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Evening NEWS DIGEST
22 Aug. 2016: 18 Dzulqa'dah 37: Vol:7, No:143
INDIA
India reaches out to Syria to intensify security consultations as MJ Akbar meets Bashar al-Assad:DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-islamic-state-threat-india-syria-work-out-new-mechanisms-2247592
New Delhi: The terrorist attack in Dhaka last month that killed 29 people, including an Indian, the news of 20-odd missing Indians and a series of Islamic State (IS)-related arrests are making India reach out to Syria.New Delhi had so far kept a safe distance from the Syrian conflict. Both countries have now agreed to upgrade security consultations that include sharing of intelligence and screening programme for Indians travelling to Syria and its neighbourhood. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who met minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar on Saturday, is believed to have urged India to play the role of a growing power to stabilise West Asia, rather than remaining on the fence."There was an agreement between for further upgrading security consultations," sources said. They did not mention what level it might reach now. During the meeting, Assad also welcomed India's objective position on the conflict in Syria and both leaders acknowledged that terrorism was a global problem, sources said."As a growing power, India has a role to play in meeting the challenge of terrorism," sources quoted Assad as saying. On his part, Akbar said that the age of destruction should give way to the age of reconstruction in Syria. Assad also invited India to play an active role in the reconstruction of the Syrian economy.Both leaders agreed that, as secular nations, India and Syria believe in faith equality. Akbar is currently on a nearly week-long visit to West Asia from Aug.17. India and Syria also revisited a host of long-pending developmental projects, including the $320-million Tishreen power project, overseen by BHEL.The impending completion of the Hama steel plant, which is funded by an open credit line for pre-approved loans, was also discussed. India it intends to complete these projects, provided Damascus gives assurance of safety."We want India and BRICS to play an important role in the political process, convening Geneva II and finding a solution to crisis,"stated Assad's advisor Bouthaina Shabaan.
India has a role to play in combating terror: Bashar-al-Assad tells MJ Akbar
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-has-a-role-to-play-in-combating-terror-Bashar-al-Assad/articleshow/53799017.cms
In Mission Kashmir, MJ Akbar meets Assad: thehindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mj-akbar-meets-syrian-president-bashar-al-assad/article9014964.ece
New Delhi: Bracing for more statements on Kashmir from members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), India has launched a counter-diplomacy initiative of its own, reaching out to several West Asian nations to discuss common concerns about terrorism. In the first visit by an Indian Minister to war-torn Syria since the conflict began in 2011, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar met Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, and called for “an age of reconstruction” to follow the “age of destruction” that the country has seen.Syrian News Agency SANA said Akbar “highlighted the importance of cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and consolidating the Syrians’ achievements in this regard.”Akbar is on a week-long visit to Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, part of the new push in West Asian diplomacy of the Modi govt. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in Delhi last week to ask for cooperation on prosecuting ‘Gulenist’ supporters of the coup attempt in Turkey; preparations are on for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to visit India next month, sources have confirmed to The Hindu.The outgoing and incoming visits are significant as they come in the wake of a tough position on the situation in Kashmir from the 57-member OIC, which spoke of “human rights violations” and “excessive violence” in Kashmir.According to a statement on OIC website on the visit made by OIC secretary-general Iyad Ameen Madani to Islamabad on Aug.20, “Secretary-General was briefed on the latest alarming situation in the Indian Held Kashmir [J&K] including the grave human rights violation of the Kashmiri people and excessive violence used against them. Both sides also reviewed the additional actions that OIC needs to adopt in order to further help the Kashmiri people.”The hindu
M J Akbar holds talks with Iraqi leadership, seeks rescue of 39 Indians
http://www.india.com/news/india/m-j-akbar-holds-talks-with-iraqi-leadership-seeks-rescue-of-39-indians-1426348/
