The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Friday underlined the necessity of providing institutional support for the establishment of an Integrated Command and Control Centre in Leh, aimed at enhancing real-time coordination, communication, and disaster response capabilities.

The chief secretary chaired a meeting of the Ladakh Disaster Management Authority (LDMA) to review disaster preparedness, mitigation measures, and disaster initiatives in the UT.

The meeting was attended by the GOC of Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, Lt General Hitesh Bhalla, Lt General Chhabra, officers from Air Force, BRO, ITBP and Police. Officers from NDMA joined online.

During the meeting, Administrative Secretary, Disaster Management, Shashanka Ala, made a detailed presentation outlining Ladakh’s hazard profile, with special emphasis on earthquake and flash flood risks.

The presentation also included a rainfall and snowfall report of Leh town, along with an overview of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Acts and their implementation.

The meeting deliberated on several key agenda items, including the procedure for seeking post-disaster relief, a review of relief and reconstruction works undertaken by DDMA Leh, and the proposal for preparing a shelf of projects under the proposed Disaster Mitigation Fund of UT Ladakh.

The Chief Secretary emphasised the need to further strengthen disaster mitigation and preparedness mechanisms across the UT. He stressed the importance of robust inter-agency coordination and directed that the Army, Air Force, and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) should operate through an integrated control room to ensure a coordinated and effective response during emergencies.

He stressed the need for identification of disaster vulnerable spots and also modalities of mitigation and relief operations. He stressed upon the need for an integrated disaster management plan which would incorporate requirements of the Army, BRO, ITBP and other agencies.

He also urged the police to create a unified disaster mitigation force including civil defence, home guards and ex-servicemen. He underscored the need for identification of helipads and temporary landing grounds for helicopters in the eventuality of disaster.

The meeting further discussed decisions and approvals sought from the State Executive Committee (SEC), with emphasis on timely action and adherence to established disaster management protocols.

Amid the massive operation of the security forces to flush out the hiding Pakistani terrorists from the mountains of the Jammu region, Home Minister Amit Shah arrived late last night here for a two-day visit during which he will visit the border posts and also hold a security review meeting. He will take stock of the security situation at two border posts along the India-Pakistsn border.

The home minister was received at the airport by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “Arrived in Jammu for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Here, along with reviewing security and development works, I will inspect the Gurnam and Bobia BOPs on the border and inaugurate several welfare schemes for the soldiers,” he wrote on X.

“I will also have the privilege of meeting families of martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for national security and handing them appointment letters”, he added.

‎The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of overseeing “massive deletions” from the voter list in West Bengal, alleging that the removals were the result of a “mysterious faulty software” deployed by the poll authority.

‎In a statement, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said ECI officials had now acknowledged that software-related errors were responsible for the deletion of names of legitimate voters from the electoral rolls. He asserted that the issue had been repeatedly raised over the past several months by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

‎“Finally, even ECI officials accept that massive deletions in the Bengal voter list happened due to a mysterious faulty software,” Gokhale said. “This has been pointed out by our leaders for months, and yet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has remained silent.”

Questioning the functioning of the alleged software, Gokhale sought clarity on its origin and continued use. “Who made this mysterious software for ECI that deletes legitimate voters? Why has ECI not stopped using this software despite knowing that it’s faulty,” he asked.

‎The TMC MP further alleged political interference in the functioning of the poll body, accusing the BJP of influencing the Election Commission. “After failing in their attempts to manipulate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on the ground, BJP-controlled ECI is using a software to delete voters while sitting in Delhi by bypassing election officials,” Gokhale said, describing the alleged actions as “dirty tricks of the highest level.”

‎The allegations came amid heightened scrutiny of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a routine exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update voter lists by removing duplicate, shifted or deceased voters and enrolling newly eligible electors. The process often draws close attention from political parties, particularly ahead of elections, amid concerns that errors could lead to voter disenfranchisement.

‎The Election Commission has not issued a detailed response to Gokhale’s claims so far. In earlier instances, the ECI has maintained that electoral roll revisions are conducted strictly in accordance with established procedures, with multiple layers of verification involving booth-level officers and representatives of political parties.

‎The TMC has called for greater transparency from the Election Commission and demanded that the use of the alleged software be halted until a full explanation is provided.

