Paigaam, Chandigarh (2025)

04/11/2025

Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu's weight class has been dropped from the 2028 Olympics and she is set to bulk up to the 53kg category for the 2028 Games.

Chanu had won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 49kg. However, the lowest category for women at the 2028 LA Games is now 53kg following the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to increase the total number of weightlifting events to 12.

Chief national coach Vijay Sharma feels that bulking up to 53kg will work in Chanu's favour but said the Manipuri will continue in her old weight class till the Asian Games next year.

"This (removal of 49kg) is a good thing for Mirabai because cutting down her weight to 48kg was a taxing process," Sharma told PTI.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), in a statement late Monday, said, "Following the encouraging decision taken by the IOC to enlarge the weightlifting programme at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 – where 12 events (six men, six women) will be contested.”

This is the second time the IWF has changed the categories in less than a year.

Chanu had earlier this year shifted to the 48kg category after the IWF dropped the 49kg division form the Olympics. Though the 49kg class has now been reinstated for IWF events such as the World Championships, it will not feature in the Olympics.

Chanu had won the gold at the Commonwealth Championships and a silver medal at the World Championships in the 48kg this year.

The 31-year-old will continue to compete in the 48kg/49kg category until next year's Asian Games. After that, she will have two years to gradually move up to the 53kg division to prepare for the Olympics.

Chanu has several times spoken about the physical strain of maintaining a 48kg body weight. In a higher weight class, she will be able to add more muscle mass.

"Right now, she will continue in the same weight class till the Asian Games, after that we will begin the process of changing the weight to 53kg," Sharma added.

The women's Olympic categories now include -- 53kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, +86kg -- while the men will compete in the 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, 110kg, +110kg weight classes.

The Olympic categories are part of a slightly adjusted, new set of 16 IWF bodyweight categories.

The new categories will come into effect from August 1, 2026.

"The new categories were proposed by the IWF Technical Committee, and were provisionally approved by the IWF Executive Board in its last meeting in Forde (NOR), with the occasion of the 2025 IWF World Championships. They became official after the ratification by the IWF Athletes Commission," the IWF said.

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the women's weight categories were 49kg, 59kg, 71kg, 81kg and +81kg, while the men had competed in 61kg, 73kg, 89kg, 102kg and +102kg weight classes. PTI

04/11/2025

At least four militants, belonging to a banned outfit, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Tuesday morning, police said.

Based on inputs about the presence of armed cadres belonging to the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), an operation was launched around 5.30 am at Khanpi village under Henglep sub-division in the district, a senior officer said.

UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations pact signed between the Centre, the state government and the Kuki and Zomi militant groups.

During the operation, a fierce gunfight broke out between Army personnel and the militants, the officer said.

"At least four militants were killed during the exchange of fire while several others managed to flee the spot," the officer said, adding that the identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

A defence statement also said that in the early hours of Nov 4, terrorists resorted to unprovoked firing on the Army column during an intelligence-based operation at Khanpi village, approximately 80 km west of Churachandpur.

In the ensuing firefight between security forces and armed cadres of UKNA, a non-SOO insurgent group, "four cadres of the terrorist group were neutralised", it said.

The operation is still in progress, and a search in the adjoining areas is underway, the statement said.

04/11/2025

Three people suspected to have been involved in the brutal sexual assault on a college student were shot at and nabbed by the police, with Chief Minister M K Stalin directing the authorities to file a chargesheet within a month and ensure the culprits in the case received maximum punishment soon.

The three men--Satish alias Karuppsamy, his brother Karthi alias Kalishewaran, both from Virudhunagar district and their relative Guna alias Thavasi from Madurai district were nabbed late on November 3 when they tried to attack the police team that went in search of them, City Police Commissioner A Saravana Sundar told reporters here.

Condemning the sexual assault, CM Stalin said the tragedy that befell the young lady was inhumane. No harsh words would be adequate to condemn such heinous crimes.

“The culprits involved in the case have been traced and arrested immediately. I have ordered the police to file a chargesheet within a month and get them the maximum punishment as soon as possible,” Stalin said in a post on the social media platform ‘X.'

He further said that “the progress that our women achieve in all fields will put an end to the patriarchal mentality of such perverted animals and will lead to our transformation into a completely progressive society.”

According to Saravana Sundar, the investigators scanned about 300 CCTV footages and corroborated them with inputs received from the people and identified the exit route of the suspects, who were identified and swiftly traced at their hiding spot in Vellakinaru at around 10.40 pm of Monday.

“They attacked the police personnel, forcing the latter to use minimum force to overpower them by opening fire below the knees,” he said. A police constable was injured when the trio attacked the team.

