The central government on Friday decided to increase the compensation for victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, according to Amnesty International, a non-governmental human rights organisation. The government has also decided to revise the number of deaths and injuries that were caused by tragedy, which many claimed were too low. According to Amnesty, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar has promised to make those revisions before the 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster on December 2. The gas leak in the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal on the night of December 2-3, 1984, killed over 3,500 people, according to state government figures.
Jammu and Kashmir: Civilian death in army firing raises tensions in the Valley
Two militants and one civilian were killed during a gun-battle between Indian security forces and insurgents in the Chinnigam area of Kulgam district on Thursday night. The death of a civilian led to intense protests in the Chinnigam area and surrounding villages, which continued till Friday evening. Police officials have said that the civilian was caught in the cross fire, a claim that has been disputed. Locals claim that the civilian was killed when security forces opened fire on protesters. This event follows the death of two schoolboys on November 3, who were killed by army personnel after they indiscriminately opened fire at a vehicle in Budgam district.
West Bengal: Saradha scam accused Kunal Ghosh attempts suicide
Former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress, Kunal Ghosh, attempted to take his own life on Friday at the Presidency Jail in Kolkata. Ghosh reportedly consumed an excess amount of sleeping pills in his jail cell, before he was admitted to a hospital. His condition is said to be stable. Three days earlier, Ghosh had threatened to commit suicide at a local court, unless the Central Bureau of Investigation took proper action against the top state politicians he alleged were involved in the Saradha chit fund scam. In the wake of the reported suicide attempt, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday suspended jail officials and on-duty hospital staff, besides ordering an inquiry. Ghosh was arrested in November 2013 for his involvement in a multi-crore Ponzi scheme.
Tamil Nadu: Police bust gang with links to international wildlife smugglers
Police have arrested 11 members of a gang having links to the international wildlife smuggling ring at Kalmundipuram, a village near Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, according to The Hindu. During the raid, investigators seized pangolin scales, elephant tusks, the tooth and claws of other carnivores. The gang was involved in killing wild animals, and their body parts were exported to China through Bangladesh, according to an official involved in the investigation.
Gujarat: Nanavati Commission to submit final report on 2002 post-Godhra riots today
The Justice Nanavati Commission may submit its final report documenting their probe into the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat on Saturday, according to Zee News. "There is no need to seek a 25th extension, because our final report is ready," said Justice GT Nanavati. "It is now being printed and will come to us in a few days. We will submit it to government by November 15." Gujarat witnessed intense communal riots after a train in Godhra caught fire on February 27, 2002 , which caused the deaths of 58 Hindu pilgrims. More than 1,000 men, women and children were killed in riots that followed. Early in 2003, the state government set up the Nanavati commission to investigate the violence, from the initial tragedy in Godhra to the ensuing riots.