<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shahs-call-for-hindi-as-national-language-triggers-political-row-249706">Union Home Minister Amit Shah</a> chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday.

The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting.

The Northern Zonal Council consists of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, and Delhi.

Chief Ministers from the member states in the zone along with two ministers each, administrators of Union Territories, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from the State Governments and the Central Government are members of NZC.

The Council takes up issues involving Centre and States and one/many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone.

The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues which include boundary-related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc.

Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these five Zonal Councils and Chief Ministers of the host State (to be chosen by routine every year) is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday. The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday. The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting. The Northern Zonal Council consists of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. Chief Ministers from the member states in the zone along with two ministers each, administrators of Union Territories, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from the State Governments and the Central Government are members of NZC. The Council takes up issues involving Centre and States and one/many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone. The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues which include boundary-related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc. Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these five Zonal Councils and Chief Ministers of the host State (to be chosen by routine every year) is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor.

Home Minister Amit Shah chairs 29th meeting of Northern Zonal Council

A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all official buildings across the city, an official statement said.

Jaitley passed away in New Delhi at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness.

A four-time member of the Rajya Sabha, he first became a Cabinet Minister in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from June 2009 to 2014.

Jaitley was Finance and Corporate Affairs minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government and also held portfolios of Defence and Information and Broadcasting.

A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday.

A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday. The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all official buildings across the city, an official statement said. Jaitley passed away in New Delhi at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness. A four-time member of the Rajya Sabha, he first became a Cabinet Minister in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from June 2009 to 2014. Jaitley was Finance and Corporate Affairs minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government and also held portfolios of Defence and Information and Broadcasting.

Union Territory of Chandigarh to observe one-day state mourning for Arun Jaitley on Monday

Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in west Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Heavy rainfall is also very likely at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the IMD said in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin.

Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning may also occur at isolated places over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha.

Strong winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kmph are very likely to prevail over west-central and southwest Arabian Sea, the weather office said.

It advised fishermen not to venture into the sea in these areas for the next few days.

Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in west Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in west Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Heavy rainfall is also very likely at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the IMD said in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning may also occur at isolated places over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Odisha. Strong winds with speeds reaching 45-55 kmph are very likely to prevail over west-central and southwest Arabian Sea, the weather office said. It advised fishermen not to venture into the sea in these areas for the next few days.

Heavy rainfall likely at isolated places in west UP, Punjab and Haryana: India Meteorological Department

Get set, count! EC has begun with the process that would ultimately decide which party and alliance could form the next government in the country. Kirron Kher thanks public & her senior leadership.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Kirron Kher thanks public & her senior leadership

IAF chief BS Dhanoa presides over the Chinook's induction ceremony

The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first unit of four <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-chinook-helicopter-handed-over-to-india-at-philadelphia-boeings-facility-194538">Chinook heavy-lift choppers</a> on Monday in Chandigarh, where the helicopters have been deployed. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa presided over the induction ceremony.

''Country faces multiple security challenges, we require vertical lift capability across a diversified terrain. Chinook has been procured with India specific enhancements; it's a national asset,'' Dhanoa said.

''Chinook helicopter can carry out military operations, not only in day but during night too; another unit will be created for the east in Dinjan (Assam). Induction of Chinook will be a game changer the way Rafale is going to be in the fighter fleet,'' Dhanoa added.

India has paid close to $1.5 billion for 15 of the helicopters which will be used to deploy troops and machinery at high-altitude locations.

India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters on February 1. The handover took place at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia in the presence of Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Shringla.

The Chinook is operated by 18 other defence forces around the world.

Large sections of the Chinook fuselage, interestingly, are being manufactured in India.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first unit of four Chinook heavy-lift choppers on Monday in Chandigarh, where the helicopters have been deployed. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa presided over the induction ceremony.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first unit of four Chinook heavy-lift choppers on Monday in Chandigarh, where the helicopters have been deployed. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa presided over the induction ceremony. ''Country faces multiple security challenges, we require vertical lift capability across a diversified terrain. Chinook has been procured with India specific enhancements; it's a national asset,'' Dhanoa said. ''Chinook helicopter can carry out military operations, not only in day but during night too; another unit will be created for the east in Dinjan (Assam). Induction of Chinook will be a game changer the way Rafale is going to be in the fighter fleet,'' Dhanoa added. India has paid close to $1.5 billion for 15 of the helicopters which will be used to deploy troops and machinery at high-altitude locations. India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters on February 1. The handover took place at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia in the presence of Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Shringla. The Chinook is operated by 18 other defence forces around the world. Large sections of the Chinook fuselage, interestingly, are being manufactured in India. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Air Force inducts first unit of four Chinook choppers, chief BS Dhanoa calls it 'game changer'

The dead body of a Punjabi singer, Navjot Singh was discovered near Chandigarh on Sunday night.