The tragic death of a biker in the national capital due to an “open pit” has caught the attention of the Congress party, and its Delhi unit has demanded “impartial investigation.”

“Kamal was returning home from his office in Delhi. An open pit on the way became the cause of his death. This pit had been dug by the Delhi Jal Board but was neither covered nor barricaded, nor was any warning sign put up,” said the Delhi Congress on Friday.

“A few days ago, a 27-year-old engineer, Yuvraj, had also died after falling into a water-filled pit in Noida. These are not accidents, but gross negligence by the system. Strict action should be taken against the guilty officials, and the entire matter should be impartially investigated,” the party said.

Delhi Congress also questioned the “Smart City” claim of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Amid claims of ‘Smart City,’ the BJP’s incompetent system is taking the lives of ordinary people,” it added.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma visited the site in west Delhi’s Janakpuri where the biker lost his life after falling into a pit at the Line Rehabilitation Project area on Thursday.

“Visited the Janakpuri accident site where sewer line work was underway. The tragedy is deeply regretted and our thoughts are with the grieving family. Executive Engineer, AE and JE have been suspended with immediate effect. Strict action is being taken against the responsible agency. Delhi Jal Board has constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to fix responsibility,” the minister said.

Nearly a month after software engineer Yuvraj Mehta drowned when his car fell into a water-filled pit in Sector 150, Noida, Kamal died on Thursday night after his bike fell into a pit reportedly dug for construction work linked to the Delhi Jal Board and left open without guardrails, barricades, or warning signs.

The Raja Saab OTT Release Date and Platform: Prabhas’ latest Telugu film, ‘The Raja Saab’, which had a rollercoaster ride at the theatres earlier this year, is now streaming on OTT. And yes, fans, it comes with juicy bonus footage that you couldn’t see in cinemas!

When and where to watch The Raja Saab on OTT

JioHotstar has grabbed the digital rights, and the film officially hits the platform on February 6. The OTT giant teased the release on X (formerly Twitter) multiple times, giving fans a glimpse of what’s coming.

What’s more, this is not just a simple upload. the online version is an extended cut, featuring extra sequences that didn’t make it to the big screen.

The RajaSaab Aagamanam!

Welcoming India’s Biggest Superstar Home!

– https://t.co/PBGGisyaDg#TheRajaSaabOnJioHotstar #TheRajaSaab #StreamingNow #JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/TyOdJFSXq1

— JioHotstar Telugu (@JioHotstarTel_) February 5, 2026

Also Read: The Raja Saab leaked online: Prabhas-starrer appears on 5movierulz, 1tamilmv; police hunt mystery operator Naveen

According to the streaming service, these scenes were left out of theatres because of last-minute technical hurdles.

Now, fans can finally enjoy the “full” ‘Raja Saab’ experience, including moments that were impossible to show earlier.

Why the hype is real: Fans crash JioHotstar servers

Despite a mixed box office response, the OTT premiere has created waves. So much so that JioHotstar reportedly had to upgrade its servers to handle the surge in viewers. A report by Onmanorama mentioned that a four-minute sequence showing Prabhas’ older look, one of the hot talking points during the trailer drop, is included in the streaming cut.

Filmmaker TG Vishwa Prasad, who produced the film, revealed that this scene was initially cut due to technical glitches, preventing last-minute corrections before the theatrical release. Now, fans finally get the full spectacle, complete with a look at Prabhas fans have been buzzing about for months.

The Raja Saab cast

‘The Raja Saab’ isn’t just about Prabhas; it’s a full-on star parade. He is joined by three female leads: Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Nidhhi Agerwal. Bollywood heavyweight Sanjay Dutt plays the menacing main villain, while veteran actors Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, and comedian Brahmanandam add extra punch.

Even with the OTT release, the film continues its theatre run. This racks up worldwide earnings of over Rs 208.39 crore, according to Sacnilk.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening customer protection, enhancing digital payment safety and curbing mis-selling of financial products, alongside its latest monetary policy decision.

Mis-selling financial products and services by any Regulated Entity (RE) has significant consequences for both customers as well as the RE. There is a felt need to ensure that third-party products and services that are being sold at the bank counters are suitable for customer needs and are commensurate with the risk appetite of individual clients, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said.

