Security beefed up across Jharkhand for Eid, Ram Navami
Ranchi, Mar 20 (PTI): Security was beefed up across Jharkhand in view of Eid, Sarhul, and Ram Navami, officials said on Friday.
CCTV cameras, drones, and security personnel equipped with video cameras are being deployed at key locations to monitor gatherings, they said.
Eid al-Fitr and the tribal festival Sarhul will be celebrated on Saturday, while Ram Navami will be celebrated on March 27.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, during a high-level meeting with senior officials, asked them to ensure that all festivals are celebrated peacefully. The CM directed the officials to take action against any attempt to disrupt law and order during these festivals.
Manjunath Bhajantri, Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi, said, "In light of the instructions given by Chief Minister Hemant Soren to strengthen law and order and security arrangements during the upcoming festivals, a meeting was organised. All officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions to maintain adequate preparedness in advance to handle any situation."
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"I have directed the officials to identify sensitive and crowded areas, and special vigilance should be exercised there, with the deployment of sufficient magistrates and police personnel," the DC said.
"To ensure strict compliance with the directives, officials have been directed to conduct physical verification of the routes for processions and shobha yatras. In addition, they have been ordered to keep special monitoring of social media and other digital platforms to counter any provocative, objectionable, or rumour-spreading posts, videos, or messages," said SSP Ranchi Rakesh Ranjan.
In Dhanbad, more than 30 sensitive places have been identified. To counter any untoward incidents during the processions and shobha yatras, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed at these places, said Dhanbad City SP Ritvik Shrivastav.
"I have appealed to everyone to celebrate the festival while maintaining mutual brotherhood and social harmony, and not to pay attention to any kind of rumours. Immediately inform the administration about any suspicious activity," said Deputy Commissioner East Singhbhum Karn Satyarthi.
City SP Jamshedpur Kumar Shivashish stated that Adequate police deployment is being put in place, and anti-social elements will be kept under surveillance. Participation in processions under the influence of intoxicants will be prevented, and the administration will deal strictly with those attempting to spoil the communal atmosphere.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
