August 2, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: National

Andhra Woos Aerospace Industry After Karnataka Scraps Land Acquisition for Park

In a swift move to attract aerospace investments, Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has invited the aerospace industry to consider Andhra Pradesh as a viable alternative after the Karnataka government withdrew its controversial land acquisition plan for an aerospace park near Bengaluru. Lokesh took to social media platform X to extend the offer, highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s attractive aerospace policy, which includes “best-in-class incentives” and “over 8,000 acres of ready-to-use land.” Emphasising the strategic advantage of location, he noted that the available land is just outside Bengaluru, making it a convenient option for industries looking for proximity to India’s tech capital. The pitch came shortly after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the cancellation of the acquisition of 1,777 acres of fertile farmland in Devanahalli taluk, near the Kempegowda International Airport. The move came in response to persistent protests by local farmers who opposed the acquisition due to the land’s agricultural significance and its centrality to their livelihoods. “In keeping with our commitment to protect farmers’ interests and safeguard fertile agricultural land, the Government of Karnataka has decided to completely withdraw the land acquisition process,” Siddaramaiah posted on X. He explained that the decision followed extensive stakeholder consultations and a reassessment of the impact on the local farming community. Siddaramaiah assured that the government would now proceed only with willing sellers and offer enhanced compensation, including higher-than-guideline land rates and larger developed plots. Farmers who choose to retain their land for agriculture can do so without any restriction. The Karnataka government’s move underscores its focus on inclusive development, while Andhra Pradesh is seizing the moment to attract industries looking to relocate.

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Bihar: Two Murders in a Day Raise Alarming Questions on Law and Order in Patna

Patna witnessed two brutal murders on Thursday, once again triggering a political storm and raising serious concerns over law and order in Bihar. The first incident took place inside a private hospital in Patna, where a convicted prisoner was shot dead in broad daylight. The victim, Chandan, a resident of Buxar district, was serving a sentence in Beur Jail for a murder conviction. He had been admitted to the hospital’s ICU for treatment while out on parole. According to Patna Central SP Diksha, police received information around 7:30 am that gunmen had entered the hospital and opened fire on a patient. Chandan succumbed to his injuries shortly after the attack. Police suspect that the motive behind the killing could be linked to old enmity. A case has been registered, and a manhunt is underway to track down the attackers. The chilling murder led to strong political reactions. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the state government of shielding criminals. In a post on his official X handle, he wrote, “Criminals, protected by the government, shot at a patient admitted to a Patna hospital. Is anyone safe in Bihar? Did such incidents happen before 2005, during RJD’s rule?” Yadav also visited the hospital but was reportedly denied entry by security personnel. Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav also slammed the Nitish Kumar-led government, calling for the imposition of President’s rule in the state. “Law and order have collapsed completely. People are being killed based on their caste,” he alleged. In a separate incident that same day, another murder was reported from the Shahpur area of Patna. A man identified as Shubham alias Bunty was attacked and killed outside his residence by unidentified assailants using sharp-edged weapons. Patna City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh confirmed the murder and said that a probe is underway to identify and arrest the culprits. The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Two back-to-back murders in the state capital have sparked outrage and deepened concerns about public safety in Bihar, further intensifying political criticism of the state administration’s handling of law and order.

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Editor03 mins

IndiGo Delhi-Goa Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Mumbai After Mid-Air Engine Glitch

An IndiGo flight en route from Delhi to Goa made an emergency landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday night after developing a mid-air engine issue. The Airbus A320neo aircraft, operating as flight 6E 6271 and carrying 191 passengers, was forced to divert following a technical snag. According to reports, the pilot declared a “PAN PAN PAN” emergency — a standard aviation call that signals a situation requiring urgent assistance but not yet constituting a full-scale distress situation. The issue was reportedly traced to engine number 1, prompting immediate coordination with air traffic control and a safe landing at 9:53 PM. An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed the technical snag and assured that all passengers and crew onboard were safe. The aircraft landed safely without incident, and all emergency protocols were followed as per standard procedure. The “PAN PAN” call, derived from the French word panne meaning mechanical breakdown, is less severe than a “Mayday” distress call. While both indicate in-flight issues, “PAN PAN” is used when the situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening — unlike “Mayday,” which is reserved for life-threatening emergencies such as fires, system failures, or crew incapacitation. Authorities are investigating the root cause of the malfunction, and the aircraft is being inspected by engineers.