“It has therefore been decided to issue comprehensive instructions to REs on advertising, marketing and sales of financial products and services. The draft instructions in this regard shall be issued shortly for public consultation,” he said.

Further, the Governor also talked about the review of the framework of Limiting Customer Liability in digital transactions.

The extant instructions on limiting the liability of customers in unauthorised electronic banking transactions were issued in 2017, which deal with scenarios and timelines for zero / limited liability of a customer, he said.

“In view of the rapid adoption of technology in the banking sector and payments systems, since the issuance of these instructions, the existing instructions have been reviewed. Accordingly, the draft revised instructions, including a framework for compensation in case of small value fraudulent transactions, shall be issued shortly for public consultation,” the Governor added.

He also highlighted that over the past decade, digital payments in India have expanded at an unprecedented pace, reflecting a structural shift in the way individuals and businesses conduct financial transactions.

However, it has been accompanied by the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities targeting innocent customers.

In alignment with the objective of promoting digital payments in a safe and secure manner, it is proposed to issue a Discussion Paper exploring the introduction of calibrated safeguards in digital payments, such as the introduction of lagged credits, additional authentication for a specific class of users, like senior citizens, etc, the governor said.

The proposed measures are intended to mitigate fraud and strengthen customer protection.

Delhi Capitals head coach Jonathan Batty felt gutted after her team suffered its fourth straight final loss as Royal Challengers Bengaluru put on a spectacular show to chase down 204 runs to clinch their second title in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 title clash played at BCA Stadium (Kotambi).

Batty felt the batters did their job well, carrying the momentum from the eliminator to record the highest first-innings score at Vadodara, but it was disappointing to end on the losing side once again.

“It’s really tough to take. Having played so well in the Eliminator earlier in the week, and coming into this game with momentum, putting a really good score on the board, I was proud of the way we went about our business with the bat. Twenty overs in, you think, ‘Okay, it’s a good score; if we bowl well here, we’ve got a very good chance.’ It’s really disappointing to come out on the wrong end of it again. But full credit to RCB; obviously, those two batters, Georgia Voll and Smriti, played absolutely fantastically,” Batty said in a post-match presser.

Despite the loss, Batty heaped praise on the team’s fightback at the end and taking the match to the last over, where RCB needed ten runs to win the match.

“I’m really proud of our team’s effort to still be in the game there, where it looked like it was drifting for a period of time, to still be in that last over and lose with only two balls to go – I think we showed a lot of fight, a lot of heart. But I think the game kind of summed up our season, that we did certain bits really well and other bits kind of fell away at times as well.”

The head coach also lauded Jemimah Rodrigues for the way she led the team throughout the tournament, leaving a mark in her captaincy debut. “Hugely proud of Jemi. I think, particularly losing the first couple of games of the tournament, she was probably under quite a bit of pressure there. She brought her energy and her experience to the table. Obviously, batting-wise, she contributed a lot of runs as well through the tournament. I thought she made outstanding decisions as captain throughout the whole tournament.”

“Her leadership grew and grew as we went through it as well. So, I’m really proud of the effort she’s put in. She’s thrown her heart and soul into this season. So, I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes that over the next few years as well,” Batty added.

India’s teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Friday smashed the second-fastest century in the U19 World Cup when he smashed the 55-ball hundred in the final against England here at the Harare Sports Club.

His century was laced with six boundaries and as many maximums, making him the second-fastest centurion in U19 World Cup history, beating Qasim Akram of Pakistan, who brought up his ton in 63 balls against Sri Lanka in 2022. Will Malajczuk of Australia currently hold the record of the fastest U19 World Cup century with his 51-ball 100 against Japan in 2026.

Moreover, Suryavanshi became the fastest Indian player to score a century in U19 World Cup history. He broke the previous record held by Raj Angad Bawa, who had reached a hundred in 69 balls against Uganda in 2022. The 14-year-old batter also became the third Indian to score a century in the U19 World Cup final.

Sooryavanshi also has the most sixes for anyone in a Youth ODI innings and U19 World Cup innings (15), surpassing his own 14 against UAE U19 at ICCA Dubai in December.

The batter from Bihar notched up his 150 off just 171 balls, the fastest in U19 cricket, bettering the 98 balls taken by Ben Mayes (ENG) vs SCOT at the same venue earlier in the competition.

