Evening NEWS DIGEST
20 Oct. 2016: 18 Muharram 1438: Vol: 8, No:16
INDIA
Gujarat riot: HC acquits 14 convicts facing life sentenced in Sardarpura massacre of 33 Muslims burnt alive
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/gujarat-high-court-acquits-14-convicts-facing-life-imprisonment-in-sardarpura-massacre-3093082/
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Gzpo2EFwk1nBCOG63RLpZI/2002-Gujarat-riot-case-14-acquitted-17-others-sentenced-to.html
Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court today acquitted 14 persons out of a total of 31 who were convicted by special court in 2011 in Sardarpura massacre of 2002 post Godhra riots. The court upheld appeals by 14 Hindus convicted over the massacre of 33 Muslims burnt alive during some of the worst religious unrest the country has seen since independence.The victims had crowded into a small house seeking shelter during a wave of anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002.The rioters set the house alight, killing 28 people on the spot. Another 5 later died of their injuries. While upholding the conviction of 17 remaining convicts, the court dismissed the appeal petitions of state govt , Supreme Court appointed-SIT and victims who had challenged the acquittal of 31 accused by the special court. There were 62 accused in the case. Out of them, 31 were convicted for life imprisonment and the remaining were pleaded not guilty.The division bench of justice Harsha Devani and justice Biren Vaishnav pronounced the order acquitting 14 persons from the 31 convicts. Senior lawyer Yogesh Lakhani who represented the convicts said that out of 14, the three have been given “clean acquittal while 11 were acquitted on benefit of doubt.” He said that detailed order will available post Diwali vacation.It was the first post Godhra riots case in Gujarat out of nine cases which were probed by SIT on which the verdict was pronounced.Gujarat govt was accused of tacitly supporting the attacks, and survivors of the Sardarpura massacre said it could have been avoided if the police had arrived on time.“We were shouting, pleading and begging. But no one came to our help, not even the police,” Bifu Mia told AFP.Indian Express/ AFP
Gujarat riot case: 14 acquitted, 17 others sentenced to life
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Gzpo2EFwk1nBCOG63RLpZI/2002-Gujarat-riot-case-14-acquitted-17-others-sentenced-to.html
Sardarpura massacre: 14 of 31 convicts acquitted, 17 sentenced to life by Gujarat High Court
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-sardarpura-massacre-14-of-31-convicts-acquitted-17-sentenced-to-life-by-gujarat-high-court-2265870
3.2 million debit cards compromised; SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI, YES Bank and Axis worst hit
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/3-2-million-debit-cards-compromised-sbi-hdfc-bank-icici-yes-bank-and-axis-worst-hit/articleshow/54945561.cms
MUMBAI: Banks in India will either replace or ask users to change the security codes of as many as 3.2 million debit cards in what's emerging as one of the biggest ever breaches of financial data in India, people aware of the matter said. Several victims have reported unauthorised usage from locations in China. Of the cards, 2.6 million are said to be on the Visa and Master-Card platform and 600,000 on the RuPay platform. Worst-hit of the card-issuing banks are State Bank of India, HDFC BankBSE -0.44 %, ICICI BankBSE 4.06 %, YES Bank and Axis Bank, the people said. The breach is said to have originated in malware introduced in systems of Hitachi Payment Services, enabling fraudsters to steal information allowing them to steal funds. Hitachi, which provides ATM, point of sale (PoS) and other services, couldn't be reached for comment late Wednesday. A forensic audit has now been ordered by Payments Council of India on Indian bank servers and systems to detect the origin of frauds that might have hit customer accounts. NPCI Managing Director AP Hota said: "We have received complaints from banks about debit cards being used in China which aroused suspicion." "Though most of the suspected fraudulent transactions happened in the Visa and MasterCard network, we thought a whole a forensic audit of entire network will help us find out where the compromise happened," he said. TOI had reported on Wednesday that SBI would reissue 600,000 debit cards following a malware-related security breach. SBI has asked customers to change their PIN numbers as well. "Based on the complaints we have received, we are suspecting a compromise on the non-SBI ATM network which could include various white-label ATM service providers," SBI Chief Information Officer Mrutyunjay Mahapatra told ET. HDFC Bank said it had already taken action in the matter a few weeks back. "Besides advising those customers who we know have used a non-HDFC Bank ATM in the recent past to change (their) ATM PIN, we are advising our customers to use only HDFC Bank ATMs as we believe security controls at some of the other bank ATMs may not be at par with HDFC Bank ATMs," a spokesperson said. "We take this opportunity to reiterate that it's always prudent to change ATM PINs from time to time. It prevents misuse." Economic Times /TOI
