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Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Skip Meeting, Signal Possible Switch to Shinde Camp

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Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Skip Meeting, Signal Possible Switch to Shinde Camp

Signs of a fresh split emerged in Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday after six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting, indicating that a formal crossover to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde could be imminent.

Only MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with the party’s lone Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut. The absence of six MPs—Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure—fuelled speculation of a split in the party’s parliamentary ranks.

According to sources, the six dissident MPs have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The process is still underway, with the Speaker’s office expected to verify the signatures through the physical appearance of some of the MPs in the coming days.

Ahead of the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) had issued a three-line whip directing all its MPs to attend. The move was seen as an attempt to pave the way for possible disqualification proceedings against rebel lawmakers. Under the anti-defection law, at least two-thirds of the parliamentary party, or six MPs in this case, are required to avoid disqualification.

Senior party leader Arvind Sawant said action would be taken against those violating the whip after consultation with party chief Uddhav Thackeray. However, leaders from the Shinde camp argued that the whip has no legal consequence under the Tenth Schedule, as it applies only to proceedings and voting inside the House and not to internal party meetings.

On Wednesday, Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to prevent any unlawful defection. Desai maintained that even with the support of two-thirds of MPs, a group cannot independently merge with another party unless the original party itself decides to merge.

The latest development comes nearly four years after Eknath Shinde engineered the 2022 split in the undivided Shiv Sena, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.

12 Years of Modi Government Marked by Blend of Development and Heritage: Amit Shah

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12 Years of Modi Government Marked by Blend of Development and Heritage: Amit Shah

 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government have been characterized by a unique confluence of development and heritage, highlighting major cultural and infrastructure initiatives undertaken since 2014.

In a post on X, Shah described the period as a “golden era” where projects such as the Shri Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and Ujjain Mahakal Lok were developed alongside welfare schemes including PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Ann Bhandar, and initiatives like Make in India. He said these measures have provided unprecedented momentum to India’s development journey.

The remarks came as the Centre showcased achievements under the theme “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi,” emphasizing the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage while integrating it with broader development goals.

According to an official statement, the government has digitised over one crore historical records, facilitated the return of 668 ancient artefacts to India, established 11 tribal freedom struggle museums, and granted classical language status to 11 Indian languages. Programmes aimed at restoring iconic sites, conserving temples and monuments, and developing heritage cities and pilgrimage circuits have also been implemented.

The statement noted that India’s monuments, manuscripts, antiquities and historic sites represent a shared legacy that has been preserved through various initiatives launched since 2014. These efforts have sought to combine heritage conservation with economic growth, tourism development, livelihood generation and cultural diplomacy.

Highlighting the government’s approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the statement pointed to the return of stolen antiquities, the development of spiritual infrastructure including the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, and measures aimed at increasing global recognition of Indian traditions.

The government said initiatives such as manuscript digitisation, expansion of pilgrimage infrastructure and improvements in tourism connectivity have been undertaken to preserve and promote India’s rich cultural legacy for future generations.

Pakistani Currency, Mobile Numbers Recovered During Search Operation in Poonch

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Pakistani Currency, Mobile Numbers Recovered During Search Operation in Poonch

Security forces recovered Pakistani currency notes and a slip containing several suspected Pakistani mobile phone numbers during a search operation in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday.

According to officials, the recovery was made during an area domination and search operation conducted by a Road Opening Party (ROP) of the 118 Territorial Army near Bhattaduriyan along National Highway-144A.

During the operation, security personnel recovered a cache of Pakistani currency notes along with a handwritten slip carrying multiple mobile numbers believed to be linked to Pakistan.

The recovered material was seized and taken into custody for further examination by the concerned security and intelligence agencies.

Officials said an investigation has been launched to ascertain the origin of the recovered items and determine whether they have any links to cross-border networks or other security-related activities.

Security agencies are analysing the documents and exploring all possible angles as part of the ongoing probe.

CM Omar Abdullah visits Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal

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CM Omar Abdullah visits Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday visited the Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal district to assess the arrangements for the upcoming annual mela at the shrine.

Hundreds of devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, are expected to visit the temple of Ragnya Devi, popularly known as Mata Kheer Bhawani, at Tulmulla in the central Kashmir district, to celebrate the annual Mela on Monday.

The chief minister inspected various facilities put in place for the devotees and reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the mela.

Abdullah also paid obeisance at the temple.

“It is a sacred day. People come here from various parts of the country and world to pay obeisance and get blessings of the mata. I have come here in the capacity of the chief minister of J&K, and more so as the MLA Ganderbal, to assess the arrangements and review the preparations,” Abdullah told reporters after the visit.

The chief minister said he spoke to the priests and others at the temple who raised some issues about the arrangements and assured them that attempts will be made to address them before the mela on June 22.