Investigation revealed that they were related and have criminal cases including murder, theft and hurt pending against them and were attending a court case related to a murder case.

“On the night of November 2, the three robbed a two-wheeler and were travelling on the mud road near the airport when they noticed the student and her friend talking in the car,” the Commissioner said.

The trio broke the car windows with stones and inflicted cut injuries on the student's male friend before dragging her to a deserted place that had no lighting facility and committed the offence.

“There was no delay on the part of the police in responding to the SoS. Her friend made a call to the police control at 11.20 pm and the police arrived at the spot in 15 minutes. She was taken to the hospital after she emerged from the spot,” Sundar said, adding, the woman was out of danger.

The victim was being provided psychological counselling, the Commissioner said.

Satish (30) Karthi (21) and Guna (20) were labourers and had also worked in a lathe unit. Preliminary investigation revealed that the trio after robbing a two-wheeler had some alcoholic drinks and were proceeding by the airport when they noticed the couple and sexually assaulted the student.

Police also filed a gang-rape case against the three, the official said.

While one of the suspects sustained a gun shot in one leg, the other two were injured in both legs when the police opened fire, an official said. All of them have been admitted to a government medicare facility here along with the injured constable and undergoing treatment. Further investigation is on.

The sexual assault has sent shock waves across the state and sparked political outrage with various parties demanding stringent action against the culprits.

Despite being injured, the victim's friend managed to inform the police. Late in the night, the police managed to locate the victim with the help of the locals and had her admitted to a hospital. PTI

04/11/2025

Two separate courts have ordered immigration officials not to deport an Indian-origin man who spent four decades in prison before his murder conviction was overturned.

Subramanyam Vedam, 64, is currently detained at a short-term holding centre in Alexandria, Louisiana, that's equipped with an airstrip for deportations. Vedam, known as 'Subu', was transferred there from central Pennsylvania last week, relatives said.

An immigration judge stayed his deportation on Thursday until the Bureau of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his case. That could take several months.

Vedam's lawyers also got a stay the same day in the US District Court in Pennsylvania, but said that case may be on hold given the immigration court ruling.

Vedam came to the US legally from India as an infant and grew up in State College, where his father taught at Penn State. He was serving a life sentence in a friend's 1980 death before his conviction was overturned this year.

He was released from state prison on October 3, only to be taken straight into immigration custody.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking to deport Vedam over his no contest plea to charges of L*D delivery, filed when he was about 20. His lawyers argue that the four decades he wrongly spent in prison, where he earned degrees and tutored fellow inmates, should outweigh the drug case.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said on Monday that the reversal in the murder case does not negate the drug conviction.

“Having a single conviction vacated will not stop ICE's enforcement of the federal immigration law," Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said in an email.

Vedam's sister said on Monday that the family is relieved “that two different judges have agreed that Subu's deportation is unwarranted while his effort to re-open his immigration case is still pending".

“We're also hopeful that Board of Immigration Appeals will ultimately agree that Subu's deportation would represent another untenable injustice inflicted on a man who not only endured 43 years in a maximum-security prison for a crime he didn't commit, but has also lived in the US since he was 9-months-old," Saraswathi Vedam said. PTI

*DConviction

04/11/2025

Dozens of players, including former international cricketers, were stranded in a Srinagar hotel after the organisers of the Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) quietly left Kashmir late Saturday night without paying hotel bills or compensating players. The shocking incident came to light after a British umpire associated with the league spoke about the ordeal. Several former international cricketers, including Chris Gayle, were participating in the league. Sources said Gayle had already left Srinagar.

Yuva Society, based in Mohali, Punjab, had organised the tournament and booked hotel rooms for players and umpires until November 9. Even though the J&K administration and police had granted permission for the league, no one is now willing to speak following the embarrassing fiasco and sudden termination of matches. A senior officer told NDTV that an inquiry into the incident may be ordered. Police have filed an FIR against the organisers.

Sources say that when players reached Bakshi Stadium yesterday, no organiser was present. Later, it was discovered that the organisers had quietly left the Valley during the night.

This created an embarrassing situation for the players. The issue was reportedly resolved with the hotel management after an English umpire associated with the league contacted the British Embassy.

Umpire Mellissa Juniper said the organisers had fled the hotel without paying bills. It was only after she raised the issue that players were allowed to leave the hotel on Sunday.

"We have come to an agreement with the hotel management to allow the players to return home with their families. Around 40 players are in the hotel, they have not been paid, and it is not fair for them to stay away from their families," said Umpire Mellissa Juniper.

