<![CDATA[Sify.com]]><![CDATA[Sify.com]]>40143<![CDATA[Most of debris generated from India's anti-satellite test has decayed: DRDO]]> New Delhi: DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the debris generated from from the anti-satellite test conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time".

He said this in response to a question after delivering a talk on 'Technology for National Security' on Friday at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, a city-based think tank.

"As I had mentioned on April 6, the debris were to decay in a few weeks time. As per the information that we have already got, most of the debris have decayed. And, whatever, couple of pieces are there, they will be decaying in a short period of time," Reddy said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation chief said the continuous information being received is monitored and "I don't think there are any issues".

"It is extremely difficult to predict as to how many days it would take...But, as I had said that day, that they would decay in a few weeks, and majority of them have decayed," he added.

On April 6 at a press conference at DRDO Bhawan here, Reddy had said India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 km during 'Mission Shakti' for "capability demonstration" and to avoid threat of debris to global space assets.

His remark had come days after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration raised concerns about the spread of debris from India's anti-satellite test conducted on March 27.

India's Ministry of External Affairs, too, has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris.

]]><![CDATA[Rahul urges EC to be fair and non-discriminatory]]> New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi has told the Election Commission that he did not violate the poll code when he claimed that the Narendra Modi government had enacted a new law that allowed tribals to be shot at.

In his 11-page reply, Rahul Gandhi also told the Election Commission to be fair and non-discriminatory in dealing with complaints of poll code breach.

Rahul Gandhi's reply was in response to a show cause notice by the EC for the claim he made while addressing an election rally in Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh on April 23.

Rahul Gandhi told the poll panel that he had tried to summarise a proposed amendment to the Indian Forest Act in a simple language during his speech.

Rahul said his words, in Hindi, were used in a "free flow of a political speech" and there was no intention of "misleading, misrepresenting or stating false and non-existent facts".

He claimed there was no violation of the Model Code of Conduct by him during his speech and his criticism was confined to the policies and programmes and work of the Modi government.

The Congress chief said the complaint was lodged against him by the BJP only to distract him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections as he is the head of a political party and also its star campaigner.

Rahul Gandhi told the Election Commission that election is an "expression of popular will" and the "object of elections cannot be achieved" unless there is freedom of speech and the merits or demerits of a policy are exposed for people to judge.

Rahul Gandhi said the remarks made by him are part of present political rhetoric, confined to the BJP's "anti-tribal policies" and urged the commission to dismiss the complaint against him not initiate further action in the matter.

The Congress president also provided a set of documents pertaining to the issue in question as evidence along with his reply.

]]><![CDATA['Pamphlet on Atishi won't influence our vote']]> New Delhi: A day after the Aam Aadmi Party's East Delhi candidate, Atishi, broke into tears at a press conference called to condemn the circulation of a malicious pamphlet that slandered her, most residents of her constituency said that the pamphlet would not influence how they would vote.

"I am a woman and the pamphlet is very upsetting to me," said Anamika Gupta, a resident of Okhla. "Nobody will change their mind after reading the pamphlet. Elections are here so everyone will spread rumours. But this should not happen. My husband is telling me to vote for Modi but I will vote for Atishi."

Gupta said she did not receive the pamphlet personally but heard about it from her neighbours. Several other voters said they had not received the pamphlet but had heard about it on the news or from others.

A number of people spoke out against the pamphlet on social media, calling it a "misogynistic" and "toxic" attempt to defame Atishi ahead of May 12, when there will be polling for all of Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats. Several people tweeted support, using the hashtag #IStandWithAtishi.

At the press conference on Thursday, AAP accused Atishi's rival, BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir, of generating and circulating the pamphlet.

Gambhir denied having any hand in it and alleged that AAP was behind the pamphlet to gain publicity.

Gambhir subsequently sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, accusing them of attempts to "illegally influence the minds of the voters and tarnish the pristine image" of Gambhir. He challenged them to prove that he was responsible for the pamphlet.

