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Adani Defence Hands Over 2nd Drishti-10 Drone To Indian Navy To Enhance Maritime Security

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The Commune
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Adani Defence Hands Over 2nd Drishti-10 Drone To Indian Navy To Enhance Maritime Security

In a bid to boost the country’s maritime surveillance capabilities, Adani Defence and Aerospace has handed over a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy. Drishti 10 Starliner drone or UAV, manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace which is part of the Adani Group in Hyderabad, is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours of endurance and 450-kg payload capacity.

According to sources close to the development, the induction of the second UAV, a version of Israel’s Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, into naval maritime operations was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat. The first Drishti-10 drone was delivered to the Indian Navy earlier this year. This marks the first-ever integration of such advanced payload suites onto a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform, enabling the Indian Navy with differentiated capabilities to dominate maritime surveillance. MALE is a type of UAV that can fly at altitudes of 10,000 to 30,000 feet. Adani Defence previously delivered the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army in June this year.

The Army will deploy it at its Bhatinda base in Punjab, from where it can keep an eye on the western border with Pakistan. Drishti-10 Starliner is the only unmanned military platform with NATO ‘STANAG 4671’ certification, which allows military UAVs to operate in other NATO members’ airspace.

It has four hard points on wings, and a large internal bay for special missions. Drishti-10 Starliner provides over the horizon, persistent multi-payload, fully autonomous capabilities and SATCOM-based operations. It is the country’s only indigenous UAV, operating reliably above 32,000 feet with large payload-carrying capacity and distinctively long endurance. Adani Defence and Aerospace boasts several ‘firsts’ to its credit – from being India’s first private sector military UAV manufacturer exporting to global markets, to establishing India’s first private small arms manufacturing facility, and the country’s first private sector ammunition player, thus nurturing a domestic defence ecosystem.

–IANS

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AAP MLA Naresh Balyan Held Under MCOCA, Minutes After Securing Bail In Extortion Case

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The Commune
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AAP MLA Naresh Balyan Held Under MCOCA, Minutes After Securing Bail In Extortion Case

The Delhi Police on Wednesday rearrested Aam Aadmi Party’s Naresh Balyan under MCOCA minutes after he secured bail in connection with an extortion case. After the Rouse Avenue Court allowed his bail application in the extortion case, the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested the AAP leader within the court premises and took him to its office. Earlier on Tuesday, the Rouse Avenue Court sent the MLA from Delhi’s Uttam Nagar constituency to police custody for another day and in the meantime, asked Delhi Police to respond to his bail application in the extortion case.

In the course of the hearing, Balyan’s lawyer questioned the necessity of arrest and submitted that he was ready to appear before the investigating officer, as and when needed, and will cooperate with the ongoing probe. Initially, the AAP leader was sent to two days of police custody on Sunday in connection with the extortion case. The Delhi Police had then argued that Balayan should be sent to its custody for 5 days for interrogation. Balyan was arrested on November 30 following the release of audio clips allegedly featuring him in a conversation with gangster Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu.

The clips purportedly reveal plans to threaten and extort money from Delhi’s builders and others. The BJP has described Balyan as an “extortionist” and accused AAP leaders of colluding with gangsters to extort protection money from traders and builders. BJP national Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Balyan’s activities were conducted with AAP supremo and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s full knowledge and consent.

Similarly, BJP leader Kailash Gahlot on Sunday dismissed claims of conspiracy surrounding Balyan’s arrest, asserting that the matter had been “known to senior leaders for the last one year”. Gahlot raised serious concerns about the lack of action from AAP’s top brass, including Kejriwal, despite their awareness of the issue. “It would be completely wrong to call this a conspiracy because every senior AAP leader has known about this for the last year. The real question is why no action was taken despite senior party leaders, including the National Convenor, being aware of such activities. It is disturbing that the issue has escalated to this point,” he said

–IANS

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“₹1,153 Crores Looted From Temples”: Retired Idol Wing IG Pon Manickavel Accuses HR&CE Of Misappropriating Temple Properties

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The Commune
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Retired IG Pon Manickavel accuses DMK and AIADMK of misappropriating ₹1,153 crores from Tamil Nadu temples as taxes.

