Indian Sub-continent

India: HC dismisses plea challenging appointment of Chief Secretary as Election Commissioner of MCDs

New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a petition by a former BJP MLA challenging the appointment of Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev as Election Commissioner of Municipal Corporations of Delhi from April 21.

The high court said there was no merit in the petition as the date when Dev shall take over as Election Commissioner, he would cease to be a government servant as his request for voluntary retirement with effect from April 20 has been accepted by the Central government.

Pakistan: Imran to continue as Pak PM until caretaker premier's appointment: Prez Alvi

Islamabad, Apr 4 (PTI) Imran Khan will continue to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan until the appointment of a caretaker premier, according to a notification issued by President Arif Alvi on Monday.

The incumbent Prime Minister shall continue to hold office till appointment of the caretaker premier, the notification said.

India: BJP MLA linked Sangeet Som Sena chief, 9 others booked for vandalising Muslim food cart

Meerut (UP), Apr 4 (PTI) Ten people, including the state president of an outfit linked to former BJP MLA Sangeet Som, were booked for allegedly vandalising a biryani cart in this district, police said on Monday.

According to police, Sajid, a biryani cart owner, alleged that his cart on Sardhana-Binauli road was vandalised and robbed by 10 people including Sangeet Som Sena state president Sachin Khatik on Saturday.

India: Karauli communal clashes; Curfew continues, SIT formed

Jaipur, Apr 3 (PTI) Curfew remained clamped in Rajasthan's Karauli on Sunday, while more than a dozen people were arrested and an SIT was formed to probe the communal clashes that broke out in the district during a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate the Hindu new year.

A total of 46 people have been arrested -- 13 in connection with the violence and 33 for violating the curfew. Seven people are under detention for questioning and 21 vehicles have also been seized.

India: 'Mysterious' giant sandstone jars found in Assam

New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) Researchers have unearthed 65 giant "mysterious" jars in Assam that may have been used for ancient burial practices.

The sandstone jars uncovered by a team led by Tilok Thakuria, from North Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya, and Uttam Bathari, from Gauhati University in Assam vary in shape and decoration.

Some of the jars are tall and cylindrical, while others are partly or fully buried in the ground, according to the study published in the Journal of Asian Archaeology.

Nepali PM concludes India visit

NEW DELHI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba concluded his three-day visit to India on Sunday, during which various agreements were signed.

Deuba held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Besides signing a series of agreements, the two sides also launched newly-developed projects, including a railway line and the 90-km long 132 KVDC Solu Corridor Transmission line.

Indian Upper House (RS) proceedings adjourned amid opposition protest over price rise

New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid protests by opposition parties seeking a discussion on issues related to the fuel price rise.

Several opposition members had given notice to discuss the price rise situation, but Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not accept the demand.

As soon as the House reassembled at 2 PM after two adjournments, opposition members were again up on their feet demanding discussion on the issue of price rise of petrol, diesel, LPG (cooking gas).

Sri Lanka president proposes multiparty Cabinet amid crisis

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president asked opposition parties to form a unity government on Monday after his Cabinet resigned amid public protests over the country’s worst economic crisis in memory and deepening mistrust in his leadership.

All 26 ministers of the Rajapaksa government handed in their resignations Sunday night after thousands of people held street protests denouncing the government despite a countrywide state of emergency and a curfew.

Top Pakistan court hears arguments in major political crisis

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s top court began hearing arguments Monday on whether Prime Minister Imran Khan and his allies had the legal right to dissolve parliament and set the stage for early elections.

The opposition is challenging the latest moves by Khan, a former cricket start turned conservative Islamist leader who came to power in 2018, contending they are a ploy by Khan to stay in power.

The Supreme Court started hearing arguments on Monday both from Khan’s legal team and his allies, and also the opposition, but then adjourned the session until noon Tuesday.

India: Jajmau's Nai Chungi remains crowded for buying Iftar items

Kanpur: Evening finds the crowd of those people who accumulate to buy different fruits near the Nai Chungi in Jajmau here. On one side of the road, there remains an ample crowd.

A few sellers arrange their respective carts to sell papaya, watermelon, grapes, bananas, apples and cucumbers even.

The surge of the people starts growing after 5 p.m. As the rates of the fruits have been increased, the bargaining procedure of the customers goes useless.

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