]]><![CDATA[CISF nabs passenger with six live blank ammunition at Mumbai airport]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Friday nabbed a passenger and recovered six live blank ammunition here at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport, an official statement read.

The accused, identified as Vairavan Subramanian, had arrived from Addis Ababa from a flight which was further bound from Mumbai to Bangalore.

Around 8 am on Friday, during pre-embarkation security check (PESC) at security hold area of Mumbai airport, CISF personnel noticed the suspicious movement of a passenger and doubtful images of boxes inside his bag. The bag was then selected for thorough and physical checking.

During the investigation, police found and seized six live blank ammunition (rubber) along-with a magazine in the hand baggage from his possession. The accused had also failed to produce any valid documents.

The said passenger along-with recovered ammunitions was handed over to Airport Police Station. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[J-K: Degree College students protest over fee hike in Udhampur, poor results]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Students of the Government Degree College on Friday held a protest in Udhampur over 'rising examination and re-evaluation fee' among other demands."The students are protesting against Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University to show their resentment towards the poor result of the second semester as well as indifferent attitude of management towards them," Pardeep Jamwal Abvp Udhampur said while speaking to media persons here. In the wake of the protest, students boycotted their classes and reached the national highway to seek the attention of the management. They raised slogans against the VC and blocked the road to restrict traffic movement. They demanded roll back the fee hike decision and probe by an independent agency to see why the result was very poor. "The university has no foolproof system to ensure transparent checking of examination papers. The result of this semester was very poor due to the casual attitude of the professors and management," a student claimed.

The protest was called off after police reached the spot and pacified students. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[IAF receives first Apache attack helicopter in US]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): The Indian Air Force on Friday received its first Apache Guardian attack helicopter at a Boeing production facility in Arizona, United States.

Air Marshal AS Butola attended the handover ceremony on behalf of the Indian Air Force and accepted the first Apache, while representatives from the US government were also present.

[{03b00596-7597-41d7-96fb-9f83a5064256:intradmin/Apache_2.jpg}]

In September 2015, IAF had signed a contract with US Government and Boeing Limited for 22 Apache helicopters.

The first batch of these helicopters is scheduled to be shipped to India by July this year. Selected aircrew and ground crew have undergone training at training facilities in the US Army base of Fort Rucker, Alabama. These personnel will lead the operationalisation of the Apache fleet in the IAF.

The addition of AH-64 E (I) Apache Guardian helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of IAF's helicopter fleet. It has been customized to suit the force's future requirements and would have significant capability in mountainous terrain with the capability to carry out precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.

The aircraft can transmit and receive battlefield pictures to and from the weapon systems through data networking making it a lethal acquisition. These helicopters will provide a significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Narcotics Bureau busts drug lab in Delhi. 3 held]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi on Sunday, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three people and busted a clandestine drug manufacturing lab and seized a large quantity of drugs.

Officials of the Delhi Zonal Unit of the NCB made the arrests and seized approximately 1800 kg Pseudoephedrine and two kg cocaine from them.

Further details are awaited.

Delhi is all set for the single-phase Lok Sabha election on Sunday. In total, seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[UP: Leopard attacks 4 in Bahraich, captured and released into Dudhwa Park]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): A leopard, which strayed into a house here on Friday, apparently in search of water, was captured by forest department officials and released into the Dudhwa National Park, police said. Four people were also reportedly injured after the leopard attacked them.

The leopard had entered the house after injuring four locals-- Ram Singh, Awadish, Anil and Ram Singhar. He had entered the village in search of water, forest officials said.

Villagers allege that the officials from the forest department reached the spot after over two hours after they informed them.

"We called and informed the forest department about the incident. But they reached here after two hours. In the meantime, the leopard attacked four persons, who have been injured in the incident," a villager said.

Kartniyaghat Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Gyan Prakash said he had to call a seven-range forest officer to catch the leopard as local officers were unsuccessful in trapping the big cat.

