Violence

2020 Delhi riots: Court acquits three accused of rioting, arson

A Delhi court has acquitted three people accused of rioting, arson and unlawful assembly during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, saying that the prosecution failed to prove their guilt in the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh was hearing a case against Sagar, Devender Gautam and Anmol who were accused of rioting, arson, dacoity and provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act for being part of a riotous mob during the Delhi riots. In an order dated February 24, the court said, "I find that there is no evidence by which the court can arrive at a finding of guilt against the accused persons. The accused are accordingly found entitled to the benefit of doubt. All the accused are acquitted of all the charges framed against them." According to the prosecution, the three were part of a riotous mob involved in violence in Milan Garden and adjoining areas of Sonia Vihar in northeast Delhi during the communal violence on February 2

Situation under control in Nagaland's Moava village after violent clash

The situation in violence-hit Moava village in Nagaland's Chumoukedima district was under control on Saturday, with no flare-up reported amid tight security arrangements, police said. At least 26 people were injured in a clash triggered by a protracted land dispute in the village under the Medziphema sub-division on Friday. The clash broke out between villagers and members of the Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO). Moava Village Council chairman Sutminlal Vaiphei, addressing the media on Saturday, said efforts are underway to resolve the issue through dialogue. He clarified that the violence stemmed from a dispute over a specific plot of land, and there was no attempt to obstruct developmental activities. The police appealed to the public to maintain peace, refrain from spreading rumours, and cooperate with authorities to ensure harmony and prevent recurrence of such an incident.

Violence mars Bangladesh general elections as voting continues nationwide

Voting began on Thursday morning in Bangladesh's crucial general election -- the first since the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in massive nationwide protests two years ago, amid sporadic violence. The Election Commission reported that 32.88 per cent of votes had been cast across 32,000 polling centres nationwide by 12 noon during the election. The update was shared at a briefing at 12:45pm on Thursday. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voting was continuing in all centres despite isolated incidents in different parts of the country, The Dhaka Tribune reported. "So far, voting has not been suspended in any polling centre. There is no alarming situation," he told reporters. The voting started in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am (local time) and will continue until 4:30 pm. The counting of votes is expected to begin shortly after the voting concludes. Voting in one constituency has been cancelled due to the death of a candidate.

Violence erupts in Manipur's Churachandpur over Deputy CMs swearing-in

Assam Rifles officials, including the Commander of the 27 Sectors, were deployed to calm the situation, but initial attempts yielded little success

President's Rule lifted in Manipur as Y Khemchand Singh set to take oath

President's Rule was imposed after the BJP-led government headed by N Biren Singh resigned on February 9 last year, following prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities

Bombs hurled, firing reported during clash in south Kolkata; 10 held

Bombs were hurled and bullets fired during a clash between two groups here, leaving two persons injured, police said on Monday. At least 10 people were arrested in the clash that broke out in south Kolkata's Golpark area under the Rabindra Sarobar Police Station limits on Sunday night, a senior officer said. "The situation is now under control. Ten people were arrested early on Monday, and raids are underway to arrest others involved in the clash," he said. The violence broke out on Kankulia Road around 8.30 pm on Sunday when a group of youths from another area entered the locality and were confronted by locals, he said, adding that "two persons were injured in the incident". Stones were hurled from both sides, creating panic in the area, the policeman said. "Crude bombs were thrown, and at least one round of bullets was fired during the clash. Empty cartridges and splinters have been recovered from the area," the officer said. A mob later vandalised several motorcycles and made

Meitei man shot dead in Manipur's Churachandpur amid fresh rise in tensions

A man belonging to the Meitei community was shot dead after being abducted by suspected Kuki militants in Churachandpur district, in a fresh escalation of the tensions in restive Manipur. Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh was abducted from his home in the Tuibong area on Wednesday and shot dead in the vicinity of Natjang village, police said. The kidnappers are suspected to be members of the United Kuki National Army (UNKA), a non-signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. The SoO agreement was signed between the Centre, the Manipur government and dozens of Kuki-Zo militant groups. Singh, who hailed from Kakching Khunou in Kakching district, was married to Chingnu Haokip of Churachandpur and assumed a tribal name, Ginminthang. He returned to Churachandpur from Nepal on January 19, according to local sources. He was allowed to stay with his wife, a Kuki, by some local groups, they said. Kukis and Meiteis do not venture into each other's areas after the violence broke o

Violence in Guatemala kills 7 police officers after inmates take over jails

Clashes between security forces and gang members in Guatemala's capital on Sunday killed seven officers, authorities said, shortly after police in the country's southwest regained control of one of three maximum security prisons where inmates rioted and took hostages the night before. The attacks on police in and around Guatemala City came after hundreds of anti-riot police stormed Renovacion prison in Escuintla, about 76 km southwest of the capital, to free nine guards who had been taken hostage there. Jailed gang leaders often order members outside the prison walls to carry out retaliatory attacks. Gunshots rang out as riot squads swept into the facility that houses gang leaders. About 15 minutes later, an Associated Press journalist saw the freed guards being escorted from the prison. They appeared to be unharmed. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported. But over three dozen guards were still being held Sunday at two other prisons, authorities said, where inmates took ..