Retired IG Pon Manickavel has accused the DMK and AIADMK governments of misappropriating over ₹1,150 crores from Tamil Nadu’s temples under the guise of taxes.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Arudra Kapaleeswarar Temple in Erode, Manickavel expressed his concerns over the state of the temple, stating that it had been damaged. He alleged that the ancient idols surrounding the sanctum sanctorum had been stolen and replaced with new ones. Manickavel echoed the remarks of the Prime Minister, who had earlier commented on the looting of temple property in Tamil Nadu. He further accused both the previous and current state administrations of imposing taxes on temples while also conducting audits under the pretence of oversight.

According to Manickavel, the government collected ₹327 crores in 2018, ₹348 crores in 2019, and ₹478 crores in 2021 from temples as taxes. Currently, the tax collection from Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu amounts to ₹656 crore, equating to a monthly tax revenue of ₹56 crore.

Pon Manickavel said, “This temple is very old and ancient. The ancient characteristics of this temple have been completely wiped out replaced with new draped colors, as if they say ‘barbaric vandalism has been done at its best’. Inside the temple, surrounding the sanctum, there are many Kosta deities, all of which are new. The original antique idols that were once present were stolen and taken away. No one knows this because they did not have the understanding or knowledge. Last year or the year before, I think Prime Minister Modi visited the temple. He accused that the temple properties were being stolen in Tamil Nadu, and in response Stalin opposed, saying “It was nothing like that.” Whoever says something, let it be, but this temple is an example of what Mr. Modi accused, saying ‘Yes, the accusation he made is true’. I’m saying this based on activities done inside.”

Manickavel accused the executive officers from the HRCE department of misappropriating the temple properties. He revealed that a report regarding this issue was submitted to the commissioner in 2017, but it was ignored. In connection with this, the government has suspended two of the three accused executive officers. However, there was internal pressure to conceal these allegations from the court. Manickavel urged the government to take strict legal action in response.

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Dravidian Model: DMK Ministers Hold Birthday Parties Titled “Udhaya Naal” To Commemorate Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Birthday Amidst Cyclone Fengal Aftermath

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The Commune
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While TN grapples with Cyclone Fengal, DMK ministers are busy hosting Udhaya Naal birthday parties.

Even as Tamil Nadu is still reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Fengal, DMK ministers seemed busy throwing parties titled “Udhaya Naal” to commemorate the birthday of the DMK scion and the Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Cyclone Fengal, which brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding to the state, displacing thousands of people and causing extensive damage to life and property. Areas like Vikravandi and Krishnagiri have been among the hardest hit, struggling with the aftermath of the cyclone over the past week.

Meanwhile, the DMK ministers have come under criticism for seeming to neglect the people’s suffering.

On 4 December 2024, the DMK minister for HR&CE PK Sekar Babu shared a post stating, “Humanitarian Udhay Day – Udayam 10 #HBDDyCMUdhay All beings are equal! May dawn (Udayam) rise everywhere!! On the occasion of the birthday of Hon. Deputy Chief Minister – Youth wing Secretary Mr. @udhaystalin, today (04.12.2024), a grand welfare assistance program held on behalf of the Chennai (East) and Egmore North Area Youth wing at Kosapet Arignar Anna Social Welfare Center, Avadi MLA and Hon. Fellow Minister Nassar (Minorities & Non Resident Tamils Welfare Department) participated and gave a special speech and providing one month’s worth of groceries including rice and financial assistance to 200 transgenders. Local Secretaries, Former MLAs, Councilors and party Executives participated in the event.”

In another post, on 4 December 2024, DMK Minister for Medical and Family Welfare, Ma Subramanian, in a series of posts, shared a celebration of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin’s birthday in a grand manner.

Even School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh was seen celebrating the DMK scion’s birthday on 2 December 2024, at the height of the cyclone’s impact on the state.