New Delhi: India today requested Iraq for assistance in rescuing 39 Indians taken hostage in war-ravaged Mosul two years back as Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar held extensive talks with President Fuad Masum and other top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on a range of issues including threat from Islamic State.Besides President Masum, Akbar held talks with President of the Council of Representatives Salim al-Jabouri, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Eshaiqer Al-Jaafari and National Security Advisor Faleh al-Fayyadh. In the meetings, Akbar sought Iraq’s assistance in tracing the 39 Indians and securing their safe release. The Iraqi leadership assured full cooperation and support in the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs said here. The two sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral engagement, includingin spheres of trade, investment, energy security, defence and security and counter terrorism. Akbar arrived in Baghdad yesterday on a 3-day visit, as part of a 3-nation trip to Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. india.com
Gulen outfit in India, must be removed: Turkish Foreign Minister
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gulen-outfit-in-india-must-be-removed-cavusoglu/article9014354.ece
New Delhi:Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO), blamed for last month’s failed coup to topple President Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, has “infiltrated” India, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.Asserting that FETO “is a secretive transnational criminal network” with presence around the world,Cavusoglu said:“Unfortunately, FETO has also infiltrated India through associations and schools.”In an interview to PTI after holding talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, the Turkish Foreign Minister also said, “I have already taken up this issue with my counterpart.”The visiting Minister said, “In all countries where FETO has a presence, we ask them to take immediate actions to remove them from their territories.”Asked for a response to the Minister’s comments, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Indian side “is sensitive” to Turkish concerns and Indian security agencies were “looking into” Ankara’s demand for closure of associations connected with FETO which were carrying out illegal activities.PTI
Terror Group Blamed For Turkey Coup 'Infiltrated' India: Turkish Minister
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terror-group-blamed-for-turkey-coup-infiltrated-india-turkish-minister-1446649
Turkey keen to initiate talks with India on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/turkey-keen-to-initiate-talks-with-india-on-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement-2990626/
FETO in India? All you need to know about the organisation: Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/feto-infiltrates-india-turkey-all-you-need-to-know-about-fethullah-gulen-terrorist-organisation/
India’s new threats: From IS to FETO: Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/indias-new-threats-from-islamic-state-to-feto/
Coup 'mastermind' Gulen's terror organisation has infiltrated India, claims Turkey foreign minister
http://scroll.in/latest/814656/russia-will-not-use-iranian-air-base-anymore-to-launch-attacks-in-syria-says-tehran
Kashmir issue can be resolved politically, not judicially:SC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kashmir-issue-can-be-resolved-politically-not-judicially-SC/articleshow/53810856.cms
New Delhi: The ongoing trouble in Kashmir should be "dealt with politically" and everything cannot be managed within judicial parameters, Supreme Court said on Monday.The apex court also asked the Solicitor General to help activist lawyer and J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Bhim Singh to meet PM Narendra Modi on the issue."This issue has various dimensions and therefore should be dealt politically and moreover, everything cannot be managed within the judicial parameters," a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.The bench, which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, referred to a meeting today between a delegation of the state's opposition parties led by former CM Omar Abdulla and PM Narendra Modi and asked Singh to join the delegation.When the senior lawyer said the "RSS-dictated" govt would not invite him, the court, which asked Solicitor General (SG) Ranjit Kumar to facilitate Singh's meeting with Modi, was annoyed.PTI
PM Modi on Kashmir violence: Those who lost their lives are part of us, our nation
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-pm-narendra-modi-omar-abdullah-delegation-kashmir-unrest-those-who-lost-their-lives-are-part-of-us-our-nation-2990180/
