Indian Sub-continent

Guwahati, Dec 26 (PTI) The CJM court of Assam's Nagaon district has summoned Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain to appear before it on January 8, 2019 in connection with the alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman in that district.

In August this year, a case under Indian Penal Code sections 417 (punishment for cheating), 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) was registered against Gohain for allegedly raping and threatening the married woman.

The summons, which became public Wednesday, was issued on November 28.

Dehradun, Dec 26 (PTI) An Israeli business delegation met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat here Wednesday and discussed the setting up an algae and a medicinal cannabis farms in the hill-state.

According to a press release by the government, Puremagics Ltd, an Israeli firm specialising in biotechnology, intends to produce Haematococcus pluvialis, a species of algae used in the manufacturing of cosmetics and nutritional supplements in Uttarakhand.

Sambalpur (Odisha), Dec 26 (PTI) An exchange of fire took place between Maoists and security forces at Gandhamardan hill range in Bargarh district, around 180 km from here, a senior police officer said Wednesday.

Police claimed that at least two Maoists suffered injuries in the gun battle on Tuesday night.

New Delhi, Dec 26 (PTI) A 13-year-old girl, a daughter of a rickshaw puller, was allegedly raped by a man in Madhu Vihar area of Dwarka district, police said Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the minor stepped out of her house for some work, they said.

The victim told police that while she was on her way, she was stopped by the accused on the street who forcefully took her to a secluded home in the same locality and raped her, a senior police officer said.

Amritsar, Dec 26 (PTI) India sent home Wednesday two Pakistani nationals, including a 21-year-old who said he had crossed over in 2017 to meet Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Abdullah and Mohammed Imran Qureshi Warsi were repatriated through the Attari-Wagah border on the basis of an emergency travel certificate issued by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, officials said.

Madurai, Dec 26 (PTI) Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has said it was "very difficult" to predict the country's next Prime Minister in view of the current political situation.

Noting that he was "not focussed" on politics, the 53-year-old yoga guru said he would not support or oppose anyone in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Talking to reporters at the airport here Tuesday, Ramdev said, "We can't say who will become the next prime minister (after the 2019 general elections)."

Bhopal, Dec 26 (PTI) A Congress worker on Wednesday wore shoes after 15 years, fulfilling the vow he had taken when the party lost power in Madhya Pradesh.

Durgalal Kirar, hailing from Rajgarh district, had vowed in 2003 that he would not wear shoes until the Congress returned to power.

He put on shoes Wednesday here in the presence of Chief Minister Kamal Nath and senior leader Digvijay Singh.

The Congress came to power in the state in the last month's Assembly elections, ending the BJP's reign.

Nagpur, Dec 26 (PTI) RSS-backed Marathi daily 'Tarun Bharat' came down heavily upon the Shiv Sena Wednesday for using the slogan 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking why the Uddhav Thackeray-led party did not quit the coalition government if that was the case.

It said the Sena was criticising the BJP constantly despite being part of BJP-led coalitions in Maharashtra and the Centre.

KANPUR: Taking quick action on a viral video of traffic police allegedly taking hush money during vehicle checking at busy Jarib Chowki crossing on Monday night, SP (Traffic) Sushil Kumar has ordered the Circle Officer (Traffic) to conduct an enquiry into the matter.

It will be apt to mention here that the vehicle owner has clicked the video.

KANPUR: Problem is yet not completely over. Sewage is still going into the river. The onus is being shifted to one another. But it is not the solution to the real dilemma. The mechanism is not proving to be effective. Despite all these bottlenecks, the hope has not dwindled.