A pack of street dogs in Virugambakkam, Chennai. File
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

The Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission (SPC) has come out with a comprehensive draft policy framework for community dog management and regulation, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the growing dog population in the State and ensuring public health and safety.

With a vision for “a rabies-free Tamil Nadu with a scientifically managed and gradually moderating dog population,” the policy outlines a strategic approach to manage the dog population in a humane, effective, and sustainable manner. Community dogs, referred to as stray dogs, thrive among large human populations and are considered to be free-roaming pets.

Vaccination drives

One of the key aspects highlighted was the public health risks. It said that the presence of community or unvaccinated dogs raises significant concerns regarding the potential spread of diseases, with rabies posing a notable public health risk. Similar to the pulse polio vaccination drive, an anti-rabies mass vaccination drive should be conducted on dedicated days to combat rabies in community dogs.

Local authorities may collaborate with NGOs and animal welfare groups for the same. Vaccinated animals can be easily identified by marking them with collars to ensure that there is no duplication or omission. For identification, suggestions like colour marking, number tagging, micro-chipping, utilising Radio-Frequency Identification Devices, and ear notching were mentioned in the draft policy.

The SPC also noted that the veterinary hospitals of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of the Tamil Nadu government, which include 48 veterinary hospitals, are equipped with modern theatre facilities. These facilities can be effectively utilised for the implementation of animal birth control programmes, in addition to animal birth control centres established by city corporations and other local bodies across the State.

Setting up of mobile units

It also suggested that establishment of mobile operation facilities is essential to ensure that even local bodies in distant places can access periodic animal birth control programmes, along with vaccination campaigns. These mobile units are designed to provide doorstep treatment, addressing various concerns and promoting public awareness.

The report also pointed out the importance of a skilled workforce. “Skilled personnel are crucial for the successful implementation of animal birth control programmes. Training opportunities should be extended to animal attenders from NGOs and animal welfare organisations,” it said.

The registration of all pet dogs is imperative to promote responsible pet ownership and address dog abandonment. Dog breeding is becoming an emerging business, which warrants regulations, and a framework needs to be created for this, including registration and renewal.

The draft policy also documented case studies from across different countries. For instance, in France, swift action is taken by municipal teams to collect these abandoned pets. In the United Kingdom, a proactive approach to community dog management involved mandatory micro-chipping and strict reporting protocols, contributing to the maintenance of clear streets. The SPC said that the learnings from these examples conclude that efforts have been successful in reducing the number of community dogs and that pet ownership and community shelters for dogs without owners have become a norm. It also indicates that all dogs, including community dogs, are registered, pet abandoning is penalised, and all dogs are vaccinated.

The SPC pointed out that a periodic review of the policy is essential to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance in managing community dog populations and promoting humane practices. The State will review the policy once in five years to assess its impact.

In a ghastly incident, a nine month pregnant woman was hacked to death with a sickle in Belagavi district.

The brutal murder took place at Chikkoda village in Athani taluk of Belagavi district on Friday (December 21, 2024), when the woman identified as Suvarna Mahanthayya Mathapathi(36) was returning from the farmland after fetching fodder. 

She was found profusely bleeding with injuries on head, face and stomach. After passersby alerted her husband Mahanthayya, he rushed to the spot and took her to hospital. She was declared brought dead.

The couple already have four children and was expecting fifth baby in January 2025. The husband and the parents of the deceased have not expressed suspicion on anyone.

The Athani Police have registered a case and are investigating.

Former Minister M.K. Muneer, MLA, has said that the Kerala High Court order suspending the delimitation of eight municipalities and a panchayat on Thursday was a huge blow to the State government as the matter was not discussed in the Legislative Assembly before implementing it.

Reacting to the court verdict, which was based on a complaint filed by Indian Union Muslim League councillors, Mr. Muneer said the IUML would continue the legal battle against delimitation which was being implemented on the basis of the Census of 2011.

“We will make sure that the order is extended to the other local bodies of similar nature where delimitation was carried out based on the 2011 Census twice,” he said, alleging that while the creation of more local bodies based on the latest population was the need of the hour, the CPI(M) was playing politics by redefining the ward borders in their favour.

A petition filed by an author for an interim injunction to restrain the release of Mohanlal’s forthcoming 3D movie Barroz was dismissed by the District Court, Ernakulam.

The counsel for the petitioner George Thundiparambil contended that the novel Barroz – Guardian of D’ Gama’s Treasure by Jijo Punnoose and published in 2018, on which the film is based, is a plagiarisation of the author’s novel Maya published in 2008. The counsel for Mr. Punnoose argued that Barroz is a children’s novel, while Maya is an erotic novel meant for adults.

Kannur University, which recently achieved the milestone of publishing the first-semester results of its four-year degree programme within eight days of the final exams, has been embroiled in a controversy following allegations of a premature result leak.

Kerala Students Union (KSU) vice-president P. Muhammad Shammas alleged that the results were circulating on student WhatsApp groups around 3.30 p.m. on December 19, hours before the official release at 7 p.m. He said the university hastily announced the results to manage the situation following this.

