Before departing for the Bangladesh Army’s 10th Infantry Division Headquarters in Ramu, three Pakistani Army brigadiers arrive in Dhaka.
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A GST notice is sent to Tata Steel for potential discrepancies in input tax credits.
Tata Steel has received a show cause-cum-demand notice from tax authorities alleging irregular input tax credit (ITC) claims exceeding ₹1,000 crore for FY 2018-19 to 2022-23. The notice, issued by the Central Tax Commissioner (Audit), Ranchi, requires the company to justify within 30 days why ₹1,007.54 crore in GST should not be recovered. Tata Steel clarified it has already paid ₹514.19 crore as part of its routine operations, reducing the proposed GST exposure to ₹493.35 crore. The company maintains that the allegations are without merit, intends to present its case, and assures stakeholders that the notice will not impact its financial or operational activities.
Mob depredation and anti-Hindu violence are being encouraged by the Bangladesh Army.
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has descended into a period of widespread violence and lawlessness, with minorities—particularly Hindus—bearing the brunt of targeted attacks. Despite Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman’s public pledge to protect the nation, the months that followed saw over 2,000 incidents of violence against minorities, including brutal assaults, rapes, and murders, as documented by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has been criticized for its silence and inaction, while the military has largely failed to intervene, allowing mobs to operate with impunity. The rise in radical Islamist sentiment and the conflation of anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric have further marginalized secular voices, leaving Bangladesh’s minority communities increasingly vulnerable and the rule of law in tatters.
Assam CM: Guwahati-North Guwahati Bridge Will Be Completed by Year’s End
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the under-construction trumpet junction near the Brahmaputra, a crucial link for the upcoming bridge connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati. Reviewing the project’s progress, Sarma urged officials to expedite work, aiming for the bridge’s completion by December 2025 or January 2026. He assured that vehicles would be able to use the new bridge even if the trumpet junction is not ready, with alternate routes via IIT Guwahati and GNRC available in the interim. The trumpet junction itself is expected to be finished by May or June next year, further streamlining traffic between the two cities. The bridge and junction are part of broader efforts to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time across the Brahmaputra.
A stampede at the Puri Rath Yatra claimed three lives and injured ten.
Tragedy struck Puri’s annual Rath Yatra as a stampede near the Gundicha Temple claimed three lives and left at least ten devotees injured in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred when a massive crowd surged forward for a glimpse of the deities’ chariots, resulting in a deadly crush. The victims, all from Khurda district, died on the spot, while several injured remain in critical condition. The tragedy has raised questions about police preparedness and crowd management, sparking political blame and calls for accountability. Authorities have promised a thorough inquiry and a review of safety protocols to prevent future incidents during one of Odisha’s most revered religious festivals.
The first person from the state to command a front-line Indian military warship is an Arunachal native.
Commander Ronie Chowpoo has made history as the first officer from Arunachal Pradesh to command a frontline warship in the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet. Hailing from Nalong village in Namsai district, Chowpoo’s appointment is being celebrated as a landmark achievement for the state. Commissioned into the Navy in 2008 and an expert in communication and electronic warfare, he is a first-generation naval officer whose rise reflects years of dedication and professional excellence. Leaders from Arunachal Pradesh, including the Congress Committee, have hailed his accomplishment as a source of immense pride and inspiration, underscoring the growing contributions of the state’s people to national service and defence. Commander Chowpoo’s new role stands as a beacon for aspiring defence personnel from the Northeast.
India prohibits importing jute and other goods from Bangladesh via land routes.
Amid escalating diplomatic tensions, India has imposed a ban on the import of specific jute products and woven fabrics from Bangladesh through all land routes, restricting their entry to the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade clarified that these restrictions do not affect Bangladeshi goods transiting to Nepal or Bhutan, though re-exports to India via these countries are prohibited. This move marks the third instance of trade curtailment with Bangladesh in recent months, following earlier restrictions on ready-made garments, processed food items, and the withdrawal of export transshipment facilities. The latest trade curbs come in the wake of controversial remarks by Bangladesh’s interim leader and growing Indian concerns over Bangladesh’s diplomatic closeness with China and Pakistan. With bilateral trade valued at $12.9 billion in 2023-24, these measures underscore the impact of political and economic challenges on India-Bangladesh relations, particularly in the vital textile sector.
