NEWS
DIGEST, Afternoon
02 April 2019: 25 Rajab 1440:Vol: 11, No:166
INDIA
Gurgaon Muslim family, who was attacked by
mob, threatens mass suicide over police ‘inaction’
A family, who was attacked by a mob,
threatened of mass suicide on Monday, alleging that it was being pressured to
withdraw FIR and police were not taking action under "influence" of
local politicians.A mob of over 40 persons pelted stones at the house of Mohd
Akhtar in Bhup Singh Nagar area here and beat up members of his family, in an
attack triggered by a game of cricket on Holi. The attack was captured on a
cellphone by one of the victims and the video had gone viral on internet. The
clip showed women of the family pleading for mercy while a man was being
thrashed, police had said."The matter is now in public domain as video of
the assault went viral on internet. Still the police has failed to arrest over
35 goons.If Gurgaon Police and the district administration do not help us, we
have no option but to commit mass suicide," Akhtar said.Family also
submitted a memorandum to sub-divisional magistrate of Sohna, urging speedy
investigation in the case and said it would commit mass suicide if justice was
not be delivered. "We are the victims of the incident but Gurgaon Police
has registered an FIR against two men of our family in a bid to pressure
us," Akhtar said.Police, however, said it was not favouring anyone."We
have so far arrested 13 persons and a hunt is on to arrest the others. There is
no point of favouring anyone. Both groups were involved in an
altercation," Himanshu Garg, DCP, said.PTI
Gurugram mob attack: Police made 'false
promises', claims victim
Members of Muslim family who were allegedly
thrashed with sticks and swords by miscreants for playing cricket on Holi,
claimed that in the name of security, the police gave them "false
promises"."We feel unsafe in the area. The police personnel guarding
our house do not carry any weapons or even a laathi for our protection. Almost
every day, scores of men stand in front of our house to gawk. In the name of
security, they have given us false promises,"said Shehzad Khan, one of the
victims, while briefing media here.He further contended that police have not
arrested all the accused mentioned in FIR "We had filed in FIR that over 30-40
men attacked us that day, but so far, the police have only arrested 12 men in
connection with this," he added. ANI
Gurgaon:House owner seeks withdrawal of FIR
Manipur: Muslim constable killed in custody;
locals demand CBI inquiry
In case of custodial killing, a policeman who
was suspended and later arrested for alleged wrongdoings was murdered by fellow
policemen in Imphal, Manipur on March 30. Manjur Alam, who had been posted at
Reserve Lines, Imphal East as Police Constable, was suspended on March 12 after
the police found his phone number and a photo on phone of dreaded extortionist
and kidnapper Thockchom Nando, who was the alleged mastermind of rape and
murder of L Elizabeth, an 8-year-old girl, in 2003. Nando had been brought in
for treatment to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Nov.2018
for treatment for spinal injury. On March 25, he escaped the hospital following
which the police launched a statewide search. Manjul Ahmed was arrested in this
regard and sent to remand at Porompat Police Station in Imphal on March 27. On
March 30, he was brought to JNIMS where he was declared dead upon arrival. Sudden
death of 34-year-old policeman who was in perfect shape and had been serving
duty until two weeks ago has raised severe doubts over the actions of the
police. A Joint Action Committee set up in support of Ahmed said this was a
clear case of murder. “How can a fit person die in three days in remand? What
did the police do to him? It is clear that the interrogation methods used on
him proved to be fatal,” said Miraj Shah
Kori, a member of JAC.“Also,it must be questioned how a person like Nando had a
phone to begin with. How was that allowed? And why did the police not arrest
other people whose phone numbers were on his contact list? Why only Manjur?” he
asked. “A dreaded criminal like Nando was given a fair trial so why wasn’t
Manjur given the same chance?” he questioned. What makes the murder even more
murky is that the police blamed Manjur for helping Nando escape, even though
Manjur was under suspension when Nando escaped.TwoCircles
Debris from India's ASAT Test Could Threaten
Space Station: NASA Chief
New Delhi: India’s anti-satellite (ASAT)
weapon test on March 27 has generated debris that is posing a threat to the
safety of International Space Station, US space agency NASA said on Monday.In a
meeting with employees, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstein said,“That is a
terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that
goes above International Space Station.” He also described India’s ASAT test as
the “kind of activity [that] is not compatible with the future of human
spaceflight.”DRDO launched a solid-fuel missile from its test range in Odisha
to intercept an Indian satellite in low-Earth orbit. In a televised address to
the nation that has been seen by the opposition as an attempt to influence
voters on the eve of the general election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said
that such a weapon was necessary if India had to safeguard its strategic assets
in space.In his remarks, NASA chief noted that despite the increased risk
