Force Motors Ltd on Thursday said it has bagged an order for the supply of 2,429 units of ambulances to the Medical Health and Family Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh. In a regulatory filing, the company said the order is for supply of 2,429 units of BS-VI diesel ambulance to the department. The order is to be executed between December 2024 and March 2025, it said without disclosing the value of the order. The company in a statement later said that the UP-Government Health Department's decision to procure 2429 ambulances from Force Motors underscores the state's commitment to strengthening its healthcare infrastructure. These vehicles will play a pivotal role in enhancing emergency response capabilities and ensuring timely medical assistance for millions of residents across urban and rural areas, the company said. These vehicles are available in multiple configurations, including patient transport, basic life support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), and mobile medical unit (MMU
Frigid winds and moderate to dense fog will maintain a biting chill in Delhi, according to weather forecasts
Following the shocking incident of a man killing his mother and four sisters in a Lucknow hotel room and then shooting a chilling video on Wednesday, his neighbours in Agra claimed the family was living in the locality for 10-15 years but was reclusive. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Islam Nagar neighbourhood in Tehri Baghia area of Kuberapur in Agra. The 24-year-old Mohammad Arshad from Agra took his mother and four sisters to the hotel room in Lucknow and allegedly killed them by slitting their throats and wrists, after which he recorded the video to say he did it because of "helplessness and despair" following "unimaginable atrocities" by people of his locality. Alim Khan, a neighbour, claimed Mohammad Badr and his son Arshad lived here for 10-15 years. Khan further claimed that he loaned the family some money earlier to construct a part of their house, and that's when they moved in. "But after that, they kept to themselves." Fatima Begum, another neighbour, said
Five members of a family were found murdered inside a hotel here early on Wednesday, police said. The accused has been arrested, a senior police officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central Lucknow, Raveena Tyagi, said the incident took place at Hotel Sharanjit in Naka area of the state capital. "The accused, identified as Arshad (24), allegedly killed five members of his own family. Following the gruesome act, the local police promptly apprehended the accused from the crime scene," Tyagi said. The deceased have been identified as Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16) and Rahmeen (18) -- all sisters of Arshad. The fifth is Asma, the mother of the accused, according to police. The DCP said Arshad, 24, is a native of Agra, adding the preliminary inquiry has revealed that he took the step because of domestic disputes. The forensic teams have been deployed at the crime spot to collect evidence while a detailed probe has been launched into the matter, she said. "Inquiry is a
After the consecration ('Pran Pratishtha') of the Ram temple at Ayodhya on January 24, numerous temple-mosque disputes mushroomed in Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2024. They culminated in Sambhal where four lives were lost after a court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid which Hindu groups claimed was the site of an ancient temple. Here is a brief recap of religious disputes that surfaced this year in UP: SAMBHAL: Sambhal has been in the eye of the storm since November 19, when a Mughal-era mosque was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence erupted during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near the Shahi Jama Masjid and clashed with security personnel. Four people were killed and several injured in the violence. BUDAUN: A Hindu outfit has moved a local court seeking permission to offer prayers at the Jama Masjid Shamsi, claiming it to be a temple. The court asked the Muslim side on Tuesday to conclude their
The Congress' Uttar Pradesh president Ajay Rai wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, drawing his attention to the "open sale of intoxicants" and demanding strict action so that future generations can be saved from addiction. Rai said incidents of open sale and use of drugs and other intoxicants had been seen in the state's urban and remote rural areas in the past few years. Calling it "very shameful for any civilised society", he said such incidents pointed towards an administrative failure. "The youth and poor section of the state are becoming its biggest victims." The youth, who have to be part of the state's development, are ruining their and the state's future by falling into the grip of drugs, Rai said in the letter. "The poor section, which is somehow feeding their family in this period of inflation by working as labourers and toiling all day, is also ruining their family by falling into the grip of drug abuse," he added. The situation is such that the common pe
As 2024 draws to a close, the entire state machinery in Uttar Pradesh has converged upon Sangam, the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river in Prayagraj, racing against time to finalise the preparations for the Maha Kumbh beginning January 13. For the past two months, an army of workers has been diligently channeling the rivers, widening roads, and leveling the ghats to transform the region in anticipation of one of the largest religious events in the world. Speaking during his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' programme on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mega event it as the "Maha Kumbh of unity", as he urged people to return from the grand congregation with the resolve to banish hate and division from the society. "Maha Kumbh ka sandesh, ek ho pura desh (Message from Maha Kumbh -- entire country should unite), the prime minister said, adding that Maha Kumbh's speciality lies not just in its vastness, but also in its diversity. Held every 12 .
