Members of two factions of the Trinamul Congress clashed again in Basanti in South 24-Parganas, resulting in two fatalities, including of a 10-year-old boy, while several persons were injured, including a policeman. A large police force that rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control, was also attacked with crude bombs being hurled at them and several shots fired.

The clash erupted on Thursday morning between a TMC faction backed by Tapu Mahato, a leader of the TMC, who is also a follower of Mr. Jayanta Naskar, TMC MLA of Gosaba and another led by Aman Laskar, a youth TMC leader and follower of Saokat Molla, TMC MLA of Canning (East) and the district youth TMC president, at Hentalkhali village of Charavidya gram panchayat within Basanti police limits. The youth TMC workers allegedly first attacked the workers of the mother party over a dispute regarding a village fair.

Bombs were hurled and several rounds were fired by the youth group. The members of the mother group retaliated with bombs and firearms. A large police force rushed to the spot but could not bring the situation under control as they were targeted by the TMC activists involved in the clash. A 10-year-old boy returning from his school at that time was hit by a stray bullet and he was sent to a local hospital in critical condition where he was declared brought dead. Police sources identified the dead boy as Riyazul Molla.

Another person, Hasan Laskar, also died after being hit by a bullet, an unofficial source said. A member of the police combat force, Baneswar Singh, was also hit by a bullet and has been taken to Canning sub-divisional hospital in critical condition. Several persons, including women, were injured during the clash and were taken to Canning hospital, most of them had to be shifted to hospital in Kolkata for better treatment.

Injured TMC workers, Kartick Mondol, Umesh Bera and Uttam Mahato, admitted in Canning hospital, alleged that the youth TMC activists backed by Aman Laskar suddenly opened fire and hurled bombs at them this morning because they are the followers of Mr. Jayanta Naskar.

However, youth TMC activists said members of the TMC group led by Tapu Mahato, a follower of Mr. Naskar, first opened fire at them and they only retaliated. In the wake of the clash, tension gripped the villages under Charavidya gram panchayat and a large police force including RAF and combat force has been deployed in the area to maintain peace.

No arrests have been made so far. The district TMC leaders held discussions with the local leaders over the clash.

The health department of Sambalpur will launch a massive drive against Measles Rubella (MR) otherwise known as German Measles all over the district. The department has targeted all the schools of the district with more than 1,80,000 students studying.

At the same time 80,000 children from the community will also be benefitted from this programme, informed the CDMO of Sambalpur Dr KK Gupta today in a media conference. Dr Gupta further said that children from nine months to 15 years would be included in the vaccination programme so that the dreaded disease, mostly involving children could be totally averted.

“If a girl takes this vaccine, it will be a safe blessing for her and the future child she will give birth to after marriage. Any girl who has taken this vaccine will give birth toa healthy child after pregnancy,” the CDMO informed.

He further said that if a pregnant mother suffers from MR, there is every possibility that she will give birth to handicapped or mentally retarded child. But if she has taken the vaccine earlier, such unfortunate thing would never happen. Hence, the vaccine is more useful to the girls, the CDMO Dr Gupta said.

“Further, not a single child-boy or girl will be left out since 224 vaccinators and 25 supervisors under the direct supervision of the senior doctors of the headquarters hospital will work with sincerity for the programme’s success,” Dr. Gupta said.

“State government has allotted Rs 36 for this programme which will begin on 29 January and close on 27 March,” informed Mrs Runi Patnaik, the ADPHCO of the district headquarters hospital. The ADMO Dr Kuber Charan Mohanty also spoke on the arrangements with schools, ANM workers, and related people.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik underlined the point that Odisha had achieved significant benchmarks in institutional delivery, post natal care, immunisation coverage and reduction of anemia as well as MMR and IMR. Addressing the 61st All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology here today, the CM said institutional delivery in the state increased from 22.6 percent in 1998-99 to 85.4 percent in 2015, which is better than national average of 78.9 percent.

This increase in institutional deliveries during this period is the second highest in the country next only to Sikkim. In addition, the full immunisation coverage among children has also increased substantially and Odisha has jumped from 16th rank in 2000 to 5th rank in 2015-16. Odisha has made spectacular achievement with 56 points decline in Infant Mortality Rate from 96 in 2000 to 40 in 2015- 16, which is better than the national average of 41. This is the highest decline in IMR in the country and far better than national average decline of 27 points, he said.