"A zoo official from Lucknow reached the spot and administered a tranquiliser shot after which the leopard lost consciousness and it taken out of the house. The leopard was released into Dudhwa National Park," Kartniyaghat DFO told ANI.

Soon after the incident, the injured people were rushed to a hospital for first-aid.

Last month, a leopard was killed by irate villagers after it attacked and injured at least six persons in Bahraich. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[TN engineer invents engine that uses hydrogen, releases oxygen]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): A Coimbatore-based mechanical engineer, has claimed to have invented an eco-friendly engine that can run on distilled water.

Sounthirajan Kumarasamy said his "first of its kind" engine uses hydrogen as fuel source and releases oxygen.

"It took me 10 years to develop this engine. It is the first of its kind in the world. It uses hydrogen as the fuel source and releases oxygen," Kumarasamy told ANI here.

Kumarasamy says the engine will be introduced in Japan in a few days. He is hopeful of introducing it in India too.

"My dream is to introduce this engine in India. I knocked on all the doors of the administrators but could not get a positive response. So, I approached the Japan government and got the opportunity. This engine will be introduced in Japan in the coming days," he said. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[WB: This village in Bankura district is facing acute water crisis]]>

Bankura (West Bengal) [India], May 11 (ANI): Shuili Bona village in Saltora block located in West Bengal's Bankura district consisting of nearly 400 Santhals is on the verge of becoming parched due to acute water scarcity.

The severe shortage of drinking water compels the villagers, mostly women to travel up to four kilometres to fetch water from the river. However, with the onset of summer, the water crisis worsens, forcing the villagers to travel even longer distances in search of drinking water.

Even though the village has bathrooms, no one uses it due to water scarcity.

Talking to ANI, Shanti Murmu, a resident of the village said, "We have bathrooms but tell me how shall I use it without water? What else can we do other than going to the forest? Leaders visit us only at the time of elections and assure us of a solution, however, we never see them once the elections are over."

The situation is similar in Jamsola, Nodi, Luchhipur, Gidhuria and other tribal villages in Saltora, Khatra, and Taldangra blocks.

CPM had ruled the district since the 1970s until TMC made its way by winning the Lok Sabha constituency in 2014. However, crucial issues such as drinking water problem, unemployment, poverty, and education still remain some of the major concerns for the locals.

CPM candidate from Bankura, Amiya Patra said, "Despite efforts by the present government, water crisis persists here and the problem will continue. The water table is going down and most of the tube wells fail to work properly due to this. Underground water recharge is mandatory to improve the water level and the situation."

Recently, TMC candidate Subrata Mukherjee was not allowed to enter the Lakhanpur village in Saltora block for campaigning as the villagers demanded water crisis be resolved first before he starts campaigning.

Dr. Subhash Sarkar, BJP candidate from Bankura Parliamentary constituency, said, "I ensure to act on the water crisis with utmost importance if I win."

Bankura district will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Rajasthan: Dalit woman raped in Kathoomar hospital]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): A Dalit woman was allegedly raped by two men at a hospital in Kathoomar.

The alleged incident took place on May 7.

"A woman registered a case with us saying she was raped on 7 May by a man named Ram Nivas at the Kathoomar hospital, while another man (Giriraj Prasad) aided him," Udhay Bhan, SI, Kathoomar said on Friday.

According to Udhay Bhan, the woman had come to the hospital for delivery of her pregnant daughter-in-law on May 5. On May 7, a compounder named Giriraj Prasad took her to the delivery room at 8 pm on the pretext of signing some documents. Ram Nivas was already present there.

"Ram Nivas raped her while Giriraj Prasad held her hand and shut her mouth," said Uday Bhan. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Assam: Baby elephant rescued by NDRF and state forest department]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state forest department rescued a baby elephant after it fell into the Deepor Beel freshwater lake on Friday.

The lake is located to the south-west of Guwahati city, in Kamrup district of Assam.

