Author: thestateline

New Delhi: Responding to concerns raised by various Kashmiri migrant voter organizations regarding challenges in the form-M filing process, the Election Commission (EC) announced modifications to the voting procedures for migrant voters on Thursday. According to the order issued by the EC, all 22 polling stations (21 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur) will be linked to camps/zones, ensuring that each zone hosts at least one dedicated polling station. If multiple polling stations exist within a zone, zonal officers will delineate the intra-zonal jurisdiction of each polling station, considering factors like distance and accessibility for electors. To streamline the process, the requirement for a gazetted officer's attestation on the certificate attached to form-M has been eliminated. Instead...

Bengaluru: As the battle for Vokkaliga community support intensifies ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and JD-S state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy are locked in a fierce contest. In a significant revelation on Thursday, Shivakumar asserted that the tapping of the phone belonging to revered Vokkaliga community seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt is a matter of public knowledge. "We have documented evidence to substantiate this claim. It's a painful subject to discuss, but all relevant documents are available. However, I believe it's not the appropriate time to delve into this issue. I will address it in due course," Shivakumar stated in response to queries from the media, prompted by Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy'...

Srinagar: In a remarkable display of vigilance, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member in a village situated near the Line of Control (LoC) boundary in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, successfully foiled a cross-border narcotics smuggling attempt. The police reported on Thursday that this intervention led to the recovery of over 8 kg of suspected narcotic substance. The incident unfolded in Makri village, falling under the territorial jurisdiction of Bhawani police post of Nowshera police station. According to police reports, on the evening of April 10, a VDC member from Makri village noticed four individuals behaving suspiciously, carrying a bag. Promptly alerting fellow residents, a confrontation ensued, resulting in the apprehension of the suspects and the d...

Jaipur: Residents of Sikar, Jaipur, and Udaipur districts in Rajasthan experienced rainfall on Thursday, offering a welcome break from the sweltering heat. In response to the changing weather pattern, the Meteorological Department has issued 'Orange' and 'Yellow' alerts for moderate to heavy rains in select districts of the state on April 13 and 14. According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, the possibility of thunderstorms in western Rajasthan has been attributed to the arrival of a western disturbance system on April 13. A cyclonic circulation over Afghanistan is expected to influence northwest India from April 12 onwards. Director of IMD Jaipur, R.S. Sharma, highlighted the likelihood of dust storms and thunder squalls across Rajasthan on April 13-14. As a precautiona...