32 lakh debit cards compromised: Finance ministry seeks information from banks on security breach
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/32-lakh-debit-cards-compromised-Finance-ministry-seeks-information-from-banks-on-security-breach/articleshow/54960719.cms
30 lakh debit cards under threat? What we know about the security breach so far
http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/30-lakh-debit-cards-under-threat-what-we-know-about-the-security-breach-so-far-116102000242_1.html
SBI Blocks 600,000 Debit Cards After Security Breach
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/sbi-blocks-600-000-debit-cards-after-security-breach-1476650
Malegaon blast: High court asks NIA to file additional affidavit against Lt Col Purohit’s bail plea
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/malegaon-blast-high-court-asks-nia-to-file-additional-affidavit-against-lt-col-purohit-s-bail-plea/story-ltaztu9qIpkr3IwvKOinOM.html
Mumbai: Bombay high court has directed the NIA to file an additional affidavit countering the bail plea filed by 2008 Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit.A bench of justice Naresh Patil and justice PD Naik have tagged Purohit’s plea with the one filed by his co-accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur seeking similar relief.In July, the bench had dismissed Purohit’s appeal and asked him to file a fresh bail plea before the special NIA court in light of the supplementary charge sheet filed by NIA in June, which dropped the stringent MCOCA charge against all accused in the case.HC is likely to take up the appeals for further hearing on Nov.16.HT
Suspension of IAS officer, who renewed Zakir Naik’s NGO’s registration, revoked
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/suspension-of-ias-officer-who-renewed-zakir-naiks-ngos-registration-revoked-3092258/
New Delhi:Govt has revoked suspension of IAS officer G K Dwivedi, who was suspended on Sept.2 when it emerged that FCRA registration of Zakir Naik’s NGO IRF had been renewed despite an ongoing probe against him. Dwivedi has been kept on “compulsory wait”.Sources said he has been placed on compulsory wait with DoPT, indicating that he could be shifted to another ministry or repatriated to his parent cadre. His central deputation ends in Sept. next year. indian express
PERSONAL LAW & UNIFORM CIVIL CODE
Discriminatory practices can’t be held integral to freedom of religion, says Law Minister defending Centre's on talaq
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/triple-talaq-discriminatory-practises-cannot-be-held-integral-to-freedom-of-religion-says-ravi-shankar-prasad-3093284/
New Delhi: While India respects freedom of religion and faith, “unreasonable or discriminatory” practises cannot be held integral to it and protected, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today defending the Centre’s stand on triple talaq amid a raging debate on the contentious issue.He cited the practice of “untouchability” to assert that religious practices need to be in accord with constitutional values and emphasised that “gender justice, gender equality and gender dignity” were at the core of the Modi govt ’s priority.“…we respect freedom of religion and freedom of faith which are protected by fundamental rights. But every unreasonable or discriminatory practice cannot be held integral to faith….“For instance, can anyone claim that untouchability against Dalits flows from my faith and I can practice it.Therefore, religious practices also need to be in accord with the constitutional values,” he said. “This whole apprehension that we are bringing uniform civil code or it is an agenda is completely baseless. 2need not be linked at all. Law Commission is examining it and let there be a widest consultation possible by all the stakeholders,” he said.PTI
Govt has no hidden agenda in opposing triple talaq, bringin in UCC: Law Minister
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-govt-has-no-hidden-agenda-in-opposing-triple-talaq-bringin-in-ucc-law-minister-2265921
Triple talaq highly misused custom: NCW chief
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/triple-talaq-highly-misused-custom-ncw-chief/1/791681.html
New Delhi: National Commission of Women (NCW) Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said triple talaq is a "highly misused" custom and there was a need for scraping it to protect the rights of Muslim women."Triple talaq is not a political issue. It is an effort to protect the rights of Muslim women. It cannot be linked to Uniform Civil Code.It has nothing to do with it," she said. NCW chief said she had received several representations from Muslim women who said they felt "disempowered" because of the practice of triple talaq.PTI
Uniform civil code: Law panel wants CMs to encourage people from all groups to respond
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/uniform-civil-code-law-panel-wants-cms-to-encourage-people-from-all-groups-to-respond-3093556/
