NEWS
DIGEST, Afternoon
30 Jan. 2019: 23 Jamadiul-I 1440:
Vol:11, No:115
INDIA
India may see communal violence before general polls:
Warns US Director of National Intelligence
Washington: There is a strong possibility of
communal violence in India if the ruling BJP stresses on Hindu nationalist
themes ahead of the general election in May, America's top spymaster told US
lawmakers. The comment on India's upcoming general election is part of US
intelligence community's assessment of worldwide threats in the year 2019 and
was presented in the form of a written document to the powerful Senate Select
Committee on Intelligence by Dan Coats, Director of National
Intelligence."Parliamentary elections in India increase the possibility of
communal violence if Indian PM Narendra Modi's BJP stresses Hindu nationalist
themes," Coats told members of US Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence."BJP policies during Modi's first term have deepened communal
tensions in some BJP-governed states, and Hindu nationalist state leaders might
view a Hindu-nationalist campaign as a signal to incite low-level violence to
animate their supporters," Coats said in his written
statement."Increasing communal clashes could alienate Indian Muslims and
allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence,” Coats
warned ahead of the general election. 5-year term of PM Modi ends in May. The
entire process of election and formation of the new Parliament needs to be
completed by May.Coats in his written statement also warns of a strained
India-Pakistan relationship at least till May."Political maneuvering
resulting from Indian national elections probably will further constrain
near-term opportunities for improving ties," it said.News18
Lok Sabha polls 2019: BJP may incite low-level
communal violence, warns US intelligence report
Govt sits on post-note ban jobs report, 2 top
statistics panel members quit: Indian Express
New Delhi:Protesting against the withholding of
NSSO’s (National Sample Survey Organisation) first Annual Survey on Employment
and Unemployment for year 2017-18, Acting Chairperson of National Statistical
Commission (NSC) resigned.Another colleague has also quit.This report, first by
NSSO in this govt, was expected to reflect job losses in the wake of
demonetisation.NSC is an autonomous body constituted in 2006 and tasked to
monitor and review the functioning of the country’s statistical systems. 3
years ago, it was snubbed by Niti Aayog over finalisation of GDP back series
data. PC Mohanan, a career statistician, and JV Meenakshi, Professor at the
Delhi School of Economics, were appointed by Govt as members in the NSC in June
2017.Both had a 3-year term. Mohanan was the Acting Chairperson before he resigned.
At present, NSC’s ex-officio member Amitabh Kant, who is CEO of NITI Aayog, is
the only person at the helm.When contacted, Mohanan said:“Normal convention is
that NSSO presents findings to Commission, and once approved, the report is
released within next few days.We approved NSSO survey on employment/
unemployment in Dec beginning,” said Mohanan. “But the report has not been made
public for almost two months.”“Over a period, it was noticed the Govtdoes not
take NSC seriously,” Mohanan added. “NSC was kept out while key decisions were
taken. We were unable to effectively discharge our duties.”“2017-18 job survey
did not present a good picture on the employment front. This is most likely the
reason for holding it back,” said a source in NSSO. Earlier,NSSO undertook
employment/unemployment surveys once in 5 years. Last survey was released in
2011-12. The next survey should have been in 2016-17. But after considerable
thought, NSC decided to have annual as well as quarterly surveys.1st
annual survey undertaken by NSSO for year-ending June 2018 (July2017-June 2018)
would have covered both pre- demonetisation and post-demonetisation period.The
latest update by CMIE revealed that the unemployment rate shot up by 7.4 % in
Dec.2018, highest in 15 months, and that 11 million jobs were lost in 2018 due
to demonetisation But Govt has denied job losses, and often said many
entrepreneurial jobs have been created.