It translates to saving 51,000 children annually, he noted.  Under-5 Mortality rate has been reduced from 104 to 49 per 1000 live births, which is also better than the national average of 50. Since 2000, Odisha has recorded 202 points reduction in MMR which is better than the national average reduction of 160 points.

These encouraging achievements have been made possible by commitment of our workforce including doctors, para-medics and extension functionaries, policies and sustained efforts on schemes like the Janani Surakhya Yojana, Niramaya – a free drug distribution scheme, dedicated ambulance services etc. MAMATA, floated in 2012, has been remarkably successful in encouraging pregnant women for availing institutional services.

More than 30 lakh pregnant women have been benefited till today under the scheme, he stated. He also spoke of the medical colleges that have been estbalished in the state to meet the shortfall of doctors. Earlier, Odia Film Superstar Sabyasachi marked the need for Women Equality and Equal Opportunity for the Girl Child and Dr Neharika Malhotra from FOGSI – Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India also spoke. “We truly believe that “women’s health is nations wealth” and it is the tagline of the 62nd AICOG, 2019 to be held in Bengaluru” remarked, Dr. Hema Divakar, Chairperson of the 62nd AICOG, 2019. Dr. C N Purandare and Dr. Johanvis from FIGO – The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics the apex body and global voice for women’s health hereby endorsed the role model initiatives being rolled out for prevention of Diabetes in Pregnancy, in India.

The changing climate, variation observed in many weather parameters have thrown up a greater challenge of developing newer practices and activities like storing the large amount of precipitation received during these more intense rainy days, said speakers at a seminar on “Perspectives of Building Resilient India through Effective Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction”.

The seminar organised at Biju Pattnaik Conference Hall, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar was addressed by Dr K J Ramesh, Director General, India Meteorological Department, New Delhi . Dr Ramesh called for more preparedness and advisory backup we need to have more observatory and data backup system to help develop prediction models with more accuracy.

The advances in science has helped us in developing many climate and disaster related warning systems and developing more resilience through risk reduction.

In his address Prof. Surendranath Pasupalak, Vice-Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, stated that climate and agriculture are the two most ancient science and knowledge system of India. The change in climate is gradually intensifying and affecting the agriculture production system.

The changing climate as well as the agriculture system will have a definite impact on industry and other development paradigms which may affect the society in long run. At the function, the Honoris Causa was conferred on Dr K J Ramesh, Director General, India Meteorological Department.

Intense combing operations by joint forces in last two years has curbed Maoist activities in  Satkosia sanctuary area, claimed superintendent of police of Angul Brijesh Rai here. “There were 57 operations in 2016 and 32 in 2017 jointly by the central reserve police force, District voluntary force and Special operation group in Sakosia.

Also we have set up a CRPF camp to augment the security in that area. Whenever we get any information about the Left Wing Extremist movements in the sanctuary, we launch combing operations and they flee”, said Rai. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the SP said “We are making our best of the efforts to flush out the leftist ultras from the area by undertaking several measures”.

With regards to crime statistics in the district over the last two years, the SP said though the number of cognizable cases in 2017 is higher than the previous year, major crime showed a decline. There were 4,287 cases registered in the police stations in the district in 2017, as against 3,975 in 2016. However the graph of major crime like murder, rape, dacoity, robbery and burglary showed a slide in 2017 as compared to 2016.

He said there were 58 murder cases in 2016 while in 2017 these were 41.there were 30 dacoity in 2016 and 26 in 2017.116 robbery incidents were reported in 2016 while on next year these were 115. Both rape and burglary cases also came to 62 and 134 in 2017 from 74 and 177 in 2016.

Road accidents had risen in 2017 as compared to 2016.while there were 448 mishaps with 193 causalities in 2017,these were 425 with 220 deaths in the previous year. Asked about industries facing a tough time due to frequent protests, he said the police was pro-active in this regard and had often facilitated meetings between agitationists, company management. He said in last six months police has lodged 50 cases against people who obstructed coal mines at Talcher.