New Delhi: Seeking to widen the reach of its consultation paper on Uniform Civil Code, Law Commission has urged CMs to use their influence to encourage minority groups, political parties and even govt depts to respond to its questionnaire.PTI
Polygamy more common among Hindus than Muslims: S Jaipal Reddy
http://www.siasat.com/news/polygamy-common-among-hindus-muslims-s-jaipal-reddy-1045714/
Hyderabad: Strongly opposing the Uniform Civil Code, Senior Congress leader and ex-Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy claimed that practice of polygamy is more common in Hindu religion than among Muslims. He added that Hindu women face more oppression than Muslim women. He said BJP is endangering peace of the country for its political gains. It is attempting to create distance between Hindus and Muslims thus damaging secular structure of the country.He said constitution of India guarantees freedom of religion and every citizen has right to follow his own religion and propagate it.siasat
UP: Traders' Association supports AIMPLB signature campaign on Triple Talaq
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Traders-Association-supports-AIMPLB-signature-campaign-on-Triple-Talaq/articleshow/54943975.cms
Lucknow: Maulviganj Traders Association of Lucknow came out in support of AIMPLB signature campaign on Wednesday, denouncing the centre's demand to ban Triple Talaq in one sitting and bringing in a uniform civil code.A camp for the same was also organised in the busy market area of Maulviganj where both Muslim men and women joined in for signing the AIMPLB performa, taking forward the campaign along with Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, the Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah and a member of AIMPLB. The campaign will continue till Oct.30, according to members of AIMPLB in the city. TOI
Better to give Muslim women right to divorce than abolish triple talaq: Shia cleric Kalbe Sadiq
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Better-to-give-Muslim-women-right-to-divorce-than-abolish-triple-talaq/articleshow/54954037.cms
Lucknow: A day after Sunni cleric and executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board announced launch of a campaign by the Muslim body on 'rights of women in Islamic law', vice-president, and most revered Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said that the better idea was to give women the right to divorce. He said, "In my opinion, the better idea is to give women the right to divorce her husband. Also, men should be made aware of the problems that he could face in case of a divorce."Stating that Islam has always shown the path of equality for women, he said, "As of now, women have the right to take divorce... not give it.... giving them right to give divorce would take its principle of equality further."Talking about the role of govt in triple talaq, he said, "Islam is a complete religion in itself. Govt interference in the shariat law is not welcome. Also, matters related to shariat are better understood by religious leaders and not politicians." Maulana Sadiq also said that triple talaq was a matter related to the sunni community while shias have always opposed it. TOI
Muslim women will not tolerate interference in Sharia: AIMPLB Women members
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/muslim-women-will-not-tolerate-interference-in-sharia-aimplb-members-116102000020_1.html
Hyderabad:Women members of AIMPLB on Wednesday said that Muslim women are safe and secure in Islamic sharia and will not tolerate any interference in it.Stating that no force on earth can change Muslim Personal Law, they said any attempt to impose Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will create conflict in the society. Asma Zehra, one of the members of the apex body of Indian Muslims, said Sharia is oxygen for Muslim men and women and under no circumstances they will agree to any changes in it. She along with 4 other women members of AIMPLB were addressing a massive all-party public meeting here on Wednesday night for protection of Sharia.Hundreds of women attended the public meeting organised by AIMPLB at HQRS of AIMIM. Another woman member of AIMPLB, Sabiha Siddiqi said the govt was wasting its time and machinery in creating conflict in the society.She said Muslim women would be in the forefront in the efforts to protect Sharia.IANS
Sharia a matter of life and death for Muslims: AIMPLB Secretary Khalid Saifullah Rehmani
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sharia-a-matter-of-life-and-death-for-muslims-aimplb-secretary-116102000033_1.html
Hyderabad:AIMPLB Secretary Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani has said that Muslim Personal Law is a matter of life and death for Muslims. He said Muslims will shed their last drop of blood, offer their heads and make any sacrifice but will never bow to any law which stops them from obeying the orders of 'Allah' and Prophet Mohammed.He made it clear that the board will neither get provoked nor be coward in dealing with the issue.He advised Muslims to be cautious about a misleading pro forma being circulated on the social media. He said this mischievous pro forma had an additional fourth point that there is need for reforms in Muslim Personal Law.Hamid Mohammed Khan, chief of Jamat-e-Islami Hind's Telangana & Odisha said NDA govt was trying to impose UCC to cover its failures on all fronts. He said the BJP-led govt was working for communal polarisation with an eye on ensuing elections in UP. Condemning the attempt to bring changes to Muslim Personal Law, he pointed out that the country already has a uniform criminal law and 99% of even civil laws are uniform. IANS
