News Postcard

"On Saturday, alert Indian troops deployed along the LoC in Uri sector in Baramulla district of north Kashmir observed some suspicious movement. Upon a search of the area, it was found that a contraband-like substance, most likely drugs, was dropped there," senior superintendent of police (SSP), Baramulla Rayees Mohammad Bhat told reporters in Baramulla. http://dlvr.it/S8qrt7

A major controversy erupted after Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s son was seen sitting in the same room during an official meeting with the officiating DGP and other senior police officials on Thursday. Pictures of the meeting in which the CM’s son, Rhythmjit Singh, can also be seen, are being widely circulated on social media. Apart from senior police officers, the crucial meeting was also attended by minister Pargat Singh, among others.​ http://dlvr.it/S8pwGk

Chief Justice N V Ramana on Saturday said the government has assured that the names recommended by the Supreme Court collegium a fortnight ago for appointment as new chief justices of 13 high courts would be cleared in one or two days and emphasised that speedy appointment of judges could help lessen the burden of pendency. http://dlvr.it/S8pwGX

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday launched an ambitious 45-day long country-wide legal awareness programme during which legal aid personnel, para-legal volunteers and NGOs would visit each of the 6.65 lakh villages in the country at least thrice to make the poor and marginalised aware of their right to free legal assistance. http://dlvr.it/S8pwGT

Australia wants the free trade agreement (FTA) with India to be a “win-win for both countries”, its trade minister said on Saturday and expressed keenness to re-energise discussions on bilateral economic relationships and take them to the “next level”. http://dlvr.it/S8pwG9

The Election Commission (EC) has frozen the election symbol of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) amid the ongoing tussle between factions of Chirag Paswan and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras. Both factions have been barred from using the name of the party or its symbol 'bungalow' till the dispute between the rival groups is settled by the poll panel. http://dlvr.it/S8nRx8

Senior minister T S Singhdeo on Friday described the political situation in Chhattisgarh as an “opportunity and not a tug of war within the party” and reiterated that the Congress high command has “reserved” its decision. Chhattisgarh Congress is locked in a battle of nerves for the past couple of months over a purported formula for mid-term change of guard. http://dlvr.it/S8mSQk