To a question about the upcoming annual Amaranth yatra, Abdullah said the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board oversees the arrangements for the pilgrimage which begins this year on July 3.

“The board oversees the yatra and the biggest responsibility about the smooth yatra lies with the board. However, whatever support we have to give from the government side, we are doing that,” he added.

The CM appealed to the pilgrims to pray for peace and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir

“We hope that whether Mata Kheer Bhawani or Amamrnath yatra, the pilgrims pay obeisance and pray smoothly. We hope that when they pray, they also pray for peace and brotherhood in J&K,” Abdullah said.

Asked about farmers facing irrigation issues in the constituency, the CM said the government is doing everything to mitigate the crisis.

“There are such reports from a few places, not the whole Ganderbal. Whatever can be done through canals, etc, is being done so that there is no lack of irrigation water. We thank God that it rained over the last few days and so, the water scarcity was mitigated a bit. But, I will send the Minister Javed Rana and officials to the spot wherever is needed so that whatever remains to be done, will be done,” he added.

When asked about the reports that Kashmiri Pandit colonies are being built in Shopian and Pulwama, the CM said those were transit accommodations and are being built everywhere.

“It is being built for PM package employees so that they get a good living space and work smoothly. The work started in PM Manmohan Singh’s time and is going on,” Abdullah said.

Amit Shah Says Modi Government’s 12 Years Marked By Confluence Of Development And Heritage

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Amit Shah Says Modi Government’s 12 Years Marked By Confluence Of Development And Heritage

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the 12 years of the Narendra Modi government have been marked by a confluence of development and heritage.

In a post on X, Shah said, “The 12 years of the Modi government have been a golden era of the confluence of development and heritage. In these 12 years, on one hand, the construction of the Shri Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and Ujjain Mahakal Lok took place, while on the other, schemes like PM Awas, Ayushman Bharat, Ann Bhandar, world-class connectivity, infrastructure, and initiatives like ‘Make in India’ have given unprecedented momentum to the country’s development journey.”

The remarks came as the government highlighted various initiatives undertaken over the past 12 years under the theme of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”.

According to a government statement, the focus has been on the conservation, development and promotion of India’s cultural heritage while integrating heritage preservation with broader development goals.

The statement stated that key initiatives included the digitisation of one crore records, the return of 668 ancient artefacts, the establishment of 11 tribal freedom struggle museums and the granting of classical language status to 11 Indian languages.

It noted that programmes aimed at restoring iconic sites, conserving temples and monuments, improving visitor facilities and developing heritage cities and pilgrimage circuits have been undertaken over the years.

Amit Shah Says Modi Government’s 12 Years Marked By Confluence Of Development And Heritage
Daily Excelsior12:33 PM Jun 18, 2026 IST
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New Delhi, Jun 18: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the 12 years of the Narendra Modi government have been marked by a confluence of development and heritage.

In a post on X, Shah said, “The 12 years of the Modi government have been a golden era of the confluence of development and heritage. In these 12 years, on one hand, the construction of the Shri Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and Ujjain Mahakal Lok took place, while on the other, schemes like PM Awas, Ayushman Bharat, Ann Bhandar, world-class connectivity, infrastructure, and initiatives like ‘Make in India’ have given unprecedented momentum to the country’s development journey.”

The remarks came as the government highlighted various initiatives undertaken over the past 12 years under the theme of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”.

According to a government statement, the focus has been on the conservation, development and promotion of India’s cultural heritage while integrating heritage preservation with broader development goals.

The statement stated that key initiatives included the digitisation of one crore records, the return of 668 ancient artefacts, the establishment of 11 tribal freedom struggle museums and the granting of classical language status to 11 Indian languages.

It noted that programmes aimed at restoring iconic sites, conserving temples and monuments, improving visitor facilities and developing heritage cities and pilgrimage circuits have been undertaken over the years.

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The statement added that India’s cultural assets, including monuments, antiquities, manuscripts and historic sites, represent a shared legacy across generations. It added that since 2014, the government has launched several measures to preserve and promote these assets while linking heritage development with economic growth, tourism, livelihoods and cultural diplomacy.

The government’s approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to integrate heritage conservation with national development. It highlighted the return of more than 668 stolen antiquities, the development of spiritual infrastructure such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, and efforts to expand global recognition of Indian traditions.

The initiatives, including manuscript digitisation, expansion of pilgrimage infrastructure and improvements in tourism connectivity, have been undertaken to preserve and promote India’s cultural legacy for future generations. (Agencies)

NIA Attaches Two Properties in Baramulla Under UAPA in Terror Conspiracy Case

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NIA Attaches Two Properties in Baramulla Under UAPA in Terror Conspiracy Case

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday attached two plots of land in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as part of its ongoing investigation into a terror conspiracy case linked to the banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to officials, the attached properties are located in Kanispora area of Baramulla and measure 7.5 marla (approximately 2,050 square feet) and 6 marla (approximately 1,632 square feet). The properties belong to Shaheen Ahmad Lone, an accused in a case registered by the NIA in 2020.