According to reports, he was shot and his body, bearing four to five bullet injury marks, was found few metres away from his car at village Rampur Sainian in Dera Bassi, Mohali, at around 1 am, said Inspector Mahinder Singh, police station (Dera Bassi).

Reportedly, he was on his way to his parent's house, and had also spoken to his mother, who called at 11:15 pm. He had then told her that he would be reaching home in another 5-minutes.

The singer's family, living in Mohali, was frantically searching for him after he did not reach home last night, police said.&nbsp;

"Investigations are underway," the Inspector said, adding, that a murder case has been registered in this regard and the body has been sent to the civil hospital for post-mortem.

Singh was a budding singer, he had recently released two-singles.

A murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. Earlier, last month Punjabi singer Parmish Verma was also shot at in Mohali.

The singer's family, living in Mohali, was frantically searching for him after he did not reach home last night, police said.

The dead body of a Punjabi singer, Navjot Singh was discovered near Chandigarh on Sunday night. According to reports, he was shot and his body, bearing four to five bullet injury marks, was found few metres away from his car at village Rampur Sainian in Dera Bassi, Mohali, at around 1 am, said Inspector Mahinder Singh, police station (Dera Bassi). Reportedly, he was on his way to his parent's house, and had also spoken to his mother, who called at 11:15 pm. He had then told her that he would be reaching home in another 5-minutes. The singer's family, living in Mohali, was frantically searching for him after he did not reach home last night, police said. "Investigations are underway," the Inspector said, adding, that a murder case has been registered in this regard and the body has been sent to the civil hospital for post-mortem. Singh was a budding singer, he had recently released two-singles. A murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. Earlier, last month Punjabi singer Parmish Verma was also shot at in Mohali.

Punjabi singer Navjot Singh shot dead near Chandigarh

Heatwave sweeping most parts of Haryana and Punjab for the past few days continued unabated on Wednesday, with Hisar once again sizzling at 45.1 degrees celsius.

Hisar in Haryana was the hottest place in the two states recording a four degrees above normal maximum temperature, MeT department report said here.

At 42.6 degrees celsius, Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, was hotter by five notches against normal.

Among other places in Haryana, Bhiwani, too, had a hot day at 44.3 degress celsius.

Karnal and Ambala, too, reeled under intense heat wave conditions recording respective maximum temperatures of 42.2 degrees celsius and 42.5 degrees celsius, both four notches above the normal limits.&nbsp

In Punjab, Patiala had a hot day at 43.4 degrees celsius, up four notches against the normal limits.

Ludhiana, too, experienced the hot weather at 43 degrees celsius, up four notches while Amritsar's maximum settled at 41.9 degrees celsius, two more than the normal limit.

According to the MeT forecast, heat wave conditions are likely to continue at many places in Haryana and at a few places in Punjab from May 23-27.

At 42.6 degrees celsius, Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, was hotter by five notches against normal.

Heatwave sweeping most parts of Haryana and Punjab for the past few days continued unabated on Wednesday, with Hisar once again sizzling at 45.1 degrees celsius. Hisar in Haryana was the hottest place in the two states recording a four degrees above normal maximum temperature, MeT department report said here. At 42.6 degrees celsius, Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, was hotter by five notches against normal. Among other places in Haryana, Bhiwani, too, had a hot day at 44.3 degress celsius. Karnal and Ambala, too, reeled under intense heat wave conditions recording respective maximum temperatures of 42.2 degrees celsius and 42.5 degrees celsius, both four notches above the normal limits. In Punjab, Patiala had a hot day at 43.4 degrees celsius, up four notches against the normal limits. Ludhiana, too, experienced the hot weather at 43 degrees celsius, up four notches while Amritsar's maximum settled at 41.9 degrees celsius, two more than the normal limit. According to the MeT forecast, heat wave conditions are likely to continue at many places in Haryana and at a few places in Punjab from May 23-27.

Heatwave continues in Haryana, Punjab; Hisar hottest

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there was widespread concern that the country's electoral system was being undermined by the use of money and muscle power and stressed on the need to effect electoral reforms to check the menace.