The additional sessions judge cum the special judge Balasore Ajanta Sarangi today convicted a 32-year-old rape accused and sentenced him 20 years RI along with Rs 10,000 fine and in default another three months term. The convict is Sunil Malik, a resident of Bhuinpada under Khantapara PS limits.

According to the charge he along with his accomplice Rabindra Das after kidnapping a 15 year old minor girl of Somnathpur area under Industrial police station limits had committed sexual offences against her in captivity. According to the special public prosecutor, Pranab Panda the accused duo after kidnapping the victim  on 4 September, 2015 had taken her to Bangalore and committed the offence.

The father of the victim had lodged a police complaint on 5 Septemberwith Industrial police. A case was registered under sections of kidnapping, gang rape and protection of children against sexual offences act (POCSO). The police registering a case began investigation and could nab Sunil after tracking his phone number.

The other accused is still at large. For the said case while 19 documents were exhibited and 12 witnesses were examined, the court pronounced the verdict today, Panda said.

A check gate was placed at Taupadar enroute Deomali and Kotia from Kunduli in Koraput district in the wake of recent uninformed visit by officers of Andhra Pradesh to Kotia where they distributed blankets and organised a Janma Boomi programme raising eyebrows in Odisha.

To prevent re-occurrence of such visits without the knowledge of district administration, the check gate was installed today . The check gate was inaugurated in presence of Prafulla Pangi, MLA, Pottangi along with Block Chairman and other officials from the block. A few days ago there was a furore in administrative circles here when the district collector of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh visited Kotia with a team of officials to hold Janma bhoomi Programme of Andhra Pradesh government .

It might be recalled that the district administration was in dark till the district collector of Vizianagaram had left the place and Sub-collector of Koraput could reach only in the afternoon for the delayed receipt of information . The incident had brought the disputed 21 villages of Kotia panchayat into focus once again .

Visits by all the political parties were made one after the other, thus putting additional pressure on the district administration to deliver. Electrification in a couple of villages were taken up on a war footing and officials started visiting to the remote villages to see if they too could win over the hearts of people who were getting lured by Andhra Pradesh government for the attractive offers like free electricity , education, better health facilities etc.

The check gate would help in screening the people who are visiting Kotia in addition to generating revenue for maintenance of Deomali as site of tourist attraction, Mr.Pangi said. Anupam Saha, who was the district collector of Koraput till last Tuesday had begun consultations with different sections of the society on finding better solution to the long standing challenge in the 21 villages and other boarder areas between Odisha and AP, was transferred to Gajapati district on Tuesday. K Sudarshan Chakravarthy former district collector of Malkangiri district had joined Koraput as the new collector today.

The Sub Committee meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee of MSME and Skill Development held under the Chairmanship of L N Gupta, Additional chief secretary, called upon bankers not to ask for collateral security in the case of loans up to Rs.10 lakh in the MSE Sector.

The sub committee noted that RBI has also suggested lending up to Rs 25 lakh without collateral security may be given to MSME units with good track record and sound financial position. Banks were further told to follow the guidelines of Govt. of India for not to insist upon collateral security for the loans up to Rs.2 crore covered under Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). A review revealed that up to 15 January, 1,709 units have been disbursed with margin money (subsidy) of Rs.38.89 crore under PMEGP Programme.

The Sub Committee advised the banks to expedite disbursement of assistance in respect of already sanctioned cases and decide the pending applications latest by 15th February, 2018. Further banks were requested to advise each of their branches to consider sanction of at least 3 to 5 PMEGP cases with a view to maximize achievement under programme.

The Sub Committee also reviewed the progress of declaration of MSME specialized branches by different banks. So far 230 bank branches have been declared MSME Specialized Branches for the purpose of giving advance to MSMEs. The banks, which have yet to declare MSME specialised branches for all the districts, were asked to do so by 31st January, 2018.

As regards, MUDRA, the Convenor, SLBC informed the Sub Committee that the loans of Rs.7436 crore have been disbursed to 25.24 lakh beneficiaries during the current year till date. The Sub Committee asked the banks to sanction more loans under Kishore and Tarun category.