The locals came to the terrified animal's rescue as soon as they heard of it being trapped in the lake and intimated the state forest department.

As per the officials, the baby elephant along with its mother was crossing the railway tracks when it fell and got stuck in the lake covered with water hyacinth.

A team of the NDRF and the state forest department were engaged to rescue the elephant who successfully rescued the baby elephant.

"A baby elephant was separated from the herd. Our team rescued it. She will be kept in observation for quite some time to see whether she is reunited with the herd or not. It will be important to see if the child gets united with her mother or not," an official said. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[If Modi was a voter from here, he would have voted for me: RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who is also the "grand-alliance" candidate from Vaishali, has claimed that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been a voter from here, he (Modi) too would have voted for him.

"Some people are saying Modi-Modi. People are saying that if Modi would have been a voter from here, he would have voted for Raghuvansh Prasad Singh," RJD leader said on Friday while talking to ANI.

Asserting that election is a one-sided fight in favour of "grand-alliance", he said, "People have decided to vote for "mahagathbandhan". It will be wrong to say that there is a fight. It is one-sided. People from all party including good people from BJP and JDU are supporting me (khane-pane wale log udhar hain)."

He also termed the recent decision of Central government to give reservation to the upper caste people as "dangerous".

Meanwhile, NDA candidate from Vaishali, Veena Devi said that this election is a fight for the country.

"People want Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am a local here. People know me from 18-20 years here. This election is a fight for the country," she said.

Vaishali will go to polls on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Some damage caused to structure of Jagannath temple: DG ASI]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Some damage have been caused to the structure of Puri Jagannath Temple due to cyclone Fani, Usha Sharma, DG, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said.

"There was some damage to the structure of temple like bits of plaster coming off. We have set up a team. I assure you that we will complete the works which are essential, much before the 'rath yatra'," she said here on Friday on the condition of Puri Jagannath temple post cyclone Fani.

She also said that the Konark Temple gardens have received the most damage.

"Gardens received the most damage. Around 210 old trees were uprooted. We have instructed our circle and horticulturists to work on war-footing and restore the monument within a fortnight," she said.

Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Puri last Friday had left a trail of destruction in Odisha. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Ramalingam Murder Case: NIA arrests Mohammad Faruk from Tamil Nadu's Trichy]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Mohammed Faruk (48), a resident of Trichy, Tamil Nadu in connection with the murder of Ramalingam.

"Mohammed Faruk was summoned and interviewed and simultaneously search was also conducted at his residence on May 9 during which some digital evidence were seized. His questioning and materials seized during the search have revealed the extent of involvement of Mohammad Faruk in the instant case," NIA said in a statement on Friday.

He will be produced before Special NIA Court, Chennai on Saturday.

NIA had searched 20 locations including the houses of arrested accused on May 2 and several incriminating materials were seized. Accused persons, in this case, are Popular Front of India (PFI)/ SDPI cadres.

Searches were also carried out in four offices of Popular Front of India (PFI), the statement added.

According to NIA, Faruk and other accused in the case hatched a conspiracy for committing a terrorist act pursuant to which they chopped off hands of Ramalingam (42), a resident of Thoondivinagam-Pettai, Thirubuvanam while he was returning to his home on the night of February 5.

Ramalingam succumbed to injuries on February 6.

A case was registered in Thiruvaimarudur Police Station under section 341, 294(b), 307, 120B, 143, 147, 148, 302 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code IPC and under section15, 16, 18, 18B, 19, 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Tamil Nadu Police had arrested 10 accused in this case while six others are absconding. NIA had recently taken over the case from Tamil Nadu police. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Pamphlet row: AAP sends legal notice to BJP, Gambhir; demands "unconditional" apology]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party has sent legal notice to BJP and its East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir over "derogatory" pamphlet against AAP leader Atishi Marlena.

AAP has immediately sought an apology from them in writing and also asked them to publish the same 'along with true and correct facts' in newspapers within 24 hrs.

