Over 100 taken ill after consuming temple prasada'

United Nations, Jul 25: UN report on terrorism has warned that there are “significant numbers” of ISIS terrorists in Kerala and Karnataka, noting that the al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent terror group, which reportedly has between 150 and 200 militants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, is planning attacks in the region.

The 26th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIS, al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities said that the al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operates under the Taliban umbrella from Nimruz, Helmand and Kandahar provinces of Afghanistan.

“The group reportedly has between 150 and 200 members from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Pakistan. The current leader of AQIS is Osama Mahmood…, who succeeded the late Asim Umar… AQIS is reportedly planning retaliation operations in the region to avenge the death of its former leader,” it said.

According to the report, “One member state reported that the ISIL Indian affiliate (Hind Wilayah), which was announced on May 10, 2019, has between 180 and 200 members”.

It said that there are “significant numbers of ISIL operatives in Kerala and Karnataka states.”

In May last year, the Islamic State (also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terror group claimed to have established a new "province" in India, the first of its kind announcement that came after clashes between militants and security forces in Kashmir.

The dreaded terror outfit, through its Amaq News Agency, had said that the Arabic name of the new branch is "Wilayah of Hind" (India Province).

A senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer had rejected the claim.

Previously, ISIS attacks in Kashmir were linked to its so-called Khorasan Province branch, which was set up in 2015 to cover "Afghanistan, Pakistan and nearby lands". 

Hubballi, May 14: South Western Railway (SWR) has so far ferried about 54,000 passengers, including migrant workers, students and stranded people to 11 states to reach their home towns by Shramik Special trains.

So far 40 Shramik Specials were run one each from Kabakaputtur in Mysuru and Hubballi and remaining 38 from Chikkabanavara/Malur from Bengaluru area. About 54,000 passengers were ferried to different parts of the country. Maximum Shramik Specials trains train services were run to Lucknow (9) and Danapur (7).

Shramik Specials were run to Bihar (Bakora, Danapur, Baruni, Darbhanga), West Bengal (Purila, Bankura, New Jalpaiguri), Jharkhand (Hatia, Barkakana), Rajasthan (Jaipur, Udaipur), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Gorakhpur), Orissa (Bhubaneswar), Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior), Uttarakhand (Haridwar), Himachal Pradesh (Una), Tripura (Agartala) and Jammu and Kashmir (Udhampur).

SWR is transporting passengers to their destination as per the demand of the State Government with proper protocol and the receiving State Government is ready to accept them.

Bengaluru, May 27: Amidst helpless calls for learning to live with coronavirus and make a new beginning, the government of Karnataka is considering to reopen schools in the state from July 1.

Primary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar discussed the issue with the officials from the department at a meeting held on Tuesday. 

The expert committee in its report submitted to the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development recommended reopening of schools on July 1. The state department of primary and secondary education also discussed the issue. 

However, no decision has been taken yet and final decision is expected to out in a day or two. A source said that since the timetable for SSLC examination had been published and the lockdown was expected to be lifted after May 31, it had been planned to reopen the schools on July 1.

Following the recent representation by several academicians and social activists urging to cancel SSLC exams, the primary education minister met chief minister and briefed him about preparations for the safe conduct of exams.

“As of now there will not be any changes in SSLC exam schedule. We have reviewed the situation and preparations are underway for ensuring safety of children,” the source added. 

The report submitted by Nimhans about online education is yet to reach the secretariat.