Recent Arrests and Natural Disasters: Key Updates from India
Allegations of Gang Rape at Kolkata Law College
Three individuals have been detained in connection with the alleged gang rape of a student at a law college in Kolkata. The incident reportedly took place on the campus of South Calcutta Law College on Wednesday.
Among the arrested, one is a former student, while the other two are current students. They were apprehended following the victim's complaint and have been placed in police custody for four days as of Friday.
Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh Claim Lives
The death toll from a flash flood near a hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district has reached five. On Wednesday, it was feared that 15 to 20 workers at a labor colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site in Khaniyara, close to Dharamshala, were swept away.
This disaster occurred due to a sudden rise in the Manuni river's water level. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate the missing workers.
In the last 24 hours, Himachal Pradesh has experienced three cloudbursts, nine flash floods, and three landslides.
Potential Trade Agreement Between India and the US
President Donald Trump has indicated that India may soon finalize a significant trade agreement with the United States. This announcement comes just days before the expiration of the tariff suspension Trump had previously announced.
Earlier, Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on various nations, including a 26% levy on India. Shortly after, he reduced import rates from most countries to 10% for a period of 90 days to facilitate trade discussions. New Delhi has confirmed ongoing negotiations with Washington to establish a bilateral trade deal by late fall.
Education Crisis in Jharkhand's Single-Teacher Schools
A recent study has revealed that students in Jharkhand's single-teacher schools are being denied their right to basic education due to high absenteeism and a lack of teacher engagement. The Right to Education Act mandates a minimum of two teachers for primary schools, making single-teacher institutions a violation of this law.
The study, conducted by the NREGA Sahayata Kendra, found that during unannounced visits to schools in Latehar's Manika block between January and March, 87.5% of these schools had no active teaching occurring.
Persistent absenteeism among teachers has left students without adequate guidance. Even when teachers are present, they are often burdened with administrative tasks, further hindering educational quality.