The attachment was executed following an order issued by a designated NIA court in Jammu under Section 33(1) of the UAPA, which empowers authorities to seize and attach properties linked to unlawful and terrorist activities.

Officials said the action forms part of the NIA’s investigation into an alleged conspiracy involving Hizbul Mujahideen operatives and Pakistani agencies aimed at promoting terrorism and destabilising security in India.

The case pertains to a larger terror network involving illegal procurement and transportation of arms, terror financing, and logistical support to terrorist organisations operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

The investigation also relates to the interception and arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists along with former Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Singh in a case that drew national attention due to the alleged involvement of a serving police officer.

Officials stated that the attachment of the properties is part of sustained efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical infrastructure supporting terrorism and to prevent the use of such assets for unlawful activities.

The NIA has been pursuing multiple leads in the case to identify and prosecute individuals involved in terror funding, arms smuggling, and cross-border terror networks operating in the Union Territory.

Further investigation in the case is continuing.

Five Injured as Tourist Bus Overturns in Tangmarg Near Gulmarg

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Five Injured as Tourist Bus Overturns in Tangmarg Near Gulmarg

Five persons, including four tourists, were injured on Wednesday after a tourist bus overturned in Tangmarg area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, officials said.

The accident took place in the main market area of Tangmarg, a key transit point leading to the renowned tourist destination of Gulmarg.

According to officials, the bus carrying tourists lost balance and overturned, leaving four tourists and the local driver injured. Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the spot immediately after the incident and shifted the injured persons to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials said all five injured individuals are receiving medical care and their condition is reported to be stable.

The exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and further investigation is underway.

The accident comes during the peak tourist season in Kashmir, when thousands of visitors are arriving in the Valley to explore popular destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar.

Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution while navigating the hilly roads and busy market areas to ensure the safety of tourists and local residents.

At G7 Summit, PM Modi Calls for Secure Maritime Routes, Emphasises Dialogue and Global Trust

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At G7 Summit, PM Modi Calls for Secure Maritime Routes, Emphasises Dialogue and Global Trust

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the international community to ensure the security of global maritime routes and protect seafarers, stressing that sailors must be able to perform their duties without fear amid growing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit titled “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity”, Modi highlighted the impact of ongoing regional conflicts on global trade and maritime security, particularly in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the seafarers who connect all nations through global maritime trade. We must ensure that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers can perform their duties without fear,” the Prime Minister said.

His remarks come days after three Indian crew members were killed in a US military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that has triggered concern in India over the safety of maritime workers operating in conflict-prone regions.

Modi underscored that disruptions to maritime trade routes have adversely affected the global economy and caused loss of life and property in countries across the region.

“We welcome the progress made in peace efforts in West Asia. This conflict has caused loss of life and property in our friendly countries in the region,” he said.

Reiterating India’s long-standing position on international disputes, the Prime Minister said lasting solutions to conflicts can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Highlighting the growing interconnectedness of the modern world, Modi noted that energy security, food security, healthcare, cyber security, and economic prosperity are no longer confined within national borders.

“In such times, the importance of partnerships naturally grows. However, partnerships succeed only when trust lies at their core,” he said.

The Prime Minister warned against the misuse of trade and technology for narrow strategic interests, saying such practices were contributing to a trust deficit in international relations.

“The most important strategic asset today is not minerals, technology, or markets. It is mutual trust,” Modi observed.

He further stressed the need for confidence that technology, supply chains, and global institutions would be used for collective progress rather than as instruments of pressure or exclusion.

Speaking on behalf of developing nations, Modi highlighted the aspirations of the Global South and called for a shift away from traditional donor-recipient frameworks.

“Today, the Global South has high expectations of the global community. What they seek is not merely support, but partnership. They aspire to be partners in global development, not just beneficiaries,” he said.

He advocated a model of cooperation based on dignity, equality, and mutual respect, adding that such an approach would lay a strong foundation for sustainable development worldwide.

Sharing India’s development experience, Modi said the country’s governance philosophy remains rooted in the principle of “Sarv Jan Hitaye, Sarv Jan Sukhaye” (welfare and happiness for all). He cited achievements in financial inclusion, digital transformation, healthcare access, and women-led development as examples of inclusive growth.

“India’s experience demonstrates that development is most effective when it is aligned with the aspirations of the people,” he said.

