The Anti-Terrorism Squad of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested four people allegedly linked to the Aligarh module of ISIS, it said on Saturday.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Rakib Imam Ansari, a 29-year-old BTech and MTech graduate from Aligarh Muslim University from Aligarh on Friday, it said in a release.

The ATS arrested Naved Siddiqui (23), who was pursuing BSc from Aligarh Muslim University; Mohd Noman (27), a BA (Honours) from the university; and 23-year-old Mohd Nazim, a graduate, from Sambhal on Saturday.

Banned ISIS literature, mobile phones and pen drives were seized from the accused, the ATS added.

The accused were allegedly linked to the banned terror outfit ISIS and working to overthrow the elected government through “violent terror jihad” and establish ‘Sharia’. The accused were distributing ISIS-related literature for the purpose among like-minded people and associating them with the terror group, the release stated.

They were mentally and physically preparing people for “terror jihad” through online platforms and planned to carry out a major action in the state and the country, it added.

The four accused came in contact with each other during meetings of the Students of Aligarh Muslim University – a students’ union – and were trying to connect new people with ISIS under its garb.

Earlier this month, Additional Director General of Police (ATS) Mohit Aggarwal said the unit had received a tip-off that some radicalised people, influenced by ISIS, were involved in anti-national activities and forming a jihadi group of like-minded people on the directives of their handlers.

They were planning to carry out a major attack in Uttar Pradesh, he had said.

The police later arrested Abdullah Arsalan, Maaz bin Tariq and Waziudin, who were also allegedly linked to ISIS. Information about the four accused arrested on Friday and Saturday was received while interrogating the trio.

Action is being taken against the four arrested accused after presenting them in court, the release stated.

The Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Mayor’s office, Dilip Chauhan lauded the historic development of observing Diwali as a public school holiday for the first time in its history.

Mr Chauhan highlighted the significance of this decision, attributing it to years of dedicated advocacy by the Indian diaspora and the Indian-American community.

Mr Chauhan said that the Indian diaspora has worked hard to achieve success in this initiative and said, “Diwali means the festival of light over darkness”.

He said, “This year Diwali is so significant, first time in the history of New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has declared Diwali as a public holiday in the school of New York City, after years of advocacy…Indian diaspora, Indian-American community…they have worked hard for this initiative. On Diwali, our children don’t need to go to school, they can spend time at home with their family and visit religious places and celebrate with the community.”

“Such a great to be a part of this initiative. Again, I wish everyone a happy and joyous Diwali. Diwali means the festival of light over darkness,” added the Deputy Commissioner.

Earlier in June, New York Mayor Eric Adams announced that Diwali, the festival of lights, is set to become a school holiday in New York City.

Thousands of New Yorkers celebrate Diwali each year to commemorate the victory of light over darkness, and the announcement came after state lawmakers enacted legislation designating it as a holiday in the biggest school system in the US.

Mayor Eric Adams called the moment a significant win for the local families.”I’m so proud to have stood with Assemblymember @JeniferRajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know it’s a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!.” the Mayor wrote on Twitter.

Animal lovers celebrated the “Kukur Tihar” or Kukur Puja festival at a street dog rescue centre in Siliguri on Saturday afternoon to honour the man’s best friends, dogs. Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja literally means the worship of dogs. This festival is celebrated during Diwali, the festival of lights.

During Kukur Tihar, people offer prayers and honour dogs, not just pets but also strays. The canines are garlanded, tikkas applied on their foreheads and plentiful food is offered to them.

The festival is dedicated to dogs who are regarded as the guardian and messenger of ‘Yama’, who is the lord of death.

Animal helpline, a renowned animal lovers organisation of Siliguri celebrated the day with great enthusiasm. In the morning the members of the voluntary organisation bathed around a hundred street-rescued dogs and worshipped them. They also cooked special food for them following the festival of Kukur Tihar.

Priya Rudra, founder of animal helpline, Siliguri said, “It’s a very special day for us like Durga Puja and Kali Puja. During the day, we tried to give special attention to them. We worship them and serve special dishes. It’s a very important day for us because there are so many festivals for human beings, but nothing for animals. A day like Kukur Tihar tells us that animals are also an important part of our society. People should love and respect them. During the Diwali festival people like to burst crackers which are very disturbing for the animals. So they should be concerned if animal-like dogs are very much near to them during the time of bursting crackers.”

Priya Roy, a member of animal helpline, Siliguri said, “We celebrated Kukur Tihar at our shelter today with great enthusiasm. Like God, we also worshipped street dogs today. It’s my appeal to the people that they respect street dogs and serve food to them as per your limits.”