New Delhi:PM Narendra Modi on Monday, at a meeting with a delegation led by former J-K CM Omar Abdullah, expressed ‘deep concern and pain’ over the prevailing situation in Kashmir. The delegation called on the PM to apprise him of the situation in the Kashmir valley.PM Modi told the opposition leaders of J&K that those who lost their lives during the unrest are part of us, our nation. Appealing for restoration of normalcy, the PM also said there has to be a dialogue and we need to find a permanent solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution.“Whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us,” Modi said. The delegation informed the PM of the ground situation in the state, ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani over a month ago, on July 8. Close to seventy people – including security personnel – have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Valley.Delegation included CPI-M MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress president GA Mir, senior leaders of the National Conference and some Independent MLAs.The delegation submitted a memorandum to PM Modi seeking an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns in the state. On Sunday, Omar Abdullah met President Pranab Mukherjee, apprising him of the situation in the Valley.TOI
PM Modi concerned over Kashmir situation, emphasises on dialogue
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Prime-Minister-Narendra-Modi-concerned-over-Kashmir-situation-emphasises-on-dialogue/articleshow/53808798.cms
Kashmir: Hundreds suffer eye injuries from pellet guns
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/kashmir-hundreds-suffer-eye-injuries-pellet-guns-160821054617323.html
Fresh pleas in SC against Bombay HC order on beef ban
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/fresh-pleas-in-sc-against-bombay-hc-order-on-beef-ban-2990780/
New Delhi:2 fresh petitions were filed today in the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order upholding the ban on beef imposed by Maharashtra govt through an enactment. The pleas filed by All India Jamiatul Quresh of Maharashtra and Delhi respectively alleged that politics was being played on the issue of slaughtering cows.They also said the petitioner organisations respected cows and calves but the members of Qureshi community be allowed to slaughter bulls and bullocks who have crossed the age of 16 years as they are of no use to farmers.The Bombay High Court had upheld the beef ban imposed by the state govt.PTI
Punjab police arrest chief of cow vigilantes from UP
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gau-raksha-chief-arrested/article9014589.ece
Patiala: In a crackdown on self-styled cow vigilantes, the Punjab police have arrested Gau Raksha Dal chief Satish Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, a fortnight after he was booked for sodomy, rioting, extortion among other charges.The Patiala police also arrested two other accused, Arun Kumar and Gauri, from Vrindavan in UP, where they were hiding.“We have arrested three accused on Saturday from Vrindavan. Two other accused — Bablu and Gurpreet — are still at large, and we hope to arrest them very soon,” Rajinder Singh Sohal, Superintendent of Police, Rajpura, said.The Patiala police had lodged a case on August 6, two years after a video went viral showing Gau Raksha Dal members brutally thrashing people. Satish was also booked under Section 377, which criminalises unnatural sex, after a youth from Saharanpur alleged that he was abducted and sodomised by Satish’s goons. thehindu
Muslims cannot use cow urine products: Darul Uloom
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muslims-cannot-use-cow-urine-products-rules-darul-uloom/story-LMWELDD4A6n4tDItSKhSJM.html
Lucknow: Use of any product which has cow urine is banned in Islam, the Darul Uloom in Deoband, UP, has ruled, an official said on Monday.Darul Uloom, the highest seat of education in Islam, was responding to a query by a commoner about the products of Patanjali, brand of yoga guru-turned-entrepreneur Baba Ramdev. The Deoband seminary said that the products which had “declared contents of urine of cow” were ‘najayaz’ (unlawful) in Islam.A person had asked the Darul Ifta department about the sanctity of such use. The seminary, in its response dated August 18, clarified that while other products of Patanjali could be used, any product which declares that it had cow urine in it, should not be used by Muslims, as it was in contravention of the tenets of the religion.—IANS
Surat: Alleged gau rakshaks beat up tempo driver on suspicion of carrying beef
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surat-alleged-gau-rakshaks-beat-up-tempo-driver-suspected-of-carrying-beef/
