India has ample food stocks, says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Hubballi (Karnataka), May 12 (PTI): Allaying fears of shortage of essential commodities, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the country has ample food stocks and warned against hoarding, black marketing and creating artificial shortages.
He also urged people not to panic or rush to the markets to purchase food grains, due to rumours in the wake of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
"We have an abundant quantity of food grains. We have a buffer stock sufficient for a minimum of 1 to 1.5 years. We have given instructions to states from our department to take strict action against hoarding and black marketing. We have given clear warning against creating artificial scarcity," the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said there are enough quantities of pulses and cooking oil, and there is no need for people to create rush for any reason, as there is a big system in place.
"Our production of rice, wheat and other food grains is huge, so there is no need for anyone to worry. If anyone indulges in practices like black marketing, the state governments should take strict action," he added.
Noting that currently a "ceasefire" is in place between India and Pakistan, the union minister said, it has been made clear that India will treat any future act of terror on its soil as an "act of war" and to respond accordingly.
"We will not consider terrorism as an isolated activity and it will be considered as an act of war," he added.
Pointing out that the central government has called all party meetings at every level following the Pahalgam terror attack and information has been shared with opposition parties from time to time, Joshi said the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry will be able to say on the demand for a special parliament session and other things.
He further stated that during the operation in the last three to four days, the Indian armed forces have given a major blow to terrorism infrastructure, terrorists, terror hideouts and training camps, and their supporters.
Regarding the opposition's criticism over the USA's mediation for the ceasefire announcement, the union minister said the Government of India had already made a statement in this regard, and has stated clearly that the understanding was following a call from the Pakistan's Director General Military Operation (DGMO) to India's DGMO, and there were certain preconditions.
"No senior ministers in the central government have made any political statement in contact with the current situation. I appeal to the opposition, the country should remain united," he added.
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Indore MBA student's classmate abused body after killing her, performed witchcraft: Police
Indore (PTI): The classmate of a 24-year-old female MBA student, arrested in Indore for her murder, allegedly abused the body after the killing and also performed occult rituals while on the run, police said.
On February 13, people complained of a foul smell emanating from a closed house in the city's Dwarkapuri police station area.
After police arrived at the scene, the naked body of a 24-year-old woman was found in the house.
The woman was pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from a city college and the body was found in her classmate's rented house, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani told PTI on Monday.
The classmate fled after the incident. He was taken into custody in Mumbai and is being interrogated after his arrest, the official said.
Referring to the accused's interrogation, the official said he allegedly strangled his classmate to death and then "abused" the body.
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"The accused also performed witchcraft near Panvel (in Navi Mumbai) while on the run. The accused claims that he was mentally disturbed after the murder and wanted to communicate with the woman's spirit through witchcraft," he said.
According to the DCP, the woman and the accused were in a close relationship.
"The accused suspected that she was talking to other men. Enraged, he killed her and fled," the official said.
After the woman's body was found, her father accused the classmate of trying to extort money from his daughter using her obscene photos and then torturing her to death.
The accused had even posted these photos on her college WhatsApp group, he alleged.
