Cyclone Nivar has weakened to a Severe cyclonic storm category after making landfall and is expected to move north-northwest wards and weaken further.

Cyclone Nivar crossed the coast near Puducherry early on Thursday morning as a severe cyclonic storm and has weakened as it moves north-northwest wards

The cyclone crossed coast during 2330 LIST of 25th November to 0230 LIST of 26th November with estimated wind speeds of 120-130 kmph, the IMD said.

The cyclone which made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm has weakened to a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph. The cyclone would continue to move north-northwest wards and is expected to further weaken to a cyclonic storm.

The situation remained tense at the Shambu inter-state border on the national highway as protesting farmers threw police barricades into the Ghaggar river.

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Police on Thursday used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a group of farmers from Punjab who allegedly tried to jump police barricades to enter Haryana as part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march against the Centre’s new farm laws.

The Haryana Police officials at the Shambhu inter-state border with Punjab used loud speakers, asking farmers who had assembled on the Punjab side to disperse when some of them tried to cross and remove the barricades.

The situation remained tense at the Shambu inter-state border on the national highway as protesting farmers threw police barricades into the Ghaggar river.

Some of the protestors were also seen waiving black flags.

Multi-level barricading has been put by Haryana Police to prevent the farmers from moving towards the national capital.

A farmer from Punjab present at the site told reporters, “It is condemnable that Haryana Police is using such measures to suppress an assembly of peaceful protesters. We are protesting in a peaceful manner, but they want to prevent us from using our democratic right to protest

Earlier on Wednesday, a large group of Haryana farmers near Mohra village in Ambala jumped over the barricades following which the police resorted to the use of water cannon against them.

A splinter group had, however, managed to proceed to Tiyora-Tiyori village on the Ambala-Kurukshetra border, where police again used water cannons to stop their march to Delhi.

This group of Haryana farmers, which was being led by state BKU chief Gurnam Singh Charuni, had reached Karnal as part of their march to Delhi.

Haryana on Thursday completely sealed its borders with Punjab as farmers from the adjoining state started assembling in big numbers as part of the Delhi Chalo march.

The BJP government in Haryana had earlier said it will seal its borders with Punjab on November 26-27 in view of the farmers’ march to Delhi.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday asserted that it had rejected requests received from various farmer organisations to protest in the national capital against the Centre’s new farm laws on November 26 and 27.

A day earlier, it had said that legal action would be taken against the protesting farmers if they come to the city for any gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was heavy deployment of Haryana police on the borders with Punjab, officials said.

The Haryana Police in adequate strength has also been deployed along the state’s borders with Delhi, they said.

The BJP government in Haryana had said that it would seal its borders with Punjab on November 26-27 in view of the farmers’ march to Delhi.

The Delhi Police had on Wednesday asserted that it had rejected requests received from various farmer organisations to protest in the national capital against the Centre’s new farm laws on November 26 and 27.

A day earlier, it had said that legal action would be taken against the protesting farmers if they come to the city for any gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Punjab farmers, representing over 30 farm bodies, have announced to go towards the national capital through many routes, including Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad and Talwandi-Sirsa.

The farmers protesting against the Centre’s farm laws are assembling near Haryana borders with tractor-trolleys carrying ration and essentials for their proposed Delhi march.

They have also condemned the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana for sealing the state borders.

In Haryana, police had used water cannons twice in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts on Wednesday to disperse a group of protesting farmers and stop them from going to Delhi.

The Haryana authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in several parts of the state to prevent assembly of protesters.

Meanwhile, braving the cold and rainy conditions, thousands of farmers spend the night in temporary shelters and inside their tractor trollies.

Farmer bodies said they will hold a dharna wherever stopped from moving towards the national capital.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugarhan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan has said around 25,000 women will participate in the protest march and over 4,000 tractor-trailers have been arranged for it.

The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has claimed that over two lakh farmers associated with it will enter Haryana through Khanauri and Dabwali.

Farmers have brought ration, vegetables, wood and other essentials for their march.

In view of cold weather conditions, they have stocked quilts, blankets and covered their trolleys with tarpaulin.

Haryana Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni had said on Wednesday that “even if police use lathis and force, nothing can stop farmers”.

“We will continue our march towards Delhi. We will force the Centre to roll back these black anti-farmer laws,” he said.

Videography, including using drone cameras, is being done at the state borders with Punjab and other sensitive points.

The Haryana Police has also put up multi-layered barricades and boulders on the roads from Punjab, officials said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a detailed advisory was issued by the Haryana Police, urging commuters to modify their travel plans in view of the farmers protest march.

