Amit Shah meets Fadnavis, deputy CMs in Shirdi
Mumbai (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar in Shirdi town, BJP sources said on Sunday.
The meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes late on Saturday, apparently centred around the extensive crop losses caused by heavy rainfall across several parts of Maharashtra and the need for urgent financial relief to the affected farmers.
The leaders also reviewed progress of various development projects and key administrative matters, the sources said.
Shah reached Shirdi in Ahilyanagar district on Saturday night and held a meeting with the three leaders at a hotel in the temple town, according to the sources.
Widespread unseasonal and excessive rainfall recently led to severe agricultural damage across multiple districts, prompting growing demands for immediate government assistance.
A substantial relief package for farmers is expected to be announced soon.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