In this regard, AIADMK Organizing Secretary and former Finance Minister D. Jayakumar has condemned these celebrations, stating, “At a time when even the most marginalized people of Tamil Nadu are shedding tears after seeing the flood damage in Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai, ministers who should be responsible are holding birthday parties called ‘Udhayanini Udhaya naal’! The people will soon answer these slave ministers!”

 

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PM Modi One Of The Wisest Persons In World: Kuwait Foreign Minister

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The Commune
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PM Modi One Of The Wisest Persons In World: Kuwait Foreign Minister

Calling India a “very important partner”, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that Kuwait believes that the Indian leader is one of the wisest persons in the world.

“I would like to thank you for the invitation and also for the opportunity of meeting Prime Minister Modi, who we believe is one of the wisest persons worldwide. I am sure that the Prime Minister puts India on a better level, and I am sure that he will continue that… India is a very important partner and we count on our relationship,” the visiting Foreign Minister said in his opening remarks at the delegation-level meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya arrived in India late Tuesday night for an official visit to further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between India and Kuwait. In the afternoon, he made a courtesy call on PM Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence before holding a meeting with EAM Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House.

“Glad to receive Foreign Minister of Kuwait Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. I thank the Kuwaiti leadership for the welfare of the Indian nationals. India is committed to advance our deep-rooted and historical ties for the benefit of our people and the region,” PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.

India and Kuwait share a historically strong bilateral relationship that has stood the test of time. Rooted in centuries of trade and cultural exchange, the partnership predates Kuwait’s independence in 1961, during which the Indian Rupee served as its legal tender. “I think the Joint Committee will solve many issues between Kuwait and India. I think we can draw a roadmap between Kuwait and India and proceed as fast as we can,” said Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. Kuwait’s economy, before the discovery of oil, thrived on maritime activities, including shipbuilding, pearl diving, and trading goods like Arabian horses, dates, and pearls with India in exchange for wood, spices, and textiles.

This legacy of cooperation was commemorated during the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2021-22. The Indian community, estimated to be one million strong, forms the largest expatriate group in Kuwait. Known for their diverse contributions, Indians hold roles across various fields, from engineering, medicine, and IT to business and trade. The robust Indian business community in Kuwait, comprising retailers, distributors, and professionals, has played a pivotal role in strengthening economic ties.

Prominent Indian brands like Lulu Hypermarket and Centre Point have become integral to the Kuwaiti market. Cultural and social engagement also thrives through more than 200 Indian associations registered with the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. These groups actively organise programs to promote cultural exchange and community welfare, further solidifying the people-to-people connection between the nations.

–IANS

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Consumption Of Beef Banned In Public Places In Assam

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The Commune
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Consumption Of Beef Banned In Public Places In Assam. himanta biswa sarma bangladeshi illegal

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that the Assam government has decided to ban the consumption of beef in public places, including hotels and restaurants. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held in the national capital, which the Chief Minister chaired.

Sarma told reporters here, “We previously imposed a ban on beef consumption in an area within a five-kilometre radius of temples and other prayer places. However, now we have decided to extend this restriction and a total ban of consuming beef in public places in Assam is prohibited from today.” “The restriction also includes serving of beef in hotels, restaurants and at any other community festivals in the state. The defaulters will be punished as per the provision laid down under the law,” he added.

The Chief Minister also took a swipe at the Congress party and said, “Some of the Congress leaders, including the state president, have spoken about banning beef consumption in the state. We already had a strict law regarding this; however, the matter was thoroughly discussed in today’s cabinet meeting and we have come up with a blanket ban on consuming beef in public places across the state.”

Earlier, Sarma said that if state Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah wrote to him requesting it, he would be willing to outlaw beef in Assam. Sarma said he was pleased that the opposition party brought up the claim that the BJP gave out beef in order to win the Muslim-majority Samaguri, which the Congress had ruled for five terms in a row. He stated, “Samaguri spent 25 years under Congress rule and the greatest embarrassment in Congress’ history is that it lost a constituency like Samaguri by 27,000 votes. It is the Congress’ loss more than the BJP’s victory.”