Addressing the first S B Rangnekar Memorial Oration at the Panjab University, his alma mater, Singh said India's electoral system has succeeded against great odds and has destroyed feudal systems of government. It has opened up opportunities for the common man, without any social, economic or political privilege whatsoever by birth, to occupy the highest positions of power, he said.

"There is, however, today widespread concern that our electoral system is being undermined by money power and muscle power," he said, addressing the gathering here.

"The faith of the people in democratic elections as the best system to select a government that would govern in the common interest is today being eroded as much by a sustained campaign to attack democratic institutions and elected representatives as by the increasing political corruption and the capture of political parties and elected office by vested interests," he said.

Electoral reforms to cleanse elections of money and muscle power and to maintain integrity of elected officials are vital areas for securing and strengthening India's democracy, said the former prime minister.

Talking about renewing commitment to democracy, Singh invoked B R Ambedkar and said, "Democracy requires not only that all of us must get involved, but that we must each ensure that everyone has an equal voice."&nbsp

"Dr. Ambedkar once worried that the day may come when people may prefer government for the people to government by and of the people. He saw that as a great danger. On this 70th anniversary, we must ensure that we do not fall into the trap of choosing government for the people over government by and of the people," he said.&nbsp

The topic of Singh's address was: The Seventieth Anniversary of our Independence - Strengthening the roots of our Democracy.

"We need to ask ourselves whether we are losing patience with democracy and turning to more authoritarian alternatives that may well yield superior short-term results but in the long term will end up destroying our country and all the achievements of the last seventy years," he said.

"Governance is complex. It is messy. It is slow. Its benefits are long term. It requires great patience. Above all, democracy is a system in which people without privilege have a decisive voice in governance. If this is lost, democracy becomes meaningless," said Singh.

"Democracy requires not only that all of us must get involved, but that we must each ensure that everyone has an equal voice," he said.

Dwelling on the issue of equality, Singh said it is the keystone of democracy. "And it is one of the greatest challenges faced by India in building our democracy because of the persistence in our society of feudal, hierarchical ideas of inequality based on caste, class and gender."&nbsp

Singh said, "Speaking on November 25, 1949 to the Constituent Assembly about his concerns on the challenge of transforming India into a society based on equality, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said, [In our Republic], in politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one-man-one-vote and one-vote-one-value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one-man-one-value. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life?&nbsp

"If we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which this Assembly has so laboriously built up."

Singh said that the country's first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru warned in 1952 in one of his letters to chief ministers, "if poverty and low standards continue then democracy for all its fine institutions and ideals, ceases to be a liberating force."&nbsp

"The economic liberalisation that I was associated with in 1991-1996 (as the finance minister) and 2004-2014 (as the prime minister) was, above all, a process of opening up new opportunities for people born without social and economic privilege. This was for me the guiding vision behind our economic reforms," he said.

He said democracy is more than a system of governance.

"Equality, freedom and fraternity are the three values that constitute the life breath of democracy - its very essence," he said.&nbsp

'The faith of the people in democratic elections as the best system to select a government that would govern in the common interest is today being eroded as much by a sustained campaign to attack democratic institutions and elected representatives as by the increasing political corruption and the capture of political parties and elected office by vested interests,' Singh said