All members of National Statistical Commission
resign after Centre failed to publish jobs report
Politically motivated move, say AIMPLB, clerics
to oppose Centre’s plea
Lucknow:All-India Muslim Personal Law Board
(AIMPLB) has decided to oppose Centre’s petition on transferring 67 acres of
undisputed land around the disputed site at Ayodhya to Ram Janmabhoomi
Trust.“The court has put a blanket ban on any construction near the disputed
site. Seeking permission for releasing the 67-acre acquired land is against the
court’s ruling. AIMPLB will oppose the petition and will not allow the Centre
to go against the court’s ruling,” said AIMPLB member and lawyer in Ayodhya
case, Zafaryab Jilani, in Lucknow on Tuesday. AIMPLB member and Imam of
Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, also opposed the move
saying, “It appears to be politically motivated and taken ahead of the crucial
Lok Sabha elections by NDA govt.”Muslim clerics also questioned the Centre’s intention
months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.Sunni cleric Maulana Sufiyan Nizami said,
“The land for which the Central Govt has filed a writ is already covered by an
apex court judgement that no worship or prayer can be done on it.”“Now the
Central Govtis trying to entangle the issue by a new dispute which shows that
it is not at all serious at solving the dispute. Whenever the matter is on the
edge of getting resolved, the Govtis derailing the issue. Also, the Govtbelongs
to everyone. However, when the Govtstarts becoming partisan, democratic values
are endangered. The SC should take cognisance of the issue,” he said.Echoing
similar sentiments, Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas said, “I think, till the
entire issue is resolved, any kind of construction will not be in the interest
of anyone. The Supreme Court should not entertain the petition filed by the
Centre. The move of the Modi Govt has proved that it intends to go to the polls
over the temple issue rather than its commitment of ‘sabka saath sabka vikas. dailypioneer
Ayodhya Dispute: VHP welcomes move, Muslim board
fumes
Govt Petition for Ayodhya Land Misleading, Fraud:
Babri Masjid Action Committee
New Delhi:All India Muslim Personal Law Board
(AIMPLB) termed as misleading the petition of the Modi Govt in the Supreme
Court seeking change in the status-quo of the 67 acres of the land in
Ayodhya.“This petition is actually a fraud that BJP is doing with its cadres
and supporters. The central Govtknows it very well that there are three court
stays on the entire 67 acres of land – one stay from the Allahabad High Court
and 2 stays from the SC. Therefore, the whole land will remain Govt acquired
till the final judgment in the Babri Masjid case, and Govt knows it well” said
Dr. SQR Ilyas, Convenor, Babri Masjid Committee of AIMPLB. AIMPLB leader
pointed out that the central Govt is not a party to the title suit of the Babri
Masjid. It has filed this petition in the Supreme Court only to please its cadres,
vote bank and Hindu saints, he said.“If the SC rejects the petition in the
light of its previous orders, then BJP Govt will tell the people that it tried
its best but the SC is blocking its attempts and thus it will enrage the
sentiments of the people against the Supreme Court so that pressure could be
maintained on the title suit,”he said.India Tomorrow
Govt moves SC to free Ayodhya land: Centre must
clarify purpose or will move court:Nirmohi Akhara
New Delhi:While VHP and Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas
welcomed Centre’s decision to move the Supreme Court seeking permission to
return “excess/superfluous land” acquired in Ayodhya to its “original owners”,
Nirmohi Akhara, a party in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque title suit, said it
would challenge the move if the Govt does not clarify the objective of taking
back the undisputed land.“If the Govt takes the land without telling the
purpose, we will challenge the move in the court. Nirmohi Akhara’s land also
falls in that undisputed area, and that part should be given back to us. We
have not taken compensation against acquisition of that land. There was Sumitra
Bhawan, Saligram Mandir, Sankatmochan Mandir and a Katha Pandap, which were
demolished after acquisition,” Mahant Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara said.“Govt was
supposed to take all the parties (in the case) into confidence before making
the move. But no discussion was done with us,” he added. “Govt of India can
take that land back, but the question is that the land will be used for what
purpose? For any Govtplan or to give that land to somebody? Temples are built
by sants, nyas or a trust. Govt does not have the power to build temple,” Ram
Das said.indian express
Buzz in Ayodhya: ‘Should have happened earlier,
but govt’s move gives hope’
Attempt to pre-empt SC decision, appease Sangh
ahead of polls: Oppn on Centre’s plea on Ayodhya
Pak Foreign Minister Qureshi calls up Mirwaiz
Srinagar:In an unusual move, Pakistan Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday dialled All Parties Hurriyat Conference
chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to brief him on “efforts of Govt of Pakistan to
highlight the gross human rights violations” in J&K .This is the first time
that the new Govt in Pakistan, under PM
Imran Khan, has reached out to the Hurriyat.Qureshi also informed
Hurriyat leader about events being organised in London, including at the House
of Commons and an exhibition on February 4-5, where these issues will be
highlighted. Official sources in Delhi said that it is “extremely unusual” for