caused by Indian debris, ISS would be manoeuvred to get out of harm’s way – in
the unlikely event that this became necessary – and that the astronauts on
board are “still safe”. “The good thing is, [debris is] low enough in Earth
orbit that over time this will all dissipate,” he said, according to
Space.com.Describing the benefits for humankind from the peaceful use of space,
Bridenstein said, “All of those are placed at risk when these kind of events
happen — and when one country does it, then other countries feel like they have
to do it as well.”In a press statement, Ministry of External Affairs described
Indian ASAT weapon as a ‘kinetic kill vehicle’, meaning it smashed into the
satellite and broke it up into hundreds of smaller pieces. Indian officials had
claimed after the test that because the weapon had smashed into the satellite
at such a low altitude – at about 280 km – the resulting debris is likely to
fall back to Earth in 4-6 weeks and burn up harmlessly in the
atmosphere.However, this controversial claim is likely receive more scrutiny in
the coming days. Bridenstine noted that India’s test had created 60 pieces of
debris “big enough to track”, and “24 of which rise higher than the
International Space Station’s orbit around Earth”.thewire
Election Commission blocks launch of book on
Rafale deal citing Model Code of Conduct: Reports
Election Commission of India has reportedly
stayed the launch of a book on the Rafale defence deal authored by S Vijayan,
saying it goes against Model Code of Conduct that is in place for Lok Sabha
elections. Titled Rafale: A Scam That Rocked the Nation, the book was to be
launched by journalist N Ram at an event in Chennai on Tuesday, according to
Times Now.Publishers wanted to host the launch event at a Chennai school, but
were denied permission, reported India Today.They then decided to hold it in
their office, but an election commission squad seized all copies, publication
said. Times Now interviewed someone they identified as the publisher of the
book, who said that they plan to approach the Election Commission against the
order and then move court if required. “This book is on the Rafale deal only,”
he told the channel. “It is not canvassing voters. It does not violate election
rules.” The book was published by publishing house Bharathi Puthakalayam.N Ram,
chairman of The Hindu, who has authored several pieces detailing alleged
irregularities in India’s deal with France to buy Rafale fighter jets, said the
ban was anti-democratic and illegal, reported India Today.scroll.in
On Areeb plea, court notice to mission in
Istanbul, MEA
Mumbai:A special court has issued notices to
Consul General of India, Istanbul, and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New
Delhi, after Areeb Majeed, who is facing trial for allegedly travelling to
Syria to join the Islamic State, made a plea seeking documents from them,
claiming that arrangements for his return were made through them.Majeed has
sought production of documents, records and original receipt payments made by Consul
General, Istanbul, Turkey, for arranging his stay at Point Hotel in Istanbul on
Nov.26, 2014, two days before his return to India, payment made for his tickets
from Istanbul to Mumbai and arrangements made for sending him to Mumbai. He also
sought production of the file related to an Emergency Certificate issued by the
Consulate for his return to the country.“It appears that earlier accused
(Majeed) has preferred application to MEA, New Delhi, to seek such documents
and the information was provided by Consul General, Istanbul on Oct.24, 2018.
Thus, these documents are not with NIA. Hence, it would be proper to issue
notice to the Consul General of India and the secretary of MEA, New Delhi,” the
court said.According to the submissions made before the court by Majeed, he had
filed an application under the Right to Information Act,in Sept.2018, to MEA
seeking these documents.He was told that his application was being forwarded to
the Consulate. Majeed told the court that on Oct.24, 2018, the response he
received from Consulate said that as per available records, an Emergency
Certificate was issued as per Govt of India prescribed guidelines for stranded
Indian nationals, that one-way ticket for Istanbul-Mumbai and hotel
accommodation for one night was provided by the Consulate.NIA claims that he
was arrested on Nov.29, 2014, when he returned to the country with “some
ulterior motive”. Majeed, however, claimed that his return was facilitated by
the agency, whose officials were in touch with his father. Last week, Bombay
High Court had directed nodal officers of 5 telecom firms to give call data
records between NIA officials and Majeed’s father, after observing that these
official documents, “prima facie” justify Majeed’s contention seeking the
records.On Monday, court also called for the response of airport authorities of
CSMI Airport, Mumbai, on Majeed’s plea seeking to preserve CCTV footage of
Nov.28, 2014, for the duration between 5am and 7.30 am.“Before passing any order,
they (airport authorities) have to confirm if the footage is preserved by
them,” court said. indianexpress
Pakistan acknowledges F-16 jets were
‘airborne’ during operation to attack Indian targets
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-f-16-jets-indian-targets-balakot-airstrike-5653484/
New Delhi :Pakistan’s military spokesman Major
General Asif Ghafoor, however, said it was meaningless to question whether