Triple talaq violates Quran & Sunna, apart from Constitution: Arif Mohammad Khan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Triple-talaq-violates-Quran-Sunna-apart-from-Constitution-Arif-Mohammad-Khan/articleshow/54949845.cms
AP:Muslim Joint Action Committee opposes Uniform Code
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/muslim-body-opposes-uniform-civil-code/article9243133.ece
Uniform Civil Code, conspiracy against Constitution: kancha Ilaiah
http://www.siasat.com/news/uniform-civil-code-conspiracy-constitution-kancha-ilaiah-1045075/
Uniform Code is not answer to Muslim woman’s grievances:Co-founder, Muslim Mahila Andolan Noorjehan
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ClREH1gJzgurNH6G75sfPI/Muslim-women-need-Sharia-codification-not-uniform-civil-cod.html
KASHMIR & SUOTH ASIA
J&K Govt sacks officials for alleged anti-national activities
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-govt -sacks-12-officials-for-alleged-anti-national-activities-1476584
Srinagar: Mehbooba Mufti govt in J&K has sacked 12 officials for their alleged role in fuelling unrest in the state. More than 100 others are being watched closely, and there could be more sackings, sources said.The dismissal from service of the 12 govt employees for "anti-national activities" was ordered on Wednesday evening. Those sacked are mid-level officers from different govt departments, including patwaris or land revenue record officials and teachers.Officials said the govt acted on a report prepared by state police's CID. Several of those sacked have been charged under PSA, which allows people to be jailed without trial for 6 months.The action against the govt officials comes amid a massive crackdown by the state police in which more than 9,000 people have been arrested for disrupting peace and more than 450 have been detained under the PSA, which allows people to be jailed without trial for 6 months.This is second time in 26 years of militancy in Kashmir that govt officials have been sacked over allegations of anti-national activities in the state. NDTV
Pak warns of action if India breaches Indus Water Treaty
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pakistan-warns-of-action-if-India-breaches-Indus-Water-Treaty/articleshow/54959068.cms
Islamabad: Pakistan has warned of "appropriate action" if India violates the Indus Water Treaty and said it is closely monitoring the situation, amid reports that New Delhi may revisit the key water sharing accord."Appropriate action will be taken in line with the Treaty in case of any violation by India," Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Nafees Zakaria said.PTI
Rajnath to visit Bahrain, to raise 'Pak-sponsored terrorism in J&K'
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-singh-to-visit-bahrain-to-raise-pak-sponsored-terrorism-in-jk-3093557/
New Delhi:Home Minister Rajnath Singh will flag the issue of Pakistan-sponsored cross border terrorism in India with top leadership of Bahrain and discuss with them on how to enhance anti-terror cooperation during his two-day visit to the Gulf kingdom beginning Sunday. Singh will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,PM Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues, official sources said.PTI
‘Algeria PM on India’s side in J&K issue’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/hamid-ansari-visit-to-algeria-hungary/article9245288.ece
Hungary and Algeria have both unequivocally added their voices to the international outcry against terrorism in the current Indian context, Vice-President Hamid Ansari said on Thursday at the conclusion of five-day-long visit to the two countries. In terms of outcomes of delegation-level talks and takeaways, it was ''an extremely satisfactory set of visits,'' he added. Separately, a senior source who is familiar with the content of the talks held in Algiers on Wednesday said on condition of anonymity that the Algerian PM , Abdelmalek Sellal, actually told the Indian side that his country totally supported India's position on the J&K issue.the hindu
As Modi dumps Palestine at UN, his praise for Israeli army does Indian military no credit: Siddharth Varadarajan
http://thewire.in/74039/india-abandons-palestine-un-vote-switch-modi-taints-indian-army-comparing-surgical-strike-illegal-israeli-acts/
J&K: At least 25 killed, over 40 injured in 2 separate road accidents in Reasi and Rajouri: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jk-at-least-25-killed-over-40-injured-in-two-separate-road-accidents-in-reasi-and-rajouri-3093453/
Jammu: At least 25 people were killed and over 40 injured in two separate road accidents near Reasi and Rajouri today.