a top Pak Govt representative to call Hurriyat leaders directly, and said that
they do not recall any such conversation in the last decade. Usually, they
said, Pakistani representatives meet Hurriyat leaders while visiting India,and
the Ministry of External Affairs is kept in the loop.Mirwaiz said Qureshi spoke
of involving world capitals in highlighting the Kashmir issue. “He said, ‘We
are very concerned about what is happening in J&K ’. The most important
thing he said was that PM Imran Khan tried his best to reach out to Govt of
India but unfortunately there was no response… they will reach out to next Govt
after polls.”According to Mirwaiz, Qureshi reiterated that “we want all issues
to be resolved through dialogue, but there was no response from Govt here”.Reacting
to the 10-minute conversation, sources in Delhi said it reflects “duplicity in
the Pakistan leadership’s approach” while referring to Imran Khan’s call for
dialogue.“Such an attempt by the Pakistan Foreign Minister is a regressive step
and is contrary to overall perception, which Pakistan leadership is trying to
create,” sources said.indianexpress
No official invite or attempt by Centre to reach
out to Hurriyat: Mirwaiz
Srinagar:Days after Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh said that the Govt was ready to talk but Hurriyat leaders refused to talk
and snubbed all-party delegation in 2016, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
said there was “never any official invite or any attempt by the Govt of India”
to reach out to the Hurriyat.He said Centre’s entire approach and agenda was
military-driven, and that “there is absolutely no political process or thought
in terms of dealing with Kashmir. They are dealing with Kashmir as we have seen
in the last three or four years with an iron fist and their military policy is
what is guiding BJPs policy on Kashmir.” Indian express
Pak delegation visits site of Pakal Dul hydel
project in J&K
Jammu :A Pakistani delegation led by Pakistan’s
Indus Commissioner Syed Mohammad Mehar Ali Shah Tuesday visited the site of the
1,000 mega watt Pakal Dul hydel project in J&K ’s Kishtwar district.The
other members in the delegation reportedly included advisor Mehmood Hayat and
join commissioner Usman Ghani, sources said. The delegation accompanied by
local officials from Kishtwar district administration inspected both the
proposed dam and powerhouse sites during the day.They will visit Lower Kalnai
and Rattle hydel projects on Wednesday before returning to New Delhi on Jan 31,
sources said.Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan,
while Sutlej, Beas and Ravi waters have been allotted to India, the water
flowing in Chenab, Jhelum and Indus allotted to Pakistan. Under treaty, both
the countries have set up Permanent Indus Commission with separate
commissioners in both the countries who are mandated to inspect sites and works
undertaken on both sides of Indus basin. Since the signing of the treaty, a
total of 118 such tours have been undertaken by the commission on both sides.indianexpress
Israeli PM planning to visit India soon;2nd
time in 2 yrs
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu could be visiting
India in Feb.or March, before elections in both countries. If this materialises
it would be his second visit here in as many months. Both the sides have
exchanged their preferred dates but there is no final decision on it, according
to sources. Netanyahu visited India in Jan.2018 while PM Narendra Modi
travelled to Tel Aviv in 2017, becoming the first Indian PM to tour Israel.Both the leaders spoke over
the phone earlier this month when Israel's NSA Meir Ben-Shabbath visited New
Delhi. Ben-Shabbat also met NSA Ajit Doval.Netanyahu is understood to have
expressed his desire to visit India. economic times
Govt tracking theological content driven Salafi,
Wahabi websites:IANS report
New Delhi : A number of websites are under the
scanner of security agencies for propagating Salafism and known as Wahhabism as
part of what is being seen as a carefully-crafted strategy to spread radical
Islam in India. Most of these websites operate from outside the country but the
agencies have noticed regular traffic on these online platforms.In the context
of J&K, security forces see radical content as part of a design by Pakistan
to give religious colour to the separatist movement and alienate the people
further overshadowing the moderate age-old tradition of Sufism in the
region.IANS
Minorities Commission issues notice to The
Pioneer for calling Zakir Naik “Salafist Terror Preacher"
New Delhi: Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has
sent a notice to The Pioneer asking the newspaper to explain how it has arrived
at the conclusion that Dr. Zakir Naik is a “Salafist terror preacher”.The DMC
in its notice also said that Naik is an accused in a money-laundering case and
not a "terror accused" as claimed by the newspaper. DMC notice is
issued to The Peioneer regarding a report the newspaper published regarding ED
seizing some properties ofNaik in the alleged money-laundering case.The news,
based on a PTI report, was published by newspapers and electronic media
describing Naik as a “controversial preacher” but The Pioneer, while publishing
the same news in its front page on 20 Jan.described him a “Salafist terror
preacher”.Taking sou motu cognisance of this, DMC issued the notice to The
Peioneer terming its report a gross misuse of media freedom to defame a person
who is still an accused and no court verdict has been passed in the
case."The said preacher is at best an accused in a case of
money-laundering and not terror funding or preaching", DMC said. DMC