Surat: Alleged gau rakshaks waylaid a tempo suspected of carrying beef and beat up its 62-year-old tempo driver on finding cattle hide and bones in it at Pandesara in Surat Sunday night. Police freed the driver after he showed papers of his contract with Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), for carrying dead animal skin and bones. A complaint was lodged by the tempo driver. Ilyas Shaikh, a resident of Chhota Udepur, was carrying bones and skin of dead cattle from SMC garbage disposal plant at Khajod in Surat on Sunday.While his vehicle was crossing through Piyush point area in Pandesara, a group ten youths intercepted his vehicle posing as gau rakshaks. They accused him of carrying cow meat in his vehicle. Large number of people gathered on the spot. indianexpress
Cow vigilantism? Man heckled in Mumbai on suspicion of carrying bag made of cowhide
http://zeenews.india.com/news/mumbai/gau-rakshaks-in-mumbai-assam-man-heckled-on-suspicion-of-carrying-bag-made-of-cow-leather_1921165.html?google_editors_picks=true
Mumbai: Amid debate over incidents of cow vigilantism in Gujarat and other parts of the country is fresh, a 24-year-old man was allegedly stopped and questioned by some men in Mumbai.The people who questioned him suspected that the leather bag he was carrying was made of cowhide.The incident took place in suburban Andheri on Friday. The man shared his experience on social media and it went viral.According to the complainant Barun Kashyap, who works as a creative director, he was travelling to his workplace in an autorickshaw when the driver became curious about his identity."He was quite curious and intrigued by my long hair and nose piercing right from the beginning and asked me about my native place. He stopped at a traffic signal and started looking at my leather bag," Kashyap, a native of Assam, said in his Facebook post.The autorickshaw driver then touched the bag and concluded that it was made of cowhide. Kashyap told him the bag was made of camel leather and he had bought it from Pushkar. zeenews
Maya begins UP campaign, says Dalits, Muslims unsafe under NDA rule
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Maya-begins-UP-campaign-says-Dalits-Muslims-unsafe-under-NDA-rule/articleshow/53800082.cms
Agra: Launching her party's campaign for the upcoming UP polls, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday accused the BJP of using religion to mislead Dalits. Terming the BJP-backed Dhamma Chetna Yatra a farce, the BSP chief said under the garb of this march, the RSS and BJP were trying to defame BSP in Dalit localities. Addressing a huge rally attended by over a lakh people at Agra's Kothi Meena Bazar on Sunday, Mayawati said, "Under the NDA regime neither minorities nor Dalits were safe in the country." BSP supremo claimed that while Muslims were being harassed in the name of terrorism, Dalits were also not safe under the Modi-led govt at the centre and the states rules by the right wing party. "How will the BJP improve the law and order in UP when they have failed to do so in other states, including Delhi," she said.
‘Khaki terror’ forces Dalits to flee homes in UP village:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Khaki-terror-forces-Dalits-to-flee-homes-in-UP-village/articleshow/53802484.cms?
Saharanpur (UP): Every night since Independence Day, Dalit men in Saharanpur's Usand village have been making their way to the nearby forest to spend the night while the women watch out for police jeeps. At least three Dalits have died in the village over the last week, allegedly in police excesses. While the police deny that any brutality took place, villagers here tell horror stories of how policemen and PAC personnel rained down on them with lathis and riot-gear. Tensions began on August 15 after a man from another caste told a Dalit to "deposit" his daughter as "collateral" for a debt he owed. When the two communities came face to face, the police was called. According to the police, there was a riot-like situation in the village which needed to be contained "by use of mild force", but local residents allege police action was unprovoked and only targeted Dalits."They came down on us heavily as if we were animals. We were beaten so badly and there isn't a single Dalit house in the village which the police did not ransack. At least a hundred police and PAC personnel went on a rampage. The irony is that this took place on Independence Day. Sarita Devi, Rakesh Kumar and Chaman Singh were beaten so badly that night that they died.They were all Dalits. Such is the atmosphere of fear that we have started sleeping in the forest while the women watch out for police. Even the sound of an ambulance siren in the distance is enough to send our children scurrying for cover," said Ravi Kumar, Dalit resident of Usand.