JF-17 Thunder aircraft or US-built F-16 jets were used to shoot down 2 Indian
Air Force (IAF) aircraft that violated Pakistani airspace on Feb.27. “Whether
it was F-16 or JF-17 which shot down 2 Indian aircraft is immaterial. When the
Indian planes crossed the LoC, all of PAF’s aircraft, including F-16s were
airborne,” military’s media wing said.So far, Pakistan had rejected India’s
claim that it used US-made F-16 fighters jets against India in retaliation to
its pre-emptive strikes on terror camps in Balakot.indianexpress
Bangladesh Jamaat lawyer Toby Cadman
representing India in Nirav Modi case in London
https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/2019/04/01/jamaat-lawyer-representing-indian-government-in-london
Delhi: Barrister Toby Cadman, who is
well-known for his connection with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, is now
representing the Indian government in a legal battle in London.Internationally-acclaimed
lawyer is making a move against a bail petition filed by Indian diamond dealer
Nirav Modi, who was arrested in London, on March 19, for allegedly defrauding
the Indian state bank. Toby placed his arguments against a bail petition filed
by Nirav Modi in a Westminster magistrate court on March 29. After the hearing,
Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot denied bail to the Indian jewelry tycoon Nirav,
who has been accused of defrauding India's state-owned Punjab National Bank of
$1.8 billion. Jamaat-e-Islami appointed Toby Cadman as its legal counselor in
London in 2011, right after the ruling Awami League started the trials of
several top Jaamat leaders who had been accused of war crimes during 1971 War. In
the next few years, Toby gave interviews to media—including Al Jazeera, BBC,
and CNN—advocating for and promoting the political ideology of Jamaat. He also
highlighted Jamaat's views at different seminars and discussions. Apart from these, Toby wrote articles and
opinions on blogs trying to discredit the war crimes trials, labeling the
tribunal as nothing but a kangaroo court. He even tried to come to Dhaka to
represent the accused Jamaat leaders in Bangladesh's courts. However, the
government rejected his arrival as foreign lawyers cannot take part in legal
practices in Bangladesh. In this regard, a senior official of India's Foreign
Ministry told a reporter: "I do not know much about the past history of
that lawyer [Toby]. I can only make comments after a proper enquiry." On
terms of anonymity, another Indian government official said: "Crown
Prosecution Service of UK has chosen Toby for the job and the Indian government
had nothing to do with it." It is not clear whether India had any
objection on Toby's appointment in the case.dhakatribune
RTI law does not allow, Govt wants powers to
probe complaints against Information Commissioners
In what is being seen by Central Information
Commission as an attempt to erode its independence and undermine its role as
per RTI law, the govt has proposed setting up bureaucrat-led committees that
would sit and decide on complaints against Chief Information Commissioner(CIC) and
Information Commissioners (ICs).This proposal was sent to CIC late last month
seeking its views. It was signed by an Under Secretary in Department of
Personnel and Training (DoPT). Indian Express has learnt that proposal
envisages setting up of two committees — one, to receive and decide on
complaints against CIC and a second one for complaints against Information
Commissioners.A committee with majority bureaucrats scrutinising complaints
against Information Commissioners will skew checks and balances in favour of
the political executive. Section 14(1) of RTI Act insulates them, saying they
can be removed only by the President after the Supreme Court, on a Presidential
reference, has, on inquiry, called for the removal. That’s why proposal is
being opposed by the full Commission. For the former, the committee is proposed
to include the Cabinet Secretary; Secretary, DoPT; and a retired CIC. For ICs, committee
will include Secretary (Coordination) in Cabinet Secretariat; Secretary, DoPT;
and a retired IC.Clearly, in both the committees, government officers will be
in a majority.“This proposal is an attempt by the political dispensation to
influence the working of the ICs. This will take away the independence of an
institution that has served citizen’s demand for more transparency in govt,”
said a top official. “It will make the Commission more vulnerable to govt
pressure.”indianexpress
Congress govt withdraws security at RSS office
in Bhopal, Digvijaya says should be restored
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-office-bhopal-security-congress-digvijaya-singh-5654312/
Bhopal:Nearly a decade after security
personnel were deployed outside RSS office in Bhopal, MP, Congress govt has
withdrawn them arguing that they will be deployed on election duty elsewhere. The
security was provided when former Sarsanghchalak K Sudershan, who enjoyed ‘Z
Plus security’ decided to settle in Bhopal and live at the organisation’s
office Samidha. A tent was pitched outside and security personnel were
deployed.Though the number of security personnel came down to five, security
continued even after the death of Sudershan.Late on Monday, the security was
withdrawn and the tent removed.The decision has not gone down well with
Congress candidate from Bhopal Digvijaya Singh. “It’s not at all proper to
remove security provided to RSS office in Bhopal. I request Chief Minister
