1 killed, 10 injured in Israeli airstrike on Lebanese southern city

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

According to sources, an Israeli drone fired three air-to-surface missiles on a motorcycle at the entrance to Bint Jbeil Governmental Hospital in the centre of the Bint Jbeil city

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel October 7

Beirut, May 27: One civilian was killed and ten others were injured on Monday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a motorcycle in Lebanon's southern city of Bint Jbeil, Lebanese military sources told the media.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said that an Israeli drone fired three air-to-surface missiles on a motorcycle at the entrance to Bint Jbeil Governmental Hospital in the centre of the Bint Jbeil city, Xinhua news agency reported.

They added that the attack burned the motorcycle, killed a civilian, and wounded ten others. Official medical sources told Xinhua that the killed civilian, named Ali Wezani, was from the village of Chaqra. His child was also seriously injured in the attack, the sources said. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked several Israeli sites.

(IANS)

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NCPCR Chief Announces Launch Of Baal Swaraj Portal For 'Children In Conflict With The Law'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Oct 3: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief Priyank Kanoongo on Thursday announced the launch of 'Baal Swaraj - CCL portal' for ensuring the rehabilitation and reintegration of the 'Children in conflict with the law' (CCLSs).

The portal has been designed to uphold the rights and entitlements of CCLs and facilitate their reintegration into society.

In a letter to Principal Secretaries to all the States and Union Territories (UTs) on Thursday, the NCPCR chief said the Commission has developed an online platform to ensure that the CCLs receive their basic legal entitlements, including education, vocational training, psychological support and free legal aid.

While announcing the launch of the CCL portal, he also admitted several existing deficiencies and inadequacies in the system, including lack of timely legal aid, delays in granting bail and more.

"There have also been failures in securing legal entitlements for rehabilitation and restoration of Children in Conflict with the Law (CCLs), despite clear norms provided under the Juvenile Justice Act," NCPRC chief said.

The NCPCR chief has asked the Principal Secretaries (Department of Women and Child Development) to pass on the instructions to concerned departments i.e. District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) to immediately start utilising the Baal Swaraj – CCL portal for uploading and updating new cases, from now onwards.

The Baal Swaraj CCL. Portal will function as a comprehensive digital interface, enabling real-time monitoring of CCLs by relevant stakeholders to ensure timely interventions.

The data entered by DCPUs will be systematically analysed quarterly and the annual reports will be generated by the Commission. It will then be submitted to the Parliament to maintain transparency and accountability in the management of CCLs.

"It is imperative to note that once a child has been successfully enrolled in school or in the NIOS, and this information is duly submitted by the DCPU on the portal, confirming that the child is receiving regular education, their ID and details will automatically be removed from the portal upon completion of the trial," said the letter.

--IANS

Dussehra In Cuttack: HC Asks CMC To Repair Roads, Street Lights In 7 Days

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Dussehra In Cuttack: HC Asks To Repair Roads, Street Lights In 7 Days

Cuttack, Oct 3: The Orissa High Court Thursday expressed displeasure over the Cuttack Municipal Corporation's dillydallying attitude in repairing street roads and lights despite its order.

The High Court asked the CMC to repair roads in all wards within seven days. The Court warned that a contempt of court case would be filed if wrong reports vis-a-vis repair work is submitted.

The HC issued these orders while hearing a related public interest litigation (PIL) today.

The HC also instructed the CMC to repair all street lights, which have been inoperational, well before Dussehra.
On the other hand, the CMC apprised the court that local police station IICs and the district nodal officer have inspected various Durga Pendals and made it clear that 'Torans' (Gates) have been constructed without blocking roads.

The city police assured that sound boxes if found creating sound above 65 decibels would be seized. More sound-measuring apparatuses will be brought and put to use during Dussehra, said the DCP.

The CMC Commissioner, City Engineer, Health Officer, R&B Engineer, DCP, and ADMO were present during the hearing.

Last Rites Of Kerala Soldier, Who Died In 1968 Crash, To Be Held On Friday

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 3: The funeral of Thomas Cherian, a Malayali soldier who died in a plane crash 56 years ago, will be held on Friday.

An army official said that Cherain’s mortal remains will be taken home from Ilanturchanta Junction with a military escort while the third order of the funeral service will be held at the house under the patronage of Metropolitan Kuriakos Mar Clemis.

In 1968, Cherian joined the Indian Army at the age of 22 and after finishing his training, was asked to join his posting at Leh. However, the ill-fated Indian Air Force Antonov-12 aircraft went missing on February 7, 1968, while on a flight from Chandigarh to Leh which was carrying 102 personnel, including IAF officers, soldiers, and civilians.

After encountering severe weather conditions near Rohtang Pass, the aircraft lost contact and vanished in the harsh, snowbound terrain.

For decades, the wreckage remained hidden until 2003 when mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering stumbled upon parts of the plane, igniting a series of recovery missions.

However, by 2019, after several expeditions only five bodies had been retrieved.

Last week, the remains of Cherain were discovered by a joint team comprising personnel from the Dogra Scouts of the Indian Army and the Tiranga Mountain Rescue as part of the ongoing Chandrabhaga mountain expedition.