Container, Truck Collide Head-On In Sambalpur; 1 Driver Dead, 1 Driver Feared Dead, Khalasi Critical

Under the scanner with the ruling Left Front's second-biggest constituent CPI calling for his removal from the key post, Ajith Kumar will now be the ADGP, Armed Battalions.

ADGP Manoj Abraham has been given the responsibility of Law and Order.

There were allegations that Ajith Kumar had met RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale at Thrissur during an RSS camp in December 2023. He was also accused of having met RSS ideologue Ram Madhav in Thiruvananthapuram a few months before.

Kerala Director General of Police Sheikh Darvesh Saheb had also given an adverse report against Ajith Kumar on his meetings with the RSS leaders. However, the Kerala Home Department, in the order shifting him, did not mention any action against Ajith Kumar and instead, it appears as a regular transfer or change of responsibility.

Estranged Left-backed Independent MLA P.V. Anvar has made several allegations against Ajith Kumar including his association with certain gold rackets along with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Political Secretary P. Sasi.

CPI State Secretary Benoy Viswam welcomed the shunting out of Ajith Kumar from the post of ADGP, Law and Order.

Talking to media persons, he said that this was a victory of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

The CPI has come out strongly against the state government for Ajith Kumar continuing as ADGP, Law and Order.

With the Assembly session on, the CPI had, according to sources in the party, been planning to boycott proceedings if the government did not take any action against the controversial officer.

--IANS

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The 'Khalasi' of the container sustained critical injuries in the mishap. 

The deceased container driver was identified as Rehman Khan.  

According to the information, the container and the truck caught fire afther they collided head-on at Kadalipala. The container driver could not escape and was burnt alive. His body was later recovered from the container. The Khalash sustained critical injuries. 

By the time of filing of the article, the truck driver was untraceable. He was believed to have died in the mishap. Rescue operation was still on. 

The highest 75.36 per cent voting was recorded in the Sirsa district and the lowest 56.49 per cent voting was recorded in the Faridabad district.

As per the constituency, the highest 80.61 per cent voting was recorded in Ellenabad and the lowest 48.27 per cent voting was recorded in Badkhal.

Agarwal said the elections were peaceful.

Giving information, he said that 67.62 per cent voting has taken place in Ambala district, while 65.23 per cent voting was recorded in Panchkula district, 74.20 per cent in Yamunanagar district, 69.59 per cent in Kurukshetra district, 72.36 per cent in Kaithal district, 65.67 per cent in Karnal district, 68.80 per cent in Panipat district, 66.08 per cent in Sonipat district, 72.19 per cent in Jind district and 74.77 per cent in Fatehabad district.

Similarly, Hisar district recorded 70.58 per cent voting, Bhiwani district recorded 70.46 per cent, Charkhi Dadri district recorded 69.58 per cent, Rohtak district recorded 66.73 per cent, Jhajjar district recorded 65.69 per cent, Mahendragarh district recorded 70.45 per cent, Rewari district recorded 67.99 per cent, Gurugram district recorded 57.96 per cent, Mewat district recorded 72.81 per cent and Palwal recorded 73.89 per cent voting.

Voting for the 90 Assembly constituencies was held in a single phase from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A total of 20,632 polling stations were set up. Out of 2,03,54,350 voters in the state, 1,38,19,776 voters cast their vote.

Out of these, 74,28,124 men, 63,91,534 women, and 118 third gender voters exercised their franchise.

Agarwal said preparations were made at various levels to ensure smooth conduct of the polling. As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), webcasting was arranged at polling stations for strict and continuous monitoring of the polling process.

Ninety-seven central observers were also deployed by the ECI for field monitoring and continuous feedback.

The CEO added that due to continuous efforts for inducement-free elections, banned material worth Rs 75.97 crore was seized in the state since the announcement of elections.

He said that 225 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were deployed to maintain law and order and to ensure peaceful polling in the elections.

Haryana Police also made strict security arrangements in the state.

To conduct the Assembly elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 Home Guard jawans, and 10,403 SPOs were deployed.

--IANS