Kamal Nath to immediately provide adequate security,” he tweeted on
Tuesday.indianexpress
Modi, Rajnath Supported 'Illegal' Term
Extension of SSC Chairman
New Delhi: A range of govt documents reveal
that PM Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh may have signed off on
irregularly and illegally extending the tenure of the current chairperson of
Staff Selection Commission (SSC).The same chairperson, Ashim Khurana, was also
the head of the commission during “SSC scam”, which came to light last March,
in which question papers were leaked before the exam was conducted. Close to
two lakh aspirants appeared for the exam to fill about 9,000 vacancies. Those
who are successful in this exam can get placed to Group C and Group B posts in
various government ministries and subordinate offices. These are non-gazetted
and non-technical posts.The documents were obtained via RTI by Yuva Halla Bol,
which is a nationwide network of students working on the issue of unemployment
among the youth.“While the whole country is concerned about unemployment in the
country, it seems PM is worried about the unemployment of Khurana,” said
Yogendra Yadav, who presented some of these documents at a press conference in
Delhi on Monday. Yadav is the national president of political party Swaraj
India.“Rules were flouted to grant retired chairman Ashim Khurana an illegal
service extension, in order to hide SSC scam and protect the corrupt,” said
Yuva Halla Bol in a press note.At the press conference, various documents were
made public which show that Khurana was due to retire on May 12, 2018, having
reached the retirement age of 62.But on May 14, 2018, the Appointments
Committee of Cabinet issued an order that Khurana would have his term extended by
a year, and stay on as SSC chairman.This was to have retrospective effect on
Khurana’s tenure. Furthermore, the age for retirement for chairpersons was also
changed from 62 to 65. A gazette notification for this was issued a few months
later.PM Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh are on this Appointments
Committee.Just a few months before this, following days of protests by SSC
aspirants, Khurana finally agreed to a CBI investigation. According to SSC
(Chairman and Members) Recruitment Rules, 1977, chairman or a member of SSC
needs to give up her post after five years of holding it, or on attaining the
age of 62, whichever comes first.thewire
Supreme Court strikes down RBI circular on
defaulting firms, calls it unconstitutional
The Supreme Court has quashed a RBI circular
asking banks to classify a loan account as stressed if there was even a day of
default, Live Law reported. The SC declared the circular unconstitutional and
ultra vires.A bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Vineet Saran
pronounced the judgement while hearing a batch of petitions challenging RBI
circular. Over 75 companies are facing insolvency proceedings because of
default in payments, TOI reported.In Feb.2018, RBI put out a circular on
classification of non-performing assets that required banks to refer any
account with a loan of more than Rs 2,000 crore to bankruptcy court if it is
not resolved within 180 days of a default. The decision caused panic for many
companies, in particular those in the power sector. Industry and government
have tried to push for RBI to relax its regulations, and had even approached Allahabad
High Court, which then suggested that the government could use Section 7 of RBI
Act to modify the order.scroll.in
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut Calls for 'EVM
Tampering' to Defeat Kanhaiya Kumar, EC Slaps Notice
Mumbai: The district election officer of
Mumbai has issued a notice to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut for alleged violation of
model code of conduct over his comments against CPI candidate Kanhaiya
Kumar.Raut, who is the editor of Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', said in the
publication on Sunday that Kumar should be defeated in the elections even if it
means BJP has to "tamper with EVMs". Kumar, ex president of JNUs
student union, is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha poll from Begusarai in
Bihar.In his column 'Rok Thok' in the Marathi daily, Raut also said that Kumar,
"a bottle of poison", must not reach Parliament.Following his
remarks, the Rajya Sabha MP was issued a notice on Monday, asking him to
respond to it by Wednesday. Further action in the matter will be decided by the
Election Commission. Mumbai city Collector Shivaji Jondhale, who is the
district election officer, in the notice said Raut's statement showed
"lack of faith in the deployment of EVMs and muddying the electoral
process".PTI
Rahul Gandhi aligning with Jama'at, SDPI:
Kerala CPM
Kochi: Kerala CPM secretary Kodiyeri
Balakrishnan told the party's mouthpiece, Deshabhimani, that "Muslim
League, which has formed an alliance with Jama'at-e-Islami and SDPI, has more
influence in Wayanad than Congress and so, in effect, Rahul Gandhi will be
contesting as the joint candidate of Congress-Jama'at-SDPI alliance."He
said defeating Gandhi at Wayanad has become the responsibility of CPM and the
party would do everything possible to achieve it. TOI
Maharashtra: Of 566 MPs elected from state
since ’60s, only 2.47 per cent were Muslims
Mumbai :Since the state of Maharashtra came
into being in the 60s, a total of 566 MPs have been elected from the state.