The notice alleged that the "offending publication (pamphlet)" was issued either by them (BJP and Gautam Gambhir) or the persons authorised by them.

"In view of the above, you are hereby called upon to render immediately a complete, express, unqualified and unambiguous apology to our client, its leaders and its candidate for inflicting the libel upon them, which must be tendered to our client personally in writing by you as well as well as printing the same along with true and correct facts in Delhi as well as across India within 24 hours," the legal notice by AAP read.

It also warned that if they fail to do so, legal proceedings both criminal (for the "offence" of criminal defamation and civil suit(for recovery of damages) will be initiated against them.

This comes a day after Gautam Gambhir had sent defamation notice to AAP leaders-- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Atishi demanding an unconditional apology from making "defamatory" comments against him.

The row started with AAP leaders accusing Gautam Gambhir of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against his rival candidate Atishi.

On Thursday, Delhi's deputy chief minister Sisodia had accused the cricketer-turned-politician of distributing pamphlets in an attempt to defame Atishi.

"language in this pamphlet, distributed in East Delhi, is so abusive and low that everybody will feel ashamed while reading it. This letter with derogatory remarks is distributed by Gautam Gambhir to make himself win. We never, in our worst dream, had thought that he (Gambhir) would stoop to this low to win polls," Sisodia had said.

AAP chief Kejriwal also reiterated the charges and raised similar questions.

"How can women expect safety if people with such mentality are voted in? Atishi, stay strong. I can imagine how difficult it must be for you. It is precisely this kind of forces we have to fight against," he had tweeted.

Gambhir and Atishi are in a three-cornered battle along with Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely from the east-Delhi parliamentary constituency which will go to polls on May 9. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Indo-French bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna-19' concludes]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): The Indo-French bilateral naval exercise "Varuna-19" concluded on Friday with both the Indian and French Navies Carrier Task Forces executing close range manoeuvers, an official statement said.

Dignitaries from both the navies visited the French carrier task force and were briefed on the conduct of the exercise. An impressive flypast consisting of four Rafale, five MiG 29-Ks and one Hawkeye was witnessed by VAdm P Ajit Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, Alexandre Ziegler, the French Ambassador to India and nine French Navy dignitaries onboard the French Carrier Charles De Gaulle.

The CinC also interacted with Alexandre Ziegler, Rear Admiral Didier Malaterre, Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group Charles de Gaulle and the Fleet Commander of the Indian Navy Western Fleet during the day.

Later in the day, a brief was held between the planning staff of both Task Forces to review the conduct of the exercise and identify areas for improvement. The exercise concluded with Indian and French naval helicopters carrying out extensive cross-deck operations for personnel transfer.

The 10-day exercise which began on May 01 included the participation of the French Navy's aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers, FNS Forbin and FNS Provence, the frigate FNS Latouche-Treville, the tanker FNS Marne and a nuclear submarine.

From the Indian side, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, destroyer INS Mumbai, the Teg-class frigate, INS Tarkash, the Shishumar - class submarine, INS Shankul, and the Deepak-class fleet tanker, INS Deepak participated in the exercise.

The second part of the naval exercise, Varuna 19.2, is scheduled to be held at the end of May in Djibouti.

The bilateral naval exercise initiated in 1983 and christened as 'Varuna' in 2001, form a vital part of the Indo-French strategic partnership.

The Varuna exercise aims at developing interoperability between the two navies and fostering mutual cooperation by learning from each other's best practices to conduct joint operations. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[They're people who wear 'janeu' once in 5 yrs: Irani takes dig at Rahul]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): Union Minister Smriti Irani took a veiled jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi saying that they are people who wear "janeu" once in five years and come for "Ganga-darshan" only during elections.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi served nation and hypocrites, mahamilawati people and corrupt Congress didn't give him anything else except insults. They are people who wear a 'janeu' once in 5 yrs, who go on foreign tours for 5 yrs and come for 'darshan' of Ganga at the time of elections," she said without naming anyone while addressing an election rally here on Friday.