Following the debacle of a Congress candidate in Samaguri, Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain alleged that the ruling party could win this constituency by distributing beef to the public. Hussain has been representing Samaguri in the Assembly since 2001 and he vacated this seat after winning Lok Sabha polls this year. The Congress gave the ticket to his son Tanzil Hussain in Samaguri in the recently concluded by-election.

Sarma asked, “I would like to know if Congress was able to win Samaguri by providing voters with beef. He (Rakibul Hussain) is well acquainted with Samaguri. Does this imply that beef can be offered to win Samaguri?” He further said, “Since Rakibul Hussain stated that beef should be prohibited, I would like to inform him of this. He just needs to write to me that beef should be prohibited in Assam.”

–IANS

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Coal PSUs Planted Trees On 55,312 Hectares Of Land In Mining Areas: Minister G Kishan Reddy

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The Commune
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Coal PSUs Planted Trees On 55,312 Hectares Of Land In Mining Areas: Minister G Kishan Reddy

Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings, namely Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), have biologically reclaimed and afforested about 55,312 hectares (Ha) of land in and around their mining areas up to FY 2023-24, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The estimated carbon sink potential of the greening initiatives is 2.77 million tonnes CO2 equivalent. The greening initiatives of Coal & Lignite PSUs contribute to India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target titled “to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030”, the Minister said in a written reply to a question. The Ministry of Coal has set target for land reclamation and afforestation for Coal/Lignite PSUs under Vision Viksit Bharat has been set at 15,350 hectares for next 5 years. The target for the current financial year has been fixed at 2,600 hectares. In addition to traditional methods of plantation, some of the innovative techniques being adopted by Coal & Lignite PSUs are seed ball plantation, Miyawaki plantation, high-tech cultivation, bamboo plantation, and drip irrigation for plantations on overburden dumps, the Minister said.

Measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of reclaimed and afforested areas in Coal & Lignite PSUs focus on scientific reclamation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic integration. Initiatives include topsoil management, planting native species, creating wildlife habitats, and monitoring by remote sensing. Afforestation activities are mostly carried out by the State Forest Departments and State Forest Development Corporations in the Coal/Lignite PSUs.

Reclaimed areas are repurposed for eco-parks, agroforestry, water sports, pisciculture and renewable energy projects. Afforested areas on non-forest land are also offered as compensatory afforestation (CA) land for forest diversion for coal mining projects, he said. In answer to another question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said sustainable development of the coal sector requires protection of environment, conservation of resources, care for society and safeguarding forests and biodiversity.

The government is taking measures such as prior Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) before opening a new mine or for enhancement in Production capacity or land area of an existing mine. In compliance of the Van (Sanrakshan evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, prior Forestry Clearance is also obtained from MoEF&CC, in case of projects involving forest land.

–IANS

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Power Sharing: Will Follow Instructions Of Cong High Command, Says Karnataka CM

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The Commune
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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah denies any power-sharing pact with Dy CM Shivakumar, affirming they'll follow the high command's instructions.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while answering media questions regarding a ‘pact’ between him and state Congress President DK Shivakumar on power sharing, clarified there was no pact in this regard and they would “follow the instruction of the high command.” Speaking on the issue in Mandya on Wednesday, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “We will follow the instructions of the high command.” When asked to react to the statements of CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM Shivakumar asserted, “When the Chief Minister has made the statement, I have no objection and it is final. No further questions or debate. I have answered questions in this regard earlier.”

Sources stated that CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar had agreed to share power equally in the five year term of the government. The statements have assumed importance in the backdrop of CM Siddaramaiah’s supporters organising series of conventions across Karnataka with the aim to mobilise support for oppressed, backward classes, minorities, which are known as Ahinda groups. Loyalists of CM Siddaramaiah have organised a massive convention on December 5 in Hassan city and made arrangements for a gathering of 2 lakh people. Earlier, the convention was named ‘Swabhimani Samavesha’, however, following objections by senior leaders mainly Dy CM Shivakumar, it has been changed to ‘Jan Kalyan Samavehsa’. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah were both contenders for the CM’s post and after the election, the Congress high command had chosen Siddaramaiah for the top job. CM Siddaramaiah’s supporters had used his clean image as a trump card against Shivakumar and had started a discussion on creating more Dy CM posts.