Asserting that farmers from Punjab will not be allowed to enter the state, police said they have deployed water cannons and riot vehicles at the state borders.

Opposition Congress in Haryana has slammed the BJP-led government for allegedly trying to muzzle the voice of farmers.

Singh said Owaisi’s beef biryani comment was an indication of his frustration, and that AIMIM will not get votes in the upcoming GHMC election.

HYDERABAD: Taking objection to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s comment that BJP leaders should have beef biryani, Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh on Tuesday retorted that Owaisi should instead try pork biryani. 

Singh said, “I am offering biryani today. In my locality, the Valmiki community makes good biryani with pork. If you are fond of eating biryani, come I will offer a delicious biryani.” 

Singh said Owaisi’s beef biryani comment was an indication of his frustration, and that AIMIM will not get votes in the upcoming GHMC election.

Earlier, while addressing a public rally in Azampura on Monday, Owaisi said: “BJP people are suffering from frustration. They are not understanding anything. They should definitely have some biryani from Alhamdulillah (hotel).” The said hotel is known in the city for making beef dishes. 

The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project and it is expected to be completed in 21 months from the start of construction work.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation stone for a new Parliament building in the first half of December, sources said.

The sources further said that around five statues, including that of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhim Rao Ambedkar, in the Parliament complex are also likely to be relocated temporarily due to the construction work and they will be reinstalled at prominent places within the new complex once the project is completed.

The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project and it is expected to be completed in 21 months from the start of construction work.

The redevelopment project of Central Vista — the nation’s power corridor — envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat and revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath, from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

Although the proposed date of laying the foundation stone of the new Parliament building is around December 10, the final date would depend on the availability of the prime minister, the sources said.

According to the plan, the new Parliament building, which will have separate offices for all MPs, will be equipped with the latest digital interfaces as a step towards creating “paperless offices”.

The new building will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

The sources said that five statues, including that of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhim Rao Ambedkar, at the existing Parliament complex are likely to be relocated temporarily and they would be reinstalled once the construction work of the new Parliament building is completed.

The iconic 16-feet high statue of Mahatma Gandhi is located opposite Gate Number 1 of Parliament House.

The statue greets visitors entering Parliament House and has also been the location of gatherings, protests and press interactions by MPs.

According to Rajya Sabha’s website, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a meditating posture sculpted by Ram Sutar, was unveiled by the then President of India Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma on October 2, 1993.

It also said that the statue was donated by the Ministry of Urban Development.

In September, Tata Projects Limited had won the bid to construct a new parliament building at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore.

The existing building is a British-era building, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker who were responsible for planning and construction of New Delhi.

The foundation stone of the existing Parliament House was laid on February 12, 1921 and the construction took six years and cost Rs 83 lakh at that time.

The opening ceremony was performed on January 18, 1927 by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin.

According to the CPWD, the existing Parliament building will continue to function during the entire period of execution of the project.

Once the new building is built, the existing Parliament building will be used for other purposes.

The CPWD had said, “The plinth of the new building shall match that of the existing one, which is approximately 1.8 metres above the ground level.” 

LVB is the third bank to be placed under moratorium since September last year after the cooperative bank PMC in 2019 and private sector lender Yes Bank this March.

NEW DELHI: Shares of Lakshmi Vilas Bank continued to face selling pressure for the sixth consecutive day and have tanked over 53 per cent during the period amid negative reports around the company.

On Tuesday, the stock plunged 9.88 per cent to Rs 7.30 — its lower circuit limit as well as one year low — on BSE. At NSE, it plummeted 9.88 per cent to Rs 7.30 — its lowest trading permissible limit for the day.

Since last Tuesday (November 17), the stock has tanked 53.35 per cent on the BSE. The government has placed Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) under one-month moratorium, superseded its board and capped withdrawals at Rs 25,000 per depositor.

The step was taken on the advice of the Reserve Bank of India, in view of the declining financial health of the private sector lender.

LVB is the third bank to be placed under moratorium since September last year after the cooperative bank PMC in 2019 and private sector lender Yes Bank this March.

While Yes bank has successfully been revived under the guidance of State Bank, the PMC resolution is still a far cry.

They said the searches are being conducted by the central agency at 10 locations linked to Sarnaik in Thane and Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided premises linked to Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik in Maharashtra on Tuesday in connection with a money-laundering case, official sources said.

They said the searches are being conducted by the central agency at 10 locations linked to Sarnaik in Thane and Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“The searches are being conducted on the Tops group (a company in the business of providing security) promoters and related people, including some politicians,” an official source said.

Sarnaik represents the Ovala-Majiwada constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.