Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Apr 26 (PTI): Two robbers from Haryana who were involved in an ATM heist two weeks ago in the district headquarters town in Kalaburagi were arrested after they were shot at in their legs in the wee hours of Saturday, police said.

The robbers have been identified as Taslim (28) and Sharif (22), both from Mewat in Haryana, and members of the Mewat gang.

Kalaburagi Police Commissioner Sharanappa S D said the police opened fire on members of the gang, who were involved in a recent SBI ATM robbery where Rs 18 lakh was stolen using a gas cutter.

Acting on a tip off about a suspicious car with a Delhi registration, police tracked the vehicle and attempted to intercept it on the city outskirts, he added.

"When the suspects attacked the officers, instead of surrendering, police opened fire in self-defence, injuring two suspects, Taslim and Sharif, in the legs. PSI Basavaraj and constables Raju, Manjunath, and Firoz also sustained injuries during the encounter," the police officer told reporters.

All injured have been admitted at Kalaburagi's GIMS Hospital. Four people, including the kingpin Taslim, have been arrested, the officer said.

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Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay on Thursday unveiled sweeping assurances in the party manifesto ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu that included Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.

The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.

The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.

Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.

The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.

The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.

Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.

On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.

The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.

Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.

Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.

Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and outcome known on May 4. Vijay is facing his maiden electoral battle, billing it as a direct fight between the ruling DMK and his TVK.