Latest news with #Maoists
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Refused Trump invite as I had to visit land of Jagannath: PM Modi
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Image) BHUBANESWAR: PM Modi Friday said he had to say 'no' to US President Donald Trump's invitation to drop by in Washington on his way back from Canada, where he had gone for the G7 summit, as he did not want to miss his scheduled visit to the "land of Lord Jagannath", reports Ashok Pradhan. While Majhi's first anniversary as CM was on June 12, the Odisha govt timed the main celebration on Friday in sync with the PM's schedule. Any change in plan could have put the govt in an awkward position in a state where BJP swept the Lok Sabha polls, winning 20 of the 21 seats, and stormed into office by winning 78 of the 147 assembly seats. Speaking at a rally in Bhubaneswar to mark one year of Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP govt in Odisha, PM Modi said, "The President of United States called me, saying, 'Since you are in Canada, please come over. We will have a meal together and talk.' I thanked him and politely declined, saying that visiting the land of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath) was essential for me. The devotion for Mahaprabhu and your love drew me here." In what was Modi's sixth visit to the state in the past one year, the PM praised Odisha's progress under the BJP govt, emphasising the state's role in India's cultural and economic development. He highlighted initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, and economic opportunities for the people of Odisha, particularly tribal communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Attacking the previous Congress regimes, the PM said the party which governed India for decades had neglected the tribal community and "used them merely for political benefits". He said over 125 tribal-dominated districts were affected by Maoists for years. "Most of these districts were declared backward, and the then govts did not take the responsibility to develop them," Modi said. In contrast, the BJP-led govt freed tribal society from Naxal violence, ushering in development in these areas. The PM also highlighted the role of eastern India in the country's growth trajectory. "The development of 21st century India will gain momentum from eastern India. This is the era of Purvodaya."
India.com
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Declined Trump invite to US, chose sacred land of Lord Jagannath instead: PM Modi in Odisha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the gathering during a public meeting, in Bhubaneswar on Friday. (ANI Photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington, and instead chose to come to Odisha, the sacred land of Lord Jagannath. The Prime Minister was addressing a rally marking the first anniversary of Odisha's maiden BJP government. He also launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused the opposition party of using tribals for political gains, keeping them backward by branding their habitation as 'red corridor'. Modi, who recently returned to Delhi after concluding his three-nation tour, recalled how he preferred Odisha visit than a call from Washington. 'I was in Canada for the G7 Summit when US President Trump called me up and invited me to Washington for a discussion and lunch. I thanked him for the invitation, saying I have to visit Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath. I humbly rejected his invitation,' he said. The Prime Minister had on Tuesday declined Trump's US visit invitation while returning from Canada, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said on the Modi-Trump phone call. Modi said he could not accept the invitation due to a pre-existing schedule, and invited Trump to visit India for the Quad Summit, likely later this year. The two leaders were scheduled to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. However, the US President left the meeting midway amidst rising hostilities between Israel and Iran. On the occasion of the first anniversary of the BJP government headed by a tribal chief minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, launched development projects worth over Rs 18,600 crore. He said the saffron party fulfilled the long-awaited demands of the people as the four gates of Puri Jagannath temple and its 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) have been reopened. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Modi accused the opposition party of deliberately keeping tribal communities underdeveloped and branding their regions as the 'red corridor' for political gains. 'The party which ruled India for decades had neglected the tribal community and used them merely for political benefits,' he said in an apparent reference to the Congress. He alleged that tribal-dominated regions were 'intentionally left backward' during the previous regimes. 'Over 125 tribal-dominated districts in the country were affected by Maoists for years. These areas were given a bad name like 'red corridor'. Most of these districts were declared backward, and the then governments did not take the responsibility to develop them,' Modi said. On the other hand, Modi said that his government since some years has freed the tribal society from violence and showed them the path to development. 'The BJP government took stern action against those spreading violence and at the same time ensured uninterrupted development in tribal areas,' he said, adding that it has given dividends for which the Naxal violence is grossly contained. 'The Naxal violence is now confined to 20 districts in the country. The pace at which the actions are being taken against the Naxalites, the tribal community will soon get rid of violence. Naxalism will be eradicated from the country and this is Modi's guarantee,' the Prime Minister said, adding that the BJP government's priority is to fulfil the dreams of tribals, ease their lives and giving them new opportunities in life. Stating that the Centre is spending more than Rs 1 lakh crore for tribal development, the Prime Minister said that the Union government has launched two major schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, named after the tribal icon Birsa Munda. He said developmental works are being carried out in more than 60,000 tribal villages, including those in Odisha. The tribal villages are being provided with roads, electricity, drinking water and other facilities. As many as 40 residential schools for tribal students are under construction. Prime Minister Modi noted that President Droupadi Murmu's guidance was the inspiration for launching of the PM-JANMAN scheme. Referring to the fishing community, the Prime Minister announced that the central government is setting up a special fund of Rs 25,000 crore, which will greatly benefit those living along Odisha's coastline and generate opportunities for the youth. He said that for the first time, a major nationwide scheme — PM Matsya Sampada Yojana — has been formulated for the welfare of fishermen. The fishermen are now receiving the benefit of the Kisan Credit Card facility as well, he said. Modi, who completed first year of his third term in office on June 9, said that obstructing developmental projects and indulging in corruption, were the 'model' of the previous Congress governments. However, the entire country has been witnessing the development model of the BJP, he said. The PM said that Odisha too had been grappling with numerous challenges for decades when the poor and farmers were not getting their due rights as corruption and red-tapism were dominant, and infrastructure across the state was in a dire condition. 