However, at present, CM Siddaramaiah is facing an FIR and charges in the MUDA case as the prime accused and has faced questioning by the Lokayukta. The ED is also probing the case. Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah is all set to make a Cabinet reshuffle. Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, M.C. Sudhakar has stated that the high command has asked for reports from all Cabinet ministers and he has also sent his report. “The party has given us Cabinet posts not to show off but to perform. Hence, responsibilities will have to be fulfilled. The image of the party and the government needs to be taken care of,” he maintained.

–IANS

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NASA-ISRO SAR Mission Likely To Be Launched In March 2025: Jitendra Singh

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The Commune
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NASA-ISRO SAR Mission Likely To Be Launched In March 2025: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the much-awaited NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture RADAR (NISAR) mission will likely be launched in March 2025. NISAR is an Earth science mission being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO under a collaborative agreement.

It was earlier slated for launch in the first half of 2024 but was delayed as the 12-meter Radar Antenna Reflector “needed some corrective actions”, which was detected during the assembly, integration, and testing phase by NASA experts. After rectification in the US, it was delivered to ISRO by NASA in October. Currently, the radar is being “re-integrated with the satellite and undergoing necessary tests,” the Union Minister informed. He further explained that the conditions to launch the satellite “are not conducive” now “due to the eclipse season”. “In view of the aforementioned factors, NISAR is now likely to be launched during March 2025,” Singh said. He said space exploration missions take an exhaustive time cycle that includes conceptualisation, design, development of prototype, qualification and flight model and numerous tests, design iterations, supply chain, and extensive reviews of several complex and Indigenous technologies.

Further, with international collaborations, the challenges “include geo-political considerations, establishing common mission objectives, alignment with respective national priorities and ensuring timely availability of resources/infrastructure,” Singh said. He also informed that the government recently approved the Chandrayaan-4 and Venus Orbiter Mission that would further the capabilities in various elements of satellite realisation. “The Chandrayaan-4 mission envisages extraction and return of lunar samples back to Earth. The Venus Orbiter Mission aims to successfully orbit Venus and better understand the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes, and influence of the Sun on Venusian atmosphere,” Singh said.

The new Indian Space Policy also significantly emphasises space debris mitigation requirements and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capacity building. ISRO also spearheads the recently unveiled Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) initiative to achieve debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors, both governmental and non-governmental, by 2030. The initiative aligns with global efforts for space sustainability, positioning India as a nation prioritising safety, security, and sustainability in outer space activities. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capital fund dedicated to supporting India’s space sector. The fund is expected to support approximately 40 startups in the sector and will accelerate the private space industry’s growth.

–IANS

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Meat Allegedly Found In Veg Meal Served By TN Police To Detainees Comprising Ayyappa Devotees Observing Vrat

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The Commune
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Meat Allegedly Found In Veg Meal Served By TN Police To Detainees Comprising Ayyappa Devotees

n Vellore, a protest organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) condemning attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh took an unexpected turn when Ayyappa devotees, among the detainees, were allegedly served vegetarian meal by police, but it contained meat. The incident sparked a heated altercation, prompting the Vellore Superintendent of Police to investigate the complaint.

In Vellore, RSS members organized a protest condemning the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Among the participants were Ayyappa devotees returning from their pilgrimage to Sabarimala. During the protest, police detained all participants and moved them to a private hall. While in custody, the police provided lunch to the detainees, which sparked controversy.

A complaint emerged alleging that the vegetarian meal served to everyone, including the Ayyappa devotees, contained a piece of meat. This led to a heated altercation between the devotees and the police.

Vellore Superintendent of Police Mathivanan responded to the incident, stating, “The police always serve vegetarian food to detainees. However, we have ordered an investigation into the complaint to determine the facts.”

(With inputs from Seithipunal)

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