OTHERS
Following Rajnath's Orders, Delhi Police Forms SIT to Trace Missing JNU Student
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/following-rajnath-singhs-orders-delhi-police-forms-sit-to-trace-missing-jnu-student/959288
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today ordered Delhi Police to set up a special team to trace a missing JNU student even as its VC and some other top officials were allowed to leave their offices after being under siege by agitating students for over 20 hours. Agitating students, who have been accusing JNU admin. of not doing enough to trace missing student Najeeb Ahmed, said they have not softened their stand and allowed VC M Jagadesh Kumar and others to leave their offices only to attend a scheduled meeting of the Academic Council. PTI
JNU siege ends, but protest to continue over missing student; VC calls students 'relentless, adamant'
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jnu-protest-vice-chancellor-officials-najeeb-ahmed-abvp-jnusu/1/791140.html
New Delhi:JNU campus continued to be tense on Thursday after the protests in JNU over a missing student turned volatile on Wednesday. The agitating students locked down V-C and other senior officials in the administrative building.They were locked since Wednesday and the siege continued till Thursday morning, when JNU officials were allowed to go out.Shortly after he was allowed to go out of the admin building, JNU V-C Jagadesh Kumar said,"We had been confined inside building illegally. Students are adamant not to leave place. We have already constituted a committee to probe incident. Allegation that we have not done anything about incident is a complete lie.""We slept on the floor. This is a complete lie that we had been provided food. Our several colleagues are sick and they spent whole night without facility," Kumar said adding, "Students have become relentless and adamant and think that we are not doing our best."VC and other senior officials were locked since yesterday as the students were lying down outside the administration block saying the officials were free to walk over them.A student Najeeb, went missing on Saturday following a brawl on the campus the night before.JNU students union defended its stand claiming there has been no "illegal detention"."We have not illegally confined anybody in JNU administrative building. Electricity and all kind of supplies are here. We have also sent food for people inside," Mohit Pandey, President, JNUSU said. Meanwhile, Delhi police announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone giving clue about Najeeb. "Blockade is due to the insensitive way of handling the matter of Najeeb Ahmed -- the violence against him by ABVP which led to him missing from the campus for over 5 days now and the JNU administration trying to shield the culprits while refusing to lodge an FIR," JNUSU head said. india today
‘My son is missing,those who attacked him roaming freely’
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/my-son-is-missingthose-who-attacked-him-are-roaming-freely/article9236821.ece
Najeeb Ahmed Kidnapped from JNU Campus: Admin and Police keep mum:Hisham ul wahab P,Researcher at JNU
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/najeeb-ahmed-kidnapped-from-jnu-campus-admin-and-police-keep-mum/
The mysterious disappearance of a JNU student after brawl with ABVP activists takes a communal turn
http://scroll.in/article/819428/the-mysterious-disappearance-of-a-jnu-student-after-brawl-with-abvp-activists-takes-a-communal-turn
JNU students confine VC, officials to admin block
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/missing-student-jnu-students-confine-vc-to-admin-block/article9243775.ece
BJP will divide minorities, unite Hindus: S. Swamy
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/subramanian-swamy-bjp-will-divide-minorities-unite-hindus/424131/
New Delhi;BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has stoked a fresh controversy by saying his party will unite the Hindus and will divide the minorities as much as possible. Rajya Sabha MP also said that it is important to focus on three issues- that is corruption, development and Ram Temple- to win the polls in politically crucial UP. With BJP eying to achieve majority on its own in the 2017 UP Assembly polls, his comments may give the opposition parties fresh ammunition to target ruling party at the Centre. “Development is necessary to win election in the nation but it is not everything. To win the elections, it is important to focus on our priority. Conspiracy played against us in the past was to divide the Hindus and unite the minorities. But this time we will do just the opposite, we will unite the Hindus and will divide the minorities as much as possible,” Swamy told ANI.BJP leader also said it is impossible that the Ram Temple issue does not attract eyeballs at a time when election is scheduled to take place in UP. Financial Express
‘BJP will unite Hindus, divide minorities in UP’: Subramanian Swamy stirs new controversy
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-bjp-will-unite-hindus-divide-minorities-in-up-subramanian-swamy-stirs-new-controversy-352974
Impact of neta-cleric nexus on polls worth studying: SC
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/impact-of-neta-cleric-nexus-on-polls-worth-studying-supreme-court/articleshow/54952956.cms
New Delhi: Signalling trouble for political parties that rush to religious leaders ahead of polls to seek support of their followers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would be worth examining the candidate-religious heads nexus and its 'corrupting' influence on votes. At present, this important aspect of election does not come within the ambit of Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, which provides for disqualification of a candidate if he, his agent or someone with his consent uses religion, caste, community or language to garner electoral benefits. A constitution bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices Madan B Lokur, SA Bobde, Adarsh K Goel, UU Lalit, DY Chandrachud and LN Rao indicated that many candidates try to step around the disqualification norm by not sharing a stage with religious leaders, who in turn give an impression that they were independently asking their supporters to vote for a particular candidate or party. “If a religious leader, saint or cleric records a statement canvassing vote in the name of religion for a particular candidate or political party and that is played at election rallies of the candidate or political party, will it fall foul of Section 123(3) of RP Act,“ the bench asked. TOI/ET