The Sub Committee also asked the bankers to regularly hold the meeting of the Stress Committees to consider the cases of potentially viable sick units for their revival and rehabilitation instead of resorting to recovery. It was found that only 13 banks have conducted Stress Committee meetings.

The remaining banks were asked to hold Stress Committee meetings early. Banks were advised to proactively finance Clusters, Startups and ventures promoted by skilled youth. The meeting, was attended by the DGM, MSME, SBI, Convenor, SLBC, UCO Bank, Director of Industries, Odisha, representative of RBI, all the General Managers of DICs and Controllers
of different Banks.

A total of Rs 1.95 lakh has vanished from a dead man’s saving account. The incident has come to the fore after a legal heir of the deceased verified the saving account. He found that an amount Rs 1,95,250 have been withdrawn from the account in different phases between 4 July and 4 and 1 September last year.

The complainant, Padmalochan Jena, of village Nadabani within Singla police station limits has complained to the bank at Jamsuli here and an internal inquiry detected fraudulent activity of a former branch manager Md A A Jahan and a banking correspondent S K Jena. The bank has lodged a police complaint in this regard.

Registering a case under section 409, 468, 471, 418, 420 and 34 of IPC the Singla police began the investigation. “A case under sections of forgery, cheating of IPC has been registered and the investigation is in progress,” said the Inspector-in-charge of the Singla police station. The zonal manager of UCO bank has lodged an FIR with the police.

The legal adviser of the bank, Pradipta Kanungo, who assisted the bank in lodging police compliant said the involvement of two staff of the banks was known after bank conducted its internal probe. “Initially Rs 1 lakh cash was withdrawn through withdrawal slip.

The withdrawal was made on the forged left thumb impression of a person and subsequently rest amounts withdrawn through vouchers. The account was dormant and it was made active after submitting fake KYC,” said Kanungo. Both Jahan and Jena have been suspended. According to the complainant, Padalochan Jena, his father Parsuram Jena had a saving account in the Jamsuli branch.

The account while linked to a fixed deposit, interest was flowing into the account. The account had about Rs 2 lakh balance. “My father died on 4 December, 2012. But during updating of the account book it was known the amount has been withdrawn in different phases in 2016 and the account has only about Rs 2,000 balance,” said Jena. Balasore MP RK Jena is the brother of the complainant.

The ruling BJD took out a rally here with bullock carts and bikes to protest against the hike in petrol and diesel prices while demanding a roll back. Though the gathering was thin, the sight of bullock carts on the main road of the city attracted attention.

BJD leaders including former ministers Arun Sahu, Sanjay Das Burma delivered fiery speeches condemning the NDA government at the centre and the PM in particular. They ridiculed the ‘acche din’ slogan of the PM. When international crude prices dipped to all time low, the benefit was not transferred to the consumers.

The money thus saved was misspent on propaganda of the BJP with huge cut outs of the PM in every petrol filling station. Now the rise in international crude price is being peddled as an excuse to hike petrol and diesel price, charged the BJD activists.

Denouncing the BJP led government at the centre, the BJD alleged that during the erswhile Congress rule the crude prices were over 100 dollars a barrel and then the BJP including Mr Modi who wasCM of Gujarat had raised a hue and cry. Today, Mr Modi is the PM and remains silent on all such matters, they quipped.

The price hike should be rolled back as it will have a cascading effect on all goods and services, they said. The BJD leaders also spoke of central apathy towards Odisha. The former prime minister Manmohan Singh had once told a delegation from Odisha that “ money does not grow on trees” and people of the state showed the door to the Congress in the elections.

Today, PM Modi does not give appointment to delegations from Odisha , people of the state will the way out to the BJP in the next elections, they said. Reacting to the BJD tirade, the state unit of the BJP said such political stunts by a handful of activists shouldnot be taken seriously.

The BJD government in Odisha imposes the highest VAT on fuel. If the BJD is sincere in lessening the burden on consumers it should reduce VAT, said the BJP. VAT in states like West Bengal, Jharkhand is less than Odisha , noted the BJP.

The state is getting Rs 24 and Rs 22 by way of taxes on petrol and diesel per litre respectively whereas the centre gets only Rs 14.58 to the litre . The state can cut taxes and help reduce prices, said the BJP.

