Breaking news on January 7

The four-member fact-finding committee formed by Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on JNU violence will visit JNU campus tomorrow

Two FIRs lodged against former JNU student and activist Umar Khalid, for holding protest from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India and for unlawful assembly at Gateway of India.

2 dead and 14 injured in an explosion on Mekangi Road in Quetta, Balochistan. Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle targeted by IED device.

"JNU is known as a very peaceful campus. We always debate and discuss and resolve issues. Violence is never an answer for any grievances. It is very very unfortunate that such a violent incident took place in our campus," JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar told ANI.

"Around 4:30 pm (on 5th Jan) we came to know that a group of students was moving aggressively towards the hostel area. Then we sent our security guards to assess & control the situation, but more students gathered. Immediately, the police was contacted. The situation was contained," he further added.

" There were rumours that some wardens resigned. Our wardens haven't resigned. There is no such resignation that have taken place. Some protesting students surrounded our wardens, shouted on them&humiliated them. Is it way to have any dialogue?," Kumar  said.

FIR registered against Mehek, the girl who was seen holding a poster with slogan, 'Free Kashmir' on it, at Gateway of India yesterday, during protest against

Pakistan media: Several people injured in an explosion on Mekangi Road in Quetta.

Nirbhaya convicts' lawyer AP Singh: We will file curative petition in Supreme Court

2012 Delhi gang-rape case: Delhi court says convicts can use their legal remedies within 14 days

A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered death warrant for all four Nirbhaya rapists bringing an end to a long-drawn judicial process. Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora fixed January 22 as the date of hanging for all the four accused in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. Delhi's Tihar jail authorities have already prepared four new gallows to hand the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. The judge, who issued the death warrants, said the convicts can use their legal remedies within 14 days.

A death warrant is also called a black warrant and identifies the convict who has been sentenced to die. As per the jail protocol, a judicial hanging, carried out as per rule book, is expected to cause almost instant death by the dislocation of the third and the fourth cervical vertebrae. The Nirbhaya convicts will be hanged at 7 am on January 22, which will be a Wednesday.

Judge asks the media to leave the video conferencing room. Order on death warrants shortly.

Convict Akshay presents a media report before the court, saying it is "baseless"

All four convicts produced before Delhi court via video conferencing

There was a fresh protest in JNU at the time of writing of this report. Thousands of students assembled at the JNU Campus and were staging a peaceful protest as Delhi Police personnel guarded the main gate. 

Reports say there is a heavy deployment of protest which comprises JNU students, teachers and leaders who were demanding the JNU VC to quit.

Moments before the protest, JNU VC addressed a press conference uring people to move on. "Let us make a fresh start," M Jagadesh Kumar told in his address to media. Clearly his statements were not good enough to convince the protesting students. Earlier, group of masked men stormed into various hostels of JNU Campus and thrashed students and teachers. JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh was badly beaten. 

"We are waiting for the court's order on execution of death warrants. The convicts have no appeals pending now" Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim said

A Delhi Court Monday reserved order on issuing of death warrants against four death row convicts in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya Gangrape and murder case. Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora said he will pronounce the order at 3.30 pm.

During the hearing, the prosecution said there was no application pending before any court or the President right now by any of the convicts and the review petition of all the convicts was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

While urging the court to issue the death warrants, the prosecution said, "In between issuance and execution of death warrants of the convicts want to file curative petitions they can do so."

The counsel for two of the convicts — Mukesh and Vinay — said they were in process of filing curative petition in the apex court. 

Speaking with leading TV Channel, Special Commissioner of Police said: "Clashes broke between two groups at around 2:45 pm on Sunday. No student came to the police and reported complaints. The police received the first complaint at 7 pm. Police intervened and disbursed the group."

He also added,"Cops have been deployed on campus for smooth running and varsity."

Group of Ministers approve Expression of Interest (EOI), share purchase agreement for Air India sale: Official

JNU VC Jagdeesh Kumar on Tuesday addressed media over violence at the university campus on January 5.

Highlights from his address:

• Police investigation underway.
• Vandals to be strongly punished.
• JNU is known for resolving and discussing every issue.
• Will ensure that the normalcy returns to the campus. 
• The registration process has resumed.
• I would like to tell students that the JNU campus is a secure place; has urged all students to come back to campus.
• Some of the students who opposed the registration process damaged registration room; attacked me on Dec 14
• Our heart goes out to all injured students; the incident (violence) is unfortunate
• Let us put all the past behind

People from various Left organizations hold protest in Trivandrum against January 5 violence at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University.

With the effective implementation of FASTag on toll plazas and conversion of cash toll lanes to FASTag lanes, the speed breakers/rumble strips constructed at toll plazas are being removed with immediate effect for smooth vehicular movement.

For the Indian astronauts scheduled to go into Space in Mission Gaganyan, food items including Egg rolls, Veg rolls, Idli, Moong dal halwa and Veg pulav have been prepared by the Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore. Food heaters would also be provided to them.

To help astronauts drink liquids including water and juices in Space where there is no gravity, special containers have also been developed for Mission Gaganyan.

As per the Kashmir Zone Police report, 1 terrorist killed in crossfire between Security forces and terrorists in Awantipora, Pulwama. Arms and ammunition recovered. Identity and affiliation being ascertained. Search continues

A fire broke out at a godown in Thane's Mumbra earlier today, firefighting operations underway.

Delhi Police has filed a FIR against JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh and 19 others for attacking security guards and vandalizing server room on January 4. The complaint was filed by JNU administration. FIR was registered on January 5.

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to send notice to around 100 pilots of GoAir and to GoAir Management over Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) violation. DGCA has found in its report that GoAir management has been involved in violation of pilot rostering.

As per government sources, group Of Minister (GoM) meeting on Air India divestment, led by Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled for today in Delhi. The scheduled meeting is based on the discussion of Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) on the Air India sale process.

Exchange of fire between Security forces and terrorists in Awantipora, Pulwama

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya told that he has filed a complaint with Police against posters of 'free Kashmir' seen in protest at Gateway of India, Mumbai. He said that the police has assured him of investigation.

Anti-JNU violence protesters shifted from Gateway of India to Azad Maidan in Mumbai

Former Western Army Commander Lieutenant general Prem Nath Hoon, who played an important role in the war against Pakistan in 1984, passed away on Monday evening at the age of 90.

Lt Gen Hoon was admitted to Command Hospital, Chandimandir, Panchkula for the past two days due to illness. He was declared dead around 5:30 pm on Monday evening.

A leopard was allegedly shot dead by villagers after it killed a child in Bijnor. Bijnor DM R Pandey says, "Leopard was frequently attacking humans and had turned into man eater. Its carcass has been sent for post mortem. Child's family will be given an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakhs."

Seven Naxals arrested in Jharkhand's Latehar district yesterday. DIG Homkar Amol Venukant says, "The Naxals were involved in an attack on November 22 in Chandwa in which 4 Police personnel were killed."

Calling out the United States to avoid further "abuse of force", China on Monday urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint in the Middle East amid escalating tensions following the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

The United States has made no decision about withdrawing troops from Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Monday, amid reports that troops pull out is underway.