Telangana

In Sangareddy’s Nizampet, a man allegedly set his in-laws’ house on fire after his wife refused to reconcile with him. The blaze destroyed the house and two motorcycles. Police identified the accused as Ravi, married to Sayavva for 15 years, with three children.

Ramagundam Police Commissioner Amber Kishore Jha announced a target to reduce road accidents by 30 per cent annually within commissionerate limits. As part of the ‘Arrive-Alive’ programme, a coordinated plan involving municipal, education, health, transport and other departments is being prepared.

The Supreme Court has given the Telangana Assembly Speaker two weeks to decide on disqualification petitions against 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the Congress. While petitions against nine legislators may be dismissed citing lack of evidence, their cases are expected to face judicial review. Petitioners presented photos and videos of the MLAs joining Congress, but the legislators relied on affidavits denying defection.

In a special enforcement drive, Secunderabad Zone Police arrested 12 persons and seized 162 bobbins of banned Chinese manja worth Rs 1.88 lakh. Raids were conducted in Chikkadpally, Gandhinagar and Osmania University areas.

Despite festive celebrations, incidents involving banned Chinese manja caused injuries and deaths during Sankranti. City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said accidents declined compared to previous years, attributing the reduction to awareness drives and strict enforcement.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao said Telangana should be proud of NITI Aayog naming TS-iPASS the best industrial policy in the country. He said the recognition reflects K Chandrashekhar Rao’s role in building a strong industrial ecosystem

Shortage of veterinary doctors and poor infrastructure at animal hospitals in Kothagudem district are causing hardship to dairy farmers and pet owners. Many centres lack staff and medicines, forcing farmers to seek private treatment for their cattle.

Members of the Mesram clan have camped at Keslapur village ahead of the five-day Nagoba Jatara beginning January 18. Sacred rituals, including Mahapuja and Banpen Puja, will be performed as lakhs of tribals from across India gather to worship the serpent god.

The Hyderabad Task Force arrested two drug peddlers in Attapur on Friday and seized MDMA and OG worth Rs 1 lakh. Police said the accused procured the narcotics from a Bengaluru-based supplier, who is currently absconding.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police have announced the closure of all flyovers across the city on the night of January 16 in view of Shab-e-Meraj celebrations. Restrictions will begin after 10 pm, though key routes including PV Narasimha Rao Expressway will remain open.

The Supreme Court has issued a final warning to the Telangana Assembly Speaker, directing him to decide pending disqualification petitions against three BRS MLAs within two weeks, expressing concern over repeated delays despite earlier court orders.

The BRS has demanded a Special Investigation Team probe into allegations of land encroachment, extortion and abuse of power against AICC secretary and former MLA Sampath Kumar. Party leaders cited complaints by private firms and accused him of intimidating officials and contractors.

Ahead of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inaugurating the Chanaka-Korata and Sadarmat barrages, BRS working president KT Rama Rao claimed the irrigation projects were largely completed during the previous BRS regime, with trial runs and major construction finished before December 2023.

The Sammakka-Sarakka temple at Medaram will reopen on January 19 after renovation, Panchayat Raj Minister Dansari Anasuya said. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will reopen the shrine following a cabinet meeting at Medaram, while development works continue at major temples and riverfronts.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao will lead the ‘Bachao Secunderabad’ rally on Saturday to protest the Congress government’s alleged attempts to erase the city’s identity. Former minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav accused the government of unilateral decisions threatening Secunderabad’s heritage.

The Congress government has drawn criticism for inaugurating the Chanaka-Korata irrigation project’s pump house, which was launched and trial-run during the BRS regime. Former minister Jogu Ramanna accused the government of seeking electoral mileage while farmers flagged pending compensation issues.

A couple from Luxettipet on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala was killed in a hit-and-run accident while crossing a road in Kanyakumari on Thursday evening. The incident occurred as they were returning from the Ayyappa temple.

Former minister Jogu Ramanna accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of prioritising elections over farmers’ issues and failing to strengthen irrigation. Ramanna and BRS cadres were detained after announcing plans to stall the CM’s tour amid municipal polls.

Forest officials arrested three persons for poaching a spotted deer using an electrified fence in Penchikalpet mandal on Thursday. Two more accused are absconding. The arrested men confessed to selling deer meat and were remanded to judicial custody.

Two migrant workers suffered serious burn injuries after receiving an electric shock while flying kites using banned Chinese manja in Zaheerabad on Thursday. The manja touched overhead power lines, leaving one of the victims in critical condition.

NITI Aayog has identified Telangana’s TS-iPASS as India’s only industrial clearance system matching global best practices, recommending its features for a national MSME portal and highlighting its role in attracting investments and jobs.

The Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrated Makar Sankranti with grandeur, rural traditions and family reunions. Kite flying, cockfights and rural sports added to the celebrations, with lakhs travelling home from Hyderabad.

Telangana Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has dismissed disqualification petitions against BRS MLAs Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Kale Yadaiah, ruling that there was no evidence of defection to the Congress. With this, seven of the 10 MLAs facing charges have been cleared.

Former Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav has vowed to fight multiple police cases filed against him by Congress leaders over remarks made against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. While he later retracted his comments, complaints were lodged at SR Nagar and Mahankali police stations.