Riding on Geno Petriashvili’s dominating win Punjab Royals thrashed Delhi Sultans 6-1 in the Pro Wrestling League at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadiumin New Delhi on Thursday.

Geno, who came into the tie unbeaten, maintained his glorious run and overwhelmed Hitender Beniwal 10-0 by pinning him down on the mat. Before him, World Championship bronze medalist Latvian Anastasija Grigorjeva annihilated Monia Dhanoi in the 62-kg event to put the Royals in the driving seat.

Leading 2-1, Anastasija made a meal out of the Indian and won the contest 4-0 by pinfall in the opening period itself to help the Royals take a crucial 3-1 lead mid-way into the tie. Winning the toss, Punjab played it smart and blocked the former Asian Championship gold medalist,Sandeep Tomar, while the Sultans elected to keep World championship bronze medallist Koumba Larroque out of action.

Delhi’s Icon player Alvarav Aslan ( Azerbaijan) , put his side ahead by pulling off an easy 14-1 win over Nasir Hussain in the heavyweight category. The World championship bronze medalist was at the top of his game and demolished the Indian to dance to his fourth win of the season. But thereafter, it was Punjab Royals all the way as they won their next four bouts. Commonwealth champion silver medalist Nirmala Devi began the march, registering a thrilling 6-0 victory over two-time African champion Tunisian Maroi Meizen in 50 kg category to draw level for Punjab.

Maroi, who walked into the contest as favourite, was frustrated by Nirmala’s staunch defence. Nirmala did well to not commit any mistakes and attacked her opponent on the counter to score the points and eventually walk out victorious, In the 74-kg contest, current national champion Jitender Kinha beat Vinod Omprakash 5-0 in an exciting contest to send Punjab 2-1 up after three rubbers.

A 28-year-old “barren” woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a fan on Thursday morning at her residence in south-east Delhi’s Govindpuri area.

DCP Chinmoy Biswal said the deceased, Rajni, left a suicide note mentioning that “being barren” was the reason she was ending her life.

“The incident was reported around 7 a.m. from Jawat Society in Tughlakabad village by her husband Sandeep. He told police that when he went to the room in the morning he found Rajni had hung herself with a stole from a fan,” said the DCP. He informed that Sandeep worked for Delhi Metro. Rajni was taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead. Her body was sent for post mortem.

As the couple had been married for less than seven years, the DCP said Sandeep’s statement was recorded in front of an executive magistrate and case was registered under Section 498A and 304B of Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Rajni’s father Balu Ram told police that; “his daughter was victim of domestic violence. She was tortured, harassed and forced to get money from her parents. As she was unable to conceive a child, her in-laws often used to beat her and taunt her,” police said.

South Delhi mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Thursday refuted allegations levelled by Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Dilip Pandey during a press conference that the collection of conversion charges was ‘illegal’ and the amount collected as conversion charges had been transferred into the general account from escrow account.

She took a strong exception to the language used by AAP leader and advised him to think before speaking. The mayor dismissed the allegations, claiming that the amount collected was in accordance with the provisions of the Master Plan 2021.

“No amount as alleged by AAP leader Dilip Pandey has been transferred to general account from escrow account. There is no misappropriation in the funds of escrow account. It is on the record that an amount of Rs 1,195 crore has been collected by SDMC during last five years in the escrow account out of which Rs 270 crore has been spent on the construction of parking and the remaining Rs 925 crore is still in the escrow account. As per the provision of Master Plan 2021 and escrow account, SDMC is constructing and providing public utility services,” said the mayor.

She made a scatching attack on Pandey. She declared that the AAP leader was totally ignorant and unaware of the facts and not verifying them before leveling allegations.

“The AAP leader is diverting its state government’s failure for not declaring the 351 roads as commercial/ mixed use, by making frivolous and baseless allegations against the corporations,” the mayor claimed.
Sehrawat requested Chief Minister Arvind Kejariwal to instruct his party leaders to avoid leveling sensational charges just to earn headlines in newspapers.

“They must be briefed properly before appearing before media. Their statements as well as language being used have been against acceptable decorum. I hope that the CM will take cognizance of the statements of his party leaders and tell them not cross the line of decency,” said Sehrawat.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Delhi municipal corporations of indulging in massive corruption in the name of conversion charges and parking fees in market areas.

