Woman killed, two others injured in IED blast in Jharkhand's Chaibasa
Chaibasa (PTI): A woman was killed and two others were injured in an IED blast in Jharkhand's West Singbhum district on Friday evening, police said.
The improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Saranda forest under the Jeraikela Police Station area, a senior officer said.
"A group of women had gone to the Kolbhonga area in the forest to pluck 'sial' (silk cotton tree) leaves, and one of them stepped on the IED planted by Maoists, and the device went off," West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Amit Renu told PTI.
One of them died while two others were injured, the SP said.
"The injured are being treated at the Manoharpur hospital, and their condition is reported to be stable. If the need arises, we will shift them to another hospital for better treatment," Renu said.
The SP termed this act as a "sign of desperation by the Maoists" due to the intensive combing operation being carried out against them by the security forces.
Police sources said that three women from Kolbhonga village had gone in the afternoon to pluck 'sial' leaves, and when they were returning home, Phoolon Dhanwar (18), one of the women, accidentally stepped on the IED, resulting in the blast, which led to her death on the spot.
Two other women, Salami Kundalna (28) and Barsi Dhanwar (35), were also injured, the sources said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Manoharpur Jaydeep Lakra said the body of Dhanwar would be sent for post-mortem examination to the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital on Saturday, as the blast took place in dense forest.
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Shivakumar stresses party discipline amid Davanagere South bypoll row
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday underlined the importance of party discipline amid the fallout of the Davanagere South bypoll controversy, even as action against certain leaders triggered fresh ripples within the ruling Congress.
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said decisions regarding the party candidate and subsequent developments were taken after consultations with leaders and based on reports submitted from the ground, which were then acted upon by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar’s remarks come against the backdrop of the removal of Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, who was "relieved with immediate effect" following allegations that he worked against the party’s candidate in the Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
Held on April 9, the election was necessitated by the death of veteran MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, with the Congress fielding his grandson, Samarth Shamanur.
"If there is no discipline in any party, nothing can function," Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, said.
"We decided on the candidate after taking everyone into confidence. Every day we were in touch with various leaders. They all submitted reports, and based on that, the CM has taken the decision (on choosing Samarth Shamanur as the Congress candidate for the Davanagere South Assembly segment bypolls)," he said.
He noted that some Congress leaders had stepped down amid the developments.
"By the time we took a decision, they themselves had given their resignation, and it has been accepted," he said, referring to recent exits, including that of MLC Abdul Jabbar.
On his interaction with MLAs aspiring for ministerial positions, Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong with internal discussions but stressed restraint.
"There is nothing wrong with holding meetings or asking for posts; please do. But one must maintain strict discipline. That is my humble request," he said.
He pointed out that he had advised party members to remain cautious in their public conduct.
Asked about the specific allegations against certain leaders, he said he was awaiting further clarity.
"We, too, had received some reports. Another report has to come on what exactly happened (in Davanagere South); I am waiting for it," he said.
On whether any report had been submitted against Housing and Minority Welfare Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Shivakumar said, "I have no information."
Khan was among those who had demanded that a Muslim candidate be given the ticket in Davanagere South, as the constituency has a substantial Muslim population.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summoned him on Tuesday. The outcome of the meeting remains unknown.
Tensions had surfaced within the party over the candidate selection, with sections of minority leaders expressing dissatisfaction and demanding representation.
Although a rebel candidate later withdrew his nomination following intervention by the leadership, discontent reportedly persisted, with some leaders staying away from campaign activities.
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