India's Tel Aviv Embassy advises against non-essential travel to Israel

Earlier, the MEA issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran until further notice and has asked those already in Iran to leave immediately using available commercial flights

Violence in Iran protests kills 116 as demonstrations enter third week

Nationwide protests challenging Iran's theocracy reached the two-week mark Sunday, as the death toll in violence surrounding the demonstrations reached at least 116 people killed, activists said. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency gave the new figure, saying arrests had reached more than 2,600 people as well. The agency has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest previously. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signalled a coming clampdown, despite US warnings from President Donald Trump that America could intervene to protect peaceful demonstrators. Tehran escalated its threats Saturday, with the Iran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warning that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, a death-penalty charge.

Turkman Gate violence: Delhi court sends 3 more accused to judicial custody

A Delhi court on Saturday sent three persons to 11-day judicial custody for their alleged involvement in the violence that broke out during a demolition drive near a mosque here in the Turkman Gate area. Accused of pelting stones near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque at Turkman Gate, Ubaidullah, Mohammad Naved and Mohammad Faiz were produced before Kartik Taparia, duty judicial magistrate, fast track court, who remanded them to judicial custody till January 21. "In view of submissions of IO (investigating officer) concerned and also keeping in view the fact that the allegations against the accused are serious in nature and the investigation of the case is at initial stage, the application moved by the IO concerned is allowed," the court said. With the fresh arrests, police have apprehended 16 people, including a juvenile, so far. Earlier on Friday, the court remanded eight people to a 12-day judicial custody who were arrested in the same case. An anti-encroachment drive near Faiz-e-Elahi .

Mass blackout in Iran as government severs internet services amid protests

Just after 8 pm Thursday, Iran's theocracy pulled the plug and disconnected the Islamic Republic's 85 million people from the rest of the world. Following a playbook used both in demonstrations and in war, Iran severed the internet connections and telephone lines that connect its people to the vast diaspora in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Until now, even while facing strict sanctions over the country's nuclear programme, Iranians still could access mobile phone apps and even websites blocked by the theocracy, using virtual private networks to circumvent restrictions. Thursday's decision sharply limits people from sharing images and witness accounts of the nationwide protests over Iran's ailing economy that have grown to pose the biggest challenge to the government in years. It also could provide cover for a violent crackdown after the Trump administration warned Iran's government about consequences for further deaths among demonstrators. As the country effectively goes .

Dozens feared dead as Iran faces biggest nationwide protests in years

Separate mobile-camera footage from Fardis, a city about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Tehran, showed at least seven bodies covered in blood inside a building

Syria announces ceasefire after days of clashes with Kurdish fighters

Syria's Defence Ministry announced a ceasefire on Friday after three days of clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters in the northern city of Aleppo that displaced tens of thousands of people. The statement said the ceasefire was effective at 3 am in the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid and gave armed groups six hours to leave the area. It said departing militants would be allowed to carry their personal light weapons and would be provided with an escort to the country's northeast, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib toured the contested neighbourhoods with an escort of security forces overnight. There was no immediate public response from the SDF, and it was not clear if Kurdish forces in Aleppo had agreed to the deal. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the announcement in a statement on X and extended profound gratitude to all parties the Syrian government, the Syrian Democra

Delhi Police arrests another accused in Turkman Gate stone-pelting case

Delhi Police has arrested one more accused in the Turkman Gate stone-pelting case, taking the total number of arrests so far to 12, even as security arrangements were tightened in and around the locality in view of Friday prayers, an official said. "We have arrested Mohd Imran (36). Further investigation is underway. Security will remain tightened in the area," Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan told PTI. A large number of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in sensitive pockets to maintain law and order. Senior officers were also seen supervising the arrangements on the ground. According to the police, additional forces were stationed near mosques and adjoining lanes, with pickets set up at strategic points to regulate movement and prevent any untoward incident. Drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring were also being used to keep a close watch on the area, he added. "The situation is peaceful and under control. We have made adequate security ...

Pop singer James' concert cancelled in Bangladesh after attack; 25 injured

At 10 pm, convener of the organising committee announced James's performance cancelled due to the volatile situation, following Faridpur district administration instructions

Assam's West Karbi Anglong hit by violence amid eviction protests: What’s happening?

Violence broke out in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong after protests over alleged encroachment on protected grazing land spiralled out of control. Homes were damaged, the ancestral house of a senior KAAC

Section 163 imposed in Assam's West Karbi Anglong after violent protests

Night curfew was also imposed in Karbi Anglong district with restrictions on the movement of any person or groups and private vehicles throughout the district from 5 pm to 6 am

India's Bangladesh options: Measured responses will serve New Delhi better

The growing anti-Indian movement has added an element of uncertainty to the safety of Indian economic assets too

Internet suspended in Odisha's Malkangiri after clash between 2 villages

The suspension order was issued under Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which grants the Central and State Governments broader powers