Early Saturday morning, Chandrashekhar, known as ‘Farsa Baba’ or ‘Farse Wale Baba’, was struck and killed by a truck on the Agra-Delhi highway near Mathura. According to the district administration and police, Farsa Baba and his disciple were inspecting a container truck on the highway, suspecting it was transporting cows. In the morning fog with poor visibility, another truck struck Baba, leading to his death shortly afterward. Chandrashekhar Baba, also called Farsa Baba, died in a road accident in Mathura. (X/@deepaksharmazad) The locals grew furious over the death, claiming that “cow smugglers” had run over the self-proclaimed godman and cow vigilante, and called for immediate police action. Police stated that another truck collided with Baba and his disciple, who were riding a motorbike, owing to poor visibility from thick fog on the highway. In response, supporters blocked the highway and damaged police vans. Shailesh Kumar Pandey, deputy inspector general of police for the Agra range, told reporters, “The situation is now under control.” Officials verified it was a road crash with no livestock implicated, and arrests have occurred. Those responsible for the violence will face strict measures, as a comprehensive investigation proceeds. Also read | Protests break out in Mathura after cow vigilante Farsa Baba killed by truck; supporters claim murder, block highway. 

 On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, extending greetings for Eid and Nowruz and addressing the changing dynamics in West Asia. PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian amid West Asia tensions (File photos). In a statement, Modi said, “I spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and extended greetings for Eid and Nowruz.” We expressed our hope that this festive season will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to West Asia. In the discussion, the Prime Minister raised worries about recent assaults on vital infrastructure in the area, stating that he “condemns attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.” He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining uninterrupted global trade flows, noting that he “reiterated the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lanes open and secure.” This is the second phone call between the Prime Minister and Iran’s President since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. Earlier this month, Modi noted that he had spoken with Pezeshkian about the “serious situation in the region,” during which he “expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.” The PM also highlighted the safety and security of Indian nationals and the “need for unhindered transit of goods and energy,” stating that these continue to be India’s “top priorities.” 

 At a book-signing event for his novel ‘The Cantonment Conspiracy,’ former Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane was questioned about his future writing plans. According to news agency ANI’s report from Pune on Friday, he informed reporters that he is now focused solely on fiction writing. Former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane’s autobiography ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ is still unpublished and lies at the heart of a significant political controversy. (Photo from PTI archives). It arrived about seven weeks after his sole non-fiction work — the unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny,’ awaiting government approval — had shaken the nation’s Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, attempted to quote excerpts from it to claim that the BJP government’s policy was feeble against China amid the 2020 border clashes. “I’ve consistently written periodically, not just military reports but also for various army academic journals.” I had also penned a few short stories, one of which was published in the magazine Femina. “He said he is now solely interested in writing fiction,” he was quoted as stating in Pune. Regarding his novel ‘The Cantonment Conspiracy’, released last year, he remarked, “I’m pleased to report that the book is doing relatively well for a debut author who didn’t know how to write.” Writing this book has been a fascinating journey, marking my shift from soldier to storyteller. 

 Chandra Shekhar, a cow vigilante known as Farsa Baba, died in a road accident on the Agra-Delhi highway near Mathura around 4 am on Saturday, sparking a large protest and traffic jam by furious locals that was resolved by afternoon. Protesters block the Mathura-Agra-Delhi highway after cow vigilante dies in suspicious circumstances. (HT) Supporters of Baba claimed he was run over by cow smugglers after attempting to halt a truck purportedly transporting cattle near the Kotvan border. The Mathura district administration stated that Baba, accompanied by a disciple, had intercepted a container truck on the highway. The vehicle with a Nagaland license plate was stopped on suspicion of transporting cows. However, an inspection revealed it was carrying soap, phenyl, and shampoo. Protesters vandalized police vehicles on the Agra-Delhi highway. (HT ). District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh stated that a truck registered in Rajasthan, carrying wire, reached the location during the early morning amid thick fog. Poor visibility caused it to crash into the group, killing Farsa Baba instantly. The truck driver was injured and the vehicle damaged, the DM added. After the incident, rumors circulated that Farsa Baba had been intentionally killed, leading to a road blockade and stone-throwing. Officials hurried to the site, efforts to pacify the crowd, and promised a thorough investigation, per the Mathura administration. Social media videos showed protesters damaging police and administrative vehicles as authorities tried to reopen the road. 

 Odisha Congress MLA Mangu Khila and 36 others narrowly escaped a tragedy after the rear tyre of the bus they were travelling on caught fire during its journey from Bhubaneswar to Nabarangpur, police said.. Police said no injuries were reported, with the driver’s quick response and the alertness of passengers playing a key role in ensuring everyone got out safely. (Representative Image/Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times). The incident occurred near Ramabhadrapuram in Andhra Pradesh, according to PTI news agency.. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated before the vehicle was completely gutted in the blaze, Khila was quoted as saying while speaking to reporters.. Police said no injuries were reported, with the driver’s quick response and the alertness of passengers playing a key role in ensuring everyone got out safely.. Fire services personnel and local authorities reached the spot and brought the fire under control, though the bus could not be saved.. Also Read | ‘Not the same’: Delhi’s Uttam Nagar residents bring in Eid with bated breath amid heightened security. MLA evacuated. Khila, the MLA from the Chitrakonda assembly segment in Malkangiri district, said, “The bus caught fire when all the passengers, including me, were in deep sleep.. The driver’s presence of mind saved all. He stopped the bus, opened all the windows and awakened all the passengers.”. “A major tragedy was averted. I had boarded the bus at Rasulgarh bus stand in Bhubaneswar and was going to Malkangiri,” he said, adding that another bus later picked up the passengers to continue the journey.. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.. Also Read | 6 killed, 9 injured as sleeper bus rams trailer on Rajasthan highway. Bus accident in Rajasthan kills 2 minors. At least six people, including two minors, were killed and nine others injured on Friday afternoon after a sleeper bus collided with a trailer near Sarwardi village on a national highway in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, police said.. Balotra Superintendent of Police Ramesh said six people died on the spot, while the critically injured have been referred to an advanced treatment centre.. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashok Kumar said the accident occurred around 4 pm when the bus, travelling from Jodhpur to Sanchore, collided with a trailer approaching from the opposite direction towards Jodhpur. The crash took place as the bus driver attempted to overtake two vehicles ahead and struck the trailer on the driver’s side, he added.