An assistant professor at a private university near Chennai was suspended on Thursday for criticizing Operation Sindoor, with the institution citing her involvement in “unethical activities.”

S. Lora, who served as an assistant professor at the Directorate of Career Centre at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, had posted WhatsApp status updates regarding civilian casualties. One of her messages stated, “India killed a child in Pakistan and wounded two people in the early Wednesday strikes.” In another, she wrote, “Killing innocent lives for your own bloodlust and for your election stunts is not bravery and it’s not justice. It is a cowardice act!” She further warned about potential disruptions such as lockdowns and food shortages.

Screenshots of her posts were shared online by a user on X (formerly Twitter).

Shortly after the posts surfaced, SRM’s registrar, S. Ponnusamy, issued a suspension order, stating, “Since Ms. Lora… has involved in unethical activities she is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry.” Her faculty profile was subsequently removed from the university’s website.

Prior to the removal, her profile noted that she was pursuing doctoral research in Irish mythology and had received accolades including the Best Teacher Award in 2016 and the Indira Gandhi Teaching Excellence Award in 2017, with 11 years of teaching experience.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, S. Muthamizhchelvan, did not respond to a request for comment.

In reaction, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu state secretary S.G. Suryah stated, “We should also make sure Ms. Lora isn’t appointed by any other institution. In case any institution appoints her, they should be hounded and shamed in public for their anti-India mindset.”

As of now, the assistant professor has not issued a public statement regarding her suspension.

The Railway Ministry has instructed all 17 railway zones to initiate a month-long campaign aimed at ensuring that air conditioning systems in locomotive engines are fully functional and well-maintained to withstand the summer heat.

In an official communiqué to the zones, the ministry emphasized that enhancing the working environment for locomotive crew is a key priority for Indian Railways, as it directly contributes to the safety and efficiency of train operations.

Emphasizing the importance of functional cab air conditioning during the summer months, the Railway Ministry has instructed all zones to ensure that “no locomotive should be dispatched from homing or base sheds with a defective Cab AC” as part of the ongoing month-long maintenance drive.

In its circular dated May 6, the ministry noted that locomotive pilots and assistant pilots have been submitting reports on Cab AC malfunctions through the Crew Management System or logbooks. These reports are also being communicated to the Traction Loco Controller for documentation in the Locomotive Asset Management System.

The ministry urged all zones to raise awareness within the relevant departments to promptly address any issues related to Cab AC functionality. It further recommended formulating an action plan to ensure the swift repair of non-operational AC units and the expedited installation of AC systems in remaining locomotives.

Additionally, railway officers and supervisors have been encouraged to undertake footplate inspections in WAG 9 locomotives to personally assess the effectiveness of Cab AC units.

The directive also instructs all zones to include both electric and diesel locomotives equipped with Cab ACs in this maintenance initiative and to submit a compliance report within a month.

The All India Loco Running Staff Association, which recently held a one-day protest across the railway network on April 30 demanding air-conditioned cabs in all locomotives, welcomed the ministry’s directive.

“We sincerely appreciate your timely initiative, as outlined in your letter dated 06.05.2025, to enhance the conditions of locomotive cabs,” wrote KC James, Secretary General of the association, in a letter to the ministry. He added, “We hope that all locomotive cabins will soon be equipped with ACs to reduce crew stress and, in turn, improve operational efficiency and safety.”

India has intensified security and threat surveillance at major petroleum refineries and production facilities located near the western border, according to officials familiar with the matter. Measures include camouflaging critical infrastructure and activating air defence systems.

The enhanced security covers installations in Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan—sites that collectively represent over 38% of India’s 257 million tonnes per annum refining capacity. A senior official confirmed, “All security protocols are operational, and both law enforcement and refinery operators are prepared to counter any hostile activity.”

High-value assets under heightened protection include Reliance Industries’ twin Jamnagar refineries, Nayara Energy’s Vadinar facility in Gujarat, HPCL Mittal’s Bathinda refinery in Punjab, and Vedanta’s Barmer oil fields in Rajasthan. Officials also emphasized that air defence systems are on high alert, with India among the few nations equipped to intercept ballistic threats.

Though state governments oversee law and order, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) provides additional protection for critical installations such as refineries, pipelines, oil fields, and storage depots. Security audits have been completed, and protective measures significantly upgraded.

Facilities in Jamnagar and Panipat, both guarded by CISF, are under especially stringent surveillance due to their strategic locations. The Vadinar refinery, located just a few kilometers from the sea border, is flagged as particularly sensitive. “All emergency protocols are active,” said an official involved in the security operations.

Since Wednesday, CISF has been conducting ongoing review meetings to ensure readiness across refineries and airports. Substantial armed personnel now guard refinery premises, while local ports and surrounding areas are monitored by other security agencies.

Gujarat alone houses three major refineries, including two operated by RIL in Jamnagar—one with 33 MMTPA capacity for the domestic market and another 35.2 MMTPA unit in a special economic zone. Nayara Energy’s 20 MMTPA refinery in Vadinar, in which Russian firm Rosneft holds a 49% stake, is also under close watch. Despite geopolitical ties, authorities remain on high alert.

Other strategic assets include HPCL Mittal’s 11.3 MMTPA refinery in Bathinda, Indian Oil’s 13.7 MMTPA Koyali facility in Gujarat, and IOC’s 15 MMTPA Panipat refinery in Haryana. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been conducting preparedness drills, while state governments implement camouflage protocols to protect critical infrastructure.

As of April 2024, India’s refining capacity has grown from 215 MMTPA in 2014 to 257 MMTPA, spanning 19 public-sector, three private-sector, and one joint-venture refinery. Ranked among the world’s top five refining countries and the seventh-largest exporter of refined petroleum products, India’s infrastructure—led by facilities like the Jamnagar refinery—continues to hold strategic and economic importance.