike Prashant, he declared himself the national president of ‘Hind Sena’ and said his public relations campaign would continue in Bihar.
The once dashing 2006-batch IPS officer with roots in Maharashtra and known for his honesty, Lande took voluntary retirement from service last year and the President of India accepted his resignation in Jan this year. He vowed to serve his ‘karmbhoomi’ Bihar. He said the aim of his party was to fight for the rights of Bihar and bring the youths into leadership roles.
Lande said he refused lucrative offers, from his nomination to the Rajya Sabha to become the CM face of Bihar, and decided to launch his own party to change the fortunes of the state’s youths. He criticised the political parties drumming the social justice beat and said they were, in fact, doing the politics of castes and sub-castes. He said migration was, no doubt, a burning issue but what was more unfortunate for the state was that even after 77 years of independence, many people lacked safe drinking water facilities.
The IPS officer said he wanted to create a clean system above the vote bank politics. “Whoever be the candidate, I will be the face of the party in all the 243 assembly segments in the election,” he said.
Lande said he visited almost all the districts of Bihar, except Bettiah and Bagaha in West Chamaparan, in the last one month. He said the youths want change, but the question is how to bring about change? He said that could be done through democratic rights of votes.
He said whoever joins the ‘Hind Sena’ would have to follow the three basic principles of humanity, justice and service. “Our party will be a platform for the people with sensitive thinking,” he said. -
Dial 139 or report on telecom department portal about your lost cellphones on railway premises
Patna: Now railway passengers can report about their missing or stolen cellphones either by dialling 139 or on Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, managed by department of telecommunications (DoT), according to ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra. The CEIR portal is a centralised system designed to track and block stolen or missing cellphones.
Besides, a special team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) will help the passengers, who lost their cellphones in trains or on the railway premises, in recovering their gadgets. The railways has announced this new initiative in collaboration with the DoT to combat the growing issue of cellphone thefts on trains and railway premises.
The RPF personnel have been tasked to monitor and investigate such cases actively. The collaboration between the railways and DoT is expected to enhance the overall security measures, the CPRO says.
The new initiative is expected to create greater awareness among the passengers about the importance of reporting such incidents immediately with the concerned department, he adds.
According to sources, of late, the railways registered the maximum number of cellphone theft cases during the Kumbh Mela, when stations like Patna Junction, Ara, Buxar, DDU, Gaya, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Barauni remained vulnerable places. -
315 teachers take part in 2-day education fair
Patna: Altogether 315 teachers, including 190 women, from all 38 districts participated in a two-day state-level fair of teaching-learning materials (TLM) organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Patna on Tuesday.
Organised under the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy Bharat scheme, this fair is aimed at improving the teaching-learning method in schools. Subject teachers who have come here with their creative models in the fair include Hindi (62), English (61), Urdu (38), environmental science (74) and mathematics (80). All the models displayed at the fair would be evaluated by a team of 33 subject experts.
Inaugurating the fair at the SCERT campus, state primary education director Sahila said the innovative teaching-learning materials prepared by teachers would help implement quality education in schools of the state. “Children will have a clear understanding of the subject with the help of these models,” she said.Poll
Should teacher training programs include more sessions on developing creative teaching materials?
Speaking on the occasion, SCERT director R Sajjan appreciated the efforts made by teachers from different schools across the state in designing the student-friendly models. “By integrating engaging teaching methods and hands-on learning tools, we are working towards building stronger educational foundations for every child,” he said.
Vibha Rani of SCERT, in her presidential remarks, observed that the fair has provided a platform for the teachers to express and exhibit their teaching innovations and creative methods while enhancing their skills in interaction with other teachers across the state. “This fair will go a long way in making foundational literacy and numeracy classrooms more engaging, interactive and enjoyable,” she said. -
Make India a developed country by 2047: CUSB VC
Patna: Central University of South Bihar (CUSB)’s vice-chancellor (VC) Kameshwar Nath Singh on Tuesday emphasized the need to organize scientific workshops at regular intervals so that the students may develop a clear concept of the latest equipment and its applications.
