News updates: For people's sake, I am ready to resign, says Mamata amid stand-off with doctors

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3:44 PM

Row over PM Modi attending Ganpati Puja celebrations at CJI's residence: BJP slams opposition

With a row erupting over Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's residence, the BJP and it's ally hit out at the opposition parties on Thursday, calling their reactions "reckless" and said casting "baseless aspersions" on the highest court sets a dangerous precedent. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Lok Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back at the opposition and asked if the then Chief Justice of India (CJI) did not attend the Iftar party hosted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

3:41 PM

PM Modi meets Paralympic medallists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's trailblazing Paralympians at his residence on Thursday to congratulate them for their record-smashing haul of 29 medals at the recently-concluded Paris Games. In a 43-second video shared by the sports ministry, the PM can be seen congratulating the medal winners before an interaction with them. Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) head Devendra Jhajharia were also present during this interaction.

3:30 PM

Rahul, Priyanka slam BJP over MP incident in which Army officers attacked, friend raped

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP over the attack on two Army officers and rape of one of their two women friends in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that law and order in states ruled by the party is almost "non existent". The former Congress chief said the negative attitude of the BJP government towards increasing crimes against women is "extremely worrying".

3:05 PM

Bengal chief secretary sends fresh letter to agitating doctors, calls for meeting at 5 pm

Bengal chief secretary restricts doctors' delegation to 15 people in fresh letter, confirms CM's presence at proposed talks. 

2:43 PM

Unattended bag at RG Kar hospital triggers panic

An unattended bag at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital here triggered panic, following which a bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot. According to TV visuals, the bomb disposal squad along with sniffer dogs were investigating the site, the place where the junior doctors have been protesting since August 9. Presently, the spot is vacant as the medics are protesting outside Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake. According to police sources, no evidence of any incriminating objects has been recovered yet.

2:15 PM

7 persons killed in wall collapse due to heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh's Datia town

Seven persons were killed when an old wall adjacent to a house collapsed on Thursday due to heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh's Datia town, an official said.

The incident took place at around 4 am in Khalkapura area. The wall situated adjacent to a house fell over it, trapping nine persons under the debris. Seven persons were killed and two others rescued, Datia Collector Sandeep Makin said.

2:05 PM

CM warns ruthless action against those trying to create divide on religious grounds

 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the violence during a Ganesh idol immersion procession at Nagamangala in Mandya district is an act of miscreants which threatens the peace and tranquility of the society. Siddaramaiah said the government has taken the clashes between two groups in the town on Wednesday night seriously.

2:03 PM

Trumpeted 100-day agenda before polls but after 95 days, govt 'vacillating': Kharge targets PM Modi

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that he had "loudly trumpeted" a 100-day agenda before the polls but the country is "suffering the terrible consequences" of his "inactions" in 95 days of his coalition government.

1:52 PM

Russia raises LPG rail exports to China by 40% in Jan-Aug, shows data

Russian exports of liquefied petroleum gas to China by rail jumped by almost 40 per cent year on year in the January to August period to 184,000 metric tonnes, Reuters calculations based on industry sources and data showed on Thursday. Traders also said that Russian LPG rail supplies to China in July and August returned to monthly average levels of around 25,000 tonnes following a slump in May and June due to restrictions imposed by Russian Railways to tackle bottlenecks.

1:47 PM

Three militants killed in clash with security forces in northwest Pakistan

At least three militants were killed and 11 others injured during a clash that erupted after a convoy of security forces was attacked on their way back from an operation in restive northwest Pakistan on Thursday.

1:44 PM

Jain Irrigation inks pact with Sher-e-Kashmir varsity to offer agri-tech solutions in J&K

Jain Irrigation Systems on Thursday said it has tied up with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Kashmir) to offer smart and technology-driven solutions to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.

1:43 PM

Chandigarh explosion: Police announce Rs 2 lakh reward for information on suspects

The Chandigarh Police has announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of the two suspects involved in the low-intensity explosion at a house in the upscale Sector 10 area here, officials said on Thursday.

1:41 PM

Delhi HC asks Puja Khedkar to respond to UPSC's plea seeking perjury proceedings against her

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought former probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar's response on a plea by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) seeking initiation of perjury proceedings against her for allegedly giving false statement and affidavit in the court.

1:31 PM

Over 38,000 idols immersed in Mumbai on 5th day of Ganesh Chaturthi

No untoward incident was reported anywhere during the immersion, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.The 10-day festival began with the Ganesh Chaturthi on September 7. Of the 38,717 idols immersed in the sea and artificial ponds in the city from Wednesday till 6 am on Thursday, 37,569 were from households and 1,095 belonged to sarvajanik mandals' (community groups), BMC officials said.

1:29 PM

Kolkata murder-rape incident : Medicos set fresh demands, government remains firm

Doctors, who are demanding justice for the rape and murder of a colleague from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, have set new conditions for talks with the state government, prolonging the impasse. In addition to their five initial demands, the doctors are now calling for the resignation of senior health officials, including the Principal Secretary of Health and the Director of Medical Education. Read here for more details.