She blamed the organisers for "not paying bills to the hotel, players, umpires, and everyone else."

The matches began on October 23 but witnessed very poor attendance, which even prompted organisers to slash ticket prices to just Rs 90. Yet there were no takers, and the stadium remained almost empty.

A local player participating in the league said the organisers were misled about hosting such a major event in Kashmir and didn't anticipate the poor attendance, which badly impacted revenues.

"They had made massive arrangements for the cricket league, but it failed because of very poor attendance," he said.

Besides Chris Gayle, Jesse Ryder and Thisara Perera were among those participating in the tournament.

Ahead of the tournament, the J&K administration had also reviewed preparations for the first edition of the T20 matches. In a statement, the administration had said that around 30,000 spectators were expected at Bakshi Stadium to witness the matches.

04/11/2025

Chandigarh :- Protests against the Centre’s sweeping restructuring of Panjab University (PU) senate and syndicate spilled on to Chandigarh roads on Monday, igniting fierce dissent, debate and division across academic and political circles.

The Chandigarh unit of Punjab’s ruling AAP led a candlelight march at the Sector 17 Plaza while its councillors raised the issue in a Municipal Corporation House meeting, resulting in a ruckus before Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla of the BJP disallowed discussion, saying it did not fall under the civic body’s purview.

On the university campus, tensions escalated as students intensified their protest by shutting down Gate No. 2 and tried to gherao PU officials.

They launched an indefinite sit-in around 2 p.m., which was still continuing late into the night, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the premises.

The agitation gained momentum after Haryana Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda arrived on the campus to express solidarity with the protesting students.Punjab AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang, former SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, and Punjab BSP president Avtar Singh Karimpuri also joined the students' protest on campus.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh Congress MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, calling the university’s reconstitution “constitutionally untenable and historically flawed”.

Speaking to The Tribune, which first broke the story of the dramatic shake-up, Tewari said, “This is a legal travesty — an unconstitutional overreach into a state law. The Panjab University Act, 1947, is a state enactment. It cannot be amended through a reorganisation provision decades later.”

He vowed to raise the issue in Parliament while several former senators were already preparing a legal challenge. Tewari’s intervention came amid a growing wave of opposition to the Centre’s move.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier called it “an encroachment on Punjab’s heritage and federal spirit”.

Senior AAP leaders Harjot Singh Bains, Harpal Singh Cheema, Malvinder Singh Kang and Congress leaders Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Partap Singh Bajwa, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Pargat Singh accused the Centre of “destroying democratic traditions”.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also denounced the decision, terming it “anti-Punjab and unconstitutional”. However, academia across Panjab University and beyond continues to laud the Centre’s restructuring as a reform long overdue.

Former Vice-Chancellor KN Pathak told The Tribune, “It is a very good development for PU, long overdue and debated for 30 years.”

Arun Grover, also a former VC, said, “The Centre has filled a governance vacuum. It should be seen as relief for the Vice-Chancellor.”

Former Senator and Vice-Chancellor of Gurugram University Sanjay Kaushik called it “a thoughtful attempt to enhance efficiency and align governance with contemporary needs” while Promila Pathak, former P**A president, said, “The new structure ensures greater representation for teachers and alumni. It’s democratic and inclusive.”

Devinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dr BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat, added, “These reforms will boost the academic environment and preserve the Senate’s basic structure while ensuring more elected representation — a balanced and welcome change.”

04/11/2025

Mohali :- A Mohali court on Monday dismissed as “infructuous” an application moved by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau seeking a production warrant against suspended Ropar Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a disproportionate assets case even as the CBI called it as an “attempt to frustrate its investigation”.

The court disposed of the matter, but said the Vigilance Bureau (VB) was “at liberty to move a fresh application, as and when required”.

“As both agencies require custodial interrogation, the issue can be resolved by allowing the Vigilance Bureau to question the accused once the police remand given by the Special Court, Chandigarh, gets over and when the accused is no more required by the other agency (CBI),” said the court.

As of now, the application “is dismissed as infructuous as the circumstances have changed since the filling of the present application”, the court said in its order.

Bhullar was shown “formally arrested” by the VB in the disproportionate assets at Chandigarh’s Burail jail on October 31 at the same time when he was in the CBI’s “judicial custody”.Replying to the VB’s application, the CBI said it had already obtained Bhullar’s police custody till November 6. The CBI also maintained that the VB had taken a “contradictory stand by claiming to have arrested the accused during jail examination on October 31, despite there being no permission for the arrest”.

On November 1, the VB filed the application in the Mohali court seeking the production warrant against Bhullar.