Suryavanshi stitched the 142-run second partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre (53) and established a 89-run stand with Vedant Trivedi before his dominating knock (175 off 80) in the history of the U19 World Cup came to an end in the 26th over.

While writing this report, India are comfortably placed at 275-3 in 29 overs with Vihaan Malhotra (10*) and Vedant Trivedi (22*) batting.

Suryavanshi is currently India’s leading scorer in the U19 World Cup, having amassed 264 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 147.49. In January, he had captained the Indian U19 side to a commanding 3-0 away Youth ODI series win over South Africa in Benoni, leading from the front in his maiden assignment as junior national team captain.

At least thirty-one people were killed and more than 160 injured in a deadly blast at an imambargah in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, said reports. The blast was reported at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra located in southeastern Islamabad’s Tarlai Kalan area, during Friday prayers today.

Islamabad Capital Territory Police Spokesperson Taqi Jawad said that it was too soon to ascertain the nature of the blast. However, he said that the indications pointed to the attack being carried out by a suicide bomber. Also, some sources to Pakistan local media suggest the attacker was linked to Fitna al-Khawarij. Reportedly, the attacker blew himself up after being stopped at the Imambargah gate.

As of now, the site of explosion has been sealed off completely by security personnel, confirmed the district administration spokesperson. Also, Pakistan Army troops and Rangers have started security operations in and around the site of the blast.

Injured shifted to nearby hospitals

Multiple emergency teams have been rushed to the site of explosion to carry out rescue operations. The injured are being shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

To ensure proper medical treatment is proided to the injured, several assistant commissioners have been rushed to the nearby hospitals where the victims are being shifted to supervise the medical care of the injured.

Follwoing the explosion, an emergency has been imposed at the federal capital’s Polyclinic, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), and CDA Hospital on the directives of the executive director (ED) Pims, as per local media reports. Due to the sudden increase in the number of admissions at the hospitals in the federal capital, the victims are also being taken to hospitals in other parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Pak Prez calls it ‘crime against humanity’

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the explosion, and extended condolences to the families of the deaceased. In a statement posted by the PPP on social media platform X, the President said, “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity”. He also wished for the fast recovery of those injured in the incident and directed that all possible medical facilities be provided to them.

Also, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and called the attack a “cowardly act”. He wrote on scoail media: “Such acts of terrorism cannot dampen the morale of the nation. The need of the hour is that we all stand united for peace, tolerance, and stability, and express solidarity with law enforcement agencies.”

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that Pakistan can make a “U-turn” any time regarding their decision to boycott their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15 at Colombo.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said Pakistan may reverse their decision to boycott the India match, but questioned their ability to challenge India. Pathan noted India’s recent dominance over the arch-rivals, including three wins over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup.

“In the group stages, you won’t see any challenges. Pakistan has decided to boycott the match against India, but that U-turn can happen anytime now. Even if they make a U-turn, will they be able to give us a challenge? If you look at the previous World Cup or previous matches between India and Pakistan, it does not look like Pakistan can challenge India. Not once or twice, India have beaten Pakistan thrice in the 2025 Asia Cup. India have total dominance over them” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Pathan’s comments come amidst uncertainty over the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match, scheduled for February 15, at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.

Notably, Pakistan decided to boycott its group-stage match against India in the T20 World Cup after the Pakistan government posted on X that the Pakistan Team “shall not take the field” in the match against India without providing any reason. Following the Pakistan Government’s decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a statement saying that “selective participation” is not fair to the “fundamental premise of a global sporting event” and that it expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday strongly condemned Pakistan’s decision to boycott their February 15 ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage clash against India, terming it “against the sportsmanship of any sport.”

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Joint Secretary of BCCI, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, called the decision “very wrong” and expressed confidence that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would take strict action.

“This is against the sportsmanship of any sport. This is a very wrong decision by Pakistan. I am sure the ICC will take very strict action, and we will wait for the ICC’s decision,” Bhatia said.

Earlier on Thursday, India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said that the Indian team is fully prepared for the anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. Speaking during the Captains’ media briefing in Colombo, Suryakumar stressed that India’s approach remains unchanged despite Pakistan’s boycott.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 5.25% while continuing with the neutral stance.

Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate remain at 5.50%.