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Editor02 mins

Nitish Kumar Announces Free Electricity, Solar Push & Women Job Quota Ahead of Bihar Polls

In a significant pre-election move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that all households in the state will receive 125 units of electricity free of cost every month, starting August 1. The scheme is set to benefit 1.67 crore families, with the subsidy applicable from the July billing cycle. Kumar, eyeing a record 10th term, also unveiled a green energy push, promising solar power plants on rooftops or public land over the next three years, with a target of generating 10,000 megawatts of solar energy. Under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana, poor households will get solar systems free of cost, while others will receive government support. Last week, he also announced a 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs, applicable to permanent residents. The decision aims to bolster his appeal among women voters, who are expected to be a decisive force in the November Assembly elections. Additionally, Kumar pledged one crore jobs for youth and the establishment of a skills university named after former CM Karpoori Thakur within five years.

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Delhi High Court Quashes 16 FIRs Against 70 Indians in Tablighi Jamaat Case

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed 16 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against 70 Indian nationals who were accused of sheltering foreign participants of the Tablighi Jamaat congregation during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, who presided over the case, passed the order stating, “Chargesheets quashed.” A detailed judgment is expected to be released soon. The FIRs alleged that the accused had housed over 190 foreign nationals associated with the Tablighi Jamaat during the early phase of the pandemic, allegedly violating nationwide lockdown norms and other emergency regulations. The accused were booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and the Foreigners Act. Delhi Police contended that these individuals had contravened government orders by accommodating foreign nationals at a time when strict prohibitions were in place. The petitioners were represented by advocates Ashima Mandla and Mandakini Singh. The Delhi Police was represented by Additional Standing Counsel Amol Sinha along with a team of advocates including Kshitiz Garg, Nitish Dhawan, Rahul Kochar, Chavi Lazarus, and Sanskriti Nimbekar.

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Editor02 mins

Seven Dead, Two Injured in Tragic Car-Bike Collision in Nashik

In a tragic road accident in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, seven people lost their lives and two others sustained serious injuries after a car collided with a motorcycle near Dindori town late Wednesday night. The horrific crash occurred on the Vani-Dindori road, close to a nursery, resulting in both vehicles plunging into a nearby canal. According to police officials, they were alerted about the incident at 11:57 pm. Upon reaching the site, they found both the car and the bike submerged in a small canal beside the road. Emergency services, along with local authorities, quickly launched a rescue operation. Despite prompt efforts, seven individuals were declared dead on the scene, while two others were critically injured and rushed to a hospital for treatment. Police investigations into the exact cause of the accident are currently underway.

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Editor01 mins

Amarnath Yatra Suspended After Landslide and Fatal Accident Along Baltal Route

The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Thursday following heavy rainfall in the Kashmir Valley and a tragic incident in which a woman pilgrim was killed by a shooting stone along the Baltal route in Ganderbal district. Three other devotees were injured in a landslide on the same route a day earlier, prompting officials to halt the yatra as a precautionary measure. This marks the first suspension of the yatra from Jammu since it began on July 3 this year. A dramatic video from the Baltal route has gone viral, showing a dangerous mudslide and several stranded pilgrims. In the clip, two devotees are seen being swept away by the torrent of slush and water but were fortunately rescued by fellow yatris. Many others clung to the safety railings along the narrow mountain path to avoid being carried away. In response to the incident, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were immediately deployed to assist in rescue and evacuation efforts. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun restoration work on the affected stretch of the track. Officials have confirmed that the yatra will remain suspended until the track is declared safe for movement again. The pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine is undertaken via two routes— the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. So far, over two lakh devotees have offered prayers at the holy shrine this year. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 9. Security along the route remains tight, especially in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Thousands of troops, paramilitary personnel, and police have been deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims throughout the yatra.