Compulsory voting not practical for India: CEC Zaidi
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/compulsory-voting-not-practical-for-india-cec-nasim-zaidi-3092234/
New Delhi: Compulsory voting is not practical for a country like India, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi said in the capital Wednesday, months after the govt had rejected the demand in Parliament. However, Zaidi, who was addressing an international conference on voter education that was attended by representatives of 27 countries, said Election Commission is still open to hearing the experiences and views of other countries on compulsory voting.“Issue of compulsory voting as prevalent in some countries has been a matter of discussion earlier. We found the idea not so practical. But we will like to hear others,” he said. Indian express
Imam Bukhari meets SP leaders a bid to end ongoing feud
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/shahi-imam-of-jama-masjid-meets-sp-leaders-116101901119_1.html
Lucknow: Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi Ahmad Bukhari today met UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and senior party leader Shivpal Yadav in a bid to put an end to the ongoing family feud. After meeting Akhilesh, Bukhari met Mulayam and Shivpal, the head of the SP's UP unit, and expressed his views regarding the "impact" of the ongoing "tussle" between SP leaders among the workers, party sources said.Later, Akhilesh, Mulayam and Shivpal sat together with the Shahi Imam. Sources close to the Shahi Imam claimed that Akhilesh was likely to be declared SP's CM ial face for the 2017 UP Assembly polls as the leaders had "agreed" to it. PTI
Rita Bahuguna joins BJP, slams Rahul for barb at Modi
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/54956346.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
New Delhi: In a jolt to Congress in poll- bound UP, senior party leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi today joined BJP and attacked Rahul Gandhi over the way he was running the party and his reaction to the army's surgical strikes. 67-year-old Joshi, daughter of late Congress veteran Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, over whom there has been speculation of deserting Congress, joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah at the party headquaters here. Ex-UPCC president who resigned as a Congress MLA today, said there is no alternative to PM Narendra Modi and BJP. PTI
BSP recites Quran to rally Muslims behind Siddiqui
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/54945483.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Bahjoi (Sambhal): After Mayawati's direct appeal to Muslims, BSP cadres are now using verses from Quran and Hadees and invoking Muslim past as rulers to keep them away from SP and Congress. "Your Hadees says that a group of travellers need a Qaid (leader) to reach their destination...Dalits have followed this teaching and followed one leader. The community that was slave for 5,000 years became king following your Hadees," Atar Singh Rao, a legislator and BSP's zonal coordinator for western UP, tells the Muslim gathering waiting to hear general secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui in Bahjoi on Wednesday. He also reminds Muslims that Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal stand testimony of their your royal lineage. Rao, subsequently, refers to Naseemuddin as a potential "Qaid", reminding the crowd how he virtually shared equal power with Mayawati as "a minister with 18 portfolios". Siddiqui's son, Afzal, who is handling the BSP Muslim outreach ensures that meeting starts with recitation of verses from Quran.economictimes
Rumours may be new terror tool in poll-bound UP:Intel.
http://www.asianage.com/india/rumours-may-be-new-terror-tool-poll-bound-131
B A Jamal appointed Central Waqf Council secretary
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/b-a-jamal-appointed-central-waqf-council-secretary-116102000018_1.html
New Delhi: Centre has appointed Kerala Waqf Board CEO B M Jamal as Central Waqf Council secretary. A committee, comprising Union Minority Affairs department Secretary Rakesh Garg, Joint Secretaries Dev Varman and Jan E Alam, suggested Jamal's name from a list of 5 others, said Ali Ahmad Khan, the incumbent secretary of the Central Waqf Council.K T Jaleel, Kerala minister for Welfare of Minorities, Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage, expressed happiness over the appointment of a Keralite to the post, which is a first in the history of the Council since its establishment in 1964. PTI
Ujjain: Hindu outfits protest against masjid construction
http://www.freepressjournal.in/ujjain/ujjain-hindu-organisations-stage-dharna-over-illegal-construction-at-masjid/958284
Ujjain: Samagra Hindu Samaj along with many Hindu organisations staged a ‘dharna’ on Wednesday under the leadership of VHP leader and head of Samagra Hindu Samaj Kuldeepak Joshi, against the construction work at Topwali masjid adjoining the main road to Mahakal temple. Due to the festive season and sensitivity of the matter, the police had put a stop to the construction. Hindu outfits raised the point that the open land belonged to the govt and no illegal construction could be done on it to which Manjoor Aahmed sadar of the mosque countered that the land belonged to the mosque and no dispute should be raised in this regard. free press journal
MP cops accuse govt of shielding unruly RSS members
http://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/mp-cops-accuse-govt -of-shielding-unruly-rss-members/story-lh85U5nCNq4hrUJYHFKlqI.html