notice further said, “If this a mistake by an overzealous editor of the page,
you should print a clarification in a prominent place saying that Naik is only
an accused in a money-laundering case, and supply a copy of same to this
Commission.” DMC has asked the Editor of the Pioneer to reply by 11 Feb. Ummid.com
NIA arrests 2 JMB suspects : Mumbai Mirror
NIA arrested 2 Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) suspects
from Arambag police station area of West Bengal’s Hooghly district.Kadar Kazi
alias Kadoor (32) along with his aide Sajjad Ali were arrested in a late night
operation carried out on Monday. The duo was hiding in Arambag, where they were
posing as carpentars.“NIA Kolkata arrested accused Kadar Kazi alias Kadoor, 32
years of age, from Arambagh Police Station area,district Hooghly, WB,” NIA said
in a press release . The accused were produced before the NIA Special court on
Tuesday, after bringing them to Kolkata from Hooghly. mumbaimirror
ATS wants to submit e-certificate as proof 4 yrs
after techie’s arrest for ‘bomb plot’
Over 4 years after the arrest of a software
engineer for allegedly planning a ‘lone wolf attack’ on American School in
Bandra, ATS now wants the court to take an ‘electronic evidence certificate’ on
record, which forms the very basis of the case against the engineer. The
defence vehemently opposed ATS plea in court on Tuesday, saying the certificate
should have been drawn up when screenshots of the electronic record was being
taken, and ideally submitted when final police investigation report was given
to the court in Jan. 2015. This assumes importance as ATS’s entire case against
software engineer Anees Ansari is based on electronic evidence. ATS has alleged
that despite repeated warnings by his employers, Ansari kept surfing sites
related to Daesh, created a fake Facebook account, and seems to have chatted
with a wanted accused and planned an attack on the school.The electronic
evidence certificate, commonly known as a certificate under section 65B of Indian
Evidence Act, is proof of the genuineness of the document. However, none of the
documents, including Facebook chats and warning emails sent by Ansari’s
employer, have this certificate attached.Advocate Sharif Sheikh, appearing on
behalf of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, NGO representing Ansari, said it was not the
case that ATS had drawn up the certificate earlier and was only producing it
right now, therefore the certificate could not be taken on record.The judge
then said it would need to be seen if the certificate can be drawn up and
produced at such a belated stage. He then adjourned the case for further
arguments.mumbaimirror
2008 Assam serial blasts: NDFB founder Ranjan
Daimary, 9 others get life imprisonment
New Delhi:National Democratic Front of Bodoland
(NDFB) founder Ranjan Daimary and 9 others have been sentenced to life in the
2008 Assam serial blasts case. A special CBI court pronounced the sentence on
Wednesday, 2 days after it convicted 14 in the case. The remaining 4 have
served their sentence and paid fine in the case.On Oct.30, 2008, 11 serial
blasts across 4 districts of Assam killed 87 people. CBI took over the case the
same year.Daimary, prime accused in the case, was arrested in Bangladesh and
handed over to India in 2010. He was released on bail in 2013,and is currently
participating in peace talks with govt.The prosecution appealed for death
sentence for all.indian express
RTI backlog: SC enquires if only bureaucrats are
filling posts of information commissioners in CIC
New Delhi: The Supreme Court sought to know
whether only bureaucrats were being appointed as information commissioners
responsible for clearing backlog of RTI applications in CIC. A bench of
Justices A K Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer was hearing petitions filed by RTI
activists Anjali Bhardwaj, Commodore Lokesh Batra (rd) and Amrita Johri, who
contended that there was a huge backlog of RTI pleas in CIC as posts of
information commissioners were lying vacant.indian express
CBI chief appointment: Asthana among top contenders,
petitioner ML Sharma claims in SC
Even as the high powered committee is expected to
meet today evening for the post of CBI director, petitioner in CBI appointments
case ML Sharma has claimed that ex special director of CBI Rakesh Asthana is
among prime contenders for the top post. Urging the court to take up his
petition for early hearing, petitioner claimed that Asthana was on top of the
list of contenders for the post of CBI Director. When questioned by CJI Ranjan
Gogoi about the source of his information, Sharma attributed it to news
reports. Sharma had earlier requested for an earlier hearing on his plea that
challenged Asthana’s appointment which had come after FIR was not quashed by Delhi
HC over allegations of bribery. During the hearing, the court gave 10 weeks
deadline to complete probe in the case.financialexpress
SC again refuses to stay SC/ST Act amendments,
final hearing on Feb 19
New Delhi :For the second time in a week, the
Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay amendments to the SC and ST
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which rules out any provision for anticipatory
bail for accused.A bench headed by Justice UU Lalit said it would hear a batch
of petitions challenging the amendments to the Act along with Centre’s review
plea on Feb.19 for final disposal. The petitions have sought the declaration of
the new amendments to the SC/ST Act as ultra vires.The SC bench said the issue
required hearing in detail and it would be appropriate if all matters were