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Editor03 mins

Air India Crash: Fuel Switches Turned Off Seconds After Takeoff, Crew Actions Under Scrutiny

A preliminary investigation into the devastating June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people, has raised troubling questions about pilot actions seconds after takeoff. According to people familiar with early U.S. assessments cited , the First Officer questioned the Captain on why he had moved the fuel switches to the “cutoff” position moments after liftoff. The Captain reportedly denied doing so. The two pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 15,638 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kunder, with 3,403 hours. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, in its preliminary report released Saturday, confirmed that both engine fuel switches moved from “run” to “cutoff” just after takeoff, one second apart. However, the report did not specify how or why the switches were flipped. Immediately after liftoff, CCTV footage showed the deployment of a backup power source known as a ram air turbine—an emergency system triggered by power loss, indicating both engines had stopped producing thrust. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been cut, with the other responding that he had not done so. With no fuel flowing, the aircraft climbed to just 650 feet before losing altitude. Although the pilots switched the fuel controls back to “run” and the aircraft attempted an automatic engine restart, it was too low and slow to recover. The plane clipped trees and a chimney before crashing in a fireball into a building on a nearby medical college campus. The crash killed 241 of the 242 people onboard and 19 on the ground. In an internal memo dated July 14, 2025, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that the AAIB report found no mechanical or maintenance failures, and that all maintenance had been performed as required. The report did not include any safety recommendations for Boeing or GE, the engine manufacturer. Following the report’s release, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing issued internal notices reaffirming the safety of the fuel switch locking mechanisms on Boeing aircraft. Aviation safety expert John Nance told Reuters that the circumstantial evidence increasingly points to a crew member having unintentionally or mistakenly switched off the fuel supply. However, investigators are continuing to explore all possibilities and contributing factors—a process that could take months. Under international aviation standards, a final report is expected within a year of the incident. The crash has renewed calls for the installation of cockpit image recorders, which would have provided valuable visual context to investigators. Meanwhile, Air India is also facing scrutiny on other fronts, with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency planning to investigate Air India Express over allegations of delayed compliance with engine part replacements and falsification of maintenance records.

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Editor04 mins

स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण 2024-25: लगातार आठवीं बार देश का सबसे स्वच्छ शहर बना इंदौर, नोएडा 3-10 लाख की आबादी में शीर्ष पर

स्वच्छता में एक बार फिर इंदौर ने बाज़ी मार ली है। सरकार के वार्षिक स्वच्छता सर्वेक्षण स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण 2024-25 में इंदौर ने लगातार आठवीं बार देश का सबसे स्वच्छ शहर बनने का गौरव हासिल किया। इसके बाद दूसरे और तीसरे स्थान पर क्रमशः सूरत और नवी मुंबई रहे। 3 से 10 लाख की आबादी वाले शहरों की श्रेणी में नोएडा को सबसे स्वच्छ शहर घोषित किया गया, जबकि चंडीगढ़ और मैसूर ने क्रमशः दूसरा और तीसरा स्थान प्राप्त किया। राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू ने दिल्ली के विज्ञान भवन में आयोजित कार्यक्रम में आवास और शहरी कार्य मंत्रालय (MoHUA) द्वारा विजेताओं को स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण 2024-25 पुरस्कार प्रदान किए। इस अवसर पर कई नगर निगमों, स्वच्छता कर्मियों और नागरिक प्रतिनिधियों को भी सम्मानित किया गया। सरकार के अनुसार, स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण का मुख्य उद्देश्य व्यापक नागरिक भागीदारी को प्रोत्साहित करना और समाज के सभी वर्गों में स्वच्छता के प्रति जागरूकता फैलाना है, ताकि शहरों को रहने योग्य और बेहतर बनाया जा सके। यह सर्वेक्षण अब अपने नवें वर्ष में प्रवेश कर चुका है। 2024-25 के संस्करण में 4,500 से अधिक शहरों को शामिल किया गया। इस बार 10 मानकों और 54 संकेतकों के आधार पर शहरी स्वच्छता, कचरा प्रबंधन और सेवा वितरण की गुणवत्ता का मूल्यांकन किया गया। केंद्र सरकार ने बताया कि इस बार स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण 2024-25 को एक “स्मार्ट और संरचित ढंग” से अंजाम दिया गया, ताकि शहरी स्वच्छता का सटीक और पारदर्शी मूल्यांकन किया जा सके।

