Anti Terror Agency Files Fresh Chargesheet Against 2 In Coimbatore Car Blast

The NIA on Wednesday filed a fresh charge sheet and named two more accused in the ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car bomb blast case of 2022, an agency spokesperson said.

Mohammed Azarudeen alias Azar and Mohammed Idris, both residents of Coimbatore, have been named in the supplementary charge sheet and have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Explosive Substances Act, the spokesperson said.

With this, a total of 13 people have been charge-sheeted in this case till now. The rest were named in the prosecution complaints filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April and June last year.

The probe pertains to an explosion that took place in front of the ancient Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Thirukovil Temple at Eswaran Kovil Street in Ukkadam, Coimbatore on October 23, 2022, through a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), allegedly driven by one Jamesha Mubeen.

Mubeen was "inspired" by hardcore ISIS ideology to commit this act of terror.

The NIA probe found, the spokesperson said, that Mubeen, along with Mohammed Azarudeen, Umar Faaruq, Sheikh Hidayathullah and Sanofer Ali, conspired to carry out a series of suicidal terror attacks in Coimbatore city following a conspiracy hatched in the forested area of Sathyamangalam region in Erode district of Tamil Nadu.

The attack was intended to wreak vengeance on 'kafirs' (non-believers), as stated in one of the self-made confessional videos by the accused a few days before the attack, the spokesperson said.

Azarudeen, who acted as a pedagogue to the module involved in the attack, was earlier arrested by the NIA in another case related to the indoctrination of ISIS ideology and in connection with the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama'ath) module of Sri Lanka, which was responsible for the 2019 Easter blast attacks in the island country.

"Azarudeen had motivated three other accused who met him in the high-security prison (HSP) Viyyur. This led to the subsequent Sathyamangalam Conspiracy meeting, resulting in the planning and preparation of the instant terror attack," the spokesperson added.

Accused Umar Faaruq was elected as the "Amir" to lead the execution.

Mohammed Idris, part of the module of Azarudeen and radicalised in the ISIS and by the 'bayans' (statements) of accused Zahran Hashim, was tasked with purchasing a used vehicle for the blast and to assisting the main accused in the attack, he said.

"The larger aim of the conspiracy was to create terror in the minds of a section of the society by targeting its various branches like general administration, police, judiciary," the spokesperson said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ayodhya Set To Become World's "Most Sought-After Destination": UP Minister

With an estimated 1 lakh devotees expected to visit Ayodhya daily following the inauguration of the Ram temple, the holy city is set to become the "world's most sought-after" tourist destination, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said on Tuesday.

Helicopter services to Ayodhya from six cities of the state, the ongoing conservation of 37 ancient temples and the expansion of the existing airport in the holy city will result in a manifold rise in the influx of visitors, Mr Singh said.

Asked about a report estimating that a USD 10 billion makeover of Ayodhya with a new airport, revamped railway station, township and improved road connectivity could attract over 50 million tourists a year, Mr Singh said "it will certainly happen".

"In fact, we estimate over 1 lakh tourists per day in Ayodhya and arrangements are being made keeping that in mind," Mr Singh said.

According to the report, the Golden Temple in Amritsar gets an estimated 30-35 million visitors a year while the annual footfall at the Tirupati Temple is 25-30 million. Globally, Vatican City gets around 9 million tourists every year and Mecca in Saudi Arabia around 20 million.

The minister asserted, "Certainly, Ayodhya will be the most sought-after destination in not only the country but the entire world." The crowd outside the temple today is tremendous. This moment has come after a wait of 500 years, he said.

Stressing that the number of visitors will start rising after Republic Day on January 26 as security measures affect the movement of trains and vehicles, Mr Singh said the hospitality industry in Ayodhya will also reap the benefits of religious tourism.

"After January 26, when rail traffic resumes, the number of visitors is going to rise. If you consider each devotee spending Rs 2,000-2,500 on buying prasad, food, and lodging, the revenue generated will be tremendous," the minister said.

"In the next two to three years, tourism in Ayodhya will generate the maximum revenue for the government. I am saying three years because starting a project, getting clearances and implementation takes that much time," he said.

After January 26, the tourism department will also start helicopter services to Ayodhya from at least six districts -- Lucknow, Varanasi, Mathura, Agra, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj, he said.

Work is going on to restore 37 ancient temples in Ayodhya, which will be the centre of attraction for tourists coming for a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla, the minister said, adding that the project will be completed soon.

According to Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya, Gaurav Dayal, 102 intent agreements worth about Rs 18,000 crore were signed for tourism in Ayodhya during the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023.

Currently, there are 126 ready-to-be-implemented projects worth Rs 4,000 crore related to tourism in Ayodhya, he said.

Around 50 renowned hotel brands have invested in Ayodhya, including Taj, Marriott, Ginger, Oberoi, Trident, and Radisson. Their projects will be completed soon, the officer said.

There are also plans to develop Raj Sadan, the grand residence of the erstwhile Raja of Ayodhya, as a heritage hotel, with a major hotel chain expressing interest in investing in this project, he added.

With several luxury and budget hotels, resorts, and homestays coming up in Ayodhya, the holy city is emerging as a new favourite of the hospitality industry, official sources said.

Good highways and roads, wall paintings depicting the life of Lord Ram, facade lighting, and a grand entrance adorned with Victorian lamps add to the attraction of Ayodhya, they said.

Meanwhile, the minister said UP's tourism sector has remained untapped, but with the focus on religious tourism, the state is going to become one of the top tourism destinations and Ayodhya will be a hot favourite.

Tour and taxi operators in Lucknow and Ayodhya are also upbeat over the prospects of increase in the number of tourists, both domestic and international, arriving in the holy city to pay obeisance at the Ram temple.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Security Tightened In Imphal As Manipur Ministers To Meet This Key Group

Security has been tightened in and around Manipur capital Imphal after Arambai Tenggol asked all ministers and MLAs from the valley districts for a meeting at Kangla Fort on Wednesday.

Arambai Tenggol, an organisation of around 50,000 people engaged in guarding villages in the valley areas of the state, has asked all ministers and MLAs from the valley districts to come for discussions, the details of which have not been specified, an official said, adding "there are intel reports that they (Arambai Tenggol) are planning to enter Kangla fort with arms before the meeting."

According to the officials, a large number of security forces including CRPF, Assam Rifles, Army and state police have been deployed near the fort as a precautionary measure.

Kangla Fort served as the royal seat of Manipur kingdom till 1891.

Earlier too, Arambai Tenggol had asked all legislators to attend a meeting at Kangla Fort, the official said.

The development comes a day after a three-member Union home ministry team met the leaders of the group at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba on Monday, the official added.

The group has demanded delisting of Kukis from the ST list, deportation of refugees to camps in Mizoram, border fencing, replacement of Assam Rifles with other paramilitary force and revoking Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between Centre and Kuki militant groups, officials said.

The central team included former Intelligence Bureau special director AK Mishra, SIB New Delhi joint director Mandeep Singh and SIB Imphal joint director Rajesh Kamble.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Rajasthan Minister's One-Meal Vow Until Grand Krishna Temple Is Built

Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Monday said he will eat only one meal a day till a grand temple is constructed in the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

"Unless a magnificent temple on the birthplace of Lord Sri Krishna is constructed, I will eat only once a day, beginning today," Mr Dilawar said at a felicitation event in Ramganj Mandi, his constituency in Kota.

In his address, Mr Dilawar recalled how he along with Dr Kirorilal Meena, now a state cabinet minister, and hundreds of kar sevaks staged a demonstration in Ayodhya in 1992 against the illegal detention and fabricated charges of murder against their colleagues.

Mr Dilawar, a six-time MLA and three-time minister, had in February 1990 also vowed he would not accept or wear garland till the Ram Temple is constructed in Ayodhya.

On Monday, after the consecration ceremony was over at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he was offered a 34 kg garland, and another, 108 feet in length, by his supporters.

Mr Dilawar however refused to wear the garlands saying he would wear it when he visits the temple in Ayodhya on January 31.

In February 1990, Mr Dilwar had also vowed he would not sleep in bed until Article 370 pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped. It is said he slept on a mat ever since, till the contentious Article was revoked in 2019, when he finally took to bed. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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राहुल गांधी 22 जनवरी को वैष्णव संत शंकरदेव के जन्मस्थान पर जायेंगे : कांग्रेस

कांग्रेस के पूर्व अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी को अयोध्या में रामलला विग्रह के प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा समारोह के दौरान वैष्णव संत श्रीमंत शंकरदेव की जन्मस्थली बोर्दोवा थान का दौरा करने से बचने की असम के मुख्यमंत्री हिमंत विश्व शर्मा के परामर्श पर कांग्रेस ने रविवार को जोर देकर कहा कि गांधी की यात्रा निर्धारित कार्यक्रम के अनुसार जारी रहेगी. अखिल भारतीय कांग्रेस कमेटी (एआईसीसी) के महासचिव जयराम रमेश ने कहा कि गांधी अपनी पूर्व निर्धारित योजना के अनुसार असम के नागांव जिले में बोर्दोवा थान का दौरा करेंगे. उन्होंने आग्रह किया कि 'इस पर कोई राजनीति नहीं की जानी चाहिए'.

गांधी मणिपुर से मुंबई तक 'भारत जोड़ो न्याय यात्रा' का नेतृत्व कर रहे हैं और यह यात्रा 18 जनवरी को असम पहुंची थी और यह 25 जनवरी तक प्रदेश में रहेगी. कार्यक्रम के अनुसार, यात्रा रविवार को नागांव पहुंचेगी और रात में वहीं रुकेगी तथा अगली सुबह वहां से आगे के लिये प्रस्थान करेगी.

गांधी के साथ यात्रा में शामिल रमेश ने संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा, ‘‘यात्रा का मार्ग 3-4 सप्ताह पहले तय किया गया था और कार्यक्रम के अनुसार, हम 22 जनवरी को नागांव में होंगे.''

उन्होंने कहा, 'हमें लगता है कि यह जरूरी है कि हम बोर्दोवा थान का दौरा करें, क्योंकि हम नागांव से गुजर रहे हैं. यह महान समाज सुधारक श्रीमंत शंकरदेव का जन्मस्थान है, जिनका जीवन आज भी करोड़ों लोगों को प्रेरित करता है.' कांग्रेस नेता ने कहा, 'इस पर कोई विवाद नहीं होना चाहिए था. इस पर कोई राजनीति नहीं की जानी चाहिए.'

उन्होंने बताया कि गांधी सोमवार सुबह थान का दौरा करेंगे और उसके बाद दिन में आगे की यात्रा शुरू करेंगे. उन्होंने कहा कि इस दौरान वह पड़ोसी मेघालय में प्रवेश करने से पहले मोरीगांव जिले से गुजरेंगे.

यह यात्रा पड़ोसी राज्य मेघालय की एक छोटी यात्रा के बाद असम लौट आएगी. शर्मा ने रविवार को एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन को संबोधित करते हुए कहा कि गांधी को 22 जनवरी को बोर्दोवा थान जाने से बचना चाहिए, क्योंकि भगवान राम और राज्य में एक प्रतीक के रूप में प्रतिष्ठित मध्ययुगीन वैष्णव संत के बीच कोई प्रतिस्पर्धा नहीं हो सकती है. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि सोमवार को यात्रा के दौरान अल्पसंख्यक बहुल इलाकों के संवेदनशील मार्गों पर कमांडो तैनात किये जायेंगे.

उन्होंने कहा, 'हम राहुल गांधी से अनुरोध करेंगे कि वह सोमवार को राम मंदिर में प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह के दौरान बोर्दोवा थान न जाएं, क्योंकि इससे असम की गलत छवि बनेगी.' रमेश ने शनिवार को एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा था कि गांधी 22 जनवरी को वैष्णव संत शंकरदेव के जन्मस्थान जाएंगे.

ये भी पढ़ें- जिलाधिकारी शीत लहर के मद्देनजर स्कूलों को बंद करने का आदेश वापस लें: बिहार शिक्षा विभाग

ये भी पढ़ें- अहमदाबाद-मुंबई बुलेट ट्रेन परियोजना की प्रगति संतोषजनक : JICA

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Gujarat Man Paints His Jaguar Saffron To Mark Ayodhya Ram Temple Event

The preparations for the grand 'Pran Prathistha' (consecration) ceremony of Ayodhya's Ram Temple on January 22 are in full swing. Amid this, a man from Gujarat, Siddharth Doshi wrapped his Jaguar car with the theme of the ceremony. 

Mr Doshi painted his luxury car in a radiant shade of saffron. The car has images of Lord Rama and the Ramayana on its sides. It also features a picture of the temple structure on the car's bonnet. Further, Sanskrit sholkas are also seen on the car. The vehicle also displays Ram Darbar and Lord Hanuman.

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A post shared by Siddharth Doshi (@iam_siddharth_doshi)

Mr Doshi embarked on a pilgrimage from Surat to Ayodhya. He shared several pictures and videos from his journey. In one of the posts, Mitesh Patel, Member of Parliament from Anand, Gujarat is seen posing next to him. In another post, he is pictured with Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.

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However, this is not the first time that Mr Doshi has made changes to his car. Last year, he modified his Jaguar car with India's G20 Presidency-themed films to spread awareness about it. He stated at that time that hosting the G20 group by India was a proud moment for all the countrymen.

The businessman, who is a big fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drove his car from Surat in Gujarat to the national capital Delhi to spread awareness about the importance of G20.

"It is a proud moment for us and India that India is hosting the G20 this year, my simple message through my car is that people know the importance of the country," he told ANI.

Earlier, he had decorated his same car around the theme of 'Amrit Mahotsav of Independence', the 75th year of independence.

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फूलों की सजावट और विशेष रोशनी से जगमगा उठा भव्य राम मंदिर, प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह में बस 2 दिन बाकी

अयोध्या: प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह के लिए केवल दो दिन शेष रहने के मद्देनजर अयोध्या स्थित राम मंदिर को भव्य आयोजन के लिए पुष्पों और विशेष रोशनी से सजाया गया है. अयोध्यावासियों का कहना है कि अयोध्या नगरी राममय हो रही है. मंदिर न्यास के सूत्रों ने बताया कि सजावट के लिए फूलों के समृद्ध भंडार का उपयोग किया गया है और 22 जनवरी को होने वाले समारोह के मद्देनजर मंदिर को सजाने के लिए फूलों के विशेष डिजाइन तैयार किए गए हैं.

एक सूत्र ने ‘पीटीआई-भाषा' से कहा, ‘‘ये सभी असली फूल हैं और सर्दी के मौसम के कारण ये अपेक्षाकृत लंबे समय तक ताजा रहते हैं इसलिए वे प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह तक ताजा रहेंगे. इन फूलों की सुगंध और सुंदरता ने मंदिर की दिव्यता को और बढ़ा दिया है.

सजावट दीया की 'थीम' पर आधारित
उन्होंने कहा कि फूलों से सजावट और रोशनी के लिए अलग-अलग टीम बनाई गई हैं और वे न्यास अधिकारियों के मार्गदर्शन में मिलकर काम कर रही हैं.  सूत्र ने कहा कि बाहर के हिस्से में रोशनी की सजावट दीया की 'थीम' पर आधारित है ताकि इसे पारंपरिक रूप दिया जा सके और मंदिर के अलंकृत तत्वों को उजागर किया जा सके.

 एक सूत्र ने कहा कि गर्भ गृह के अंदर पारंपरिक दीये का इस्तेमाल किया जाएगा. मंदिर के भीतर हल्की रोशनी वास्तुशिल्प तत्वों को उजागर करेगी जबकि बाहरी रोशनी शाम के बाद ही चालू की जाएगी.

अयोध्या स्थित राम मंदिर में प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह से पहले भगवान राम की नई मूर्ति बृहस्पतिवार की दोपहर राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर के गर्भगृह में रखी गई. मैसूर स्थित मूर्तिकार अरुण योगीराज द्वारा बनाई गई 51 इंच की रामलला की मूर्ति को ट्रक से यहां लाया गया था.

#NDTVExclusive : अनूप जलोटा के लिए कैसे हैं उनके राम? भजन सम्राट से एनडीटीवी की एक्सक्लूसिव बातचीत@DeoSikta @anupjalota #RamTemple #RamMandirAyodhya pic.twitter.com/2uKWCphVrF

— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) January 20, 2024

22 जनवरी को मंदिर में 'प्राण प्रतिष्ठा' समारोह
प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी और कई अन्य गणमान्य अतिथि 22 जनवरी को मंदिर में 'प्राण प्रतिष्ठा' समारोह में शामिल होंगे. मंदिर न्यास के महासचिव चंपत राय ने संवाददाताओं से कहा था कि मंदिर में प्रवेश पूर्व दिशा से और निकास दक्षिण दिशा से होगा. संपूर्ण मंदिर अधिरचना अंततः तीन मंजिला होगी.

मुख्य मंदिर तक पहुंचने के लिए पर्यटक पूर्वी दिशा से 32 सीढ़ियां चढ़ेंगे. पारंपरिक नागर शैली में निर्मित मंदिर परिसर 380 फीट लंबा (पूर्व-पश्चिम दिशा), 250 फीट चौड़ा और 161 फीट ऊंचा होगा.

राम मंदिर उद्घाटन की तैयारियां जोरों पर
अयोध्या में भव्य राम मंदिर के उद्घाटन  की तैयारियां जोर-शोर पर हैं. सात दिनों तक चलने वाले रामलला के प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा समारोह का आज पांचवां दिन है. कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत 16 जनवरी को हुई और इसका समापन 22 जनवरी को रामलला की प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा के साथ होगा. पीएम मोदी ने 5 अगस्त 2020 को राम मंदिर का भूमि पूजन किया था, अब रामलला स्थायी रूप से मंदिर में विराजमान होने जा रहे हैं, हालांकि गर्भगृह तक वह पहले ही पहुंच चुके हैं. अयोध्या में आज होना वाला कार्यक्रम बहुत ही खास है.

प्रभु श्रीराम के स्वागत के लिए अयोध्या तैयार
इस दौरान पीएम मोदी खुद अयोध्या में मौजूद रहेंगे. इस भव्य राम मंदिर समारोह के लिए मंदिर ट्रस्ट ने 7,000 से अधिक प्रतिष्ठित लोगों को न्योता भेजा है. इनमें सचिन तेंदुलकर, विराट कोहली, बॉलीवुड सुपरस्टार अमिताभ बच्चन भी शामिल हैं. मंदिर में भव्य समारोह के लिए अयोध्या शहर को दुल्हन की तरह सजाया गया है, जो अपने प्रभु श्री राम के स्वागत के लिए पलकें बिछाए बैठी है. बता दें कि पीएम मोदी राम मंदिर उद्घाटन समारोह में मुख्य यजमान होंगे. 

ये भी पढ़ें:- 
अयोध्या राम मंदिर निर्माण में नहीं किया गया लोहे और स्टील का इस्तेमाल, जानें क्या है वजह?
Video: भव्य उद्घाटन से पहले अयोध्या के राम मंदिर की एक झलक
 

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