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there was widespread concern that the country's electoral system was being undermined by the use of money and muscle power and stressed on the need to effect electoral reforms to check the menace. Addressing the first S B Rangnekar Memorial Oration at the Panjab University, his alma mater, Singh said India's electoral system has succeeded against great odds and has destroyed feudal systems of government. It has opened up opportunities for the common man, without any social, economic or political privilege whatsoever by birth, to occupy the highest positions of power, he said. "There is, however, today widespread concern that our electoral system is being undermined by money power and muscle power," he said, addressing the gathering here. "The faith of the people in democratic elections as the best system to select a government that would govern in the common interest is today being eroded as much by a sustained campaign to attack democratic institutions and elected representatives as by the increasing political corruption and the capture of political parties and elected office by vested interests," he said. Electoral reforms to cleanse elections of money and muscle power and to maintain integrity of elected officials are vital areas for securing and strengthening India's democracy, said the former prime minister. Talking about renewing commitment to democracy, Singh invoked B R Ambedkar and said, "Democracy requires not only that all of us must get involved, but that we must each ensure that everyone has an equal voice." "Dr. Ambedkar once worried that the day may come when people may prefer government for the people to government by and of the people. He saw that as a great danger. On this 70th anniversary, we must ensure that we do not fall into the trap of choosing government for the people over government by and of the people," he said. The topic of Singh's address was: The Seventieth Anniversary of our Independence - Strengthening the roots of our Democracy. "We need to ask ourselves whether we are losing patience with democracy and turning to more authoritarian alternatives that may well yield superior short-term results but in the long term will end up destroying our country and all the achievements of the last seventy years," he said. "Governance is complex. It is messy. It is slow. Its benefits are long term. It requires great patience. Above all, democracy is a system in which people without privilege have a decisive voice in governance. If this is lost, democracy becomes meaningless," said Singh. "Democracy requires not only that all of us must get involved, but that we must each ensure that everyone has an equal voice," he said. Dwelling on the issue of equality, Singh said it is the keystone of democracy. "And it is one of the greatest challenges faced by India in building our democracy because of the persistence in our society of feudal, hierarchical ideas of inequality based on caste, class and gender." Singh said, "Speaking on November 25, 1949 to the Constituent Assembly about his concerns on the challenge of transforming India into a society based on equality, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said, [In our Republic], in politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one-man-one-vote and one-vote-one-value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one-man-one-value. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life? "If we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which this Assembly has so laboriously built up." Singh said that the country's first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru warned in 1952 in one of his letters to chief ministers, "if poverty and low standards continue then democracy for all its fine institutions and ideals, ceases to be a liberating force." "The economic liberalisation that I was associated with in 1991-1996 (as the finance minister) and 2004-2014 (as the prime minister) was, above all, a process of opening up new opportunities for people born without social and economic privilege. This was for me the guiding vision behind our economic reforms," he said. He said democracy is more than a system of governance. "Equality, freedom and fraternity are the three values that constitute the life breath of democracy - its very essence," he said.

Faith of people in democratic elections being eroded: Manmohan Singh

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to lift the ban on firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

The court will now hear the case against on January 5.

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SC refuses to lift the ban on bursting of firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana &amp; Chandigarh, says it would hear the case against the ban on January 5.
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The Supreme court had in October ordered a ban on the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali and even after Diwali in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh till the next hearing.

The ruling came in order to curb the rise in air pollution caused by burning of firecrackers&nbsp;after Diwali in Delhi.

The notice came in order to curb the rise in air pollution caused by burning of firecrackers, after Diwali in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to lift the ban on firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The court will now hear the case against on January 5. SC refuses to lift the ban on bursting of firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh, says it would hear the case against the ban on January 5. — ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2017 × The Supreme court had in October ordered a ban on the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali and even after Diwali in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh till the next hearing. The ruling came in order to curb the rise in air pollution caused by burning of firecrackers after Diwali in Delhi.

Supreme Court refuses to lift ban on firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh

A 21-year-old girl has allegedly been gang-raped and dumped in an isolated place at Sector 53 of Chandigarh.

As per reports, the victim was returning home in an auto-rickshaw from Sector 37 on Friday evening when she was gang-raped and dumped at Sector 53.

The Chandigarh Police have confirmed the incident and registered a case in this regard.

&quot;She was gang-raped late evening, a case has been registered after the medical investigation of the victim,&quot; said PRO Chandigarh Police.

Further details are awaited.

As per reports, the victim was returning home in an auto-rickshaw from Sector 37 on Friday evening when she was gangraped and dumped at Sector 53

A 21-year-old girl has allegedly been gang-raped and dumped in an isolated place at Sector 53 of Chandigarh. As per reports, the victim was returning home in an auto-rickshaw from Sector 37 on Friday evening when she was gang-raped and dumped at Sector 53. The Chandigarh Police have confirmed the incident and registered a case in this regard. "She was gang-raped late evening, a case has been registered after the medical investigation of the victim," said PRO Chandigarh Police. Further details are awaited.

21-year-old girl gang-raped in Chandigarh

By Chhavi Bhatia

There is an eerie silence that hangs over the beautiful, planned city of Panchkula.

The satellite town is still coming to terms with the worst mob violence that it witnessed in recent times.

Panchkula was the epicentre of violent clashes that erupted after the conviction of controversial self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by a CBI court on Friday.

Ram Rahim&#39;s Dera Sacha Sauda may say that the conviction was an &quot;injustice&quot;, but the ground reality is quite different.

What is more baffling is the fact that the Haryana Police underestimated the Dera followers, the DNA has learnt from sources.

The two hours after the verdict changed the face of the city.

