India News LIVE: Mariners detained in Nigeria return home after nine months

"Right after the elections were announced, the situation in West Bengal deteriorated. A pistol was recovered from one of the leaders of TMC, this shows that TMC is deliberately trying to incite violence in the state," WB BJP Vice President Dilip Ghosh said. "Without the use of central forces, the Panchayat election cannot take place peacefully in the state," he further said. 

#WATCH | Right after the elections were announced, the situation in West Bengal deteriorated. A pistol was recovered from one of the leaders of TMC, this shows that TMC is deliberately trying to incite violence in the state. Without the use of central forces, the Panchayat… pic.twitter.com/UUEVZJPWGs

— ANI (@ANI)

Mariners who were in detention in Nigeria returned home in Kerala's Kochi on Saturday and thanked the Ministry of External Affairs for their safe return. As many as 16 Indian crew of the ship 'MT Heroic Idun' were detained last year in Equatorial Guinea and later in Nigeria for allegedly violating the international maritime boundary line.

Kochi | Kerala mariners return home after nine months of detention in Nigeria, thank the Ministry of External Affairs

16 Indian crew of the ship 'MT Heroic Idun' were detained last year in Equatorial Guinea and later in Nigeria for allegedly violating the international maritime… pic.twitter.com/Sw440EXIxO

— ANI (@ANI)

Olympian Bajrang Punia has claimed that the father of the minor girl who changed his statement in the sexual harassment case against WFI chief Birj Bhushan Singh "was under a lot of pressure" and that his entire family is "in depression". In an interview with ANI, Bajrang Punia who has been a key face of wrestlers' protest against the WFI chief, said "if a person is under pressure, he can be made to say things". 

"The minor wrestler's father has said that he was under a lot of pressure from all sides, that his family is under pressure. Media didn't show this part.. it only showed that the statement has been withdrawn but not the reason why it was done," Punia told ANI. "Her father has said that he is under pressure and that the entire family is in depression. He said if something happens to him, who will bring back the father? People can be made to say anything under pressure," he further said. 

Three ISIS operatives nabbed from Jabalpur were presented before an NIA special court on Saturday. They will remain in judicial custody till July 18, sources revealed. The operatives are accused of conspiring terror activities. 

Bajrang Punia said that fake news is being circulated about wrestlers compromising with ministers. "We have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. The government assured the wrestlers that our demands will be heard. If necessary, we will protest after 15th June and none of the wrestlers will resume their government duties after we start our protest," Punia said. 

#WATCH | Only her family members can only provide the exact details if the girl is a minor or not. The sad part is that fake news is being circulated that wrestlers are compromising with ministers...We have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Sports Minister Anurag… pic.twitter.com/4OiGyufstV

— ANI (@ANI)

NCP senior leader Ajit Pawar said that he was happy on the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the party's working presidents.

#WATCH | I am happy with their appointment, says NCP leader Ajit Pawar on the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the party's working presidents. pic.twitter.com/YH98RT7eA4

— ANI (@ANI)

"For us, peace and stability in Manipur are very important. Whatever I have learnt during the discussions today, I will report the same to the Union Home Minister for further necessary action. I could not meet the Kuki leaders today. It was a goodwill visit," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said following his meeting with Manipur CM N Biren Singh.

#WATCH | "For us, peace and stability in Manipur are very important. Whatever I have learnt during the discussions today, I will report the same to the Union Home Minister for further necessary action. I could not meet the Kuki leaders today. It was a goodwill visit," says Assam… pic.twitter.com/jOG5WSQGOS

— ANI (@ANI)

"If no decision is made after 15 June, we will make a call on 16-17 and make a big decision of our own," Bajrang Punia said during an exclusive interview with Republic TV. He also claimed that several athletes raised their voices in 2013 and 2014 but they were silenced due to the 'powerful' WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. 

Wrestlers warn Centre of 'strict action' if no action on Brij Bhushan by June 15. We all are together in the fight against WFI chief, says Bajrang Punia while speaking to Republic.
WATCH #ThisIsExclusive with Niranjan Narayanaswamy_
for more detailshttps://t.co/nKZSPir7ST pic.twitter.com/AnWY6zzUJU

— Republic (@republic)

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will chair the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting scheduled for June 11-13 in Varanasi. PM Narendra Modi will also deliver a special video address at the beginning of the meeting, the MEA said. 