heard on Feb.19. The SC’s decision came after senior advocate Vikas Singh,
appearing for one of the petitioners, sought an immediate stay to the changes
to Act.indianexpress
Aadhaar: SBI officials allege data misused, UIDAI
says database is ‘fully secure’
State Bank of India has alleged that the login
and biometric details of several Aadhaar operators, who were penalised last
year, have been misused to generate unauthorised Aadhaar cards, TOI reported. UIDAI
has, however, refuted claim calling the Aadhaar database “fully secured”. FIA
Technology Services Private Limited and Sanjivini Consultants Private Limited
were assigned as vendors to SBI in Chandigarh region to reach its Aadhaar enrolment
target. Chandigarh region includes Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K,
besides UT of Chandigarh itself.However, nearly half of Aadhaar operators
associated with these agencies were penalised, and were either deactivated or
blacklisted. This move, officials said, had caused the bank to fail to meet
targets and face penalties.scroll.in
India, one of Venezuela's last oil buyers — may
react to sanctions: economic times
After US slapped sanctions on Venezuela’s
state-owned PDVSA, which essentially add up to an oil ban, the market has
focused on how the remaining buyers of the South American country’s heavy,
low-quality crude will react. India is the third-biggest buyer of Venezuelan
oil, after US and China, averaging about 340,000 barrels a day last year,
according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The nation’s private refiners --
Reliance Industries Ltd. and Nayara Energy Ltd. (formerly Essar Oil Ltd.) --
are the primary buyers. That’s because their advanced refining systems can
process the thick Venezuelan grade into high-value fuels such as low-sulfur
gasoline and jet fuel. In contrast, state-owned refiners generally won’t
benefit from more Venezuelan crude as their facilities can’t handle the low
quality.U.S. sanctions may provide Nayara Energy with an opportunity to get
extra Venezuelan crude as more of it becomes available in the market, which
will help make up for supply it lost as the South American nation’s exports
slumped, according to a person familiar with the company’s thinking.India’s
purchases from Venezuela fell about 11 % last year, in line with an overall
slump in exports, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.The company as of
Tuesday was yet to receive offers for more oil from Venezuela and it was still
trying to understand the impact of the sanctions on shipping and payment
mechanisms, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing internal
issues. Overall, it’s too early to determine how much more Venezuelan oil may
come to India, the person said.At 1.36 million barrels a day of capacity,
Reliance Industries is the biggest private refiner in India.
Delhi court orders probe into alleged 2014 hate
speech by Owaisi
New Delhi:A Delhi court ordered an investigation
into alleged hate speech made by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in 2014. FIR was
filed based on an article published online in which Owaisi had delivered a
speech allegedly promoting enmity between communities. Metropolitan Magistrate
Prayank Nayak issued direction on a protest plea filed against Delhi police’s
closure report and said that ACP concerned will personally supervise the
investigation so as to avoid any further delay in this matter. Court listed the
matter for March 26 and police has been asked to file their report.indianexpress
After confusion, finance ministry clarifies
budget will be called 'interim'
New Delhi:Amid speculation over the shape of Modi
govt’s last budget before Lok Sabha polls, the finance ministry on Wednesday
clarified that it will be called ‘Interim Budget 2019-20’.“This Budget will be
called Interim Budget 2019-20 and, therefore, don’t have any confusion on this
issue,”a finance ministry spokesperson said.The statement came a day after
officers were reportedly told at a workshop of PIB that the budget will be
titled ‘General Budget 2019-20’. thewire
Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Navjot Singh Sidhu Are
Like Traitors:RSS Leader Indresh Kumar
RSS leader Indresh Kumar lashed out at actors
Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu
by calling them ‘traitors’. Kumar
compared them to Rajput king Jaichand and Najafi Nawab of Bengal Mir Jafar. NDTV
quoted Kumar as saying, “They may be good actors but they don’t deserve respect
as they are traitors. They are like Mir Jafar and Jaichand.” huffingtonpost
Madhya Pradesh: After Republic Day clash, ban
call on Muslim vendors in Rajgarh
Khujner (MP): “No Muslim vendor should enter
Limboda village. If they do, we should not be held responsible. No Muslim
should enter our village.”These lines are from one of the “many letters”
received by local police from a clutch of villages in eastern MP’s Rajgarh
district over last 3 days following a communal clash in Khujner town during a
Republic Day event —first such incident under the new Congress regime.One group
claims clash was triggered by “provocative remarks” from a section attending
the event involving around 25 schools, the other side says it was sparked by a
fight between two men based on a previous personal dispute. And initially,
Khujner police lodged FIRs against 16 persons, including members of rival
sides, mainly on charges of rioting.But communal faultlines have widened after
six men— Samad Khan, Sakir Khan, Abrar Khan, Zakir Khan, Imtiaz Khan and
Shameer Khan — were arrested and sedition charges imposed following a
memorandum submitted Monday by BJP leaders, including Pankaj Sharma, local body