And, in a state where one out of every tenth person is a Muslim, of these 566
MPs only 14 or less than 2.5 per cent were Muslims.Over the years, Muslims have
found themselves increasingly sidelined in electoral politics in the state with
political parties hesitant to give them tickets. In the last three elections
held in Maharashtra, major political parties have fielded only four Muslim
candidates. Congress fielded one in 2004, NCP and Congress one each in 2009 and
one candidate by Congress in 2014. This year too only one Muslim candidate,
Hidayat Patel, has been fielded by the Congress in Akola.This gradual denial of
representation has seen a gradual shift by the community from the Congress-NCP
to Muslim-centric parties like the AIMIM. In some cases, Muslims have also
preferred siding with BJP and Shiv Sena.An obvious case for Muslim representation
proportionate to community’s population is that only this can ensure the
effective implementation of minority rights. However, the case is also often
made that even non-Muslims in secular parties can and have ensured that
minority rights are protected. The corollary is that Muslim MPs, especially
affiliated to secular parties, may not even consider themselves as representing
only their community.indianexpress
‘Won’t give Muslims tickets as they don’t
believe in us’: Karnataka BJP leader
New Delhi:Senior BJP leader in Karnataka KS
Eshwarappa has made a controversial statement against Muslims days ahead of Lok
Sabha election 2019.Karnataka sends 28 members to the Lok Sabha and will go to
the polls in two phases, 14 constituencies each, onApril 18 and April 23. The
votes will be counted on May 23.“Congress uses you only as a vote bank and
doesn’t give you tickets. We won’t give Muslims tickets because you don’t
believe in us. Believe us and we’ll give you tickets and other things,” KS Eshwarappa
said on Monday in Karnataka’s Koppal.He was addressing the members of Kuruba
and minority communities.HT
Congress in its manifesto promises to amend
AFSPA, scrap sedition law if voted to power
New Delhi: The controversial AFSPA found
mention in the Congress party's manifesto that was released on Tuesday. The
party promised to amend the act that grants special powers to the Indian armed
forces in 'insurgency-hit' areas if it was voted to power in the upcoming Lok
Sabha elections.Congress in its manifesto stated, "Amend AFSPA in order to strike a balance between the
powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens and to remove
immunity for enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture."In its
section on Jammu & Kashmir, the manifesto referred to AFSPA again.
"AFSPA and the Disturbed Areas Act in J&K will be reviewed. Suitable
changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of
security and the protection of human rights."Human rights activists wanted
the act scrapped, claiming the law gives "sweeping powers" to forces
to act against civilians. Activists have also alleged extra-judicial killings
in those areas where AFSPA is in force.Congress also promised to remove the law
on sedition from the statute if voted to power. "Omit Section 124A of
IPC(that defines the offence of ‘sedition’) that has been misused and, in any
event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws," the manifesto
said.TOI
Centre extends disturbed area classification
for three districts in Arunachal under AFSPA
Centre on Monday extended the “disturbed area”
classification for three districts in Arunachal Pradesh under AFSPA. Ministry
of Home Affairs said in a notification that the districts of Tirap, Changlang
and Longding and the area falling within the jurisdiction of four police
stations on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border has been declared as a
“disturbed area”. The areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and
Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district, Roing police station in Lower
Dibang Valley district and Sunpura police station in Lohit district have been
declared as disturbed areas.scroll.in
Mumbai: Civil society collective present
manifesto
Mumbai: People's collective, Mumbai Rises to
Save Democracy (MRSD), has come out with a manifesto for what it describes
against state suppression.It demanded that stop the crackdown on protestors,
activists, civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, students,
academicians, workers,RTI activists, farmers, whistleblowers, Adivasis, Dalits,
minorities exercising their right to dissent and withdraw all actions, cases
and proceedings filed against them across the country. MSRD comprises several
NGOs and organisations including PUCL, CPDR, CJP, New Trade Union Initiative
(NTUI), TUCI, Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), National Alliance of People’s
Movements (NAPM), IMSD and Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression
(WSS). They demanded that capital punishment should be abolished.deccan herald
Talib Hussain, activist who led justice
campaign for Kathua rape-murder case, joins PDP
Social activist and chairman of Tribal
Coordination committee, Talib Hussain who spearheaded justice campaign of
Kathua rape and murder case, joined the PDP on Monday.He was welcomed into
party by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.“Happy to welcome well known tribal rights
activist Chowdhary Talib Hussain into PDP today. He fought tirelessly to ensure
justice for Rasana rape victim at the cost of his personal safety. I am
confident that he will work tirelessly towards our vision for a khushaal