'Such challenges had become the unfortunate reality of Odisha. Over the past year, the BJP government has worked with full resolve to address these issues and this has been possible due to double-engine government (BJP government in both state and Centre). The double-engine government has given double benefit to Odisha,' Modi said.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
PM Modi's convoy makes way for ambulance during roadshow in Odisha
The motorcade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave way to an ambulance during his road show in Bhubaneswar. A video showed the convoy slowing down to allow the ambulance to overtake as people lined up on the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. PM Modi was going to Janata Maidan to attend the first anniversary celebration of the BJP government in Odisha in a roadshow from the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar amid tight security. Thousands of people were standing on both sides of the road to greet him. When the PM's carcade came near the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, an ambulance came on the same route and as the emergency vehicle was carrying a patient to the hospital, the PM's convoy made way for it. It is not the first time that the PM had stopped his cavalcade to facilitate the movement of an ambulance. During a visit to Himachal Pradesh in November 2022, the PM had stopped his convoy to make way for an ambulance to pass in Chambi. In September 2022, PM Modi's convoy had may for an ambulance in Ahmedabad during his Gujarat visit. The car trails stopped in alignment on side of the road for an easy passage of the ambulance as the convoy was on its way to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad. Once the hospital wagon crossed the path, the security vehicles were seen joining the formation followed by PM Modi's car. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of deliberately keeping tribal communities underdeveloped and branding their regions as "red corridor" for political gains. Addressing a public meeting to mark the first anniversary of Odisha's BJP government, Modi said the saffron party has fulfilled the long-awaited demands of the people as the four gates of Puri Jagannath temple and its 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) have been reopened. "The party which ruled India for decades had neglected the tribal community and used them merely for political benefits," he said in an apparent reference to the Congress. He alleged that tribal-dominated regions were "intentionally left backward" during the previous regimes. "Over 125 tribal-dominated districts in the country were affected by Maoists for years. These areas were given a bad name like 'red corridor'. Most of these districts were declared backward, and the then governments did not take the responsibility to develop them," Modi said. On the other hand, Modi said that his government since some years has freed the tribal society from violence and showed them the path to development. "The BJP government took stern action against those spreading violence and at the same time ensured uninterrupted development in tribal areas," he said, adding that it has given dividends for which the Naxal violence is grossly contained. "The Naxal violence is now confined to 20 districts in the country. The pace at which the actions are being taken against the Naxalites, the tribal community will soon get rid of violence. Naxalism will be eradicated from the country and this is Modi's guarantee," the Prime Minister said, adding that the BJP government's priority is to fulfil the dreams of tribals, ease their lives and giving them new opportunities in life.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Police handover bodies of three Maoists to their family members at Rampachodavaram in ASR district
The bodies of the three Maoists, who had been killed in an exchange of fire in the Maredumilli forest area, were handed over to their respective families late in the night on Thursday after conducting the post mortem examination at the Rampachodavaram Area Hospital in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, said Deputy Superintendent of Police G. Sai Prasanth on Friday. The Maoists, who had been killed in the encounter on June 18, were identified as central committee member and secretary of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee Gajarla Ravi, alias Uday; Raavi Venkat Chaitanya, alias Aruna, of Pendurthi in Visakhapatnam district, and South Zonal Committee Member Anju of Konta block in Chhattisgarh, Mr. Sai Prasanth said. The exchange of fire had taken place along the Pamuleru stream, near Akooru village, in the Maredumilli forest cover of the district. 'The dead bodies have been handed over to the family members after completion of the legal procedure in the Rampachodavaram Area Hospital,' Mr. Sai Prasanth told The Hindu. Aruna was cremated in Pendurthi on Friday morning in the presence of a large number of people from the civil rights movement. Aruna had discontinued her studies to join the Maoist movement in the year 2000. She was initially motivated by her father Lakshman Rao's political ideology, as he was then an active member of the UCCRI-ML. Her younger brother, Gopal, alias Azad, had also been killed in an exchange of fire in 2016 in ASR district.
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Hans India
Two maoists dead Chhattisgarh's Kanker district in exchange of fire
A gunfight erupted in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh on Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of two Maoists. Indira Kalyan Alesela, the Superintendent of Police for Kanker, confirmed the violent clash. The incident unfolded when District Reserve Guard (DRG) forces were deployed after receiving intelligence regarding the presence of Maoists in a forested area near Chhotebedhia police station. The operation began early in the morning and has seen continuous exchanges of fire since then. Authorities are currently assessing the situation, with security forces working to secure the area and ensure public safety.
