PunjabENews

Category: Edu / Immi

  • Canada to deport over 30,000 illegal residents; most asylum claims found to be false

    Canada to deport over 30,000 illegal residents; most asylum claims found to be false

    Toronto: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has obtained over 30,000 deportation warrants for individuals living illegally in the country, with efforts to expedite removals already underway over the past few weeks.

    CBSA officials confirmed that the majority of deportation targets include rejected political asylum seekers, individuals with expired study or tourist visas, and those involved in criminal activity.

    Of the 30,000 identified, 88 percent are asylum seekers whose claims have been denied. The agency stressed that those living illegally, especially those with criminal involvement or rejected asylum applications, will be prioritized for deportation.

    The CBSA clarified that individuals whose stay in Canada via asylum or other unauthorized routes has been rejected no longer have the right to appeal. This has led to an acceleration in deportations.

    The agency has also outlined financial penalties for those deported who wish to return to Canada. A standard deportation incurs a cost of CAD 3,800, which must be repaid before a visa application is considered. If deported under special escort, the cost rises to CAD 12,800. The amount must be paid even if a subsequent visa application is denied.

    Agency sources revealed a dramatic surge in asylum applications in recent years. In 2024 alone, over 20,000 political asylum requests were filed—a 615 percent increase from 2019. During the first quarter of 2025, a record 5,500 applications were received.

    Officials noted that the fast-tracking of deportations follows a tightening of policies under the new federal government, particularly within the Department of Housing.

    With 98–99 percent of recent asylum claims being deemed false, authorities have vowed to avoid past mistakes and improve enforcement.

  • Director of Bandla Hydro Engineering College arrested after sexual harassment allegations by student

    Director of Bandla Hydro Engineering College arrested after sexual harassment allegations by student

    Bilaspur: Local police have arrested the director-principal of Bandla Hydro Engineering College in Himachal Pradesh following allegations of sexual harassment by students, officials said on Friday.

    The arrest came a day after students staged a protest demanding action, triggered by a viral video in which the accused is allegedly seen inappropriately touching a female student under a blanket at a hospital. Police said the incident reportedly took place in March 2024.

    Bilaspur SP Sandeep Dhawal confirmed the arrest and said the accused has been booked for sexual harassment.

    Vibha Sharma, chairperson of the probe panel, said the committee recorded statements from all parties and submitted its report to the concerned department.

    Akshay Sood, director of the technical education department, said appropriate action would be taken based on the report.

    Meanwhile, a separate complaint filed in April by a former student of Sundernagar Engineering College against the same individual has also surfaced online.

    The complainant alleged inappropriate conduct by the accused during his tenure as a senior faculty member at that college.

  • Rajasthan Board declares Class 12 results for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams

    Rajasthan Board declares Class 12 results for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams

    Jaisalmer: The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has announced the Class 12 results for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams. Students can check their results on the official website — rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in. However, due to heavy traffic, the website is currently facing issues and may not load properly.

    To assist students, RBSE has also provided the facility to check results via SMS:

    Arts stream: Type RJ12A [roll number] and send to 5676750 or 56263

    Science stream: Type RJ12S [roll number] and send to 5676750 or 56263

    Commerce stream: Type RJ12C [roll number] and send to 5676750 or 56263

    Students are advised to keep their roll numbers ready and use the SMS option if the website remains unresponsive.

  • HTET 2025 to be held on July 26-27; exam centres to be set up in candidates’ home districts

    HTET 2025 to be held on July 26-27; exam centres to be set up in candidates’ home districts

    Chandigarh: The Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test (HTET) will be conducted on July 26 and 27, the state government officially announced after giving a green signal to the schedule. The examination will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

    HTET was not conducted in 2024, but with all administrative hurdles now resolved, the Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) has begun full preparations. The delay was primarily due to vacancies in key posts, including the board secretary and chairman.

    Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Chairman of BSEH, confirmed that all necessary arrangements for HTET 2025 have been completed.

    To ease the process for candidates, examination centres will be established in their home districts, continuing an existing rule aimed at reducing travel burden.