J&K,’’ she tweeted.Hussain had emerged as the face of the campaign for
justice to the eight-year-old girl who was abducted, raped and murdered in
Rasana village near Kathua.Hussain was later accused of sexual harassment by a
woman relative. A student at JNU had also accused him of sexual assault in 2018
during the #MeToo movement. Hussain is currently out on the bail.HT
SC declines urgent hearing on Hardik Patel’s
plea to suspend conviction in rioting case
NEW DELHI :The Supreme Court denied urgent
hearing to a plea by Congress leader Hardik Patel to suspend his conviction in
a 2015 rioting case.A Bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Tuesday denied him an
out-of-turn hearing, raising questions on whether he would be able to contest
the Lok Sabha polls of 2019 from the Jamnagar constituency in Gujarat.The last
date for filing nomination is April 4. Mr. Patel's petition may now come up for
hearing in the normal course, probably late this week or early next
week.thehindu
Pistols, explosives and ammunition recovered
from BJP leader’s house in MP
Madhya Pradesh police on Monday seized a
veritable arsenal — 17 crude bombs, 10 pistols and 111 bullets — from a local
BJP leader Sanjay Yadav’s house in Sendhwa town late on Sunday night.BJP leader
Sanjay Yadav — known as a Bahubali or strongman in the area — had joined BJP
two years ago with his younger brother Jitu and mother Basanti Bai Yadav.
Basanti was elected unopposed as president of Sendhwa municipality in January
last year after all candidates withdrew their nomination.Sanjay Yadav had
recently been released from prison on bail and has around 47 criminal cases
registered against him.Late Sunday night, a police team raided Yadav’s house in
Daru Godam area of Sendhwa town and recovered the cache of arms and ammunition,
Barwani SP Yang Chen Dolkar Bhutia revealed. The weapons were found in a box
kept in an almirah on the roof of the house, she said, adding Sanjay and Jitu
are both absconding.“We are not sure why the weapons were stored. We are
investigating it,” the SP said.Yadav family wields considerable clout in
Sendhwa, a segment of Khargone Parliamentary constituency that goes to the
polls in the final phase on May 19. The Khargone Parliamentary constituency is
reserved for the Schedule Tribe and the BJP is facing massive anti-incumbency
there.nationalheraldindia
VHP to shun arms during Ram Navami in
Bengal in view of elections
Kolkata: VHP has decided to shun open display
of weapons during Ram Navami celebrations across West Bengal on April, 14 in
view of the Lok Sabha elections. It has also decided not to involve BJP
candidates in its processions. At least 3 people were killed and scores injured
in Ram Navami riots across south Bengal last year. Several Sangh Parivar
activists were booked under Arms Act for open display of weapons during the
processions.newindianexpress
Pakistan alleges that Indian fire killed 3 of
its soldiers
The Pakistan Army said on Tuesday that it lost
three soldiers due to "unprovoked" Indian firing across the Line of
Control.Military spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that
Indian troops resorted to "unprovoked" firing in Rakhchakri area of
Rawalakot Sector along the LOC. Three soldiers were killed, he said.Ghafoor
said that the Pakistan Army responded effectively.Meanwhile, Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir "PM" Raja Farooq Haider on Monday said his government has
prepared a plan for evacuation of civilian population from the highly
vulnerable areas along the LoC in case of emergency, according to a report in
Dawn.PTI
7 Pak posts destroyed as Indian Army
retaliates to ceasefire violations
Dalits prevented from installing statue,
tension in UP village
Muzaffarnagar: Tension prevailed here when a
group of Dalits was prevented by the district authorities from installing a
statue in memory of a man killed during an agitation in 2018, police said on
Tuesday.The incident was reported from Gadla village on Monday, circle officer
Ram Mohan Sharma said.According to police, the Dalits wanted to install the
statue of Amresh at Sant Ravidas temple here. Ambresh was killed during Dalit
agitation here last year.The group, however, was prevented from going ahead
with their plans as model code of conduct is in place due to the upcoming
general elections, Sharma said.Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the
area, he said.PTI
WORLD
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will
resign by April 28: State media
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will
resign before his fourth term expires on April 28, his office has said in a
statement carried by official APS news agency. The president will take
"steps to ensure state institutions continue to function during the
transition period," said the statement issued on Monday, adding, his
"resignation would occur before April 28, 2019." Millions of
Algerians have been holding weekly protests nationwide calling for the
82-year-old to step down after almost 20 years in office. He has rarely been
seen in public since he suffered a stroke in 2013. He had initially declared
his candidacy for a fifth term, but on March 11 withdrew and postponed the
election - originally slated for April 18 - in response to the massive protests.Despite
Bouteflika's resignation, Algerian students on social networks called for large
protests to be held on Tuesday in the capital and the rest of the
country.Mohamed, a member of a student union in Algiers, said that the
departure of Bouteflika is not "enough".aljazeera