"The meeting will give a new direction as people want change. We will make sincere efforts to meet the expectations of the people," NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said about the opposition meeting scheduled on June 23 in Patna.

#WATCH | This meeting will give a new direction as people want change. We will make sincere efforts to meet the expectations of the people, says NCP chief Sharad Pawar on the Opposition meeting to be held on June 23 in Patna. pic.twitter.com/386uwOJisN

— ANI (@ANI)

Sharad Pawar addressed a press briefing after appointing Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as working presidents of the NCP in Delhi. Supriya Sule will look after Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab. Praful Patel will look after MP, Rajasthan and Goa, Pawar said. 

#LIVE | NCP chief Sharad Pawar speaks on the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as working presidents of the party in Delhi.

Supriya Sule will look after Haryana, Maha & Punjab. Praful Patel will look after MP, Rajasthan & Goa, says NCP chief.https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/Jbrt0KbVpk

— Republic (@republic)

Several retired judges, civil servants, and army veterans wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi suggesting that the Balasore train accident that transpired on June 2 could be sabotage. They have also demanded the removal of illegal occupants near the railway tracks. Read the letter below.

Our shooters continue to make us proud! Incredible performance by India at ISSF Junior World Cup 2023 with a tally of 15 medals and emerging on top of the medals table. Each victory is a testament to our young athletes' passion, dedication, and spirit. Best wishes to them," PM Narendra Modi tweeted. 

Our shooters continue to make us proud! Incredible performance by India at ISSF Junior World Cup 2023 with a tally of 15 medals and emerging on top of the medals table. Each victory is a testament to our young athletes' passion, dedication, and spirit. Best wishes to them. pic.twitter.com/cPv29CliIW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh said that the wrestlers won't participate in Asian Games if their demand of punishing WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh is not met. She demanded Brij Bhushan's arrest by June 15 and said that the protests will continue if he is not arrested.

#BREAKING | Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh announces fresh condition, says 'Won't play ASIAN games if issues are not resolved.'

#WrestlersProtests #BrijBhushanSharanSingh #ProtesingWrestlers https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/TG0wpiBT1B

— Republic (@republic)

Just days before the opposition party meeting in Patna, Omar Abdullah said that there would be no benefit to J&K from the grand alliance. "These people who are seeking help to save democracy like Arvind Kejriwal never stood by us," he said. 

"We have five seats and that won’t have an impact on Delhi. They come what they need us, Arvind Kejriwal now needs us. Where were they when 370 was abrogated and now they are saying save democracy? Only TMC, DMK and two left parties stood by us. We will fight against BJP in the five seats we have," Abdullah said. 

#BREAKING | NC leader Omar Abdullah makes big statement on the upcoming opposition meet in Patna, says 'There is no benefit to Jammu and Kashmir from this kind of Grand alliance.'#OmarAbdullah #JammuAndKashmir #Patna #NC https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/Jp30mQAznX

— Republic (@republic)

The Congress workers stormed the streets of West Bengal in connection with the hasty announcement of the panchayat poll dates as there is not enough time for parties to file nominations. Earlier in the day, BJP state unit President Sukanta Majumdar met Governor C V Ananda Bose over the same issue.

Congress continue to bat for the tukde-tukde gang as the party's senior leader Digvijaya Singh raised questions on the Judiciary demanding Umar Khalid to be freed. BJP's national spokesperson slammed the grand old party for sympathising with the Delhi riots accused.

Revealing the reason behind naming Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the working presidents of NCP, party leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, "They have been made the working presidents so that the election work, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha work can be divided. They have been allotted more responsibilities on their shoulders because elections are near. This is for handling the 2024 Lok Sabha election work." 

"All opposition parties have to come together, I am sure the people of this country will help us. On June 23, we all will meet in Bihar, discuss and come up with a programme and will travel across the country and present it to the people," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar. 