According to the sources DNA spoke to, there were three groups that were responsible for the violence.

The three groups of Dera followers were camping in three different locations.

The first group was camping near Shimla-Zirakpur National Highway near Old Panchkula.

The second group was camping in Sector 3 near Tau Devi Lal Stadium. It is said that they didn&#39;t cause much of the damage.

The third group was based in the Green Belt in Sector 5 of Panchkula.

As soon as the verdict was announced, convicting Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 15-year-old rape case, in a seemingly coordinated manner, these three groups quickly took over the city and began what was one of the worst episodes of mob violence that India has seen in recent times.

What is shocking is that despite the &#39;intel inputs&#39;, and strict orders from the court, the police failed to contain the mob.

DNA has learnt from its sources that the Haryana Police had &quot;assumed&quot; that the devotees had gathered to catch a glimpse of their beloved Guru. The reason may be because for 72 hours, nearly 1.5 lakh &quot;Premis&quot;, as the Dera followers are popularly knowns, remained completely peaceful without any report of even minor skirmishes from any part of the town.

The police, despite heavy bandobast, coudn&#39;t envisage the extent of the Dera followers&#39; reaction.

Old Panchkula has been burnt down to some extent by the furious mob. Though the curfew is still on in the city, power supply has been restored in most sectors of Panchkula.

The DNA has also learnt that the majority of those who were killed in the violence were stone-pelters.

After the first tear gas was fired in Sector 2 near the Shimla-Zirakpur Highway, the city was engulfed in complete mayhem. The protesters used the legs of cots and tree branches as weapons.

Two hours after the Ram Rahim verdict, the face of the city had changed

By Chhavi Bhatia There is an eerie silence that hangs over the beautiful, planned city of Panchkula. The satellite town is still coming to terms with the worst mob violence that it witnessed in recent times. Panchkula was the epicentre of violent clashes that erupted after the conviction of controversial self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by a CBI court on Friday. Ram Rahim's Dera Sacha Sauda may say that the conviction was an "injustice", but the ground reality is quite different. What is more baffling is the fact that the Haryana Police underestimated the Dera followers, the DNA has learnt from sources. The two hours after the verdict changed the face of the city. According to the sources DNA spoke to, there were three groups that were responsible for the violence. The three groups of Dera followers were camping in three different locations. The first group was camping near Shimla-Zirakpur National Highway near Old Panchkula. The second group was camping in Sector 3 near Tau Devi Lal Stadium. It is said that they didn't cause much of the damage. The third group was based in the Green Belt in Sector 5 of Panchkula. As soon as the verdict was announced, convicting Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 15-year-old rape case, in a seemingly coordinated manner, these three groups quickly took over the city and began what was one of the worst episodes of mob violence that India has seen in recent times. What is shocking is that despite the 'intel inputs', and strict orders from the court, the police failed to contain the mob. DNA has learnt from its sources that the Haryana Police had "assumed" that the devotees had gathered to catch a glimpse of their beloved Guru. The reason may be because for 72 hours, nearly 1.5 lakh "Premis", as the Dera followers are popularly knowns, remained completely peaceful without any report of even minor skirmishes from any part of the town. The police, despite heavy bandobast, coudn't envisage the extent of the Dera followers' reaction. Old Panchkula has been burnt down to some extent by the furious mob. Though the curfew is still on in the city, power supply has been restored in most sectors of Panchkula. The DNA has also learnt that the majority of those who were killed in the violence were stone-pelters. After the first tear gas was fired in Sector 2 near the Shimla-Zirakpur Highway, the city was engulfed in complete mayhem. The protesters used the legs of cots and tree branches as weapons.

How Haryana Police failed to control Dera Sacha Sauda mob: Ground report from Panchkula

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said there is nothing wrong with states denotifying highways within cities to avoid having to shut down liquor shops and bars.&nbsp;

The court was hearing a petition against Chandigarh&#39;s recent decision to denotify state highways within the city.&nbsp;

The court said the idea was to stop the sale of liquor on highways.&nbsp;

And that drivers in fast-moving traffic -- ie on highways -- should not be under the influence of alcohol.&nbsp;

The court added that there was a difference between city roads and highways.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court had earlier said that starting from April 1 this year, all liquour shops and bars within 500 metres of a state or national highway would have to shut shop.&nbsp;

The order had had some hilarious effects.&nbsp;

Some hotels had for example switched to using their back entrances -- so as to increase the distance from them to the nearest nearest highway to over 500 metres.&nbsp;

