Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) BSP chief Mayawati Friday attacked the BJP asking it to make public the source of funds received by it during elections and alleged that it cannot tolerate when people of deprived sections progress in business.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's remarks came a day after the Income Tax Department attached a 'benami' commercial plot worth Rs 400 crore in Noida belonging to her brother and his wife.

Bengaluru, Jul 19 (PTI) Mohammed Mansoor Khan, the owner of IMA jewels, has been arrested in New Delhi by the Enforcement Directorate and is being questioned by it, said a special investigation team here which is probing the alleged ponzi scam.

Khan, who had fled to Dubai, flew back to India and was arrested on landing in Delhi, it said in a statement.

The SIT said that its sources in Dubai persuaded him to come back and submit himself before the law.

Lucknow Jul 19 (PTI) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was Friday stopped in Mirzapur district from proceeding towards Sonbhadra to meet the victims of a clash that claimed 10 lives.

Nineteen people were injured in the incident on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh. Some of them were admitted to a hospital in Varanasi and the others at a health facility in Sonbhadra district.

Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI) An incident of eve-teasing led to a communal clash in Maharashtra's Parbhani district, police said Thursday.

While tension prevailed, the situation in Palam town of the district was now under control, a police official told PTI.

A girl was allegedly teased by a group of youths in the town Wednesday evening, which led to clashes between two communities.

Patna, Jul 18 (PTI) Flash floods caused by torrential rains in catchment areas of Nepal have ravaged a dozen districts of Bihar so far, claiming 78 lives and affecting 55 lakh people, the state's disaster management department said Thursday.

Sitamarhi reported the highest number of 18 casualties, followed by Madhubani (14), Araria (12), Sheohar and Darbhanga (nine each), Purnea (seven), Kishanganj (four), Supaul (three) and East Champaran (two), it said in a release.

The death toll increased by 11 since Wednesday, when it stood at 67.

Shimla, Jul 18 (PTI) A minor girl who was kidnapped over two weeks ago was found dead in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Thursday and a man she was friends with has been arrested in this connection, police said.

Sonu Ram, 21 and of Nashala village, has been arrested for her abduction and killing, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said.

Thane, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior inspector Pradeep Sharma, one of the famous `encounter specialists' of Mumbai Police, has resigned, sources said Thursday evening.

Sharma, who heads the Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane police at present, was not available for comments.

However, sources in the police department said he had tendered resignation earlier this month as he wanted to join politics, and the resignation has been accepted.

Agra, Jul 19 (PTI) A massive greening drive is to be launched soon to curb environmental pollution in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone of Agra spread over 10,400 sq km, said officials Friday.

Alarmed at the sharp pace of denudation due to the large-scale construction and expansion of infrastructural facilities, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a target of planting 22 crore saplings by the end of August, said Forest Department officials.

New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday invited suggestions from people for his Independence Day speech, saying it will allow thoughts of the common man to be heard by the entire nation.

For the past four years, Modi has directly invited ideas and suggestions from people for his Independence Day speech which is made from the ramparts of Red Fort.

"I am delighted to invite you all to share your valuable inputs for my speech on 15th August," he tweeted.

Bengaluru, Jul 19 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday asserted he would not misuse power to save his government, as he spoke on the confidence motion moved by him in the Assembly to decide the fate of his ministry.

In his speech seeking the trust vote with Governor Vajubhai Vala asking him to prove his majority by 1.30 p.m Friday, Kumaraswamy charged that an atmosphere was created from day one that "this government will go" and it was unstable.

"After 14 months (in power), we have come to the final stage," Kumaraswamy said.