Gujarat Police have arrested a suspected drug trafficker near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border and seized 375 grams of mephedrone (MD) valued at approximately Rs 37.5 lakh. The arrest, which took place at a border checkpost near Tharad town in Banaskantha district on Saturday, thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics across state lines, as per agency report.

Police officials confirmed that the arrested individual, identified as Rakesh Bishnoi, a resident of Rajasthan, was travelling in a passenger van bound for Gujarat when his vehicle was stopped for a routine security check. Upon searching his belongings, authorities found a quantity of the banned synthetic drug mephedrone in his possession.

During interrogation, Bishnoi revealed that he was tasked with delivering the consignment to Mohammad Abdul Mokha in Bhuj, located in Gujarat’s Kutch district. Acting on this lead, police took Mokha into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police S. M. Varotaria, authorities have also identified the main supplier in the drug network and have launched a search operation to apprehend the individual. The case highlights the persistent issue of inter-state drug trafficking and the need for vigilant border monitoring.

Palanpur, February 26: Authorities have seized 4,000 kilograms of adulterated ghee worth approximately Rs. 17.5 lakh from the premises of a dairy product company in the industrial area of Deesa, located in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The adulterated ghee was allegedly intended for sale in Rajasthan during the festive season.

The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) reported that the company, identified as Shri Navkar Dairy Products, had failed to comply with a notice issued under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. Consequently, the company's license was revoked on September 4 of the previous year.

During a surprise inspection on Tuesday, FDCA officials discovered that despite the license cancellation, the company was still producing ghee. Upon further investigation and questioning of the responsible personnel, authorities suspected that the ghee produced at the facility was adulterated with soybean and vegetable fats.

The FDCA issued a statement indicating that legal action was initiated, leading to the collection of 11 samples of various branded ghee products from the company. These samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis. According to the officials, the adulterated ghee was being manufactured primarily at night and was intended for sale in Rajasthan during upcoming festivals.

The FDCA estimated the seized ghee's market value at Rs. 17.5 lakh, highlighting the serious public health risk posed by such adulterated products. Further legal proceedings are expected following the laboratory test results.

Palanpur — Forty pilgrims from Palanpur, who embarked on the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, have been stranded on the Badrinath-Yamunotri road following massive landslides caused by incessant heavy rains. The adverse weather conditions have led to road traffic being halted as landslides have rendered several key routes impassable.

In Chamoli district, the alternative route of the Badrinath Highway from Nandprayag to Kot Kotiyalsen has been closed due to landslides. Similarly, both the Yamunotri and Badrinath Highways have been shut down after rocks and debris fell onto the roads. The administration is actively working to remove the fallen stones and clear the paths.

Agency Reports indicate that near Tharali Chepdo on the Tharali-Dewal road, two large pine trees were uprooted and fell due to a landslide, blocking the road for over 12 hours. Efforts are underway to remove them with the help of JCB machines. Additionally, the Badrinath Highway at Chatwapipal near Karnaprayag is blocked, with a significant number of pilgrims stranded at that location as well.

The Yamunotri Highway has also been affected, with rockfalls causing closures. Near Radi, the road blockage has severed the Yamuna Valley's connection to the district headquarters, leaving locals and pilgrims isolated.

According to officials, heavy rainfall on Saturday morning triggered landslides at multiple points along the Badrinath National Highway, including areas like Lambagad, Nandprayag, Sonal, and Barrage Kunj. The road between Sakot and Nandprayag, which serves as an alternative route, has also been closed due to landslides.

Chamoli district police have reported frequent road closures due to the persistent heavy rains causing landslides along the Badrinath National Highway. "Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. We are making all efforts to relocate them to safer places," a police spokesperson said.

Rescue operations are in full swing as the administration deploys resources to clear the debris and restore connectivity. Pilgrims and locals are advised to remain at safe locations and follow instructions from authorities. Weather forecasts predict continued rainfall, and officials have urged people to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas.

The state government is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with disaster management teams to expedite relief efforts. The stranded pilgrims from Palanpur and other areas are receiving assistance, including food and shelter, until they can safely proceed with their journey.

Travelers planning to visit Uttarakhand are advised to stay updated on the latest weather and road conditions and to heed warnings issued by the meteorological department and local authorities.

Palanpur : The Gujarat government has ordered strict action in the Palanpur Bridge accident case, blacklisting the construction company GPC Infrastructure and suspending two engineers. The order comes after a committee formed to investigate the incident found numerous flaws in the construction and safety measures.

On October 23, a slab of the overbridge under construction near Palanpur RTO Circle collapsed, killing two youths. Preliminary investigation revealed that barricades were not installed around the under-construction bridge, and that the construction company had failed to comply with safety standards.