Erdogan's AK Party 'loses' major Turkey cities
in local elections
Ruling AK Party has lost mayoral elections in
the country's 3 largest cities - Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir - in a stunning
election setback for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan according to unofficial
results published by state-run Anadolu Agency on Monday. The official results
will be released after the country's election board looks into objections by
political parties, who have 3 days to file their complaints.Anadolu's unofficial
data shows Republican People's Party's (CHP) candidate Ekrem Imamoglu won heated
mayoral race in Istanbul, the country's largest city and economic centre, with
48.8 percent of the vote, while AK Party candidate Binali Yildirim got 48.5
percent.In the capital, Ankara, unofficial results showed that CHP candidate
Mansur Yavas had garnered 50.9 percent, with AK Party nominee Mehmet Ozhaseki
trailing on 47.2 percent.In the third-largest city, Izmir, the CHP candidate,
Mustafa Tunc Soyer, was leading with 58 percent votes while AK Party's Nihat
Zeybekci stood at 38.5 percent. All of the votes have been counted in the three
largest cities.The ruling AK Party, which ran as part of the People's Alliance,
suffered setback in Sunday's local elections, which were held against the
backdrop of Turkey's first recession in a decade while its lira currency lost
as much as 40 percent of its value against the US dollar last year.aljazeera
Pentagon halts F-35 fighter jet equipment
deliveries to Turkey
Pentagon has suspended deliveries of equipment
related F-35 fighter jets to Turkey unless Ankara refuses to take a delivery of
a Russian missile defence system. US has repeatedly warned Turkey that Russian
S-400 system it aims to buy would compromise the security of the F-35 aircraft,
which is made by US company Lockheed Martin.US officials speaking to Reuters
news agency on the condition of anonymity said next shipment of training
equipment and all subsequent shipments of F-35 materials have been cancelled. aljazeera
Saudi gave Khashoggi's children homes, money:
Report
Saudi Arabia has given the four children of
slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi "million-dollar houses" and
"monthly 5-figure payments" as compensation for the killing of their
father, the Washington Post reported.The kingdom is trying to come to a
long-term understanding with the Khashoggi family members to encourage them to
continue to refrain from criticism in relation to their father's killing by
Saudi agents, the paper reported.Larger payouts "possibly tens of millions
of dollars apiece" as part of "blood money" negotiations could
be offered in the coming months, the paper said, according to accounts by
current and former Saudi officials as well as people close to the family, the
Washington Post reported.Negotiations over further payments are expected to
take place following the trials of Khashoggi's accused killers, according to
the officials and others who spoke to the paper on the condition of
anonymity.aljazeera
Israeli forces kill Palestinian, 23, in West
Bank raid
Israeli soldiers have shot dead a Palestinian
man and wounded at least 3 others during an overnight raid in the occupied West
Bank, Palestinian health officials said. Mohammed Edwan, 23, was shot near the
Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem, the Palestinian
health ministry said on Tuesday. Edwan was reportedly in his vehicle when he
was shot from close range with live ammunition, witnesses told Maan news
agency.His body remained in the custody of the Israeli army before being handed
over to medics at the scene, who then transferred Edwan to a hospital in
Ramallah, where he was pronounced dead.According to the health ministry, the
three others who were wounded in the shooting were being treated at the
hospital.aljazeera
Al Jazeera Exclusive: Yemeni child soldiers
recruited by Saudi-UAE coalition
Al Jazeera has obtained exclusive footage that
proves the presence of child soldiers in the recruitment camps of the
Saudi-UAE-led coalition fighting in Yemen.The children, desperately poor, are
being recruited to fight along the Saudi border to defend it from the Houthis,
a rebel group that overran the capital, Sanaa, and large swaths of Yemen's
northwest in 2014.In 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE formed a coalition to overthrow
the Houthis - plunging Yemen into a ruinous war - supported by forces loyal to
the country's internationally recognised govt. The conflict has created the
world's worst humanitarian crisis, pushing Yemen to the brink of famine and
leaving about 80 percent of its population - 24 million people - in need of
humanitarian assistance. However, many children face an even worse reality:
being recruited by either warring side to fight in the conflict. According to
the UN, 2-thirds of the child soldiers in Yemen fight for the Houthis. The
others fight for the Saudi-UAE-led coalition.aljazeera
Netanyahu to meet Putin in Moscow before
Israel polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is
scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday,
according to Israeli media reports.Israeli Broadcast Authority (IBA) reported
Tuesday that Netanyahu would meet Putin in Moscow on Thursday -- 5 days before
Israel is slated to hold Knesset (parliament) elections.IBA did not provide
further details. According to a statement released by his office, Netanyahu had
a phone conversation with Putin on Monday during which the two men discussed