Addressing a press conference, AAP spokesperson Dilip Pandey said that through an RTI filed by AAP legislator Jarnail Singh, it has come to fore that south municipal corporation has obtained Rs 966 crore as conversion charges and Rs 61 crore as parking fees.

Pandey alleged that the amount instead of being used for development and beautification of the area has been transferred in the general accounts by the BJP-run municipal corporations.

Pandey said in guise of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee, the municipal corporations are minting money from traders by executing the sealing drive in the city.

The AAP also raised the issue in the House of north corporation on Thursday after which the House was adjourned for the day.

The ongoing sealing drive was discussed in the three-day winter session of the Delhi legislative Assembly with AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators blaming each other for the sealing.

The matter was later referred to a nine-member committee by Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday urged people of Delhi to protect unborn girls from being killed in the womb. He said strict implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic techniques (PCPNDT) Act will be ensured by conducting regular inspection and decoy operations to catch the violators.

Inaugurating the girl child fortnight on the occasion of national Girl Child Day, Kejriwal warned of severe action against unscrupulous doctors and clinics who were indulging in such activities.

Urging people to protect girls, Kejriwal said the law restricted sex determination during pregnancy and Delhi government was committed to protect the life of every unborn girl child in the state.

“We reiterate our commitment to ensure the strict implementation of the PCPNDT Act by ensuring regular inspections and decoy operations to catch the violators and also warn the unscrupulous doctors and clinics.

I urge people of Delhi to stand up for the rights of the unborn girl child and provide information regarding those who commit such illegal acts,” he said. Kejriwal said as per the civil registration system data, the sex ratio at birth had increased from 886 females per 1000 males in 2012 to 902 in 2016.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that there was an urgent need to decentralise power for better functioning of government hospitals in the national capital. The file regarding the matter had been sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval, he informed.

Reviewing the functioning of Delhi government hospitals in a meeting with Health Minister, department officials and the MLAs, Kejriwal felt the biggest impediment to better functioning of government hospitals was trying to run those institutions from Delhi Secretariat.

Kejriwal quipped thst files related to hospitals being stuck in Secretariat for months was evidence how it was impacting their functioning.

The Chief Minister opined that for improvement in providing better health facilities to residents of Delhi it was important to give more powers to hospitals. “This will help these institutions,” Kejriwal said, “to recruit and purchase commodities according to their requirements.”

It was informed in the meeting that the file related to more powers for hospitals had been sent to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The Chief Minister said he would take the initiative in getting the file cleared.
The approval of that proposal will allow ‘Rogi Kalyan Samitis’ (patient welfare committees) of different hospitals to conduct purchases up to Rs 75 lakh, whereas the current limit was Rs 5 lakh. The Chief Minister directed RKS members to conduct inspections of hospitals and find out the factual position of diagnostic machines and requirements.

India today test-fired its  home grown  intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) Agni-V , missile from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

The user associate  trail was conducted   from the Island after a full scale preparation  by the ITR.

The Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-V, was successfully flight tested for its full range today at 0953 hrs .

This was the fifth test of the Missile and the third consecutive one from a canister on a road mobile launcher. All the five missions have been successful.

Agni- V has a strike range 5,000 km and can even reach the northern-most parts of China .

The flight performance of the missile was tracked and monitored by radars, range stations and tracking systems all through the mission.

All objectives of the mission have been successfully met. This successful test of Agni-5 reaffirms the country’s indigenous missile capabilities and further strengthens our credible deterrence.

The launch operations were led by Project Director, Agni-5, G Ramaguru and Programme Director, Agni, MRM Babu. Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri and Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr G Satheesh Reddy witnessed the launch. Directors of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Labs namely ASL, DRDL, ITR, RCI and TBRL reviewed the entire launch operations.

Senior officials from the Armed Forces were present on the occasion. Chairman DRDO & Secretary DDR&D Dr S Christopher congratulated Agni-V team and said that the fifth consecutive successful flight test is a major boost to country’s defence capabilities said, an official press release adding  the Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman shared her happiness on the successful flight test of
Agni V.