Balaghat: Millions across India may be cheering the onset of the festive season but there is gloom in the police barracks in Madhya Pradesh. Dejected cops say the morale of the force is low as the govt has sided with the RSS and punished police officers who take any action against the Hindu group members. An example of this alleged favouritism played out around two weeks ago, when a senior RSS leader Suresh Yadav accused police of thrashing him in custody. A medical report ruled out life-threatening injuries but state govt charged 10 policemen with attempt-to-murder, triggering widespread anger among the forces. The case has now turned into a full-blown political war following the transfer of two senior officers for “wrongly handling the case”. Congress says BJP administration is acting on behalf of its ideological parent, RSS, and demoralising police — a charge many in the force agree with. “This is a real sad series of events. But, we cannot do anything as the decisions are being taken at the highest political levels,” police official said, requesting anonymity. Another police officer said force had become victims of govt’s bid to appease the RSS.HT
3 cops shunted after report by state BJP head: HT
http://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-lucknow/20161020/281818578363043
RSS affiliates share an uneasy relationship with Modi govt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/RSS-affiliates-share-an-uneasy-relationship-with-Modi-govt /articleshow/54949980.cms
Communal clashes:MP Police buckle under saffron pressure, shift 2 officers
http://www.hindustantimes.com/indore/communal-clashes-police-buckle-under-saffron-pressure-shift-two-officers/story-5mhzDaavQeluqpxAPAA80I.html
Jhabua/Dhar: Under pressure from RSS and BJP workers at Petlawad in Jhabua and Gandhwani in Dhar, MP police shifted Petlawad and Manawar sub-divisional officers (police) and attached them to IG’s office in Indore on Tuesday.Action is reminiscent of the Balaghat episode in which the govt transferred an IGP and the SP and suspended an additional SP, a town inspector and eight other policemen for allegedly thrashing RSS worker Suresh Yadav.At Petlawad in Jhabua district, SDOP Rakesh Vyas and police station in-charge Karni Singh Saktawat were attached to the IG’s office in Indore.HT
Condolence ceremony of Dadri lynching accused peaceful, Muslims including Akhlaq's kin also attend
http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/condolence-ceremony-at-bisada-peaceful-muslims-also-attend/story-pSZG7H5bzsL76IH7lVegPL.html
Bisada: The condolence ceremony of Ravin Sisodiya, an accused in the Dadri lynching case, who had died in judicial custody on Oc.4, was held peacefully on Wednesday. Family members said they requested those who wanted to politicise the ceremony to stay away. In a show of communal unity in the village where communal tension has been on the rise, Muslim friends of Ravin’s family also attended condolence ceremony. Taaj Mohammad, who was sitting with Ravin’s uncle and relatives at the ceremony, said that villagers were united.“I live in a nearby village and run a brick supply business. Almost the entire village knows me as I am one of the few suppliers in this area. I have no fear walking in any lane of the village. There is no communal tension in the area,” Taaj said.“In the last one year, the perception of this village has changed. Reports of communal tensions are untrue. Hindus and Muslims are friends here. They cannot and they will never turn against each other,” he said. Besides Mohammad, Arif Jamaal, a painter-contractor from a neighbouring village had also joined the ceremony. However, his family said they don’t want ‘outsiders’ to gain politically from his death. HT
Bijnore:Sinister efforts to create fresh communal tension
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/sinister-efforts-to-create-fresh-communal-tension-in-bijnore/article9242277.ece
A month after clashes, insecurity lingers in Bijnore village
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bijnore-clashes-insecurity-lingers-a-month-after-3092195/
BJP govt betrayed madrasa para-teachers:Sachin Pilot
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/bjp-govt -has-betrayed-madrasa-parateachers-says-sachin-pilot/article9242925.ece
Jaipur:Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot has accused the BJP govt of betraying the madrasa para-teachers by failing to regularise their job despite the promise made in the ruling party's manifesto for the Assembly polls.A delegation of madrasa para-teachers, led by Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Danish Abrar, met Pilot seeking his intervention in the matter.Pilot said the refusal to absorb them in the regular govt employment amounted to betrayal by the ruling BJP. “Except the madrasa para-teachers, State govt has initiated the process for regularising all other employees,” he said. thehindu
WORLD
Mosul battle could cause a 'human catastrophe': aljazeera
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/mosul-battle-produce-humanitarian-catastrophe-161020081949949.html
Families inside Iraq's Mosul say they are living in fear and desperation as the military operation to retake the city from the ISIL pushes on. Speaking to Al Jazeera on the phone from inside Mosul, Abu Yazan, 36, who didn't want his real name used fearing reprisals from the group also known as ISIS, said fleeing the city was "not possible" at this stage."There is no way out for us as families. Even if we think about fleeing the city, that is not possible at the time being. We are being held hostages; ISIL took the whole city of Mosul as hostage," said the father of three children.Yazan is one of 1.5 million civilians trapped inside the city. As Iraqi, Kurdish and coalition forces push into the city, international aid agencies have warned of the potential consequences on civilian lives.Although much of the threat comes from ISIL fighters, human rights organisations have found civilians are also vulnerable to mistreatment by the Iraqi army and the state-sponsored Popular Mobilisation Units.
