Kozhikode (Kerala) [India], March 3 (ANI): The Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPM) leaders PA Mohamed Riyas, TV Rajesh and KK Dinesh were remanded for 14 days by a Kozhikode court in connection with a case for protesting against Air India for cancellation of flights and increase in airfares.
Riyas is the son-in-law of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He is the national president of the party’s youth wing — the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
Rajesh is a two-time legislator from Kannur district. He had launched the protest against Air India in 2009.
KK Dinesh is a DYFI leader.
The case was registered against the CPM leaders in 2009 for protesting against Air India in Kozhikode.
The leaders had obtained bail in the case and after the expiry of the bail period, they approached the court again for bail. However, the court remanded them.
Notably, at the time of protest TV Rajesh was the state secretary of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Muhammad Riyas was the organisation’s state joint secretary. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 3 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation of the case of Hidayatullah Malik, chief of Lashkar-e-Mustafa terror organisation, who was planning a major attack in Jammu city.
He was arrested on February 6.
The NIA on Tuesday registered a case relating to the conspiracy by frontal running terror organization Lashkar-e-Mustafa working at the behest of proscribed terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed to carry out terrorist activities in the Jammu area with the aim of threatening the sovereignty, integrity and security of India.
The case was initially registered at Gangyal Police station, District Jammu on February 6 under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). NIA has re-registered the case and has taken over the investigation.
During searches conducted, one hand grenade, 3 magazines and 28 rounds with other incriminating material were recovered from the possession of Hidayatullah Malik, NIA said in a statement.
“Malik had done reconnaissance of many security installations in Jammu and Delhi in 2018 and 2019 for carrying out terror attacks. He has been associated with other terror groups in past and has furthered subversive and terror activities in Kashmir valley. The terror group had also committed a daylight bank robbery in which Rs 60 lakh were looted from JK Bank, Main Branch Shopian in November 2020,” NIA said.
Further investigation is underway, NIA said. (ANI)

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 3 (ANI): Vehicular movement has been suspended on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to a landslide at Shabanbas Banihal which occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday.
“Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is blocked since 3 am today due to a landslide at Shabanbas Banihal. One oil tanker is stuck at the site and the restoration work is underway,” informed the Disaster Management Authority, Jammu and Kashmir Government.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a fresh feeble Western Disturbance as a cyclonic circulation lies over Jammu and Kashmir and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels.
“Under its influence, isolated rainfall and snowfall over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on March 3 and 4,” IMD said.
The weather forecasting agency also predicted isolated thunderstorm over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 3 (ANI): On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid emphasis on the protection of forests and safe habitats for animals and also extended gratitude to those working towards wildlife protection.
Taking to Twitter, he highlighted that India is seeing a steady rise in the population of various animals.
“On #WorldWildlifeDay, I salute all those working towards wildlife protection. Be it lions, tigers and leopards, India is seeing a steady rise in the population of various animals. We should do everything possible to ensure protection of our forests and safe habitats for animals,” PM Modi tweeted.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the Narendra Modi government is working on the reintroduction of Cheetah, which went extinct in 1952.
“India has thriving wildlife and biodiversity. 70 per cent of Global Tiger population. 70 per cent of Asiatic Lions. 60 per cent of Leopard population. The Narendra Modi govt is working on reintroduction of Cheetah, which went extinct in 1952….this Big Cat will be a reality soon. #WorldWildlifeDay,” he said. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 3 (ANI): The counting of votes for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-polls began on Wednesday morning and as per early trends, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates are leading in four wards — Shalimar Bagh North, Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri and Rohini- C. The Congress candidate is leading in Chauhan Bangar.
As per the trends at 9:45 am, AAP is leading by 6,227 votes in Kalyanpuri ward (after 7 rounds), by 3,791 votes in Trilokpuri ward (after 6 rounds), by 1,759 votes in Shalimar Bagh North ward (after 6 rounds) and by 2,157 votes in Rohini C ward (after 8 rounds)
Congress is leading by 8,323 votes in Chauhan Bangar ward after 7 rounds of counting.
The Counting of votes is underway amid heavy security provided by Delhi police at the counting centers.
In the first election in the national capital held during the COVID-19 pandemic, around 50.86 per cent voter turnout was registered during the MCD by-polls in five wards on Sunday.
The MCD by-polls were held in five wards -Ward No 32N, (Rohini-C), Ward No 62N, (Shalimar Bagh North) in North Delhi and Ward No 02-E (Trilokpuri), Ward No 08-E (Kalyanpuri) and Ward No 41-E (Chauhan Bangar) in East Delhi.
Polling was conducted at 327 polling stations while adhering to COVID-19 protocols and 26 candidates from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, AAP and other parties were in the fray. (ANI)

Patna (Bihar) [India], March 3 (ANI): Bihar Police conducted simultaneous raids at various jails across the state in the presence of local administration, police sources said on Wednesday.
During the raid at Chhapra jail, police recovered three mobile phones, three SIM cards and packets of tobacco.
“No objectionable items were, however, found inside the jail premises. The raids were part of the routine investigation to find out about illegal activities inside the jail premise,” said Chhapra SP Santosh Kumar.
“We started raid at around 5:30 am in the morning and it was conducted for three hours in every ward of the jail,” the Chhapra SP added.
Further details are awaited. (ANI)