1. Tiwari Killing: Two Held From Gujarat-Rajasthan Border
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad on Tuesday, 22 October claimed to have arrested the two main suspects who allegedly committed the murder of Hindu Samaj Party leader Kamlesh Tiwari in Lucknow on October 18.
The two were nabbed from Shamlaji near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, the police said, adding that they were on their way to Gujarat after having reached Shahjahanpur from Nepal.
The duo were identified as Ashfaqhussain Jakirhussain Shaikh, 34, and Moinuddin Khurshid Pathan, 27. Both are residents of Surat, the Gujarat ATS said. While Shaikh is a medical representative, Pathan is a food delivery boy, the police said.
(Source: The Hindu)
2. PM Modi, Amit Shah to Visit on 31 October: Kevadia Colony Likely to Get ‘Special Status’
The state government is considering a special status for Kevadia Colony, which has turned into a tourist hub after the inauguration of the Statue of Unity (SoU) — the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — in order to ensure better management of increased civic needs of the area.
With as many as 30 peripheral projects set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October at SoU’s first anniversary, the administration has felt the need to separate Kevadia from the Gram Panchayat.
According to senior government officials, Gram Panchayat of Limdi, under which Kevadia Colony falls, is not equipped to handle the newfound civic needs of the area. Chief Secretary JN Singh told The Indian Express that the government is working at permutations to make Kevadia a special zone for administrative purposes.
(Source: Indian Express)
3. Leave No Stone Unturned to Prevent Manual Scavenging Deaths: Guj HC
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday, 22 October said no stone should be left unturned to prevent deaths due to manual scavenging and directed the state government to ensure that maintenance of sewerage pipelines is done "strictly in accordance" with rules.
In his oral order, Justice SR Brahmbhatt, hearing a PIL seeking compensation to kin of people who died during manual scavenging in the state, also directed the government to place on record whether compensatory measures were taken or compensation awarded in such deaths occurring in the state during the pendency of the petition.
"Once again, we reiterate that let there be no stone left unturned for preventing any further occurrence of such incidents, so far as maintenance of the sewerage pipelines is concerned, and it should be strictly in accordance with the Scavenging Act (Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenging And Their Rehabilitation Act)."
(Source: Times of India)
4. Surat: Two Youths Held With Gold Biscuits Worth Rs 27 Lakh
The Surat Police arrested two youths for possession of 684 grams of gold biscuits worth Rs 27.05 lakh, while they were on their way to Jambusar in Bharuch from Surat, on Tuesday, 22 October.
Chowk Bazaar police was conducting a vehicle-checking drive at Ved road, Pandol near gate number 2, when they stopped two youths on a bike. After checking their vehicle documents, the officials inspected their bag and found gold biscuits worth Rs 27.05 lakh.
The duo — identified as Salman Patel, a resident of Rander, and Shoeb Patel, a resident of Adajan area — was arrested when they failed to produce necessary documents.
Chowk Bazaar Police Inspector, SB Bharwad said, “During interrogation, the duo confessed that they were on their way to their native place to deliver gold biscuits to one Afzal. The gold biscuits were brought by Shoeb’s brother, Zuber Patel, while he was on his way from Dubai to Ahmedabad on 5 October."
(Source: Indian Express)
5. Tribal Welfare Top Priority for State Government, Says Forest Minister
In a strong response to former Gujarat Chief Minister Suresh Mehta alleging discrepancies in the land acquisition process around the Statue of Unity (SoU) site, Forest Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava, on Tuesday 22 October, contended that the welfare of the tribal population has always been the state government’s priority and every decision has been taken after due consultation with them.
Addressing the media in Surat, Vasava enlisted how the SoU and the subsequent development projects around the area have provided jobs to the tribal youth. In 11 months, with a footfall of over 26 lakh national and international tourists, over a 100 youths have been working as guides at the SoU premises, with 70 more guides roped in in jungle safaris, he said. “Multiple welfare projects including pucca houses, water treatment plants, concrete roads have been undertaken to develop the villages around SoU,” he said.
(Source: Indian Express)
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