“The MPC noted that since the last policy meeting, external headwinds have intensified, though the successful completion of trade deals augurs well for the economic outlook. Overall, the near-term domestic inflation and growth outlook remain positive,” RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said.

On the domestic front, real gross domestic product (GDP), as per the First Advance Estimates (FAE), is estimated to grow at 7.4 per cent (y-o-y) in 2025-26.

The revised outlook for CPI inflation in Q1:2026-27 and Q2 at 4% and 4.2%, respectively, continues to be benign and near the inflation target.

The slight upward revision in the inflation outlook is primarily due to an increase in the prices of precious metals, which contribute about 60-70 basis points. The underlying inflation continues to be low, the Governor said.

CPI inflation for 2025-26 is now projected at 2.1% with Q4 at 3.2%. CPI inflation for Q1:2026-27 and Q2 are projected at 4% and 4.2%, respectively, he added.

Governor Malhotra also said that for customer protection, we will issue three draft guidelines: one, relating to mis-selling; two, regarding recovery of loans and engagement of recovery agents; and three, on limiting liability of customers in unauthorized electronic banking transactions.

It is also proposed to introduce a framework to compensate customers up to an amount of Rs 25000/- for loss incurred in small-value fraudulent transactions.

The next meeting of the MPC is scheduled for April 6 to 8, 2026.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Friday underlined the need for smart mining, critical minerals and green energy to strengthen India’s journey towards self-reliance, saying the sector must balance technology, environmental protection and community interests.

Addressing the inauguration of an Industry–Institute Interaction Conclave and Exhibition on “Smart Mining, Critical Minerals and Green Energy: A Necessity for Atmanirbhar Bharat” at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, the Governor said the event, organised during the institute’s centenary year, reflected the growing convergence of knowledge, research and industry.

He described the conclave, held with the support of Vijnana Bharati, CSIR–Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research and Techsmin, as a strong step towards deepening industry–academia collaboration.

The Governor said IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, has played a vital role in nation-building for nearly a century, particularly in mining, geosciences and energy, forming the backbone of India’s industrial growth. Bringing together experts from education, science, industry and policy-making on a common platform, he said, was especially meaningful at a time when mineral security and sustainable energy have become strategic priorities.

Highlighting Jharkhand’s mineral wealth, he said the state’s coal, iron ore, bauxite and other resources provide a strong foundation for the country’s energy security, infrastructure development and manufacturing sector. For a mineral-rich state like Jharkhand, discussions on smart mining and critical minerals were of special relevance, he added.

The Governor stressed that mining activities must increasingly adopt modern technology while ensuring environmental safeguards and protecting the interests of local communities. Such a balanced approach, he said, was essential to ensure development that is sustainable, equitable and inclusive.

Referring to national priorities, he said India was moving ahead under the leadership of the Prime Minister with the resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. In this journey, he noted, educational institutions and young minds would play a decisive role.

Institutions like IIT (ISM), he said, are key centres of innovation and research where future technologies will take shape. When knowledge is aligned with the spirit of nation-building, talent becomes a powerful driver of positive and lasting change.

Expressing hope that the deliberations would translate into concrete outcomes, the Governor said the ideas and commitments emerging from the conclave could provide new direction to India’s industrial and energy sectors.

Team India all-rounder Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to an injury, said sources. Harshit Rana was injured during Team India’s T20 WC 2026 warm-up match against South Africa on Wednesday.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed, during the pre-match press conference ahead of the team’s campaign-opener against the USA on Saturday, that Harshit Rana “was not looking good” after the warm-up match against South Africa, and the team physios are having a look at his injury.

“Harshit was not looking good after the warm-up game. The physios are assessing it,” said Suryakumar Yadav.

The 24-year-old Delhi pacer managed just one over, giving away 16 runs, and played no further role in the match. Earlier in the match, Rana also batted for the Men in Blue, facing just one ball.

With doubts already looming over spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar’s fitness, Rana’s exit from India’s campaign further deepens the defending champions’ concerns ahead of the global event.

Harshit Rana has so far featured in nine T20Is for the Men in Blue. In those nine matches, the bowling all-rounder has scored 57 runs at an average of 28.5, with the highest score of 35. He has also scalped nine wickets at an average of 33.0 with the best figures of 3/33.

