Nation news in brief

NIA arrests two for providing LeT terrorist logistic help

New Delhi, Sep. 19 (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said that it has arrested two persons in Jammu and Kashmir for providing logistic support to Pakistani Laskar-e-Taiba terrorist Bahadur Ali, who was captured in the state on July 25. The arrested have been identified as Zahoor Ahmed Peer and Nazir Ahmed Peer, both residents of Kupwara district in the state. On July 25, the NIA had arrested Ali from Handwara, and recovered arms and ammunition as well as a large quantity of incriminating material from him. The counter-terror probe agency said that it will seek transit remand of the accused and will bring them to Delhi for further questioning.

Tata Steel, TERI launches ‘Green School Project’ in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Sep. 19 (IANS): Tata Steel has in association with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched an initiative to create awareness about environment issues in school campuses in Odisha’s Jajpur district, an official said on Tuesday. On Monday, they started the first series of workshops for the students at their Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) in Jajpur under the “Green School Project”. The workshop will run till September 23 in all identified schools across raw material locations of Tata Steel. Speaking on the occasion, M.C. Thomas, Tata Steel’s executive-in-charge, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, said the project promotes environmental stewardship in identified schools through classroom and outdoor activities to improve critical, interdisciplinary and holistic thinking. The overall objective is to create awareness among the students on climate change and how sustainable lifestyle can help mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, he added. The “Green School Project” was launched in April this year in schools across the operational sites of Tata Steel in Odisha and Jharkhand.

High Court to hear petition against disqualification of 18 MLAs

Chennai, Sep. 19 (IANS): The Madras High Court is expected to hear on Wednesday the petition of 18 legislators disqualified under the anti-defection law by Tamil Nadu Speaker P. Dhanapal. When the counsel for the disqualified lawmakers P.S. Raman mentioned the issue on Tuesday, Justice M. Duraiswami agreed to hear the matter and asked the him to file the petition. On Monday, Dhanapal disqualified the legislators owing allegiance to the sidelined party Deputy General Secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran for giving a representation to Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao seeking a change of Chief Minister. On Wednesday, the Madras High Court will also hear an earlier petition filed by one of the disqualified legislators, P. Vetrivel. He approached the court apprehending disqualification.

Briton among three charge-sheeted in narcotics case

Panaji, Sep. 19 (IANS): A British national and two others have been charge-sheeted by Goa Police Anti-Narcotics Cell in a case of involvement in narcotics trade in the coastal state, police said on Tuesday. David Johnson from the United Kingdom, Yousuf Mohamed from Chennai and Ganesh Pundir from Himachal Pradesh were arrested in March on charges of possessing synthetic drugs valued at Rs 23 lakh in the beach village of Anjuna, 20 km from Panaji. “We have filed separate chargesheets against the three,” Superintendent of Police (Crime) Umesh Gaonkar told reporters here.

Fire in Lucknow school, no injuries

Lucknow, Sep. 19 (IANS): A fire broke out in a school here on Tuesday but no one was hurt, police said.Fire tenders rushed to the Rajaji SKD Academy in Rajajipuram area and doused the fire within 30 minutes. According to the police, the staff and the students were rescued from the school premises in time. Police are probing how the fire broke out.

Haryana Police officer shot dead

Gurugram, Sep. 19 (IANS): An Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Haryana Police was found shot dead in his house, police said on Tuesday. The body of Naresh Kumar Yadav, bearing a gunshot injury, was found in his residence in U block of DLF Phase 3 area, an officer said. His son was also found missing. Yadav, 46, was posted at Faridabad. “We are investigating the murder from various angles. We can’t say anything clearly at this stage,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Manish Sehgal.