In other news on Budget day, February 1

Nagaland: 2 killed, several injured in clashes over ULB polls

Two persons were killed while several others suffered injured in clashes between the police and a mob as groups of people rampaged government properties since last night in Dimapur and Longleng districts, even as polling to some Urban Local Bodies in Nagaland were held today. In view of the prevailing situation, all mobile data services have been blocked in the state since midnight. In Dimapur, two youths died and at least three were injured as a crowd gathered near the private residence of Chief Minister TR Zeliang at 3rd Mile and a police force tried to stop them around 9.30 PM, a state official said. There were reports of the deaths caused by police firing but not confirmed by the official who did not want to be named.

Assam: Opposition walkout

The opposition in Assam Assembly today staged a walkout form the House after Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami dismissed their adjournment motion to discuss the eviction drive in several places by the government. Two separate adjournment motions were introduced by Congress and All India United Democratic Front to discuss the continuous eviction drive against encroachers from government land for the last few months and their rehabilitation at various places across the state.

Ladakh: Leh is a freezing -13.1 deg C

Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, recorded a low of minus 13.1 degrees Celsius today with the night temperature in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including the famous Pahalgam Gulmarg hill resorts, nosediving several degrees below freezing point. Leh town recorded a dip of 8.7 degrees in the night temperature compared to yesterday's minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, while nearby Kargil town also shivered at a low of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, he said.

Punjab: Amarinder says Maur bomb blast blame lies on Kejriwal's shoulders

Accusing AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of promoting extremist forces like Khalistan Commando Force in Punjab, Congress state chief Amarinder Singh today said the bomb blast in Maur Mandi of Bathinda showed that the terror cells of the Khalistanis were again getting active. Kejriwal, who had allegedly stayed at a KCF extremist's house in Punjab, was fanning terror forces through his actions, led by the dangerous mix of the AAP extreme left and extreme right ideologies, he said. Replying to a question, he said blame for the incident went to Kejriwal, who had been encouraging fascism and even if AAP is not "directly involved" in the explosion, it was clearly promoting extremist ideology and forces.

Delhi: Antony flays RML authorities on treatment of E Ahamed family
Former Defence Minister AK Antony today termed as "cruel" the behaviour of the RML Hospital authorities towards the family members of deceased IUML leader E Ahamed. who suffered a cardiac arrest during the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament yesterday. Antony said he was pained by the fact that the family members of Ahamed were allegedly not allowed to meet him or informed about his health at the government-run hospital. 78-year-old Ahamed passed away in the wee hours today at RML Hospital.

Maharashtra: Village bids adieu to jawan killed in avalanche

The last rites of soldier Ramchandra Shamrao Mane (34), who recently died in an avalanche in Machhil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, were performed today with full state honours at his native village in Maharashtra's Sangli district. The funeral was held this morning after Mane's mortal remains was brought in a helicoper to Kavathe-Mahankal village, District collector Shekhar Gaikwad said. Mane is survived by mother, wife and two sons--both studying in Satara Sainik School.

Rajasthan: Minor girl alleges rape by neighbour in Bundi

A 14-year-old girl of Mali community was allegedly raped by a man in Bhajneri village in Bundi district, police said today. The minor along with her family complained to the police alleging that she was raped last evening by 30-year-old Suraj Nath, living in her neighbourhood, who offered her a ride while she was going out for some work, sub inspector of Dei police station Abdul Sayeed said. Based on the victim's complaint, a case of rape under Section 376 (rape) of IPC and relevant sections of the POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was lodged against Nath, the SI said.

J&K: Violent protests in JK Assembly over CM's remarks

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was today rocked by unprecedented violent protests during which furniture was damaged and mikes were uprooted by opposition members who demanded that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti clarify her stand on her remarks on Article 370, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House. Some of the members were seen protesting on the tables and furniture and mikes were uprooted during the protests. Chairs were thrown, papers were torn and thrown in the Well as anti-government, anti-BJP, anti-Speaker and anti-RSS slogans were raised.

Tamil Nadu: Don't harass family members of Jallikattu protesters, says HC

The Madras High Court today directed the police not to harass the family members of protesters against whom cases have been registered in connection with the violent incidents during the pro-Jallikattu protests here. The Court also directed the government pleader to inform all the police stations that persons against whom the cases have been filed alone should be called and not any other member of their family, who does not have any connection with the incident. Justice R Mahadevan gave the direction on a petition filed by one Selvam of Arumbakkam, who is a differently-abled person and father of a student who was booked in connection with the protests last week. The petitioner sought a direction to the police not to harass him under the guise of enquiry.