head,and ex MLA Amar Singh Yadav. Shameer was later granted bail.indian express
Ready to testify against SIT report on Gujarat
riots: Zameeruddin Shah
Jaipur: Lt Gen (retired) Zameeruddin Shah is
ready to testify in the court against the SIT report giving clean chit to then CM of Gujarat Narendra Modi of no delay in the
requisition and delay in the deployment of the army in the riot affected areas
in 2002. SIT claim came in sharp contrast with the claims made by the army
veteran in his book ‘Sarkari Musalman,’ which says that administration
(Gujarat) didn't provide required support for the 24 hours. Shah, while in a
session 'An officer and a gentleman' at Jaipur Literature Festival told that,
“If court summons, I am ready to tell the truth that how for 24 hours, they
were at the Ahmedabad Airport waiting for govt's support." Shah said that
Indian Army made 60 sorties to drop 3,000 armed forces for restoring peace in
the riot-hit state on the intervening night of Feb.28 and March 1. “Had the
Gujarat Govtacted on time, my army men would have saved 500-600 lives. They
kept us waiting for transport, communication devices, maps, magistrates and the
police which arrived on March 2 morning, while my team was all set for action
the very next moment of the arrival in the city,” said Shah. TOI
1,000 gaushalas in 4 months, says MP govt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/1000-gaushalas-in-4-months-says-madhya-pradesh-govt-5560473/
Congress Govt has announced that 1,000 gaushalas
will be set up in Madhya Pradesh in the next four months to accommodate nearly
one lakh stray cows and progeny. Insisting that there was not one
government-run gaushala in the state, CM
Kamal Nath said by instructing quick completion of Project Gaushala his
Govthad fulfilled one more promise made in the party’s manifesto. The Rural
Development Department will be the nodal agency of the project while gram
panchayats, self-help groups, organisations affiliated to the state cow
protection board and organisations chosen by district committees will implement
the project.indian express
UP: Stray cattle destroy crops, their owners held
Fourteen farmers of Kanpur’s Ghatampur tehsil
were arrested and jailed Monday after they were found to be the owners of
cattle locked up in a local Govtschool by villagers because they were allegedly
destroying their crops.The arrests were part of a district administration to
identify farmers who are abandoning their cattle, leading to a rise in number
of stray cows and oxen in the area. Farmers were released Tuesday evening on
personal bonds.CM Yogi Adityanath had
recently had ordered all district magistrates to initiate action against those
disowning their cattle. On Monday, 4 farmers had allegedly died after being
attacked by stray bulls while protecting their crop, in different cases in the state.
Kanpur administration took action after some farmers of Mominpur village locked
up at least 70 stray cattle in a Govtschool Sunday.indian express
‘Congress fine-tuning strategy on Muslims’
JAIPUR: Responding to a question that why
Congress has become timid in raising issues related with Muslims, ex Union
minister Salman Khurshid has called it a ‘tough dilemma’ for his party which is
hammered repeatedly for telling the truth. “It doesn’t mean that you desert
your ideology and commitment but it is like fine-tuning your strategy. If we
don’t fine tune our strategy none of us would be here two years from now,”
Khurshid, said in the defence of his party. He, during a session 'Examining
Faith' at the concluding day of Jaipur Literature Festival sought people's
support in understanding his party's stand. The session was participated by
noted social activist Harsh Mander, Sachar Committee member Rakesh Basant,
journalist Revati Laul in conversation with Sagarika Ghose. The panelist
charged Congress of deserting Muslims during the elections in Gujarat and in
the recently concluded polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. The
party was also accused of a silence on mob lynching cases.Mander shared his
experience of reaching out to the families of people lynched by mob in his
Karwan-e-mohabbat, said, "I am a very optimistic person but still i am
worried to see that social cohesion in the country deterring bit by bit."
TOI
Tube In Nose, Unwell Parrikar Presents Goa
Budget
Panaji: Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, who has been
severely unwell for months and has admitted that he is "battling a
life-threatening disease", spoke in a feeble voice today as he presented
the Budget in the assembly with a tube in his nose. He made up for his weakened
delivery with rousing words:"Today, once again I promise that I will serve
Goa with sincerity, integrity, and dedication until my last breath."In an
apparent dig at the Congress, CM also remarked: "There is a josh, that is
too high and I'm fully in hosh."ndtv
‘Must admire Rahul’s humility’: Goa BJP
leader’s lavish praise of Cong chief
Congress chief found an unusual admirer in Goa
-- deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who praised Gandhi a day after he
called on CM Manohar Parrikar in the
state assembly.“Rahul Gandhi came on a special visit to greet our ailing CM
Manohar Parrikar. His simplicity, humility has to be admired by all Indians and
Goans. He is a very simple person and leaders like him are required in Goa and
India,” Lobo said.HT
WORLD
Digital tourism giants Airbnb 'profiting' from
illegal Israeli settlements: Amnesty
Digital tourism giants Airbnb, Booking.com,
Expedia and TripAdvisor are profiting from "war crimes" by offering
services in illegal Israeli settlements, said a report published on Wednesday.
