Uttarakhand

Forest fire rages on in Uttarakhand's Chamoli; aerial survey intensified

Efforts to extinguish the forest fire raging for the past five days in the Nanda Devi Wildlife Forest Division in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were intensified on Wednesday, with the affected area surveyed by a helicopter, an official said. Sarvesh Dubey, Divisional Forest Officer of the Badrinath Forest Division, who is overseeing fire control operations, however, clarified that the option of using helicopters to drop water on the fire would not be adopted. Dubey said the helicopter was used only for aerial survey. Water bombing was not practical as the aircraft would have to travel to Tehri Lake to refill and would be able to drop only about 1,200 litres of water in an hour. He said a team of officers and employees of the forest division has reached the fire site in the Pulna and Bhyundar areas of the Pushpavati Valley under the Govindghat Forest Range, and efforts are being made to douse the flames. It may take at least two days to completely bring the fire under control, he .

Resolve all land disputes in Uttarakhand within month: CM to officials

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday directed officials to resolve all land disputes in the state within a month, asserting that such matters must be brought to a "zero level" through an intensive campaign. The chief minister instructed Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan and Director General of Police Deepam Seth to ensure that pending cases in every district are settled within the 30-day deadline to provide relief to the public. Dhami noted that land disputes directly affect the lives of ordinary citizens and can lead to problems in law and order and social harmony. He said the government's priority is to ensure a swift, transparent and equitable resolution to these matters. The chief minister directed officials to pay special attention to sensitive cases and warned against any negligence during the campaign. To ensure targets are met within the stipulated timeframe, Dhami asked the chief secretary to review the progress of the campaign every week. This regular monitoring wi

Ankita Bhandari murder case: Security tightened ahead of Uttarakhand bandh

Garhwal Range Inspector General of Police Rajiv Swaroop stressed that additional police personnel have been deployed in markets and sensitive areas to ensure citizens are not inconvenienced

Uttarakhand Police tops ICJS 2.0 rankings, SDRF praised for Mahakumbh role

Sunil Kumar Meena, Inspector General of Police (Crime and Law & Order), Uttarakhand, and Chief Spokesperson of the Police Headquarters, has highlighted two major achievements of the Uttarakhand Police--securing first position in the ICJS (Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System) 2.0 national ranking and the exemplary performance of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) during Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025.IG Meena said on Wednesday that Uttarakhand Police has once again established its leadership in digital policing and modernisation of the criminal justice system. As per the monthly CCTNS/ICJS Progress Dashboard Report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Uttarakhand ranked first in the country, reflecting the force's technological efficiency, swift adoption of new digital systems, and coordinated implementation across districts.He informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has set a target to fully operationalise ICJS 2.0 by 2026, integrating police, .

SC asks Uttarakhand govt to disclose illegal constructions on forest land

Observing that the authorities have indulged in "persistent negligence", the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttarakhand government to file a comprehensive report, including the site plan, disclosing approximate details of illegal constructions which have come up on the forest land in the state. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on December 22 expressed serious concern over the alleged large-scale and systematic grabbing of forest land in Uttarakhand and proposed to expand the scope of proceedings suo motu to examine, what it termed, a shocking failure of the state machinery to protect the forest land. The bench said the state authorities, apparently in collusion with land-grabbers, first allowed the encroachment of government land and then, in the garb of court orders, wanted to come clean. The CJI said that the state authorities have been persistently and consistently negligent in the case and "it appears to be a case of collusion and connivance wit

Seven killed, 12 injured as bus falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora

Seven people were killed and about 12 injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district, police said on Tuesday. The accident occurred in the Bhikiyasain area when the bus was en route to Ramnagar in Nainital from Dwarahat in Almora, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Devendra Pincha said. According to the SSP, 18 to 19 passengers were on board when the driver lost control of the vehicle, and it fell into a gorge, six kilometres ahead of Bhikiyasain. Upon receiving information about the accident, the police, along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, reached the spot and launched rescue and relief operations, he said. Six people died on the spot in the accident, while another succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital, the officer added. SSP Pincha said 12 people, including the driver, were injured in the accident and rescued from the gorge. The injured were admitted to the hospital. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the