  • SC grants conditional bail to professor Ali Khan over Operation Sindoor post

    SC grants conditional bail to professor Ali Khan over Operation Sindoor post

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to Ali Khan Mehmoodabad, an associate professor at Ashoka University in Haryana, in connection with his alleged social media post on the Army’s Operation Sindoor.

    The court barred him from making any comments or speeches related to Operation Sindoor, terrorist attacks, or retaliatory actions in India during the bail period.

    While granting bail, the court refused to halt the ongoing investigation. It ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within 24 hours, comprising three IPS officers, including one woman officer. The SIT will not include any personnel from Haryana or Delhi.

    The court also directed Mahmudabad to surrender his passport and fully cooperate with the investigation.

    Two FIRs were filed against him in Sonipat, Haryana, over his alleged controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor and the subsequent Army press conference.

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken cognizance of the matter and has sought a report from the Haryana DGP within a week.

  • US to impose visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies aiding illegal immigration

    US to impose visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies aiding illegal immigration

    Washington: The United States has announced action against Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that steps are being taken to impose visa restrictions on the owners and senior officials of India-based agencies that knowingly assist individuals in entering the US unlawfully.

    According to the State Department, these agencies have been involved in sending large numbers of Indian youth to the US illegally, often charging hefty sums and endangering their lives in the process.

    “The purpose of our immigration policy is not only to inform foreign nationals of the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States, but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including those involved in facilitating such actions,” the department said.

  • Jagdeep Singh appointed Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala

    Jagdeep Singh appointed Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala

    Patiala: The Punjab government has appointed Jagdeep Singh as the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala.

    An official order in this regard was issued on Monday by Principal Secretary Vivek Partap Singh. The tenure of the new vice-chancellor has been set at three years.

    The post had been lying vacant for a long time. Currently, Dr. Karamjit Singh, the Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, holds additional charge of the position.

  • Education Revolution in Punjab: Govt Schools Soar with Record Results Under AAP : CM Mann

    Education Revolution in Punjab: Govt Schools Soar with Record Results Under AAP : CM Mann

    Punjab News: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the marvelous results and outstanding results of 10th and 12th class in the state reflects that the state is heading towards becoming ‘Rangla Punjab’ with the youth playing a decisive role in it.

    Addressing the top students of 10th and 12th after felicitating them here at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that the state government has already introduced revolutionary changes in the Education sector, which are producing desired results. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that students in the rural areas have done exceptionally well with the pass percentage of these schools at 96.09%. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the pass percentage in the urban schools has been around 94% , which is unprecedented.

    The Chief Minister said that it is heartening to see that around 1000 high secondary schools of the state out of total 3840 had scored 100% pass percentage. He said that this was new Punjab as in the neighboring state of Haryana students from 12 schools in Haryana have failed miserably in the board exams. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that such is the impact of the education revolution in the state that most of the toppers in board exams are from small and far flung villages.

    The Chief Minister said that 26 students who have excelled in these exams are budding sportspersons, who are actively participating in sporting activities along with education. He said that the result has witnessed cut throat competition amongst the students as three students have scored equal marks adding that Amritsar district has led the district with best result. Extending words of gratitude to parents and teachers of these brilliant students, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that teachers are the unsung heroes but their hard work, perseverance and success prevailed through their achievements.

    The Chief Minister said the girls have once again outshined the boys in the result adding that it is outcome of the concerted efforts being made by the state government to spread the light of quality education in every nook and corner of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the massive efforts being done by the state government has immensely benefited the girls thereby paving way for their empowerment by excelling in the field of education. Congratulating these meritorious students who have cleared this exam with flying colors, he extended best wishes to them for their future.

    The Chief Minister said that these girls had been able to shine through their hard work and dedication adding that students, their parents and teachers deserve accolades for this achievement. He envisioned that these students will become role models for other students and inspire them to excel in the arena of education by pursuing higher education. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to providing the best environment of school education for the students, especially the girls, so that they can succeed in their lives.

    The Chief Minister said that Punjab was a frontrunner and it will always continue to be that as Punjabis have been blessed with indomitable spirit of hard work and resilience. He said that the state government is performing its duty meticulously and zealously to ensure that Punjab leads the country in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is not worried for the next elections but he is working for the welfare of the next generation, due to which several path breaking initiatives have been taken.