Mr. Shammas attributed the breach to flaws in the K-Reap project, managed by Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) under the Higher Education Ministry’s oversight. He claimed the project had systemic lapses and bypassed procedural norms.

Kannur University defended its achievement, highlighting the efficient use of the K-Reap platform, which enabled result publication for 51 programmes without technical glitches. Results were staggered to ensure smooth access for students and college Principals. Officials acknowledged that the results were temporarily visible on Principals’ profiles during internal testing, with instructions against sharing them before the scheduled release.

The controversy escalated when a result accessed by a Principal was prematurely shared, leading to accusations of a “leak”. Vice-Chancellor K.K. Saju announced an inquiry to identify procedural lapses and prevent future occurrences.

Meanwhile, the Save University Campaign Committee alleged that the MKCL bypassed the university Syndicate approval, violating Section 25(15) of the University Act. It criticised the university for focussing on college Principals instead of addressing MKCL’s role.

The committee has submitted a petition to the Vice-Chancellors of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut, and Kannur universities, raising concerns about the implementation of the Kerala Resources for Education Administration and Planning (K-REAP) 

Additionally, the committee demanded that the service responsibilities of the K-Reap software be handed over to the Digital University to ensure transparency and efficiency in university examination process.

The petition highlights growing concerns over the effectiveness of outsourcing examination management and calls for immediate action to safeguard the integrity of the university evaluation system.

RTC buses from Ravindra Bharathi to BJR Statue will be redirected at A.R. Petrol Pump to Nampally Railway Station based on traffic. File
| Photo Credit: Ramakrishna G.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police has announced traffic restrictions on December 21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in view of Christmas celebrations at L.B. Stadium, which the Chief Minister of Telangana will attend. These measures are being implemented to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow around the event venue.

Traffic from AR Petrol Pump Junction towards BJR Statue will be diverted towards Nampally Railway Station or Ravindra Bharathi. Similarly, vehicles heading from Basheerbagh to A.R. Petrol Pump will be diverted at BJR Statue towards SBI, Gunfoundry, and Nampally Station Road. Traffic coming from Sujatha School Lane towards Khan Lateef Khan (KLK) Building will also be diverted at Sujatha School Junction towards Nampally.

Motorists are advised to avoid Lakdi Ka Pool, Iqbal Minar, Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad Traffic Police Junction, Basheerbagh, BJR Statue Circle, A.R. Petrol Pump, KLK Building, and Liberty Junction during the specified hours to avoid congestion.

RTC buses travelling from Ravindra Bharathi towards BJR Statue will be redirected at A.R. Petrol Pump towards Nampally Railway Station, depending on the traffic situation.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police has urged citizens to use alternative routes and cooperate with the traffic arrangements. In case of any inconvenience, the public can contact the Hyderabad Traffic Police Helpline at 9010203626 for assistance.

Police and security personnel with two maoists after their surrender, in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, Friday, December. 20, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Two Naxalites carrying a cumulative bounty of ₹8 lakh surrendered before the security forces in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, police said on Saturday (December 21, 2024)

Also read: Surrender arms and join mainstream, or face action, Amit Shah tells Naxals

Ramasu Poyam alias Narsingh (55), a resident of Gadchiroli, and Ramesh Kunjam alias Govind (25), a native of Narayanpur in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, surrendered before the Gadchiroli police and the Central Reserve Police Force on Friday (December 20, 2024), police stated in a release.

Poyam, who carried a bounty of ₹6 lakh, was recruited as a member of the Tipagadh LOS in 1992 and served as the area committee member (ACM) in Kutul and Nelnar LOS since 2010, it said.

According to the police, Poyam has 12 cases to his name, including six encounters, five murders and an offence of dacoity.

Kunjam, who had a ₹2 lakh bounty, joined as a militia member in 2019. He was recruited as a member of the Chetna Natya Manch (CNM) in 2020 and became a member of the Kutul LOS in 2021, they said.

The duo has surrendered due to the Gadchiroli police’s aggressive crackdown on Maoist activities. Their family members also persuaded them to lay down arms after the arrest of their colleagues.

The men will receive ₹4.5 lakh each for rehabilitation as declared by the Centre and the Maharashtra government.

Gadchiroli police said a large number of members of the banned CPI (Maoist) were being lured by the state government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy, and 680 active Maoists have surrendered to date.

As many as 20 hardcore Maoists surrendered this year only. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police, Neelotpal, has assured that necessary assistance would be provided to those willing to surrender and join the mainstream society.

Firefighters extinguish the fire at the site of the accident after a massive fire started due to a collision between a gas tanker and multiple vehicles near a petrol pump on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway, in Jaipur on Friday (December 20, 2024).
| Photo Credit: ANI

The death toll in the tanker truck collision on Bhankrota Ajmer Road in Jaipur on Saturday (December 20, 2024) rose to 14, as confirmed by DCP West Jaipur, Amit Kumar.