Pune: Muslim workers humiliated, forced to do sit-ups in public for not paying Ganpati donation
http://www.india.com/news/india/pune-muslim-workers-humiliated-forced-to-do-sit-ups-in-public-for-not-paying-ganpati-donation-1424658/
Pune: Members of a Ganesh Mandal (puja organisers) in Pune publicly humiliated and forced 11 Muslim men to do sit-ups as punishment after they refused to pay donation for Ganeshotsav. Muslim men, all in their 20s and 30s, were from UP working in a bakery in Pune. Members of the Shri Ram Ganesh Mandal publicly humiliated the Muslim migrant workers and forced them to do sit-ups as punishment for not paying the donation demanded by them for Ganeshotsav.After facing humiliation, the workers quit their job, while some of them left for their home state.The incident took place on August 15 when members of the Shri Ram Ganesh Mandal demanded Rs 100 for ‘Ganpati vargani’ (donation for Ganesh festival) to the staff of Crown Bakers, on the Bhosari-Alandi Road in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Workers were agreed to pay Rs 50 for donation, but the Mandal members were adamant on their Rs 100 demand. Mandal members then threatened the workers and made them to do sit-ups as punishment on a busy road. According to a report of the Indian Express, Mandal members shot the video of the public humiliation of Muslim workers and shared it with their friends to make it viral. After the video went viral, some of the workers involved left for UP. India.com
Govt committed to protecting rights of Muslims: Naqvi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Govt-committed-to-protecting-rights-of-Muslims-says-Naqvi/articleshow/53803419.cms
Ahmedabad: Union minister of state for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, while sending off the first batch of Haj pilgrims on Sunday, said that Modi govt is committed to protecting the rights and solving the problems of minority communities, especially Muslims.TOI
Bhagwat presiding, RSS gives couples a presentation on fertility and culture
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bhagwat-presiding-rss-gives-couples-a-presentation-on-fertility-and-culture-2989639/
Agra: Around the time BSP chief Mayawati was slamming RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat for urging Hindus to have more children, Bhagwat was presiding over a function barely 2 km from the venue of Mayawati’s rally and making a power-point presentation about population growth in India.While Hindus, the presentation noted, have a fertility rate of 2.1%, the “other community” has more than 8%. “If this remains the situation, one should forget about their existence in one’s own country by 2025,” was conclusion of Yuva Dampati Sammelan attended by some 2,000 young couples and organised by the Sangh’s Kutumb Prabodhan in Agra Sunday. indianexpress
If Muslims increasing their numbers why can't Hindus, is there law preventing them? asks Bhagwat
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/if-muslims-increasing-their-numbers-why-cant-hindus-is-there-law-preventing-them-asks-bhagwat_1921080.html
Bhagwat's Hindu population comment triggers controversy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mohan-Bhagwats-Hindu-population-comment-triggers-controversy/articleshow/53799379.cms
Bhagwat should father ten babies himself before provoking others:Kejriwal
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mohan-Bhagwat-should-father-ten-babies-himself-before-provoking-others-Arvind-Kejriwal-says/articleshow/53813136.cms
‘House arrest’ turns J&K kids cranky
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/House-arrest-turns-JK-kids-cranky/articleshow/53802371.cms
Srinagar: Dayim is 6 years old. Every day, he grabs his Tom and Jerry backpack and gets ready for class. But there is no school to go to. Schools and colleges have remained shut in Srinagar for almost 45 days now and it's beginning to tell on the Valley's children. They have become restless, cranky and irritable.And helpless parents across this troubled half of J&K see no solution to their own growing anxiety. "He misses his friends and teacher," said Dayim's father Syed, giving only his first name. "I cannot compensate for what he's losing out on. I am at a loss." Syed, who lives in downtown Srinagar, at a crowded locality called Hawal, added, "Dayim can't even go out to a park to play. The curfew won't allow him. It's just so sad."It's worse for parents with teenagers. Ghulam Mohiuddin, who runs a shop that sells stoles and scarves at Dal Gate and lives in Miskeenbagh, the older, riskier part of Srinagar, said, "I have two sons. One is in first year, the other in class 8. I've bought a carrom board and badminton racquets for them, but how long can a 52-year-old father keeping his growing sons preoccupied." timesofindia
J&K Jama’at asks Muslim world to raise voice against mosques’ desecration in Kashmir: kashmirreader
http://kashmirreader.com/2016/08/22/jamaat-asks-muslim-world-to-raise-voice-against-mosques-desecration-in-kashmir/
Srinagar: Jama’at-e-Islami J&K has condemned the incidents of desecration of mosques by the govt forces, appealing the Muslim world to raise voice against it.“In the past few days, it has come to fore that during the nocturnal raids, these forces do enter the mosques with unclean shoes and ransack the goods lying therein and break windows and doors also.