    The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the only state across the globe which has its franchise all over the world as Punjabis dominate the affairs in every other country. He said that Punjabis are blessed with an indomitable spirit to work hard and excel due to which they had carved a niche for themselves in the world. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of great pride for all of us that 45 percent engineers in Boeing are from GNE, Ludhiana, adding that CEOs of Flipkart, Ola, Mastercard and others are also Punjabis.

    The Chief Minister said that youth of the state possess inherent qualities to excel in every field and their capabilities must be utilized properly. He said that the students and youth are like planes and the state government will provide them a launchpad to go ahead in life. Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally said that he won’t rest until the youth of Punjab don’t achieve their desired goals and excel in every field.

    The Chief Minister exhorted the youth to stay grounded even after achieving huge success in life and believe in hard work as it is the sole key to success. He impressed upon the youth to work hard in the state as there was a lot of scope of progress and prosperity on this land. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to giving impetus to the development of the state and prosperity of its people.

    The Chief Minister said that the drug problem plaguing the state is a grim legacy of previous governments that neglected Punjab’s welfare, leading to a sorry state of affairs. Soliciting fulsome support and cooperation of students in the war against drugs, he said that the scourge of drugs was a blot on the face of state and it should be wiped out from state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has launched a war against drugs in the form of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, the aim of which is to clean the state.

  • 4-year-old dies after being allegedly slapped by teacher in Prayagraj

    4-year-old dies after being allegedly slapped by teacher in Prayagraj

    Prayagraj: A four-year-old nursery student died under suspicious circumstances in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district, with initial investigations suggesting that his health deteriorated after he was allegedly slapped by a teacher.

    The incident took place at DDS Junior High School, a private convent school located in the Naini police station area. Police have registered an FIR against two teachers in connection with the case.

    The deceased, Shivaay, son of Virendra and a resident of Mahewa West Patti, studied in nursery while his siblings also attend the same school. According to reports, Shivaay was crying continuously on the day of the incident, after which a teacher took him to his brother Sumit’s classroom and made him sit there.

    When Shivaay did not stop crying, a teacher allegedly slapped him. The impact reportedly caused his head to hit a bench, leading to a fall.

    Witnesses said the child began bleeding from his mouth and nose. Despite repeatedly asking for water, he was not given any. He soon lost consciousness, and the school then informed his family, who rushed him to a hospital. Doctors declared him brought dead.

    Following a complaint from the family, police conducted a post-mortem. According to DCP Ganganagar Vivek Yadav, the report revealed injuries in three areas — near the eyebrow, on the leg, and a disturbing injury on his private parts.

    These findings have prompted police to investigate multiple angles, including reviewing the school’s CCTV footage and questioning other children present at the time.

  • Girls outperform boys in Himachal class 12 results; Mehak tops all streams with 97.2%

    Girls outperform boys in Himachal class 12 results; Mehak tops all streams with 97.2%

    Dharamshala: The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) has announced the class 12 results, with girls once again outperforming boys. Out of 75 students on the merit list, 61 are girls and only 14 are boys.

    Mehak, a student of DR Public Senior Secondary School in Gagret, Una district, topped all three streams — science, arts and commerce — securing 97.2 per cent marks. She scored 486 out of 500 in the science stream.

    Khushi from Dhauladhar Public Senior Secondary School, Sham Nagar (Dharamshala), and Jahnavi Thakur from Bhartiya Vidya Peeth Public Senior Secondary School, Baijnath, jointly secured second position with 96.6 per cent marks.

    In the arts stream, Ankita of Government Senior Secondary School topped with 96.6 per cent marks, while in the commerce stream, Payal Sharma from Government Senior Secondary School, Chanaur in Kangra district, stood first with 96.4 per cent.

    The results were declared during a press conference by HPBOSE Chairman and Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, who said the pass percentage rose to 83.16 per cent — up by nearly 10 per cent compared to last year’s 73.76 per cent.

    This year, 86,373 students appeared for the exams held between March 4 and 29 at 2,300 centres across the state. Of them, 71,591 students passed, 5,847 were placed in the compartment category, and 8,581 failed.