#WATCH | ...All opposition parties have to come together, I am sure the people of this country will help us. On 23rd we all are meet in Bihar, discuss and come up with a programme and will travel across the country and present it to the people...": NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/Joe7GZUixn

— ANI (@ANI)

In a big announcement, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday announced Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the working presidents of the party. Pawar's announcement came at the 25th anniversary of NCP, founded by him and PA Sangma in 1999.

According to sources, Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule has been given the charge of Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana, while Patel will look after Gujarat and Goa affairs.

Notably, Pawar made the announcement in presence of Ajit Pawar, a key player in NCP.

Pawar had last month offered to resign from the presidency of the party. However, he has to take his decision back following fervent demonstrations from NCP workers and leaders. An NCP panel was also formed to deliberate on Pawar's resignation on May 5, which rejected his resignation and urged him to continue as the party president.

Accusing BJP of distorting history, the JD(U) has now evaded into the Aurangzeb row and has called the Mughal ruler 'son of the soil'. 

#BREAKING | JDU wades into Aurangzeb controversy, calls Aurangzeb 'son of the soil' and further adds that BJP should read history instead of distorting it.'#JDU #Aurangzeb#Maharashtra#KolhapurViolence https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/5RZmsI2tEH

— Republic (@republic)

Five suspects have been arrested so far after the Gujarat ATS carried out a major operation in the state's Porbandar area busting a plot to join ISIS. The accused wanted to travel to Afghanistan. During the raids incriminating materials were recovered, informed Gujarat Police.

#LIVE | 5 have been arrested so far in the ATS operation. Accused wanted to travel to Afghanistan. During the raids incriminating materials recovered: Gujarat Police.#ISIS #GujaratPolice #GujaratATS #Gujarat https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/HAzvytvWCZ

— Republic (@republic)

Three days after meeting Union minister Anurag Thakur, the Indian wrestlers have called for a Mahapanchayat. Ace wrestler Sakshi Malik has reached Sonipat for Mahapanchayat.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri spoke on nine years of PM Modi government and highlighted the transformation that India went through under his leadership. 

#LIVE | Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's news briefing on the #9YearsOfModiGovernment, highlights India's transformation under the leadership of PM Modi.#BJP #HardeepSinghPuri #ModiGovt https://t.co/6CjsNJ9CEq pic.twitter.com/gc98ShomCK

— Republic (@republic)

"Whatever talks we had with the government, we will discuss that with the people who are supporting and standing with us," Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Panchayat that is going to be held in Sonipat over wrestlers issue.

#WATCH | Haryana: "Whatever talks we had with the govt, we will discuss that with the people who are supporting and standing with us..." Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Panchayat that is going to be held in Sonipat over wrestlers issue pic.twitter.com/wcz9FWk2Fy

— ANI (@ANI)

Indian Navy undertakes twin-carrier CBG ops with more than 35 aircraft in the Arabian Sea, demonstrating its formidable capability in ensuring sustained air operations across the maritime expanse and underscoring its commitment to safeguarding India’s national interests.

The seamless operational integration of the two aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, as well as fleet ships and submarines, is a powerful testament to the pivotal role of sea-based air power ad India’s role as the preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Speaking on the upcoming opposition parties' meeting in Patna, Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "DMK has an important role to play in this opposition alliance because we have always been against BJP." 

A fire broke out in a chemical company in the Wada area of Palghar district. Fire brigades have reached the spot. No injuries have been reported in the fire incident so far. 

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Fire broke out in a chemical company in the Wada area of Palghar district. Fire brigades on the spot. No injuries have been reported in the fire incident so far: Palghar Fire Brigade pic.twitter.com/Y39SusQFl6

— ANI (@ANI)

Announcing the Madhya Pradesh government's decision, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Today is one of the most significant days of my life. From today evening from Jabalpur, we will start transferring Rs 1000 to women under the 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana'. We have received 1.25 crore registrations."

"In 12 months, all my sisters will get Rs 12,000 in their accounts. With the introduction of Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, women will get empowered and will be able to fulfil their basic needs," he added. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend public meetings on Saturday in Gujarat's Patan and Maharashtra's Nanded on the completion of nine years of the PM Modi Government. Read More

In a big breakthrough, Gujarat ATS has busted an ISIS module existing in the state and several other places. According to sources, four suspects, including one woman, have been arrested. 

BJP chief JP Nadda will attend a public meeting in Tirupati on Saturday, June 10. He will also offer prayers at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. 

Days after the tragic Odisha train tragedy, fire broke out in a compartment of goods train at Rupsa railway station in Balasore district. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The fire has been brought under control.

#WATCH | Odisha: Fire broke out in a compartment of goods train at Rupsa railway station in Balasore district. Cause of the fire is yet to be known. The fire was brought under control by the fire brigade pic.twitter.com/36lss3vbCn

— ANI (@ANI)

Bharatanatyam Guru Sri Ganeshan passed away in Odisha's Bhubaneswar. He had collapsed after a performance and doctors declared him dead at a hospital.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday on the backdrop of the ongoing situation in Manipur. 

The Government of Canada has decided to hold the deportation of 700 Indian students at the request of Aam Aadmi Party MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who is also the International President of the World Punjabi Organization. 

Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Friday informed that with the cooperation of the Indian High Commission, the Canadian government has decided to hold the deportation temporarily.

Jharkhand State Student Union (JSSU) on Saturday launched a 48-hour strike (Bandh) against the new recruitment policy of the Jharkhand government based on 60-40 formula.

Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala made a big statement in connection with the BJP-JJP alliance. He said, "The alliance between both parties (BJP-JJP) was forged under the leadership of Union home minister Amit Shah to run a stable govt in the state. There was no compulsion in forging an alliance".

In Telangana, clashes broke out between two groups of supporters during the Padayatra of Senior Congress leader Bhatti Vikramarka. The incident was reported in the Nalgonda district of Telangana 

Another case of love jihad has come to the fore from Maharashtra's Kolhapur where a minor girl was threatened and abducted. One accused has been arrested in connection with the case and is in judicial custody while the other one remains on the run. 

World's most expensive mango 'Miyazaki' priced at around Rs 2.75 lakh per kg in the International market showcased in Siliguri's three days long seventh edition of the Mango Festival.

The festival kicked off on June 9 at a mall in Siliguri and was organised by Modella Caretaker Centre and School (MCCS), with Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT). More than 262 varieties of mangoes are displayed at the festival.

The Uttar Pradesh government is all set to host the International Trade Show in Greater Noida from September 21 to 25. The event will focus on 40 sectors that contribute significantly to the development of the state for achieving the goal of a trillion-dollar economy. 

The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm Biparjoy is expected to intensify further in the next twenty-four hours and will move north-northeastwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

VSCS BIPARJOY at 2330 hrs IST of 09th June over eastcentral Arabian Sea near lat 16.0N & long 67.4E. Likely to intensify further & move north-northeastwards during next 24hrs. for details visit: https://t.co/EGetkpfIzS pic.twitter.com/gzIdXrzhGT

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept)

High waves are seen at Tithal beach of Valsad ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy. Tithal Beach was closed for tourists as a precautionary measure by the Valsad administration following the cyclone Biparjoy warning.

"We have warned fishermen not to go into the sea and they all have come back. In Dariya Kanthan village, people will be shifted if needed and shelters have been arranged for them. We have closed Tithal Beach for tourists till June 14," Valsad Tehsildar TC Patel said. 

#WATCH | Gujarat: High waves are seen at Tithal beach of Valsad ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy.

Tithal Beach was closed for tourists as a precautionary measure by the Valsad administration following the cyclone Biparjoy warning (9/06) pic.twitter.com/TSvQfaiezv

— ANI (@ANI)

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Saturday attended the Indian Military Academy passing out parade in Uttarakhand's Dehradun.  A total of 374 Cadets, including 42 from seven friendly foreign nations, will graduate as army officers on Saturday, June 10, in the presence of their family members.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Army Chief General Manoj Pande attends Indian Military Academy passing out parade in Dehradun

374 cadets from India and abroad will pass out in the passing out parade of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) today. pic.twitter.com/DrlL7rNNVK

— ANI (@ANI)

After hearing the sound of a Pakistani drone and dropping by it, BSF jawans during the search found one big packet of suspected heroin weighing approximately 5.5 kg near Rai village in Amritsar district. 

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose urging him to arrange Central forces during the Panchayat elections to have free and fair elections.