Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has busted a suspected terror module allegedly operating under instructions from Pakistani handlers, arrested four people for planning arson on railway infrastructure and conducted reconnaissance of key establishments and public properties in several cities.According to ATS officials, intelligence inputs indicate that the group was in constant touch with Pakistan-based handlers through social media platforms and was involved in anti-national activities aimed at creating terror and economic disruption.ATS investigation revealed that the gang was led by Saqib alias “Devil” (25), a resident of Meerut, who allegedly maintained links with the handlers through platforms like Telegram, Signal and Instagram. He was also allegedly linked to radical groups and foreign numbers, including those linked to Afghanistan. The module was tasked with conducting reconnaissance of important institutions, political personalities, railway signal systems and vehicles and sharing inputs with cross-border operators.Police said the group planned to damage railway signal boxes, set fire to trucks filled with gas cylinders and target key establishments to spread fear. In some cases, the accused had already carried out small arson incidents, recorded videos and sent them to their handlers in exchange for money transferred through QR codes.The ATS said the operators used online inciting identities and extremist narratives to instigate the accused to carry out attacks including targeting vehicles on religious grounds and carrying out acts associated with widespread terror propaganda.Apart from Saqib, the other accused are Arbab (20) of Meerut, Vikas Gehlawat alias Raunak (27) and Lokesh alias Papala Pandit alias Sanju (19), both of Gautam Buddha Nagar. Police said the latter two were recruited through social media and allegedly conducted reconnaissance activities in cities including Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Lucknow.Officials said the accused had also received Google location pins of the targeted sites from their operators, based on which they conducted surveillance and shared video footage.On April 2, 2026, the group had reportedly planned to carry out arson and possible explosion near railway signaling infrastructure close to Lucknow railway station. Acting on a tip-off, ATS teams reached the spot and arrested all the four accused before they could execute the plan.A case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the Indian Judicial Code, 2023 and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The accused have been produced in the court and further legal proceedings are underway.During the search, ATS recovered a container filled with inflammable substance, seven mobile phones, 24 pamphlets and identity documents. Officials said detailed forensic analysis of digital devices is underway to unearth the wider network and funding channels.Preliminary inquiries reveal that the group was actively working to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of India by spreading subversion and terror. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links and possible sleeper cells, the ATS said.

उत्तर प्रदेश के फ़तेहपुर जिले में शिक्षा को बढ़ावा देने के लिए ‘स्कूल चलो अभियान’ शुरू किया गया। इस अभियान की शुरुआत समाहरणालय परिसर से हुई, जहां बड़ी संख्या में शिक्षक-शिक्षिकाओं ने भाग लिया. इस मौके पर विधायक राजेंद्र सिंह पटेल और जिलाधिकारी रवींद्र सिंह ने हरी झंडी दिखाकर बाइक रैली को रवाना किया. इस अभियान का मुख्य उद्देश्य प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में बच्चों की संख्या बढ़ाना और अभिभावकों को जागरूक करना है। कार्यक्रम के दौरान विभिन्न गतिविधियों के माध्यम से लोगों को शिक्षा के प्रति प्रेरित करने का प्रयास किया गया।

13 ब्लॉकों से पहुंचे शिक्षकों ने जागरूकता रैली निकाली
इस कार्यक्रम में जिले के 13 ब्लॉकों से बेसिक शिक्षा विभाग के शिक्षक-शिक्षिकाओं ने भाग लिया। बीएसए भारतीय त्रिपाठी के नेतृत्व में जागरूकता रैली निकाली गई। बाइक रैली के माध्यम से शिक्षकों ने लोगों तक शिक्षा का संदेश देने का प्रयास किया.

डीएम ने अभियान का उद्देश्य बताया
जिलाधिकारी रवींद्र सिंह ने बताया कि यह अभियान पूरे प्रदेश में चलाया जा रहा है. इसका उद्देश्य प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में बच्चों की संख्या बढ़ाना है। खासकर उन इलाकों में जागरूकता अभियान तेज किया जा रहा है, जहां बच्चों की उपस्थिति कम है, ताकि अभिभावक अपने बच्चों को स्कूल भेजें.

महिला शिक्षकों की रही विशेष भागीदारी
कार्यक्रम के दौरान महिला शिक्षिकाओं ने रंगोली बनाकर अभियान को आकर्षक बनाया। इसके साथ ही बाइक रैली भी निकाली गई। एक विशेष एलईडी वैन भी तैयार की गई है, जो जिले के विभिन्न इलाकों में जाकर लोगों को शिक्षा के प्रति जागरूक करेगी.

विधायक ने सरकार की उपलब्धियां गिनायीं
जहानाबाद विधायक राजेंद्र सिंह पटेल ने कहा कि 2017 में सरकार बनने के बाद से शिक्षा व्यवस्था में लगातार सुधार हो रहा है. उन्होंने कहा कि पहले स्कूलों की हालत जर्जर थी और सफाई व्यवस्था भी खराब थी, लेकिन अब स्थिति में सुधार हुआ है.

सरकारी और प्राइवेट स्कूलों का सहयोग मिल रहा है
विधायक ने यह भी कहा कि सरकार निजी स्कूलों का भी समर्थन कर रही है. साथ ही छोटे स्कूलों को मर्ज कर बेहतर शिक्षा देने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है, ताकि बच्चों को गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा मिल सके.

(रिपोर्ट:अनूप कुमार अयोध्या)

New Delhi: Of the 294 candidates contesting the upcoming Puducherry Assembly elections, 66 contestants (23%) have declared criminal cases, including 38 (13%) facing serious charges, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The culprit is facing criminal cases in Puducherry

The analysis is based on the affidavits filed by the candidates Election Commission of India (ECI), a mandatory disclosure for contesting elections.

323 candidates contested the 2021 Puducherry Assembly election, of which 54 (17%) had declared criminal cases.

party-wise distribution of candidates with criminal cases

The newly formed Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor-politician Vijay has fielded 28 candidates, 10 of whom – the highest among political parties – are facing criminal charges. Of these, five have declared serious charges and five have other criminal cases against them.Among other major parties, 3 out of 21 from Congress, 4 out of 16 from ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC), 6 out of 12 from DMK and 5 out of 10 from BJP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits. Congress initially announced all 30 candidates after failing to reach an agreement with its ally DMK. On the last day of filing of nominations, both the parties finalized the seat-sharing agreement, in which Congress will contest on 16 seats and DMK on 14 seats.Meanwhile, there are 117 independents, of whom 19 have criminal cases, including 11 on serious charges.The 294 candidates include 34 from national parties, 63 from state parties, 80 from registered unrecognized parties and independents.

‘Red Alert’ constituency

According to the ADR report, there are 11 “red alert” assembly constituencies in Puducherry – seats where at least three candidates are facing criminal cases. Of these, eight are in Puducherry district, and three in Karaikal district.

• Vilianur: 5 candidates (AINRC, TVK, PMK, 2 Independents)
• Mudaliarpet: 5 (BJP, DMK, AJPK, 2 Independents)
• Karaikal South: 5 (BJP, DMK, DMMK, TVK, Independent)
• Losses: 4 (TVK, CPIM, 2 Independents)
• Manaveli: 4 (BJP, Congress, AJPK, Independent)
• Neeravi-TR Pattinam: 3 (DMMK, TVK, Independent)
• Muthialpet: 3 (AINRC, PMK, Independent)
• Ozhukarai: 3 (VCK, 2 Independents)
• Kalapet: 3 (BJP, Congress, DMK)
• Tirunallar: 3 (BJP, TVK, Independent)
• Ariyankuppam: 3 (AINRC, TVK, Independent)

puducherry assembly election 2026

Over 9.4 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates when voting takes place on April 9. Counting of votes in the Union Territory will take place on May 4 along with counting in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

puducherry assembly election 2026

How did the parties perform in Puducherry Assembly Elections 2021?

There are 33 seats in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, of which 30 are up for election. The remaining three members are nominated by the Central Government.