Others, news reporots said, had put up dividers so that cars would have to traverse a distance of more than 500 metres to get to them from the nearest highway.&nbsp;

The court said there was a difference between city roads and highways

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said there is nothing wrong with states denotifying highways within cities to avoid having to shut down liquor shops and bars. The court was hearing a petition against Chandigarh's recent decision to denotify state highways within the city. The court said the idea was to stop the sale of liquor on highways. And that drivers in fast-moving traffic -- ie on highways -- should not be under the influence of alcohol. The court added that there was a difference between city roads and highways. The Supreme Court had earlier said that starting from April 1 this year, all liquour shops and bars within 500 metres of a state or national highway would have to shut shop. The order had had some hilarious effects. Some hotels had for example switched to using their back entrances -- so as to increase the distance from them to the nearest nearest highway to over 500 metres. Others, news reporots said, had put up dividers so that cars would have to traverse a distance of more than 500 metres to get to them from the nearest highway.

Liquor ban: SC says states can denotify highways within cities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined over 30,000 people here for the second International Yoga Day celebrations as he pitched for treating diseases like diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline. 
 
Modi, dressed in a white-coloured t-shirt and trouser along with a scarf, led over 30,000 participants, including defence forces personnel and school children, for the second International Day of Yoga celebrations here at the Capitol Complex amid tight security. 
 
The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night, participated in a mass demonstration of &#39;Common Yoga Protocol&#39;. A yoga enthusiast himself, he performed yoga &#39;asanas&#39; along with the people at the event. 
 
Over 30,000 people from all ages -- 10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana -- performed yoga &#39;asanas&#39; on pink and blue coloured mats during the event. Separately, about 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh itself. 
Earlier addressing the gathering, Modi pitched for treating diabetes through yoga. 
 
&quot;I want to request trainers who are associated with yoga, from this public platform. From next year when we celebrate yoga day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject -- diabetes -- Diabetes and yoga,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;All people belonging to the yoga field, whatever knowledge they have, they must continue with the rest of their yoga activities but this (diabetes) must be the main focus,&quot; Modi said. 
 
Expressing concern over rising number of patients suffering from diabetes, Modi asked yoga trainers to help in controlling the disease. 
&quot;In India, patients suffering from diabetes are rising. We might be able to get rid of this disease or not but with the help of yoga, diabetes can be controlled. Can we start a public campaign to suggest measures in yoga to the common man suffering from diabetes. 
 
&quot;It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes. From next year, we can take another disease. But I want that for good health, we should address any one disease every year. We should run a public campaign with an aim to address one disease,&quot; he said. 
 
Yoga is not only a way to get rid of a disease but it also guarantees wellness. For holistic development of lives, yoga is a great way, he said. 
 
(PTI)

Says it's a great way to treat diseases like diabetes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined over 30,000 people here for the second International Yoga Day celebrations as he pitched for treating diseases like diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline. Modi, dressed in a white-coloured t-shirt and trouser along with a scarf, led over 30,000 participants, including defence forces personnel and school children, for the second International Day of Yoga celebrations here at the Capitol Complex amid tight security. The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night, participated in a mass demonstration of 'Common Yoga Protocol'. A yoga enthusiast himself, he performed yoga 'asanas' along with the people at the event. Over 30,000 people from all ages -- 10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana -- performed yoga 'asanas' on pink and blue coloured mats during the event. Separately, about 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh itself. Earlier addressing the gathering, Modi pitched for treating diabetes through yoga. "I want to request trainers who are associated with yoga, from this public platform. From next year when we celebrate yoga day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject -- diabetes -- Diabetes and yoga," he said. "All people belonging to the yoga field, whatever knowledge they have, they must continue with the rest of their yoga activities but this (diabetes) must be the main focus," Modi said. Expressing concern over rising number of patients suffering from diabetes, Modi asked yoga trainers to help in controlling the disease. "In India, patients suffering from diabetes are rising. We might be able to get rid of this disease or not but with the help of yoga, diabetes can be controlled. Can we start a public campaign to suggest measures in yoga to the common man suffering from diabetes. "It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes. From next year, we can take another disease. But I want that for good health, we should address any one disease every year. We should run a public campaign with an aim to address one disease," he said. Yoga is not only a way to get rid of a disease but it also guarantees wellness. For holistic development of lives, yoga is a great way, he said. (PTI)

Indian PM takes centre stage, leads 2nd International Yoga Day celebrations

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