Mosul: Videos emerge of Iraqi abuses of children
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161020-videos-emerge-of-iraqi-abuses-of-children/
Harrowing videos have emerged on social media sites that indicate that Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and allied militias have perpetrated human rights abuses against civilians fleeing Daesh rule as the Iraqi govt continues its advance on Mosul.In one such video, a child who had just escaped from Mosul is beaten by ISF soldiers. Child, who names himself as Ihab Muhammad, is asked if he or members of his family are members of Daesh. Middleeastmonitor
East Aleppo ceasefire has begun, Syria promises‘safe exit’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161020-east-aleppo-ceasefire-has-begun-syria-promises-safe-exit-2/
Syrian military today said a unilateral ceasefire backed by Russia had come into force to allow people to leave besieged eastern Aleppo, a move opposition groups have said was part of a psychological campaign to get them to surrender.State media earlier said the army had opened exit corridors in two designated areas in the Bustan Al-Qasr quarter and near the Castello road in northern Aleppo city, where green buses were shown on state TV to be waiting for them. middleeastmonitor
IS keeps its sights on the ‘longer fight’: NYT
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/is-keeps-its-sights-on-the-longer-fight/article9241558.ece
Beirut: Islamic State leaders had long promised their followers an apocalyptic battle — foretold, some believe, by the Prophet Muhammad — in an otherwise nondescript village they controlled in northern Syria.But the warriors of the self-declared caliphate lost the village, Dabiq, in just a few hours over the weekend as Syrian rebels, backed by Turkey, closed in. To soften the symbolic blow, the Islamic State switched rhetorical gears, declaring that the real Dabiq battle would come some other time.The about-face was part of a larger repositioning as the IS loses ground, not only in Syria but also in Iraq. On the defensive in both countries, the group has been making preparations for retrenchment and survival. Hundreds of IS fighters and their families have fled to the group’s de facto capital, the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, in recent days, according to several residents of that city. NYT
Tunnelling under an ISIL commander's house
http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/middleeast/2016/10/tunnelling-isil-commander-house-161019224539953.html
Turkey kills about200 Syrian Kurdish militants in airstrikes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/turkey-kills-160-to-200-syrian-kurdish-militants-in-airstrikes/story-3zU93j37Z7a13pBqnnLxXL.html
UN official: Israel has tightened Gaza blockade, pursued demolition wave in West Bank
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161020-un-official-israel-has-tightened-gaza-blockade-pursued-demolition-wave-in-west-bank/
Almost every Palestinian in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is affected by the “protection crisis” under Israeli occupation, a senior UN humanitarian official has told the Security Council. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, stated Humanitarian Situation in occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).Overall, according to him, “nearly half of all Palestinians in oPt – some 2.3 million out of a total population of 4.8 million – are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.” middleeastmonitor
Bangladesh: New Jamaat chief looks for new start, hails Mujibur Rahman
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/neighbours/191016/bangladesh-new-jamaat-chief-looks-for-new-start-hails-mujib.html
Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami elected its new chief who hailed PM Sheikh Hasina's father Mujibur Rahman as the "architect" of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan, in a bid to mend ties with the govt after top Jamaat leaders were executed on 1971 war crime charges. In his first statement after his election as Ex-school teacher Maqbul Ahmed, who is untainted by war crime allegations, paid tribute to Hasina's father, who led the war of independence against Pakistan.He also paid tributes to "other undisputed leaders of the Liberation War of Bangladesh" including slain president Zia-ur Rahman, who is the founder of Jamaat's ally BNP. The new Jamaat chief also paid tributes to his predecessor Nizami and grand predecessor Gholam Azam, "their contributions to country's development and democracy". "Govt hanged 5 senior (Jamaat) leaders to death on false charges," Ahmed said.PTI
UN: Food aid for 80,000 Rohingya blocked by Myanmar
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/food-aid-80000-rohingya-blocked-myanmar-161019135600701.html
Food aid deliveries planned for more than 80,000 people in Myanmar's Rakhine state have been blocked because of a military clampdown in the area, according to UN's World Food Programme (WFP).A predominantly Rohingya area in the north of the state has been closed off after attacks on police posts allegedly by Rohingya fighters over a week ago prompted a surge in govt troops, WFP said on Wednesday. Aljazeera
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:46 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment