Pakistan Threatens India Once Again; Cuttack Tense After Communal Clashes Over Durga Puja Procession; And More

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Election Commission Unveils 17 New Initiatives for Bihar Assembly Polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday detailed extensive preparations for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, announcing 17 new initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and voter convenience, though poll dates remain unannounced.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar outlined technological integrations and voter-friendly measures to be implemented before November 22, 2025.

The commission completed a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists after 22 years, with 243 Electoral Registration Officers and 90,207 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) cleansing electoral rolls across all 243 constituencies.

Key Initiatives Include

The ECI conducted training for over 7,000 BLOs in Delhi and special sessions for Bihar police. Remuneration was doubled for BLOs, with increased compensation for supervisors, monitoring staff, and election personnel.

Technology upgrades feature prominently: all 40 separate applications have been integrated into a single "ECINET" platform providing real-time voting data. Every polling booth will have 100 per cent webcasting, while booth capacity has been capped at 1,200 voters.

Voter-friendly changes include identity cards for BLOs, mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations, clearer red-colored voter slips, and larger serial numbers on ballot papers. Colored candidate photos will appear on EVMs for the first time.

Transparency measures mandate VVPAT recounting if EVM mismatches occur, postal ballot counting before final EVM rounds, and digital index cards available within days post-election.

The commission visited Bihar over the weekend, meeting 12 political parties on Saturday before briefing media. Election dates are expected to be announced this week.

Pakistan Threatens India Over Military Chiefs' Remarks

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued stark warnings to India following recent comments by Indian military leadership. Responding to Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi's threat to "erase Pakistan from the map," Asif declared India "will be buried under the debris of its planes."

The exchange escalates tensions following Operation Sindoor in May, where conflicting claims persist. Pakistan maintains it downed six Indian fighter jets, while India asserts it destroyed or damaged at least a dozen Pakistani aircraft, including F-16s, during retaliatory strikes after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned India "can cross any border whenever necessary," while General Dwivedi urged Pakistan to stop sponsoring terrorism. The Pakistan Army condemned these statements as "delusional, provocative and jingoistic," cautioning that future conflict could bring "cataclysmic devastation."

Both nations remain on high alert amid the inflammatory rhetoric.

Other developments

Supreme Court to Hear Plea Challenging Sonam Wangchuk's NSA Detention

The Supreme Court will hear today, October 6, a petition by activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, challenging his detention under the National Security Act and demanding immediate release.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 under NSA—allowing detention without trial for up to 12 months—following protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh that left four dead and 90 injured. He is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan.

The habeas corpus petition, filed through senior lawyer Vivek Tankha, alleges Wangchuk's detention is "illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional," violating fundamental rights. Angmo claims she's under virtual house arrest while students at Wangchuk's Himalayan Institute face harassment.

The plea seeks immediate access to Wangchuk, who was shifted to Jodhpur without medicines or personal belongings after recovering from a prolonged fast. No detention grounds have been provided to the family, the petition states.

Manufacturing Sector Dominates New Investment Projects

India's manufacturing sector reached a record high, capturing 73.2 per cent of total new investment projects worth Rs 5.2 lakh crore announced during July-September 2025, according to data released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This marks the highest sectoral share since Q3FY11, with manufacturing projects valued at Rs 3.8 lakh crore.

The services sector accounted for approximately 18 per cent of new projects, followed by construction at 4.6 per cent. Notably, the electricity sector's share plummeted to 4.3 per cent from 22.3 per cent year-on-year, while mining remained stagnant.

Despite the percentage dominance, absolute manufacturing project values were higher in previous quarters, peaking at Rs 8.3 lakh crore in Q4FY24.

From the states

Torrential Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides in Northern Bengal, 18 Dead

Severe flooding and landslides have claimed at least 18 lives across northern Bengal and parts of Bhutan following torrential rains.

Officials warn the toll may rise as rescue operations continue.

Critical road connectivity has been severed, with NH-10 blocked at Chitrey and Selfie Dara, while the Darjeeling-Siliguri highway remains impassable. The Kalimpong-Darjeeling route is shut after flooding near Rabijhora, and Coronation Bridge connectivity has snapped. Police recommend the Lava-Gorubathan alternative route.

The IMD issued a red alert warning of heavy rainfall, lightning, and 30-40 kmph winds continuing until October 7. All major Darjeeling tourist spots, including Tiger Hill, have been closed.

Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a Monday visit to assess the situation.

Madhya Pradesh: Paediatrician Arrested After 11 Children Die from Contaminated Cough Syrup

A paediatrician in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district has been arrested following the deaths of 14 children allegedly linked to toxic Coldrif cough syrup. Dr. Soni prescribed the syrup to children with routine cold and fever in early September. After initial recovery, victims developed kidney infections and reduced urine output, ultimately proving fatal.

Government testing revealed the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance. Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer Sresan Pharmaceuticals now faces legal action, with authorities establishing a Special Investigation Team to probe the company.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called the tragedy "extremely tragic," banning Coldrif statewide and suspending other company products. Kerala has also banned the syrup "out of abundance of caution," despite the contaminated batch not reaching the state.

Another syrup, Nextro-DS, faces precautionary bans pending test results. Nationwide inspections continue as authorities examine cough syrup safety standards.

Odisha: Cuttack on Edge After Durga Puja Clashes; Internet Suspended, Bandh Called

Odisha's Cuttack remained tense Sunday following violent clashes during Durga Puja idol immersion. The trouble began Saturday when locals objected to loud music during a procession through Dargah Bazaar around 1:30 am. Stone-pelting from rooftops injured several, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.

Tensions escalated Sunday evening after a VHP motorcycle rally defied restrictions, passing through Dargah Bazaar. CCTV cameras were damaged and shops vandalized along the route. Police conducted mild lathi charges, arresting six people identified through footage.

The government suspended internet services across Cuttack Municipal Corporation areas for 36 hours to prevent misinformation spread. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed for peace, promising strict action against troublemakers.

VHP announced a 12-hour bandh Monday, while opposition leader Naveen Patnaik criticized alleged administrative failures. Despite disruptions, 120 idol immersions eventually concluded under heavy security with Section 144 imposed citywide.

You’re all caught up. Until next time.