No evidence of racial slur in Tripura student murder probe: Dehradun SSP

This comes after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) issued notices to executive authorities in Uttarakhand seeking a detailed action-taken report within three days

Tripura student killing: NHRC issues notice to DM, SSP of Dehradun

The NHRC has sent a notice to the Dehradun district magistrate and the SSP over the allegedly racially charged killing of a student from Tripura in the Uttarakhand capital. The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Dehradun authorities to investigate the allegations and has sought an action taken report within seven days. The commission has asked for a copy of the case proceedings to be sent to the Uttarakhand chief secretary and the director general of police. "Additionally, the authorities are directed to ensure safety of the students of North Eastern region in the entire state," it says. Anjel Chakma, 24, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was allegedly attacked by some youngsters with a knife and a bracelet on December 9. He died on December 26, after being in a hospital for 17 days. His father, a BSF jawan currently posted in Tangjeng in Manipur, alleged that his son was "brutally attacked" when he tried to defend his brother, who was ca

Tripura student's killing in Dehradun a 'horrific hate crime': Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday called the killing of a Tripura student in Uttarakhand's Dehradun a "horrific hate crime", as he accused the ruling BJP of "normalising" hate. Twenty-four-year-old Angel Chakma from Nandannagar in the West Tripura district was attacked by a group of six people when he objected to an alleged racial slur on December 9 in Dehradun. He succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment on December 26. In a post on X, Gandhi said hate does not appear overnight. "What happened to Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael in Dehradun is a horrific hate crime," he said. "Hate doesn't appear overnight. For years now, it is being fed daily -- especially to our youth -- through toxic content and irresponsible narratives. And it's being normalised by the hate-spewing leadership of the ruling BJP," he said. The Leader of Opposition said India is built on respect and unity, not fear and abuse. "We are a country of love and diversity. We mus

Speak up against hate crimes: Sibal slams Shah on Tripura student killing

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday lashed out at the government over the killing of a Tripura student in Dehradun in an alleged racist attack and urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to speak up against hate crimes. The Independent Rajya Sabha MP said the incident was a shocking display of a hate crime, bigotry and the "silence of leaders in government who by their inaction are complicit". According to police, 24-year-old Angel Chakma, a resident of Unakoti district of Tripura, and his younger brother Michael had an argument with Suraj Khawas (22), a resident of Manipur currently living in Dehradun, and his five friends in Selakui market on December 9. The accused allegedly attacked Chakma with knives and brass knuckles, and the 24-year-old succumbed to injuries at the hospital on December 26. Angel's father, Tarun Chakma, who is posted in Manipur with the Border Security Force, alleged that "racial slurs" were hurled at his son by the accused, who called him "Chinese". In a post

Ankita Bhandari murder case: Police register 2 FIRs over fresh allegations

The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday said it had filed two FIRs and was probing the allegations made in a video that emerged on social media in connection with the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Dr V Murugesan said, "Based on the facts that emerge during the investigation, legal and effective action will be taken." Dr Murugesan appealed to the general public to come up with evidence, if they have any, that may be related to the murder. The officer called the receptionist's murder an "extremely unfortunate and sensitive incident." Murugesan said that, after the killing, the state government immediately constituted a Special Investigation Team under a female IPS officer, which promptly arrested all the accused and ensured that they did not get bail. He said that during the investigation and the trial, petitions were filed in the high court and the Supreme Court requesting that the investigation of this case be handed over to the

Uttarakhand CM Dhami transfers ₹12 crore to 4,224 beneficiaries via DBT

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the state government is continuously resolving issues faced by workers and implementing several welfare schemes for workers and their dependents