The Union Minister also criticised Priyanka for choosing not to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat.

"They go to Ayodhya but don't bow their heads before Ram Lalla as they remember their vote bank. They're people who ask in Amethi if they should contest from Varanasi but when it is time to draw swords in the battlefield, they leave not only Varanasi and Amethi but go to Wayanad," said Smriti Irani.

It was widely speculated that Congress might field Priyanka Gandhi from Varanasi. Priyanka had also expressed her desire to contest from Varanasi.

However, Congress party chose to field Ajay Rai from Varanasi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from two Lok Sabha seats-- Amethi and Wayanad.

Varanasi will go to polls in the last phase on May 7. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[No influence of mafias, gangs in ongoing LS elections: Dhanbad Police]]>

Dhanbad (Jharkhand) [India], May 11 (ANI): Dhanbad city in Jharkhand, which has always been known as the land of coal mafia and gangsters, is all set to go to polls on May 12.

The criminal syndicate was known for allegedly having a say in the electoral process to get their favourite candidates elected to power.

Major parts of Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat are still very sensitive but according to the police, the possibility of any disturbance in the constituency during elections is almost zero.

Explaining about the fading influence of mafias in the region, Dhanbad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishore Kaushal said, "A few years back some gangs were definitely active here. But now due to our consistent efforts, most of the gang members have been jailed. We have taken actions under the Crime Control Act (CCA) against them."

Asserting that an extensive action has been taken against all mafias and gangsters, Kaushal said, "A total of 75 anti-social elements and criminals have booked under the CCA including 55 requests of 'tadipaar' (the act of sending miscreants out of city or area)."

He said that though the fugitive criminals and notorious gang leaders have been booked under various charges and lodged in jail, it is important for their henchmen to be put under vigil.

"Whenever the gangster or a gang leader is out of jail, we are keeping close eyes on them. We have made a strategic plan against their henchmen too. We will ensure that no gang or Naxals affect the electoral process," Kaushal said.

While some parts of Dhanbad are Naxal-affected, the police have said that a detail elaborate action plan has been made to conduct polls in the affected areas without any obstruction.

Jharkhand has 14 Lok Sabha seats and is witnessing four phases of polling since April 29.

While two phases of polling are over, four parliamentary seats -- Dhanbad, Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, and Giridih will go to polls on May 12.

The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)

]]><![CDATA[Hyderabad police arrests two persons for illegally selling unauthorised herbicide-tolerant cotton seeds]]>

[India], May 11 (ANI): A team of Hyderabad police nabbed two persons accused of illegally transporting and selling unauthorised herbicide-tolerant cotton seeds.

"Today on credible information, the sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force, North Zone team in a joint operation with Agriculture Department officials near Secunderabad Railway Station intercepted one goods vehicles and found a huge quantity of unauthorised herbicide-tolerant cotton seeds," Anjani Kumar, Police Commissioner of Hyderabad said on Thursday.

The two accused persons are -- Ravula Rajanikanth (Managing Director of Omkar SeedTech Pvt. Ltd) and Bandari Mahesh who was driving the vehicle.

"The prime accused Ravala Rajanikanth illegally procured, and transported unauthorised herbicide-tolerant cotton seeds from Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat to Secunderabad through Railway (Cargo) Service without any valid invoice or delivery challan," Anjani Kumar added.

Ravala allegedly used to sell unauthorized cotton seeds to needy and known customers as genuine seeds clandestinely in and around Telangana to gain illegal easy profits.

The accused Ravula Rajanikanth is a native of Karim Nagar Town but he was currently residing in Dilsuk Nagar, Hyderabad.

"Both the apprehended accused persons along with seized material are being handed over to SHO, Gopalpuram Police Station for further investigation under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and section 7, 8, 9 and 15(1) of Environment Protection Act-1986," the Police Commissioner informed. (ANI)

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