Curfew in force in Srinagar, normal life disrupted in Valley
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Curfew-in-force-in-Srinagar-normal-life-disrupted-in-Valley/articleshow/53807019.cms
J&K: As separatists unite, politics divides opposition
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JK-As-separatists-unite-politics-divides-opposition/articleshow/53802410.cms
Nizamabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s Sadbhavana Yatra for peace and social harmony
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/sadbhavana-yatra-for-peace-and-social-harmony/article9016652.ece
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, as part of its nation-wide campaign for peace and social harmony, launched ‘Sadbhavana Yatra’ here on Sunday. The JIH State president, Hameed Mohammed Khan, flagged off the yatra.Talking to media persons earlier, he said at this moment, the nation needs peace, tranquillity and social harmony as certain incidents that occurred recently posed a threat to the very existence of its unity and integrity. Animosity rooted in religion which is on the rise would likely lead to group clashes, he said. The yatra was launched all over the country to promote religious harmony, brotherhood and social and national integrity. Members from all religions, peoples’ organisations and intellectuals would be roped in for the yatra, he added. thehindu
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind starts 15-day nationwide campaign for peace and humanity
http://twocircles.net/2016aug21/1471793715.html#.V7r1nFR97IU
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind awards four including Ram Puniyani for promoting communal harmony
http://twocircles.net/2016aug21/1471783247.html#.V7r1rFR97IU
PM Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurate renovated Stor Palace
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-narendra-modi-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-jointly-inaugurate-renovated-stor-palace-kabul-2990000/
New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday joined Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani via video conferencing from New Delhi to inaugurate the renovated Stor Palace in Kabul.PM Modi said India has always had good relations with Afghanistan. “In our hearts and minds, Indians and Afghans have always been close friends,” he said.Describing the joint inauguration as another achievement in the friendship between the two countries, Modi said, “Today we once again come together to celebrate yet another achievement of our friendship.” indianexpress
PM Modi underscores India's historic ties with Afghanistan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/At-Stor-Palace-inauguration-PM-Narendra-Modi-underscores-Indias-historic-ties-with-Afghanistan/articleshow/53806262.cms
MEDIA ON TERROR CASES
Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad 2008 blasts:8 yrs after arrest, 13 men urge HC to expedite decision on trial court plea
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/delhi-hyderabad-ahmedabad-2008-blasts-8-years-after-arrest-13-men-urge-bombay-hc-to-expedite-decision-on-trial-court-plea-2989481/
Mumbai:Nearly 8 years after their arrest, thirteen men currently lodged at Taloja prison in connection with the Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad blasts in 2008, have written to Bombay High Court and sought expedition of a plea to decide the court which would conduct their trial. 13 are among the 23 arrested for sending emails to media houses through unsecured wi-fi networks before the blasts in 2008, allegedly carried out by the Indian Mujahideen. On Dec.24, 2012, special MCOCA judge AL Pansare had ruled that the case was not triable before him and would be triable before a sessions court, citing certain sections under the NIA Act. The state govt had appealed against this order before the Bombay HC in January, 2015, and it is still pending.Pending hearing, the court has stayed the trial and left no remedy for the accused to seek interim relief, they said.“It is an absolute miscarriage of justice that after almost eight years of an accused undertrial’s detention behind bars, the judiciary is yet to decide the court in which they are to be tried… The Hon’ble Chief Justice is hereby apprised as to how a socially isolated prisoner, incarcerated for eight years, without even start of his trial, is crushed between the lethargic wheels of ‘law procedure’,” said the application.The state’s appeal is currently pending before the division bench of Justices PV Hardas and Dr Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi. According to the application, despite the Supreme Court asking for expedition of the trial in its 2013 order, the appeal has been pending since January 2015.“This is almost eight years of accused applicants behind bars with no relief whatsoever and the trial has not yet started… It is almost two years now that the criminal appeal has still not been disposed and the trial is stayed without any kind of interim relief to the languishing undertrial accused prisoners behind bars,” said the application. 13 are Asif Bashir Shaikh, Mubeen Kadar Shaikh, Mohammed Mansoor Peerbhoy, Ahmed Bava Abu Bakr, Dr Anwar A Bagwan, Mohammed Zakir Shaikh, Ansar Badshah Shaikh, Mohammed Naushad Sayyad, Afzal Usmani, Mohammed Arif Shaikh, Mubeen Abdul S Khan, Fazal Rehman Durrani and Ameen Ayyub Shaikh.Six others have been granted bail in the case and four are currently undergoing trial in a separate case in Hyderabad.