A seven-tier security circle has been established to ensure the safety of more than 40 crore people expected to visit Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, the Uttar Pradesh government has said. The local authorities have set up temporary police stations and checkpoints in both urban and rural areas, as well as near railway stations, bus terminals, airports, and other key routes. The security will be further bolstered by the deployment of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, National Disaster Response Force, Central Armed Police Forces, BDD, and AS Check teams. Units will be kept in reserve for the city and rural areas, the UP government said in a statement on Sunday. Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba said 13 temporary police stations and 23 checkpoints are being established for a reinforced security, which will take the number of stations up from 44 to 57. Around 10,000 police personnel will be stationed across urban and rural areas of Prayagraj. The Prayagraj Police Commissionerat
A Madhya Pradesh Police delegation undertook a two-day visit to Prayagraj to study its Uttar Pradesh counterparts' security and crowd control measures for the Maha Kumbh as part of its preparations for the 2028 Kumbh in Ujjain. A delegation of senior Madhya Pradesh Police officials held meetings with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh to gain insight into various aspects of the security arrangements, including the use of AI, mechanisms to counter cybercrime, and crowd management systems. The delegation, which arrived on Friday, also toured key locations in the Kumbh Mela area to observe and understand the preparations at the ground level. Tarun Kaushik, a deputy inspector general in the Madhya Pradesh Police's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), praised the Uttar Pradesh Police model and said it should be adopted by forces in other states. The Madhya Pradesh Police will coordinate with the Uttar Pradesh Police during the 2028 Kumbh in Ujjain, he said. Kaushik also praised the Uttar Pradesh
Akhilesh spoke on several pressing issues in Uttar Pradesh, including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), preparations for the Kumbh Mela, and concerns about the state of farmers
In a first, "underwater drones" capable of diving up to 100 meters will be deployed during the upcoming Maha Kumbh to provide round-the-clock surveillance at Sangam area in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the Culture Ministry said on Sunday. Besides, renovation of 92 roads and construction of 30 pontoon bridges and installation of 800 multilingual signages are being undertaken there to facilitate the pilgrims and other visitors showcasing India's culture and diversity. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Uttar Pradesh government is making "extensive preparations to ensure that Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is a grand, safe and spiritually enriching event", the ministry said. Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day festival from January 13 to February 26 will showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. The Culture Ministry shared details on the preparations underway and the civic amenities and security arrangements t
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stressed the importance of maintaining quality and adhering to deadlines in the construction of police lines, transit hostels, and training institutions under the home department. Chairing a meeting at his official residence on Thursday, the chief minister directed that these projects be reviewed regularly at various administrative levels to ensure progress, according to an official statement. Adityanath emphasised that a secretary-level official from the home department should conduct weekly reviews, while the additional chief secretary should conduct fortnightly reviews. He added that monitoring responsibilities should also extend to district, range, and zonal police officers. Highlighting accountability, the chief minister ordered a monthly third-party audit by technical institutes for all projects exceeding Rs 50 crore. This audit should include on-site verification and photographic evidence submitted alongside the report, the ..
The Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday said that the law and order situation has improved in the state but there was still time before it could be termed as "100 per cent safe for women". She said that she hoped a day would come when women would debate in the Parliament while their husbands would wait for them at home after preparing a meal. "We must check within our families if we are ready to give rights to women. In Panchayats, despite women becoming gram pradhans, the decisions are still being made by the men in their families," the governor said. "During functions, I always ensure that women pradhans sit on their designated seats. There are many women pradhans who are aware and are taking decisions independently, the Governor said during an interaction with reporters at the Lucknow Raj Bhavan on Thursday. The Governor's remarks came in response to a query if the society and political parties were willing to change their approach towards women especially after t
The official website has released the UP DElEd State Merit Rank 2024 for 3,25,769 applicants. Training institute selection can be availed by paying Rs 5000 between December 26 and January 12
Various rituals will be held at various locations inside the temple to commemorate the consecration
The Akhada Parishad hit out at Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for trying to instigate division between communities after he allegedly issued a threat to target the Maha Kumbh in a video. Following the death of three Khalistani Zindabad Force militants in an encounter with the UP and Punjab police in Pilibhit on Monday, a video threatening to disrupt the key bathing dates of the Magh Mela on -- January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami) -- surfaced on social media, with the voice in the video being attributed to Khalistan supporter Pannu. Pannu is the chief of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice and has been designated a terrorist by the Indian government. Addressing the media in Mahakumbh Nagar, Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, said, "If this person named Pannu dares to enter our Maha Kumbh, he will be beaten and driven out. We have seen hundreds of such lunatics." "This is the Ma
As Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is set to witness a massive influx of pilgrims, tourists, VIP and VVIP dignitaries from across the globe, the Prayagraj Mela Authority has made extensive preparations, including accommodation and protocol arrangements, to ensure a seamless experience, officials said here on Wednesday. The grand event will span 45 days, from Paush Purnima on January 13 to Mahashivratri on February 26. It will feature special measures for dignitaries. A 247 control room has been established, with dedicated officers and personnel. For protocol management, the government has deployed three additional district magistrates (ADMs), as many sub-district magistrates (SDMs) and naib tehsildars, and four revenue officials, they said. Deputy collector-level officers will serve as sector magistrates across 25 sectors to oversee arrangements. These efforts aim to provide a smooth and enriching experience for all dignitaries attending this iconic event. To ensure seamless protocol ...
The social media clip purportedly features a man making inflammatory remarks against Hinduism and political figures while threatening acts of terror during key dates of the upcoming Maha Kumbh
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday alleged that opposition parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party used Ambedkar's ideals solely for votebank politics. The Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have announced protests on Tuesday against Union Minister Amit Shah's "derogatory" remarks on Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha. In a post on X, Maurya said, "Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar dedicated his life for the rights of Dalits, the backward and the deprived but the SP (Samajwadi Party), Congress and the BSP used his ideas only for votebank politics." "The SP's silence on the murder of a Dalit daughter in Karhal and breaking of Ambedkar's statue (in Maharashtra), the BSP's frequent change of stance and the Congress' crocodile tears expose their real character," he added in Hindi. Maurya further said that those who were "twisting" Shah's remarks and enacting a drama should first look into their own ...
The survey report of the Shahi Jama Masjid is almost complete and will be submitted in the court in January, 2025, the court-appointed commissioner recently said. Advocate Ramesh Singh Raghav, who was appointed as the court commissioner in the matter, on December 23 said the report would be either filed on January 2 or January 3. "The survey report of Shahi Jama Masjid is almost in the final stage and complete. There are some technical issues, which will be adjusted today. As it is the last working day of the court after which it will close. As far as the survey report is concerned, it will be filed on January 2 or 3. There is a stay order of the Supreme Court to the trial court not to take any action till January 6 hence the survey report will be filed before this date," Raghav told media persons. On November 19, the court passed an ex-parte order for the mosque's survey by an advocate commissioner after taking note of the plea of the Hindu side claiming the mosque was built by ...