Coming to the warm-up fixture, India registered a comfortable 30-run victory in their lone warm-up match. In-form Ishan Kishan stayed in red-hot touch, smashing a rapid 53 off just 20 balls, including seven sixes and two fours, as India posted a daunting 241 for five after batting first on a batting-friendly pitch. The bowlers then delivered a collective effort,with Suryakumar Yadav and co. deploying as many as nine bowling options — with Abhishek Sharma picking up two wickets — to limit South Africa to 210 for seven.

India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026 (prior to Harshit Rana injury): Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s star forward Navneet Kaur believes modern-day hockey demands more from attacking players, highlighting the importance of defensive contribution even for strikers as the team continues preparations at the ongoing national camp ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Hyderabad, Telangana.

“In today’s hockey, attacking alone is not enough. As a striker, defensive skills are also very important. I am focusing on tackling and applying pressure without the ball, because winning the ball back is a big advantage for the team,” she opined.

While highlighting her personal focus, Navneet reiterated that the team’s primary objective remains qualification for the 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup. “Our goal is very clear. We want to qualify for the World Cup and give our best performance in the qualifiers,” she remarked.

The camp, which forms a key part of India’s build-up to the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifier Hyderabad Telangana 2026, is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14. The top three teams from the tournament will secure qualification for the 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup.

Speaking about the camp environment, Navneet remarked, “The camp is going well. We have a new coach and a strong core group, and the quality of training has been very good. Everyone is focused, and we are preparing well for the upcoming competition.”

Navneet further spoke about working under newly appointed Head Coach Sjoerd Marijne, highlighting the clarity he has brought to the group.

“He has a very direct way of communicating. He tells us clearly what he expects from us, what we need to improve, and what kind of performance he wants on the pitch. There is no confusion, and that helps us work better as a team,” she remarked.

With several senior players having previously worked with Marijne, Navneet opined that the familiarity has helped the squad settle quickly. “He understands how Indian players play, and we also know what he expects from us. That mutual understanding helps us move forward faster as a team,” she said.

Navneet also recently led her team, SG Pipers, to the Women’s Hero Hockey India League title and spoke on the impact and exposure it provided for the broader group, “After playing in the Hero Hockey India League alongside foreign players, the confidence level is different among the younger players. The learning from that exposure is clearly visible when players come back into the national camp,” she opined.

She added that the mindset within the group has evolved significantly. “There is a very positive mindset in the camp. Players want to try new things. Even if something does not work immediately, we continue to push ourselves and keep learning,” Navneet remarked.

Normal life came to a standstill in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday after several Kuki-Zo tribal organisations called a 24-hour shutdown to protest the participation of MLAs from their community in the formation of the new state government. The shutdown, observed across the hill district, led to the closure of offices, markets, schools, and banks, while vehicles stayed off the roads, officials said.

The protest follows violent clashes between security forces and a mob that continued for nearly nine hours, ie from around 6 pm on Thursday till about 3 am on Friday, in the Tuibong area of Churachandpur. At least five people were injured in the clashes, which involved baton charges, stone-pelting, and the firing of tear gas shells to disperse protesters. Additional security forces have been deployed as the situation remains tense, officials added.

Why protests erupted in Churachandpur

The unrest centres on opposition to the involvement of Kuki-Zo MLAs in the government formation process. Tribal groups argue that elected representatives from the community should not have participated, given the prevailing tensions in the violence-hit state.

On Friday, protest rallies were also held in Tengnoupal and other hill districts. In parts of Churachandpur district headquarters, agitators carrying sticks stopped vehicles, according to police officials in Imphal.

The shutdown was called by several organisations, including the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), the Joint Forum of Seven (JF7), the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), and other Kuki-Zo groups. The KSO and KWOHR also organised a mass protest rally in the afternoon to oppose the MLAs’ involvement in the government.

How Thursday night’s clashes unfolded

According to officials, violence broke out last evening at Tuibong Bazaar and near the forest gate area. Protesters, mostly youths, allegedly torched heaps of discarded materials and burnt tyres while raising slogans against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA from the Kuki-Zo community.

As central and state security forces moved in to disperse the crowd, they were initially outnumbered. Heavy stone-pelting forced security personnel to retreat briefly. They later regrouped and used tear gas shells, followed by a baton charge, to bring the situation under control. Intermittent clashes continued till around 3 am on Friday, after which additional forces were deployed to prevent further escalation.