Significantly, the CBI stated in the court that the “VB lodged a parallel FIR on identical allegations to frustrate the central agency’s ongoing investigation”.

The CBI arrested Bhullar in a Rs 8 lakh bribery case on October 16. Subsequent searches at his house and other locations led to the recovery of Rs 7.5 crore, 2.5 kg of gold jewellery, 26 luxury watches, two high-end cars, 100 litres of alcohol and documents of 50 immovable assets. Bhullar’s advocate, however, contested the recoveries by claiming that these pertained to ancestral wealth.

Over the past fortnight, four cases—under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Excise Act and two separate FIRs related to disproportionate assets (first by the CBI and then the VB)—have been registered against the DIG. The two disproportionate assets cases on identical charges have become a bone of contention between the CBI and the VB.Tags :

04/11/2025

Jammu :- J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was greeted with loud cheers as he stepped out of his vehicle and walked through Jammu’s iconic Raghunath Bazaar and adjoining markets on the first day of the reopening of Darbar in the winter capital after a gap of four years.

The biannual Darbar Move that was suspended in 2021 marks the formal opening of offices in Jammu. Omar arrived at Shaheedi Chowk around 9.15 am where he was received and felicitated by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and the Residency Road and Rajinder Bazaar associations.

Thereafter, the CM, along with Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, walked towards Raghunath Bazaar Chowk via Residency Road, meeting traders and residents, who lined the route to extend greetings on his arrival.

At Raghunath Bazaar Chowk, Omar was felicitated by the Raghunath Bazaar Association before proceeding on foot towards City Chowk, where he was received by members of the City Chowk Bazaar and Kanak Mandi Bazaar associations.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu, Arun Gupta, also accompanied the CM.Later, he was received at the Civil Secretariat, where he was presented with a guard of honour, marking the opening of offices as part of the Darbar Move. The CM inspected the ceremonial parade and interacted with officers and staff on the occasion.

Talking to the media at the Civil Secretariat, Omar said the Darbar Move was suspended for several years, but should not have been stopped on the basis of expenditure as it created economic opportunities for the people of Jammu.

“The Darbar Move also plays an important role in the unity of J&K because during the six months of the summer season, people from Jammu come to Srinagar and for the same period, people from Kashmir come to Jammu. This movement of people is beneficial for the entire J&K,” said Omar.

He said restoring the Darbar Move was a “correction” carried out by his government. “We will continue to work for J&K. We have completed one year in office and four years are still remaining. We will fulfil other promises in the coming time,” said the CM.

Following the ceremonial reception, the CM chaired a high-level meeting with the Council of Ministers and administrative secretaries to get an update on the functioning of various departments and assess the administrative preparedness following the move.

The CM underlined the challenges ahead, noting that the government was now at a crucial juncture where “actual ground delivery is expected”.

“All planning and discussion phases have been completed. It is now time to translate the decisions into tangible outcomes on the ground,” Omar said.

The CM directed all departments to focus on the timely implementation of projects already sanctioned and approved, ensuring visible progress at the grassroots level.

Acknowledging the financial constraints being faced, Omar said the matter of limited resources would be addressed. He called for a balanced approach, urging officers to “ensure effective delivery while simultaneously curbing unnecessary expenditure”.

04/11/2025

Chandigarh :- The Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved an amendment to the Deployment of Contractual Persons Policy-2022 to provide a job each on compassionate grounds to 121 families who had lost members during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

CM Nayab Singh Saini had made the announcement during the Vidhan Sabha’s monsoon session on August 25.

The CM had said that during the riots in Haryana, about 20 gurdwaras, 221 houses, 154 shops, 57 factories and 85 vehicles were set ablaze. Apart from 121 deaths, 58 persons were injured.

Under the amendment, a new clause had been inserted in the policy allowing “one unanimously identified family member of riot victims to be considered for employment through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam against a suitable job in Level-I, Level-II or Level-III categories, depending on educational qualifications and eligibility criteria”, said a government spokesperson.

04/11/2025

Amritsar :- In an emphatic victory, SAD candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami was on Monday re-elected as president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the fifth consecutive time. The election has come as a boost for the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD, especially as it comes ahead of the Tarn Taran bypoll.
Dhami bagged 117 of the 136 votes, while his opponent Mithu Singh Kahneke received 18 votes. One vote was declared invalid. The opposition camp had polled 33 votes last year.

Raghujit Singh Virk was elected as senior vice-president unopposed. Baldev Singh Kalyan and Sher Singh were also re-elected as junior vice-president and general secretary, respectively.