Following the Chief Minister's order, the three-member committee started investigating the incident on the very day. They examined the site, collected concrete and steel samples, and gathered information from witnesses. The committee's report revealed that the construction company had made several mistakes, including:

• Using substandard materials
• Failing to follow proper construction procedures
• Not installing barricades and traffic management systems around the construction area

The committee also found that the National Highway Sub-Department, which was responsible for overseeing the project, had failed to properly supervise the construction work.

Based on the committee's report, the Gujarat government has ordered the following actions:

• Blacklisting GPC Infrastructure
• Suspending the Assistant and Deputy Executive Engineers of the National Highway Sub-Department
• Lodging an FIR against seven directors and engineers of GPC Infrastructure Limited, and three site engineers
• Arresting three site engineers and presenting them in court with a demand for seven-day remand

The court has approved remand for four days. The investigation is ongoing, and further action is expected.

PALANPUR, 04 October - The revered Shaktipeeth Ambaji Temple in Danta tehsil of Banaskantha district finds itself in the midst of controversy, following suspicions of adulterated ghee being used in the preparation of Prasad. Consequently, the temple administration has chosen not to renew its contract with Mohini Caterers, the Prasad-making firm in Ambaji, which expired on September 30.

Varun Varnwal, President of the Temple Trust and Collector of Banaskantha district, reported that ahead of the Bhadarvi Poonam fair, held from September 23-29, the ghee intended for Prasad preparation was sampled and tested on August 28. The sample report, received on September 15, revealed substandard quality. In response, the temple officials seized 180 boxes of the ghee and sourced pure ghee from Banas Dairy for the subsequent Prasad preparations.

With over 45 lakh devotees visiting during the Bhadarvi Poonam fair, concerns amplified about potentially adulterated Prasad being distributed. Addressing this, Varnwal stated that until a new contractor is appointed, the temple staff and cook will oversee the Prasad's preparation.

In their defense, Mohini Caterers disclosed that they had ordered 300 boxes of ghee, weighing 15 kg each, from Madhupura Neelkanth Traders of Ahmedabad before the fair commenced. They claimed 120 of these boxes had already been utilized when officials conducted a surprise raid and confiscated three tins of ghee. Reports indicate that the proprietor of Neelkanth Traders is currently evading authorities. Following the incident, an FIR has been lodged against the owner of Mohini Caterers at the Ambaji police station.

PALANPUR, 29 September - The esteemed Bhadarwa fair at Ambaji in Danta tehsil of Banaskantha district concluded after a grand seven-day celebration, with more than 45 lakh devotees paying their respects to Mata Amba. Collector Varun Varnwal officially marked the end of the Bhadarvi Poonam Mahamela on Friday by hoisting the flag atop the Ambaji temple.

During the final day of festivities, a notable devotee generously donated a 250-gram gold biscuit, valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh 5 thousand. Expressing his satisfaction at the successful organization of the event, Collector Varnwal commented on the vast number of visitors. "We had more than 45 lakh devotees this year, which exceeded our expectations," he remarked. He went on to emphasize that organizing such a large-scale event was not the achievement of a single entity but the collaborative effort of the Temple Trust, District Administration, Teerthdham Board, Gujarat Government, voluntary organizations, and various service camps.

The total revenue generated over the week, including offerings and prasad, exceeded Rs 7 crore, according to the Temple Trust.

A notable highlight was the presence of former DGP AK Singh, who journeyed on foot from Gandhinagar to Ambaji. He, alongside his wife, presented a flag at the temple's peak. The auspicious day of Bhadravi Poonam saw the Mangala Aarti being performed at 6 am, attracting a large number of devotees eager to witness the spiritual ritual.

The district administration went above and beyond in ensuring the comfort and convenience of the devotees. Comprehensive arrangements spanning several kilometers around the temple were made, including provisions for accommodation, food, and other essentials. Efforts were also ramped up to maintain cleanliness and security throughout the fair's duration.

Palanpur (Gujarat), Feb 20 : The Thakor Community here has prohibited the community's teenage girls from using mobile phones.

The community, while unanimously passing resolutions to bring reforms in the community traditions, however, decided to stop the girls from using mobile phones. Without referring to love affairs, friendship between girls and boys, or inter-caste marriages, the community was of the view that "because of the use of cell phones among teenage girls, a lot of wrong things are happening, and so they should be banned from using cell phones."

The resolution was passed in presence of Congress MLA Vav Geniben Thakor. The event took place on Sunday at Lunsela village in Bhabhar Taluka in Banaskantha district.

The reform step they took was to limit the number of guests allowed at engagement and marriage ceremonies. According to the resolution, only 11 people should attend an engagement or marriage ceremony, each village where the Thakor community has a good number of members should arrange mass marriages, and expenses on marriage and engagement should be controlled. No DJ sound system should be hired for marriage.

The community should fine families, who break ties after engagement, the money collected as fine should be used for building education and community facilities. If girls are going uptown for higher education, the community members from the village should arrange transportation for them, the resolutions mentioned.

(IANS)