“The provisions of the National Education Policy-2020 will be properly implemented only when the academics are made to learn the basic know-how of all the modern technological innovations,” he said.
Inaugurating a state-level workshop on ‘droplet-based digital PCR and its applications’ organised by the life science department of CUSB, the VC called upon the university teachers to carry out detailed research on the problems faced by human beings and help develop the country into a modern society. “All efforts should be made to make India a developed country by 2047,” he said.Poll
Do you think the National Education Policy-2020 will positively impact technological education?
Around 100 scholars from different departments of CUSB, Magadh University and L N Mithila University attended the workshop and gained experience in droplet generation, thermal cycling and analysing samples with droplet digital PCR.
Life science department head Ram Pratap Singh and DST-Purse project coordinator Venketesh Singh explained the use of advanced instruments in biological research. -
Man bobbitises sister-in-law’s rapist in Aurangabad, held
Patna: A 35-year-old man was arrested on Monday for allegedly bobbitising a 25-year-old man and breaking a limb of another at an Aurangabad village on Sunday, 10 days after the duo allegedly sexually assaulted his sister-in-law, said police.
The angry brother-in-law had lured rape-accused Nitish Ravidas (25) and his accomplice Jeevit Ravidas (24), who run a transport service, to his house on the pretext of booking a vehicle, before allegedly committing the crime. Nitish and Jeevit are undergoing treatment at a govt hospital under police custody.
On March 27, Nitish and Jeevit had allegedly sexually assaulted his 20-year-old sister-in-law while she was alone at home. After remaining silent due to fear, the survivor later confided in her brother-in-law about the assault, leading to the violent confrontation on Monday. He allegedly bobbitised Nitish with a blade and broke Jeevit’s leg when he attempted to intervene, police said.
Sadar subdivisional police officer (SDPO)-II Amit Kumar said they received information on Sunday morning that a young man was bobbitised. “The local station house officer (SHO), Kumar Saurav, arrived at the scene and verified the information. During investigation, it was revealed that the accused’s sister-in-law, who used to lived at his house, was allegedly raped by Nitish and Jeevit 10 days ago,” he said, adding the police have registered two separate FIRs regarding rape and assault. “Nitish and Jeevit have been named in the rape case, while the brother-in-law has been made accused in the assault case. The police are investigating both the cases,” said the SDPO. -
Health check-up camp for school kids held in Saran
Chhapra: Saran chapter of the Indian Red Cross Society on Monday organised a health check-up camp at a preparatory school to mark the World Health Day. A team of doctors checked and advised about 250 students of this school. The camp was inaugurated by Dr Shashi Kant Parasar, speech and ear specialist. Dr Parasar said that continuous use of smartphones and long exposure to TV screen can cause harm to teenagers. Dr Partha Sarthy Gautam, a dental surgeon, found dental cavity in many cases due to unhygienic maintenance of teeth. Dr Onkar Nath, a local physician, reported abdominal pain, headache and loss of appetite in some students. On this occasion, members of the managing committee like Suresh Prasad Singh, Shahzad Alam, Satyendra Srivastava, Paul Ismail, Meera Ismail and teachers of the school were present.
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After Centre’s hike, LPG cylinder to cost Rs 951 in Patna
Patna: With the Centre hiking the domestic LPG cylinder prices by a steep Rs 50 on Monday, the 14.2kg cylinder will now be priced at Rs 951 in Patna and Rs 950.50 in Danapur area. Similarly, the cylinder under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will be priced at Rs 671.74 in Patna and Rs 671.24 in Danapur area, according to a dealer at Saguna Mor, Danapur.
With the main opposition in the state, RJD, criticising the the BJP-led NDA govt at the Centre after the fresh price hike, homemakers across Bihar said they felt betrayed as they are already grappling with increased household expenses.
Chitranjan Gagan, the RJD spokesperson, said the public is already suffering immensely from inflation, and increase in the prices of cooking gas, petrol and diesel is like a thunderbolt for the common people. “In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the trust of the people by promising to reduce the prices of cooking gas, petrol and diesel. However, after coming to power, the prices of petroleum products have doubled or tripled, which is a betrayal of the public’s trust,” he said.
The city residents too said the fresh price hike will have adverse impact on their home budgets. “With the cost of living already high, the homemakers, especially from poor and middle-class families, will be forced to make a cut in their other essential expenses, including food, healthcare and education,” Mamta, a resident of Pataliputra colony, said.
Sona Sinha, a resident of Nala Road, said the govt shouldn’t have raised the price of LPG cylinders, a basic necessity, as people are already facing hardship due to constant rise in the prices of other essential commodities.
“Necessary items like cylinders should be made affordable. It is difficult to balance ration and gas prices for the middle class,” Shobha Rani, a homemaker from Boring Road, said. -
Scientists urged to devise ways for groundwater conservation
Patna: Patna University (PU) vice-chancellor, Ajay Kumar Singh, on Monday called upon the geoscientists to find ways and means for conservation of groundwater resources in water-scarce regions and save the teeming million from hunger and thirst. He also appealed to the people to take necessary steps for stopping the indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes.
Inaugurating a three-day national workshop on ‘Sustainable management of groundwater resources‘, organised by PU geology department in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), mid-eastern region, the vice-chancellor expressed concern at the depleting groundwater level in different areas of the country, including Bihar, and pleaded for sustainable development of this resource. He also urged the scientists to work hard for removal of pollution load from the groundwater resources.
CGWB’s regional director Rajeev Ranjan Shukla, PU geology department head Anil Kumar and Patna Science College principal Atul Aditya Pandey highlighted the growing importance of groundwater resources in boosting the national economy.
Workshop convener Bhavuk Sharma, in his welcome address, said that sponsored by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the workshop is being attended by scientists from different organisations, including GSI, CGWB, IIT, JNU, Cluster University, Delhi University and other academic institutions from across the country. PU geology teacher Sayema Jamal proposed a vote of thanks. -
‘Land of Bihar always taken firm steps against injustice’: LoP Rahul Gandhi to attend ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged people to take part in the ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan‘ in Patna, saying Bihar has always taken a strong stand against injustice in the past.
“Whether it was the Champaran Satyagraha movement or the revolution for social justice – the land of Bihar has always taken firm steps against injustice,” he wrote on social media platform ‘X’
“Today, that history is calling out again. Against the attacks on the Constitution, Against bias and discrimination, For economic and social equality and justice – Come, let us unite and raise our voices! Join me today in Patna, at the Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan!, he added further.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi joined the NSUI’s ‘Palayan Roko Naukri Do’ rally in Begusarai. The rally is being led by NSUI’s national in charge, Kanhaiya Kumar. The protest highlights the issue of unemployment and youth migration.
On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi had posted on X about his plan to visit Begusarai and walk with the youth during the rally.
“Young friends of Bihar, I will be coming to Begusarai on April 7th to join you in the ‘Roko Palayan, Do Naukri’ campaign, walking shoulder to shoulder with you. The goal is to show the world the spirit of Bihar’s youth, their struggles, and their hardships,” he said.
He also asked the youth to wear white t-shirts to demand answers from the Bihar government.
“Come wearing a White T-Shirt, ask questions, raise your voice–to put pressure on the government for your rights, to hold them accountable. Let’s come together and make Bihar a state of opportunities,” he added.
Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi will speak at a public meeting in Patna. -
BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi’s ‘White T-shirt march’ in Begusarai, says he will create trouble for Tejashwi Yadav
NEW DELHI: Union minister Nityanand Rai on Tuesday mocked Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Begusarai, where the Congress leader participated in the ‘Palayan Roko Naukri Do‘ Yatra organised by NSUI national in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar.
Rai said Rahul’s actions are bound to create problems for Tejashwi Yadav and Congress ally RJD party in Bihar in the upcoming assembly elections.