Political backdrop to the unrest

Tensions in Churachandpur have been simmering since Wednesday evening after Nemcha Kipgen, who hails from Kangpokpi district, virtually took oath as Deputy Chief Minister from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi. She is the lone woman in the Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh-led ministry, which assumed office on Wednesday.

Of the 10 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community, three (Nemcha Kipgen, LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate) have so far been involved in the government formation process. Seven of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs belong to the BJP, while the remaining three are affiliated with local Kuki-Zo organisations.

Kipgen, Khaute and Sanate also virtually attended the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Addressing the House, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said restoring peace and normalcy in the state was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, including elected representatives. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said maintaining law and order remained the government’s foremost priority.

Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the community, on Thursday announced a social boycott of all Kuki-Zo MLAs who participated in or were involved in the formation of the Manipur government.

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has decided to seek a probe by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights into the killing of radical platform Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The announcement was made in a social media post by Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

The move comes after Inqilab Moncha staged a sit-in outside the Chief Advisor’s official residence, Jamuna, calling for an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its leader, Hadi.

The protest began on Thursday evening with the participation of Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Hadi’s wife and a small number of supporters, Bangladesh’s leading daily Dhaka Tribune reported.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Jaber said that although the organisation could have mobilised a larger crowd but opted to remain at the site with Hadi’s wife until the Chief Advisor provided a clear assurance. He added that the group would not withdraw from the sit-in without a full guarantee of justice.

In a social media post issued during the protest, the Inquilab Monco said, “We are surrounded by hundreds of police and other forces, prepared with batons. Our final word: until Hadi’s murder is handed to a UN-led impartial investigation, we will not budge, even if killed.”

Last month, Bangladesh police said the killing of Islamist leader Hadi was a “politically motivated murder”, with investigators claiming that the conspiracy behind the attack was planned in Singapore.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Detective Branch has filed a chargesheet against 17 individuals in connection with the case before a metropolitan court in Dhaka.

Hadi, 32, served as a spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho and gained national attention during the July–August 2024 mass protests that ultimately led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. He was also a parliamentary candidate for the February 12 elections. He was known for spreading Islamist and anti-India narratives in the South Asian nation.

On December 12 last year, Hadi was shot in the head when assailants fired from a moving motorcycle at the rickshaw he was riding on Paltan Road in Dhaka. He was later airlifted to Singapore for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, 2025.

World’s largest cryptocurrency Bitcoin extended losses on Friday, falling over 6 per cent to about $66,198 as risk aversion, heavy liquidations, weakness in technology stocks, and fears of tighter US monetary policy rattled investors.

Bitcoin saw its sharpest single‑day decline since late 2024 on Thursday when it slid 12.6 per cent to roughly $63,300, its lowest level since October 2024, wiping out billions of asset value in dollar terms, multiple reports said.

Analysts said global investors pulling back from risky assets caused a drop in crypto assets, with volatility spilling into the segment from precious metals and tech stocks.

Crypto market data analytics platforms showed that nearly $1 billion of bitcoin positions were liquidated in 24 hours as leveraged traders were forced out, which caused a domino effect across crypto markets. Bitcoin has fallen 20.22 per cent this week, 28.86 per cent in a month, and 32.85 per cent in a year.

Ether, the second‑largest token, dropped over 13 per cent in a day and has lost nearly 38 per cent in 2026 to date.

Market watchers said previous cycles like this indicated that cryptocurrency has gone into a reset mode that could take months rather than a short-term correction.

Crypto market enthusiasm fell after US President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as his choice for Federal Reserve chair, as investors felt a more hawkish Fed under Warsh would shrink the central bank balance sheet, removing liquidity that has supported risk assets, they said.

Longer‑term pressure on crypto assets came from institutional exits as sustained withdrawals from institutional exchange‑traded funds, such as outflows of over $3 billion in January from US spot bitcoin ETFs.

Bitcoin’s price has been in line with technology stocks, and the sustained sharp sell‑off in software and AI‑linked equities amplified losses as investors cut exposure, analysts said.

Market watchers also warned of forced liquidation among crypto miners if prices continue to fall, as they enter cash flow stress, reports said.

In 2025, the United States announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a move that highlighted Bitcoin’s growing importance at a national and strategic level.