MP Evening Wrap:Tribals protest on pyres over Ken-Betwa project; Voting concludes, with record 86.92% turnout in Puducherry more

Bhaskar English brings you the biggest news from Madhya Pradesh and around the world. Here are the top news headlines of the day:

1.Iran calls Lebanon ‘inseparable’ to ceasefire; Netanyahu vows continued Hezbollah strikes Iran said Lebanon is integral to the ceasefire and warned of consequences for violations, while Israel insisted the truce excludes Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued strikes on Hezbollah as violence escalated, with heavy casualties reported in Israeli attacks. Read more 2. Bundelkhand tribals lie on pyres demanding justice over Ken-Betwa project Protests against the Ken-Betwa project in Chhatarpur intensified as tribal farmers, led by women, staged a ‘funeral pyre’ protest demanding justice. Alleging suppression, blockades and threats, they vowed to continue the agitation, calling it a do-or-die battle despite administrative restrictions. Read more 3. Indore councillor refuses Vande Mataram; Congress seeks expulsion, BJP plans FIR During the budget discussion at Indore Municipal Corporation on Wednesday, Congress corporators Fauzia Sheikh Aleem and Rubina Iqbal refused to sing ‘Vande Mataram’. On the chairperson’s instructions, Fauzia said that she should be shown the Act which makes singing ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory. Read more 4. Voting concludes, with record 86.92% turnout in Puducherry Assembly polls ended Thursday across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, covering 296 seats. Turnout: Puducherry 86.92%, Assam 84.42%, Kerala 75.01%, including over 10 lakh first-time voters. Key leaders voted; minor clashes reported in Puducherry. Major parties battle for power in all three regions. Read more 5. How Lawrence gang built MP network; hires shooters online, seeks ₹10 crore ransom The Lawrence Bishnoi gang built its Madhya Pradesh network using social media to recruit local youth and criminals. Led by aide Rajpal Chandrawat, it used surveillance, local shooters and international calls to create fear, recording attacks and demanding ransom up to ₹10 crore from targets. Read more 6. Madhya Pradesh eases land ownership after 30 years; conversion costs rise Madhya Pradesh plans to ease leasehold-to-freehold conversion for urban land held over 30 years, but at higher costs. Revised rules propose increased conversion fees, higher rent, stricter penalties, and annual hikes, aiming to clear pending cases while raising the financial burden on leaseholders. Read more 7. Modi slams TMC’s ‘ruthlessness’, offers six guarantees to Bengal
PM Narendra Modi on Thursday accused Trinamool Congress of “ruthlessness” in West Bengal, alleging betrayal of youth and poor governance. He promised six guarantees, including jobs, women’s safety and reforms, while pitching a BJP-led government to restore industry and end “mafia rule”. Read more
8. Woman, lover hire killers to murder husband over skin remark A businessman in Dhar was murdered in a conspiracy allegedly hatched by his wife and her lover. Police said the duo hired a contract killer, staged a robbery, and fled with cash and jewellery. The accused confessed; the main assailant remains absconding. Read more 9. Forest-revenue disputes surge; Chief Secretary calls self ‘complaint officer’ A meeting in Madhya Pradesh over the Forest-Revenue boundary dispute turned heated, with officials flagging ground reality gaps and unclear land ownership in villages. The Chief Secretary said complaints are piling up, set deadlines for action plans, and issued directions on governance, heat preparedness, and service delivery. Read more 10. Sabarimala hearing Day 3 Nagarathna says entry ban may divide society During Day 3 of the Sabarimala hearing, Justice BV Nagarathna warned that restricting temple entry could divide society and harm Hinduism. The Supreme Court continued examining women’s entry and religious rights, while stressing that discrimination in the name of faith cannot be ignored. Read more