Op Kalnemi: 19 Bangladeshis among 511 arrested from 3 Uttarakhand districts

A total of 511 people, including 19 Bangladeshis, have been arrested in three districts of Uttarakhand under Operation Kalnemi' so far, officials said on Friday. Operation Kalnemi is a statewide campaign launched by the Uttarakhand government in July 2025 to identify, crack down on, and arrest individuals indulging in illegal activities such as hypocrisy and fraud under the guise of religion and faith. According to a government statement, more than 4,800 people have been verified in Haridwar, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar districts under the drive, of whom 511 have been arrested. Those arrested included 19 Bangladeshis illegally residing in the state, of whom 10 have been sent back to the neighbouring country, while action is underway against the other nine, the statement said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the campaign is not against any particular community, but is aimed at protecting law and order and the dignity of Devbhoomi'. Dhami also clarified that while faith w

Uttarakhand govt sitting like mute spectator: SC on grabbing of forest land

The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Uttarakhand government over the grabbing of forest land, observing that the state government and its authorities were sitting like "mute spectators", and initiated a suo motu case. A vacation bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the chief secretary of Uttarakhand to form an inquiry committee and submit a report. "What is shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Thus we initiate a suo motu case. "Chief secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal conservation secretary is instructed to form a fact finding committee and submit a report. Private parties are stopped from creating any third party rights and no construction shall take place," the bench said. The top court said vacant land, other than residential houses, shall be taken in possession by the forest department. It posted the matter for hearing o

Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Army

After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army. The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer. Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade. A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade. The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO

Why build more hotels when Uttarakhand could become India's skills engine

Why building educational institutions is a better path to promoting Uttarakhand than relying on unplanned tourism that is degrading its environment

Four months after Dharali disaster, 147 bodies still buried: Colonel

BJP leader Colonel (retired) Ajay Kothiyal has expressed regret that even four months after the cloudburst in Dharali of Uttarkashi district, the bodies of 147 people buried under the debris could not be recovered. "If the Army rescued seven out of 10 soldiers buried under the debris in Harshil, then why can't we rescue the 147 people buried in Dharali?" he asked, while participating in a discussion at the 'World Summit on Disaster Management' organised in Dehradun by Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology two days ago. Kothiyal alleged that nearly four months after the natural calamity, Dharali is still in tatters. Instead of finding proper ways for rehabilitation of the people there, disaster management officials, geologists, scientists and environmental experts are finding excuses to avoid the challenges, he alleged. On August 5 this year, a massive cloudburst over Dharali village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand resulted in devastating floods and mudslides, .

5 killed as bus falls into gorge in Tehri, rescue operations underway

Five passengers were killed after a bus fell into a ravine in the Narendranagar area of ??Tehri district on Monday. According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the accident occurred near Kunjapuri-Hindolakhal after the bus lost control and fell into a 70-metre-deep ravine. Five SDRF teams reached the spot upon receiving the information and a rescue operation was launched. Five passengers have been initially confirmed dead on the spot, SDRF officials said, adding that the injured are being rescued from the ravine and taken to the nearest hospital. An official said there were 28 passengers on board the bus.

Uttarakhand's Almora on alert after 20 kg explosives found near schools

The recovery near two Almora schools comes days after a massive explosives haul in Haryana linked to the Red Fort blast probe, prompting a coordinated search by police, PAC and forensic teams

U'khand govt defer fitness fee hike for old commercial vehicles to Nov 2026

In a relief to vehicle owners in the state, the Uttarakhand government has postponed levying the hiked fitness test fee for 15-year-old commercial vehicles until November 21, 2026. A notification to this effect was issued by the state's Transport Secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant on Friday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the central government recently increased the fitness fees for 15-year-old commercial vehicles by up to 10 times, but considering public sentiment in the state, the state government has decided not to impose this immediate burden on vehicle owners in Uttarakhand. "Our government's commitment is to provide relief to the public and take prompt decisions in the public interest. The recent increase in fitness fees for commercial vehicles by the Central Government has been postponed for one year in Uttarakhand," the CM said. "During this period, the previously determined fees will remain in effect. We do not want vehicle owners and those involved in the ...