“regional issues”.Notably, it will be Netanyahu’s first visit to Russia since
US President Donald Trump's abrupt decision last month to recognize Israel's
territorial claim to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights -- a move to which
Moscow has stated its strong opposition.Anadolu
Israel general: Either reach a ceasefire or
topple Hamas
A senior Israeli general has said Tel Aviv
should either reoccupy the Gaza Strip or reach a settlement with Hamas
there.Brigadier-General Israel Ziv, a former commander of the Israeli
occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, said: “The situation in Gaza requires
Israel to make a clear decision, either to reach a settlement with Hamas or to
reoccupy the entire enclave. In other words, reach a ceasefire or topple
Hamas.”In an interview with Maariv paper,Ziv said that Israel’s assassination
policy against Hamas leaders and the local military operations “have only temporary
temporal effect and cannot solve the problem from its roots” because the
situation in Gaza is “very complicated”, adding that the government is
responsible for finding “a new strategy to change the status quo”.“Israeli
current policy, which is based on responding to single events in Gaza Strip, no
longer controls the field developments there. Therefore Israel is required to
make a final decision: either to keep Hamas or not,” he said.middleeastmonitor
US lawmaker who said ‘Palestine does not
exist’ sacked
A US lawmaker who triggered outrage by
tweeting “Palestine does not exist” has been stripped of his position in the
immigration committee. Pro-Israel Brooklyn council member Kalman Yeger has been
reprimanded by council leaders for making remarks that are widely viewed as
racist and anti-Palestinian.Yeger made the remarks during a heated Twitter
exchange with a journalist and doubled down on comments he had made previously
by insisting: “Palestine does not exist. There, I said it again. Also,
Congresswoman Omar is an antisemite. Said that too”.Prominent activists
denounced his remark. “It’s disgraceful, irresponsible and dangerous for a
sitting NYC council member to engage in blatant bigotry and erasure,” Linda
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American community organiser from Brooklyn, said.
Rights group: 334 civilians killed in Syria in
March
Syrian Network for Human Rights said at least
334 civilians were killed in Syria during the month of March. The network said
in a report issued yesterday that as many as 70 civilians were killed by Syria
regime forces, including 24 children and 13 women, while Russian forces killed
76 civilians, including 13 children and eight women.According to the report,
extremist Islamist groups have killed 33 civilians, including two children,
while one civilian was killed by the armed opposition factions.SDF killed 18
civilians; including nine children and one woman, the report said, adding that
bombing by the international coalition forces’ warplanes killed nine civilians,
including one child and one woman.MEMO
UN chief warns against rising anti-Muslim
hatred
Cairo:UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday
against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on
mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.His remarks came during a
speech at Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world’s foremost religious
institution, where he met Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb.“Around the world, we are
seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia,” UN
secretary general said.He cited the March 15 New Zealand mosque attacks by a white
supremacist as well as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11
people and is believed to be the deadliest against Jews in US history. Guterres
warned of a surge in hate speech he said was “entering the mainstream,
spreading like wildfire through social media”.AFP
EU Goes To World Trade Body With Complaint
Against India, Turkey On Taxes
BRUSSELS: European Union has launched two
World Trade Organization disputes against India over import duties on IT
products and against Turkey over measures affecting pharmaceutical
producers.The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the
28-member European Union, said in a statement on Tuesday that the total value of
affected EU exports was more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) per year.In
the case against India, the EU is challenging the introduction of import duties
of between 7.5 and 20 percent for a wide range of IT products, such as mobile
phones and components, as well as integrated circuits, the Commission said.In
the case against Turkey, the Commission said the bloc is challenging measures
that force foreign pharmaceutical producers to move their production to Turkey.
Flash: views & NEWS
Pakistan believes that post-Pulwama situation
has worked to its advantage, or is at least a stalemate: Ayesha Siddiqa
Bihar custodial deaths: Professionalism in
custodial practices might have allowed Taslim, Gufran to face trial as per due
process:Sana Das
Fact Check: PM Narendra Modi says Congress
coined ‘Hindu Terror’ term: Deeptiman Tiwary
All Accused Acquitted: Who is Responsible for
Samjhauta Express Blast Then?Abu Asim
What AMU Can Learn From Its Women
Students:Apoorvanand
Despite being exposed, fake news thrives on
social media ahead of India polls:Reuters
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Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:47 PM)
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