The Friday (December 20, 2024) accident, which resulted in a massive fire, involved a truck loaded with chemicals colliding with a tanker carrying LPG and other vehicles.

Prior to DCP Kumar’s confirmation, Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, the Principal of SMS Medical College, told ANI in the early hours that 13 people had lost their lives in the accident so far.

PM Modi extends condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office expressed grief, stating, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.” The PM also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Sachin Pilot meets victims undergoing treatment

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Saturday (Dec. 21) met with the victims of the LPG tanker explosion admitted to the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur and demanded a detailed probe into the incident.

“Our condolence to the families whose members have died. Best-quality medical help is being provided to those injured by the doctors at SMS Hospital,” Mr. Pilot told reporters after meeting the victims.

“We should investigate the entire incident and its reasons which led to such a tragedy. Be it traffic rules, road construction and precautions that have to be taken on highways, we need to study it,” he added.

Mr. Pilot said that should be a fair and transparent investigation.

“We all know about the accident spot. Why construction work was not completed, who is the contractor and agency? We need to know the facts after a detailed probe,” he said.

Mr. Pilot said that the way the number of vehicles is increasing, accidents are also rising in the country. “Governments will have to seriously think whether safety norms are being followed or not,” he said.

‘Horrific’

On Friday (December 20, 2024), SMS Hospital Superintendent Dr. Sushil Kumar Bhati noted that over 60% of the victims had sustained burns, with around 28 patients admitted to the hospital, six of whom are on ventilators.

Dr. Kumar had described the incident as “horrific,” explaining, “The accident and subsequent fire occurred in the Bhankrota area of Jaipur early today [Dec. 20] on the main Ajmer Road. Nearly two dozen vehicles caught fire, and many trucks and trolleys were reduced to ashes. The accident took place near a petrol pump.”

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Saturday (December 21, 2024) called for a nationwide protest on December 24 against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar.

In a series of posts on X, Mayawati said that Mr. Shah’s remarks have hurt the hearts of the people. “Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the author of the original book in the form of the super-humanistic and welfare constitution for the self-respect and human rights of the Dalits, deprived and other neglected people of the country, is as revered as God. His disrespect by Amit Shah hurts the hearts of the people,” she said.

Also Read | Amit Shah’s statement has offended Ambedkar’s followers: Mayawati

“People from all sections of society in the country are quite agitated, angry by the words spoken by him in the Parliament regarding such a great man. Ambedkarite BSP has demanded him to take back his statement and repent, which has not been implemented till now,” Mayawati said.

“In such a situation, if the demand is not met, then BSP has talked about raising voice across the country. That is why now the party has decided to hold a nationwide movement on December 24 in support of this demand. On that day, a completely peaceful dharna demonstration will be held at all the district headquarters of the country,” she added.

The BSP Chief asserted that her party is dedicated to Babasaheb Ambedkar who fought hard all his life for the Dalits / Bahujans to stand on their own feet and live with self-respect and got them many legal rights including reservation.”

“Therefore, if Congress, BJP etc., cannot respect Baba Saheb from their heart, then they should not disrespect him either. The day SC, ST and OBC classes got legal rights in the Constitution due to Baba Saheb, they also got heaven for seven lives,” she added.

Mr. Shah on Wednesday reportedly said in Rajya Sabha, “If they (Opposition) had taken the name of God so many times instead of Ambedkar, they would have got heaven for seven lives.”

On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi and other MPs from the INDIA alliance led protests in the Parliament complex, demanding an apology and resignation of the Union Home Minister for his remarks. INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest in Parliament premises when violence broke out between the two sides, injuring two BJP MPs. During the alleged violence in the Parliament premises, two BJP MPs, Pratap Sarangi, and Mukesh Rajput were injured on their heads. Both parties have alleged that their party members had been pushed around. Moreover, an FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi by Delhi police regarding the incident.

“An explosion-like sound heard outside the Wadala Bangar police chowki in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district triggered panic in the area, prompting police to launch an investigation,” officials said on Saturday (December 21, 2024.)

“This is the third such incident in the past seven days. A blast occurred at the Islamabad police station in Amritsar on December 17. No one was injured in it. The Gurdaspur incident occurred at around 9.30 p.m. on Friday (December 20, 2024),” according to the officials. They said local people heard the explosion-like sound and informed police.

However, police said nothing was found at the spot that could indicate an explosion took place. Senior police officials, including Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dayama Harish Kumar Om Prakash and Superintendent of Police (SP) Jugraj Singh, visited the spot.

“After some locals informed the Deputy Superintendent of Police, information was also received by the control room. Senior officers reached the spot immediately,” Mr. Kumar said.

“It was reported that some sound was heard. After reaching the spot, it was found that the glass of a door had shattered and a brick was lying nearby. We are investigating the matter,” he added.

The development comes two days after a suspected blast outside the Bakshiwal police chowki in Gurdaspur. In an unverified post circulating on social media, the terror outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force claimed responsibility for it.