Amnesty International's Destination: Occupation study called on the companies
to stop listing tourist accommodation, activities, and attractions in
settlements in the occupied territories. "They are doing so despite
knowing that Israel's occupation of West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is
governed by international humanitarian law under which Israeli settlements are
deemed illegal," said report."In doing business with settlements, all
four companies are contributing to, and profiting from, the maintenance,
development and expansion of illegal settlements, which amount to war crimes under
international criminal law."Amnesty accused the firms of
"normalising" settlements in the West Bank and East
Jerusalem."To boost bookings, many listings in settlements boast of their
proximity to areas of natural beauty in the occupied territories, such as the
Dead Sea, nature reserves and the desert," the report said."By
listing and promoting these natural features and nature-based activities and
attractions, the digital companies are increasing the attractiveness of the
listings, securing greater numbers of tourists and ultimately benefiting
financially from illegal exploitation of Palestinian natural resources."
aljazeera
Israel approves construction of 'Disneyland'
cable car in Jerusalem
Israel approved on Tuesday a plan to build a
cable car that critics say would dramatically alter the scenery of the historic
Old City of Jerusalem and help develop a Jewish settlement in a Palestinian
neighbourhood, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.According to it, Israel's national
infrastructure committee,Jerusalem development authority and the ministry of
tourism have together earmarked $54.4mfor the project, which would connect the
city's west and east sides.Israel says cable car would help ease traffic in the
city and could transport 3,000 passengers an hour at peak times.2 stations are
proposed to be built in West Jerusalem and Mount Zion. A third is planned in
occupied East Jerusalem's Silwan neighbourhood, adjacent to the southern wall
of the Old City and close to al-Aqsa Mosque.middleeasteye
Hamas calls for supporters to send bitcoins
The armed wing of the Hamas group, which has
fought 3 wars with Israel and faces financial isolation, called on supporters
to send funds using bitcoins.Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam
Brigades, sent out a message calling for financial aid to be sent in the
virtual currency as the group faces international sanctions."Support the
resistance financially through the bitcoin currency," Obeida said on
Tuesday, adding the exact mechanism would be announced later.It was the first
time the Qassam Brigades appealed for financial support through a digital currency.Bitcoins
are the most popular of the so-called "cryptocurrencies", a digital
form of money that can be used to pay for some transactions online. Transactions
via bitcoins can be done anonymously and are not backed by any Govtor central
bank. Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, has faced financial dire straits in
recent years as banks have sought to ensure they have no dealings with the outfit.
The statement also accused Israel of seeking to cut Hamas' access to finance..aljazeera
Egypt's Brotherhood calls for a unified
opposition
Muslim Brotherhood has called for the
establishment of a united Egyptian opposition group abroad to help regain control
of the country after a military coup in July 2013 put Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in
power.In a statement marking the eighth anniversary of Jan.25, 2011 revolution,
the outlawed group said the purpose of a unified opposition would be to
liberate Egypt from military rule and to release political prisoners from
prison.Muslim Brotherhood - Egypt's oldest and most influential Islamist group
- called on expatriate Egyptian judges to take over the leadership of a
constituent body, pointing out that individuals or groups abroad can help the
work of the opposition at home.In the interest of the Egyptian revolution and
to protect the opposition, the statement also stressed the need to stay away
from those who advocate the use of violence.The banned group highlighted
articles of 1923 Constitution relating to individual and public freedoms,
particularly the independence of the judiciary.Human Rights Watch estimated
Egypt has imprisoned as many as 60,000 political activists, a figure Sisi has
denied. aljazeera
Egypt Arrests 54 Muslim Brotherhood Members
Egypt announced Tuesday the arrest of 54
members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group.Interior Ministry charged that
the suspects were plotting to foment chaos on the anniversary of the 2011
uprising."Information has become available ... that escaped leaders of the
(Muslim Brotherhood) were implementing a plot to create a state of chaos in the
country during the months of January and February, to coincide with the
anniversary of the 25 January revolution," it said.The statement did not
identify any of those arrested, but said legal measures were being taken
against them in coordination with the state security prosecutor.The individuals
were arrested over the past weeks in different locations. Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt: Morsi faces retrial in Hamas case
Egypt’s former president Mohamed Morsi appeared
before Cairo’s criminal court, facing a re-trial in the so-called
“communicating with Hamas” case.The session was headed by Counsellor Mohammed
Shirin Fahmi, with the prosecution charging Morsi – along with 23 others – with
crimes including communicating with foreign organisations in order to commit
terrorist acts and disclosing defence secrets to a foreign state. Morsi is also
accused of financing terrorism, assisting the Muslim Brotherhood and committing
acts that undermine Egypt’s independence, unity and territorial integrity. Morsi
was Egypt’s first democratically elected president following a popular uprising
that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011, in what came to be known as th Arab Spring.
However in 2013, one year in to Morsi’s rule, his defence minister Abdel Fattah
Al-Sisi led a military coup against him. middleeastmonitor
IS still has 'thousands' of fighters: US intel
chief
Washington: Islamic State group maintains a
force of thousands of fighters able to maintain a potent threat in the Middle
East and beyond, US director of national intelligence Dan Coats said.
"ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it
maintains 8 branches, more than a dozen networks,and thousands of dispersed
supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial
losses," Coats said in a new report to Congress on key threats to US. AFP
Syria safe zone: 'A long-term problem rather
than a solution'
Ankara:President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
300,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their war-torn country as he revived
talk of creating "safe zones" for millions more.While Turkish
officials have not provided details on where the zones would be located or how
they would be administered, analysts said it was likely the refugees would be
placed in areas of northern Syria under nominal Turkish control.Turkey
currently hosts more than 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees, according to
the UN Refugee Agency.Tensions between locals and Syrians have built over the
course of the nearly eight-year war, compounded by competition for jobs and
resources as Turkey faces recession.Since it launched the Euphrates Shield
military operation in north Syria in August 2016, Ankara has encouraged
refugees to remain in camps close to the border - welcoming only the most
vulnerable into Turkey. aljazeera
Saudi to release Houthi prisoners after ill
soldier freed
Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said
seven Houthi prisoners will be released after a Saudi soldier was freed and arrived
in Riyadh in a rare exchange of goodwill between combatants in the devastating
three-year war.Saudi prisoner Mousa Awaji returned on a Red Cross plane from
Sanaa on Tuesday with the rebels saying he was freed because of an illness,
Houthi TV channel al-Masirah reported, citing Abdulqadir Murtada, a Houthi
official.Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the exchange came because the
Houthis did not provide Awaji with proper medical treatment, and efforts were
under way to end the detention of other prisoners, state media reported.Murtada
said the release came as an "initiative" by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik
al-Houthi, according to Houthi-run Saba agency.UN special envoy to Yemen,Martin
Griffiths, helped coordinate the release.
Kuwait says no imminent solution to Gulf
crisis
Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalid
Al-Jarallah, said Monday that there is no imminent prospect of a solution to
the Gulf crisis.“The crisis has not stopped and the media campaigns have not
stopped,” Al-Jarallah said, stressing that the rift between Saudi Arabia, UAE,
Bahrain and Egypt on the one hand and Qatar on the other remains unsolved.On 24
Jan, Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani,
told Bloomberg that there was no prospect of solving the Gulf crisis.
Al-Jarallah added earlier this week that he agrees with the Qatari minister,
stressing that there is no solution on the horizon. MEMO
Grenade thrown into Philippine mosque kills 2 teachers
Zamboanga: A grenade was thrown into a mosque
in the southern Philippines where Muslim teachers were sleeping early Wednesday
morning, killing two of them and injuring four, authorities said.It was the
second explosion at a religious site in the south this week, though authorities
didn't see it as retaliation for the bombings of a Roman Catholic cathedral in
nearly Jolo during Sunday Mass that killed 21 people.Regional police Chief
Superintendent Emmanuel Luis D. Licup said investigators are trying to
determine the motive and identity of suspect in the grenade attack at the
mosque in Zamboanga city.AP
Pakistan to launch 200 bln rupee Islamic Sukuk
to ease power sector debt
Pakistan has approved the launch of a 200
billion rupee ($1.44 billion) Islamic Sukuk to help pay off arrears building up
in its troubled power sector, state-run Radio Pakistan said.The approval came
from Economic Coordination Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar. “Bond
will be issued through the consortium of Islamic banks,” Radio Pakistan said.
Govt has been falling behind on payments to electricity providers and
distribution companies, accumulating arrears that were threatening to seriously
disrupt electricity generation in a nation still grappling with shortages.
Reuters
flash:
views & NEWS
Centre’s push to transfer Ayodhya land to
Hindu groups misguided: Editorial, indian
express,
Thrice Supreme Court said: Don’t disturb land
until suits are over: Kaunain Sheriff M
Poll pressure on Govtto show action on Ram
temple: Liz Mathew
Ghalib unites Urdu, Marathi and Hindi: Jyoti
Punwani
Shia Islam,Muslim Brotherhood: Could an
alliance be on the cards?Marco Carnelos, ex diplomat
‘Encounter of Saqib, Mudassir shows Hajin is
no longer identified with Ikhwanis’ – Part II of kashmiri teenagers’ stories
Ayodhya case: Centre’s application in SC to
restore excess land to owners hides important facts:Sruthisagar Yamunan
Fresh plea on 'non-disputed' Ayodhya land best
way for BJP to appease Hindu groups, core constituencies: Sanjay Singh
Centre’s move on Ayodhya land is an attempt to
communalise the 2019 election:Shoaib Daniyal
'Break my hands': Tehseen Poonawalla dares
Anantkumar Hegde with pic hugging his ‘Hindu’ wife
Babri Masjid Action Committee hits out at plea,
says it’s a ‘backdoor’ move
Govt switching off channel I financed: Kapil
Sibal
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Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:41 PM)
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