“Rahul Gandhi has come to Bihar. Wherever he goes, he first creates problems for his alliance and his party. Here, he has come to create problems for Tejashwi Yadav,” Rai said.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal too raised doubts about the unity among the opposition parties in the poll-bound state.
He questioned Rahul Gandhi’s presence in the state, asking, “Rahul Gandhi has gone to Bihar to search for his political ground, but the question is that there are other parties of the INDI alliance there too, Tejashwi Yadav and others. Whose ground will Rahul Gandhi cut into?”
Rahul Gandhi’s visit is part of his support for the ongoing padyatra, where he joined the youth of Bihar in their fight for better job opportunities. Later, Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Patna.
On Sunday, the Lok Sabha leader of opposition had shared a post on X announcing his visit to Begusarai.
He said, “Young friends of Bihar, I will be coming to Begusarai on April 7th to join you in the ‘Roko Palayan, Do Naukri’ campaign, walking shoulder to shoulder with you. The goal is to show the world the spirit of Bihar’s youth, their struggles, and their hardships.”
Rahul Gandhi also urged the youth to wear white T-shirts to amplify their message and apply pressure on the Bihar government. “Come wearing a White T-Shirt, ask questions, raise your voice—to put pressure on the government for your rights, to hold them accountable. Let’s come together and make Bihar a state of opportunities,” he added.
(With agency inputs) -
Four of family on way to crematorium, die in Rohtas road accident
Buxar: Four members of a family died and three others sustained injuries when the car they were travelling in collided with a sand-laden standing truck on NH-922 near Harikishunpur village under Industrial Area police station in Buxar district on Sunday morning. The seven members of the family were going to a cremation ground at Buxar Charitravan from Shivpur Tola in Bikramganj subdivision of Rohtas district, when the accident occurred.
According to police, the deceased were identified as Pramod Singh (46), son of Mudrika Singh and his 10-year-old son, Pratap Kumar alias Bunty; Pappu Singh (45), son of Madan Singh, and Ritesh Kumar (12) son of Rajesh Singh. All the deceased were relatives and residents of Shivpur Tola village under Bikramganj police station in Rohtas district. The police took four injured people to Buxar sadar hospital from where they were referred to Varanasi after primary treatment. But Bunty succumbed to his injuries on way to Varanasi.
SHO of Industrial Area police station, Sanjay Kumar, said, “Three people died on the spot, while Bunty succumbed to his injuries on way to Varanasi. The injured people, including Rohit kumar (14), son of Manoj Singh, Premchand (20), son of Hanslal Singh and Bhola Singh, son of Anil Singh, are undergoing treatment at a trauma center in Varanasi. All of them are stated to be stable.” The SHO further said the family members were going to perform the last rites rituals of Phool Patiya Devi, mother of one of the deceased, Pramod Singh, when the accident occurred. -
Girl in Begusarai suffers injury after acid thrown on her
Begusarai: One Pallavi Rathor (24) sustained burn injuries when miscreants threw acid on her in the district on Saturday night.
The incident took place while Pallavi was sleeping inside her house. The criminals threw acid on her through an open window. She was admitted to a local private nursing home. She suffered burn injury on the right side of her face and left hand.
Pallavi’s father, Sanjay Singh, said around 2am he heard Pallavi screaming and crying. “Hearing her scream, I and other family members rushed to her room. There I found her squirming due to the terrible burning sensation on her face. To provide her relief, I tried to clean her face with water. However, in the process I realised something sticky on her face. It was then I realised that someone had thrown acid on her,” he said.
Sanjay, who is former ‘mandal’ president of the BJP in Bakhri, said he did not have any dispute with anyone. “I have no dispute with anyone, nor do I know anything against Pallavi. I am at a loss to understand why someone has thrown acid on her,” he said.
Begusarai SP, Manish, on Sunday said after getting information about the incident on Saturday night a police team immediately reached the house of the girl. “The matter has been taken very seriously. A police team under Bakhri SDPO, Kundan Kumar, is investigating the case,” he said.