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also exchanged greetings and held a brief interaction with US President Donald Trump, marking their first in-person meeting in over a year. The interaction is seen as a precursor to their scheduled bilateral talks aimed at strengthening India-US relations.

The Prime Minister also met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, energy, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral engagement and expressed commitment to building a stronger and mutually beneficial partnership across key sectors.

MHA Team to Visit J&K on June 20-21 to Review Security, Preparedness for Shri Amarnath Yatra

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MHA Team to Visit J&K on June 20-21 to Review Security, Preparedness for Shri Amarnath Yatra

 A high-level delegation from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on June 20 and 21 to review security and logistical arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which is set to commence on July 3.

According to official sources, the delegation will include chiefs of major paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, senior officers of the Intelligence Bureau, and other top officials from the Home Ministry.

The delegation will hold separate review meetings in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, with the Jammu meeting scheduled for June 20 and the Kashmir review on June 21. Senior officials from the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies, and divisional authorities will participate in the discussions.

The visit follows a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 12. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and heads of various security and intelligence agencies.

The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima. Authorities are expecting a significant increase in pilgrim turnout this year, driven by strong registration numbers and a surge in tourist arrivals across Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said nearly 90 percent of the security deployment has already been completed, with the remaining personnel expected to be positioned before June 20. The MHA has approved the deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces for the pilgrimage, with the majority stationed across the Kashmir Valley.

Security arrangements will span the entire pilgrimage route, beginning from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir. Additional protection will be provided along the Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar National Highways, railway stations, airports, bus terminals, and accommodation facilities, including Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, from where pilgrim convoys depart daily under security escort.

In Kashmir, extensive security measures are being put in place at the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam), along both pilgrimage routes, and at the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the South Kashmir Himalayas.

Besides security, the MHA delegation will also assess arrangements related to accommodation, transportation, healthcare, sanitation, communication systems, emergency response mechanisms, and langar facilities for pilgrims.

Sources said the review meetings will focus on strengthening intelligence coordination among agencies, surveillance along the Yatra routes, counter-terrorism preparedness, convoy protection, and contingency planning to address any potential security challenges.

Authorities have also intensified overall security across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a peaceful and incident-free conduct of the annual pilgrimage

Sanjay Raut Alleges 50 Crore Offer to Maharashtra MPs Amid Speculation of Shiv Sena (UBT) Split

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Sanjay Raut Alleges 50 Crore Offer to Maharashtra MPs Amid Speculation of Shiv Sena (UBT) Split

Amid growing speculation of a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), senior party leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday alleged that some Members of Parliament from Maharashtra were being offered up to ₹50 crore to switch sides.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut claimed that an “important person” informed him late on Tuesday night about attempts to lure MPs from Maharashtra with huge sums of money.

“I was told that the rate is ₹50 crore and that ₹15 crore each would be delivered by tonight. They were allegedly unwilling to board the aircraft without receiving the money,” Raut alleged.

The remarks come amid reports that some MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) could break away from the party. However, Raut clarified that the party had not received any official communication regarding a split and was learning about such developments through media reports.

Out of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs, only three — Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje — were present at the press conference.

Raut asserted that all Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were elected on the party’s “Mashal” symbol under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and had no moral right to betray the mandate given by voters.

“If anybody wants to leave, they should first resign. They have come to Parliament on our party’s ticket and because voters elected them,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the 2022 split in the undivided Shiv Sena, Raut warned that party workers and the people of Maharashtra would not remain silent if a similar situation unfolded again.

He further revealed that the party had issued a whip and convened a meeting of its parliamentary party on Thursday. According to him, the party has also approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging strict adherence to constitutional provisions in the event of any political defection.

Speaking alongside Raut, Arvind Sawant stated that no MP had officially informed the party of any decision to leave, while Anil Desai said the party continued to trust its MPs but was putting legal safeguards in place as a precautionary measure.

The leaders collectively expressed concern that attempts to “buy and break” elected representatives posed a serious threat to democratic values and constitutional principles.

Raut also alleged that pressure was being exerted on Dharashiv MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar in connection with a long-pending murder case involving his father. He claimed that Nimbalkar was allegedly told he would receive a favourable outcome in the case if he joined another political group.

“If this is happening, what remains of the Constitution, the courts and democracy?” Raut questioned.

Referring to a recent meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians with Uddhav Thackeray, Raut said several MPs had pledged loyalty to the party by taking oaths in the names of religious figures, family members and personal beliefs.

“We spent our blood and sweat for these MPs. We gave them tickets and whatever financial help we could. If such reports are true, they should publicly deny them,” he said.

Raut maintained that the MPs were elected due to the legacy and leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, and not because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

As political uncertainty continues, all eyes are now on Thursday’s parliamentary party meeting, which is expected to provide greater clarity on the future course of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

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