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चिन्नास्वामी स्टेडियम भगदड़ मामला: कर्नाटक सरकार ने हाईकोर्ट में कहा— “पुलिस अधिकारी RCB के नौकर की तरह पेश आए”

चिन्नास्वामी स्टेडियम में हुई भगदड़ के मामले में कर्नाटक सरकार ने गुरुवार को हाईकोर्ट को बताया कि वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधिकारी आईपीएल टीम रॉयल चैलेंजर्स बेंगलुरु (RCB) के नौकरों की तरह बर्ताव कर रहे थे। इस मामले में आईपीएस अधिकारी विकास कुमार के निलंबन को सही ठहराते हुए राज्य सरकार ने कहा कि उन्होंने अपने कर्तव्य का पालन नहीं किया। राज्य की ओर से पेश हुए एडवोकेट जनरल शशि किरण शेट्टी ने दलील दी कि केंद्रीय प्रशासनिक अधिकरण (CAT) का आदेश उसके अधिकार क्षेत्र से बाहर है और इसे स्थगित किया जाना चाहिए। उन्होंने बताया कि विकास कुमार समेत अन्य अधिकारियों के निलंबन को केंद्र सरकार ने भी मंजूरी दी थी और यह आदेश 5 जून को जारी हुआ था। सरकारी वकील ने अदालत में कहा, “आरसीबी ने फाइनल मैच के पहले ही संभावित जीत के जश्न के लिए पुलिस को आवेदन दिया था। लेकिन पुलिस अधिकारियों ने यह नहीं पूछा कि इस कार्यक्रम की अनुमति किसने दी है, बल्कि वे सीधे सुरक्षा व्यवस्था में लग गए। वे RCB के नौकर की तरह व्यवहार कर रहे थे।” राज्य सरकार ने यह भी कहा कि इतने बड़े जनसमूह को सिर्फ 12 घंटे की सूचना में संभालना असंभव था और इस परिस्थिति में संबंधित अधिकारी क्या कर रहे थे, यह भी एक सवाल है। “क्या उन्होंने कोई कदम उठाया? पुलिस अधिनियम के तहत निषेधाज्ञा जारी करने की बजाय उन्होंने सिर्फ बंदोबस्त किया,” सरकार की ओर से कहा गया। उल्लेखनीय है कि 4 जून को आरसीबी की पहली आईपीएल जीत के बाद हजारों प्रशंसक बेंगलुरु के चिन्नास्वामी स्टेडियम के बाहर जमा हो गए थे, जिसके चलते भगदड़ मच गई। इस हादसे में 11 लोगों की मौत हो गई और कई घायल हुए। इसके बाद एसीपी विकास कुमार और अन्य अधिकारियों को निलंबित कर दिया गया था। हालांकि बाद में केंद्रीय प्रशासनिक अधिकरण ने विकास कुमार के निलंबन को रद्द कर दिया, जिसके खिलाफ राज्य सरकार ने हाईकोर्ट में अपील की। अपनी दलील में कांग्रेस-शासित कर्नाटक सरकार ने इस भगदड़ के लिए सीधे RCB को जिम्मेदार ठहराया और कई चूक की ओर इशारा किया। इनमें क्रिकेटर विराट कोहली का सार्वजनिक वीडियो अपील भी शामिल था, जिसने भारी भीड़ को आकर्षित किया—हालांकि पुलिस ने कार्यक्रम के लिए पहले ही अनुमति देने से इनकार कर दिया था।

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