Surjit Singh Garhi, Surjit Singh Tugalwala, Surjit Singh Kang, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Diljeet Singh Bhindar, Baldev Singh Kaimpuri, Major Singh Dhillon, Mangwinder Singh Khaparkhedi, Jungbahadur Singh Rai, Mithu Singh Kahneke and Bibi Harjinder Kaur were elected as executive committee members.

Earlier, Dhami's call for the holding the election by raising hands was rejected. Finding that no consensus was emerging as the rival SAD breakaway faction headed by Giani Harpreet Singh had fielded Mithu Singh Kahneke, it was decided to conduct the poll.The general house passed eight resolutions spelling out its preference of work for the next year. Framing of the rules for the appointment of the Akal Takht Jathedar did not figure in the resolutions. Notably, this was a major issue only a couple of months ago when the SGPC replaced heads of the temporal seats in quick succession.

The resolutions passed included paying homage to Guru Teg Bahadar on the 350th martyrdom anniversary year. A resolution urged the Centre to announce the release of all Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs).

Slamming the Centre’s decision to abolish the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, Chandigarh, another resolution said it was a clear move to strip Punjab of its rights over the premier educational institution. It said it was "another act of injustice and violation" of the federal structure and the Punjab Reorganisation Act.

The general house session reiterated the "legitimate rights and demands" of Punjab and the Sikh community over river waters, Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas. Seeking the end of "illegal diversion" of river waters to other states, the house sought a permanent halt to all activity related to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. It also said Punjab’s participation in the Bhakra Beas Management Board must be maintained and the Centre must stop imposing unilateral decisions.

The house expressed deep concern over the recent floods in Punjab and held the AAP-run state government responsible for them.

It urged the Centre to reopen the corridor to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) and remove the passport requirement while simplifying the travel procedure.

Another resolution called upon the government to resolve the long-pending issues related to historical Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Gian Godri Sahib, Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Gurdwara Dongmar Sahib and Gurdwara Chungthang Sahib (Sikkim) and Gurdwara Baoli Mattha, Jagannath Puri (Odisha).

Condemning the mass killing of Sikhs in November 1984 in Delhi, Kanpur, Bokaro and other parts of the country, it demanded that the Centre issue an apology in Parliament and officially recognise the events as Sikh genocide.

04/11/2025

New DelhI :- Expressing shock over the scale of digital arrest incidents in which cybercriminals allegedly extorted over Rs 3,000 crore from victims, including senior citizens, the Supreme Court on Monday asserted that it will deal with such cases with an iron hand.
"It’s shocking that almost Rs 3,000 crore has been collected from the victims, including senior citizens. And this is just in our country. If we don’t pass harsh and stringent orders, the problem will magnify… We have to strengthen the hands of our agencies through judicial orders. We are determined to deal with these crimes with an iron hand," a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said.

The Bench also decided to appoint an amicus curiae to assist it in the matter.

Maintaining that it would not hesitate in issuing strong directives, if necessary, the Bench warned that unchecked digital frauds could erode public confidence in digital governance and law enforcement systems.

The top court’s comments came after it perused a sealed cover report submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the CBI."A separate unit in the MHA is coordinating and several steps are being taken," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Bench, which posted the matter for passing appropriate directions on November 10.

On October 27, the Supreme Court had asked all states and UTs to furnish details of digital arrest cases registered by them to probe such scams carried out through forged court orders and impersonation of police and judicial officers.

Taking note of the magnitude and pan-India spread of such crimes, it had hinted at a CBI probe into the matter.

The Bench had taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking case of digital arrest of an elderly couple in Ambala on the basis of forged orders of the top court and probe agencies by fraudsters to extort more than Rs 1.05 crore. It had requested Attorney General R Venkataramani to assist it in the matter.

The top court had registered a suo motu petition after a 73-year-old woman wrote to CJI BR Gavai on September 21, informing him that she and her husband were defrauded by using false and forged judicial orders.

She alleged that scamsters produced a forged court order with a stamp and the seal for arrest and surveillance of the couple between September 3 and 16 to force them to part with over Rs 1.05 crore through multiple bank transactions.

The Ambala woman said the court orders, ED order, PMLA arrest order and surveillance order were shown to her and her husband through multiple audio and video calls by people impersonating CBI, ED and judicial officers to arrest them.

Informing the Bench that more FIRs had been registered over similar crimes, the Haryana Government counsel sought time to file details about the same.

In its October 17 order, the top court had noted that “the forgery of documents and the brazen criminal misuse of the name, seal and judicial authority of this court or a high court is a matter of grave concern.

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