A day long bandh called by several farmers and traders bodies over the raging Cauvery dispute began on 16 September across Tamil Nadu amid tight security with Opposition parties, including the DMK, supporting it.

As those who had given the bandh call have said a series of protests, including "road and rail roko", will be held, thousands of police personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order.

Police said tight vigil was being maintained and no attempts to mar public peace or disruption of free movement of transportation -- on road or rail -- would be allowed.

Several local grocery shops, which usually open by daybreak, remained shut in view of the protests.

In what could be a major setback to the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, at least 45 out of 46 Congress lawmakers have quit the party on 16 September.

If reports are to believed, Congress leaders including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu are set to quit the party and join the People's Party of Arunachal Pradesh. Interestingly, the People's Party of Arunachal Pradesh, a regional party founded in 1979 has an alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

"Have met the assembly speaker and informed him that they are merging the Congress with the People's Party of Arunachal or PPA," NDTV quoted Khandu as saying.

Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on 16 September filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging Patna High Court's order granting bail to gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin.

The Bihar government had faced a lot of criticism from several quarters after Shahabuddin, who has dozens of cases against him, was released on bail.

Earlier in the day, Prashant Bhushan has also filed a petition in the apex court for the cancellation of bail granted to the former RJD MP.

Seven accused have been arrested after three members of a Muslim family were killed in a clash in Bijnor on 16 September.

Circle Officer of the Bijnor City police station said that the clash was sparked between two groups after a group of Muslim girls were harassed by a few youth from the Jat community, while they were on their way to school.

"When the members of the minority community protested they were fired at. One died on the spot. Two others succumbed in the hospital," the police official said. "We have brought the situation under control," the official added.

The three deceased - reportedly identified as Ahsan, Sartaj and Anees - hail from the same family.

On 16 September, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) questioning the sacrifice of animals on Eid al-Adha or 'Bakra Eid' and the validity of a provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

While withdrawing the petition, the petitioner sought liberty to approach the Delhi High Court which the apex court granted.

The plea had challenged Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act that exempts animal sacrifice under religious practices.