ISIS bigger threat than Pakistani terrorists: DIG NIA Mittal
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/ISIS-bigger-threat-than-Pakistani-terrorists-NIA-official/articleshow/53807070.cms
Just 18 months after Daesh's early attempts to recruit Indian youth, especially from Maharashtra, were uncovered, the extremist group has emerged as the biggest threat to national security, surpassing Pakistani outfits, said one of the country's top anti-terror investigators.Nearly 40 people — suspected Daesh operatives and sympathisers — have been arrested in different parts of the country since mid-2014 and eight jihadist modules have been broken up, according to DIG Alok Mittal of the NIA. Mittal, a 1993 batch IPS officer, is an authority on the subject and last week, he was awarded the 'President's Police Medal' at the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi for his anti-Daesh efforts. His work — dismantling cells and stopping young men from joining the extremists in Iraq and Syria — has even won him the moniker "Daesh hunter".During an exclusive chat with Mirror, Mittal provided a worrying assessment of the threat from Daesh, but he underscored the fact that Indian agencies had foiled every potential attack by the group's local cells. "NIA has registered 8 cases so far. Chargesheets have been filed in 6 of them, while the remaining two are under investigation," he said. "The sheer number of cases and recruitment attempts that have come to light in less than two years clearly show the level of threat we are facing. Daesh has become the biggest terrorist organisation."Mumbai Mirror /TOI
Jamiat blames Maha state’s half-hearted prosecution for acquittal of accused in Parbhani masjid blast case
http://twocircles.net/2016aug21/1471780562.html#.V7r3sFR97IU
Mumbai: Reacting sharply to the acquittal of all accused in Parbhani masjid blast case, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind blamed the Maharashtra state for its lack of interest in prosecuting the accused. Jamiat said it would challenge session court’s finding before the high court and will try to deliver justice to the victims of the blasts.On Thursday, a session court acquitted all 4 in the case sighting lack of evidences. On Nov. 21, 2003 a bomb exploded at Mohammadiya Masjid, Rehmat Nagar, Parbhani killing one person and injuring 34 others. Twocircles
Terror link in theft case: 4 booked
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Terror-link-in-theft-case-Four-booked/2016/08/22/article3590850.ece
Kochi: Police on Sunday received vital information suggesting ‘terror’ link in the theft of 55 sovereigns gold and `25,000 from a house at Perumbavoor on Friday.An 8-member gang visited the house of Parappuram Palipparambil Sidhique on Friday afternoon in a car bearing ‘for registration’ board, in the guise of Vigilance officers. Sidhique had gone to the nearby mosque at that time. The men told Sidhique’s wife Rahna and children that the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau had received a complaint that Sidhique had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Newindianexpress
Kerala: BJP worker in Kunnur killed while making a bomb
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/kerala-bjp-worker-in-kunnur-killed-while-making-a-bomb/
Kannur: A young BJP activist was killed in a bomb blast in Kottayampoil near Kuthuparamba in Kannur district Saturday. Dikshith (23) was killed in the blast which occurred inside his home. Police suspect that the explosion occurred while the bomb was being made. Dikshith was alone in the house when the mishap took place. The body of the victim was taken to Cooperative Hospital in Thalassery. The house was partially damaged in the blast muslimmirror
WORLD
Israel hits Gaza with 50 airstrikes
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160822-israel-hits-gaza-with-50-airstrikes/
A minor was wounded last night in a series of raids and shelling which targeted different parts of the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said Israel launched more than 50 airstrikes accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment on targets in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip yesterday evening, wounding four civilians.According to the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf Al-Qidra, a 17-year-old boy sustained minor injuries after being struck by shrapnel in his foot. 3 children also suffered severe panic attacks due to the heavy shelling. Middleeastmonitor
Egypt: Russia willing to host Palestinian-Israeli talks
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160822-egypt-russia-willing-to-host-palestinian-israeli-talks/
Russia is willing to host peace talks between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi announced yesterday. Al-Sisi said Russian President Vladamir Putin told him this himself. Internal divisions within Fatah must be addressed, along with national reconciliation and a peace agreement between Fatah and Hamas, he added.“We support any positive effort from any country involved, and from all those who are able to influence [the peace process], no matter if it’s the US, EU, or Russia,” he explained. middleeastmonitor
Yemen’s ex-president offers military bases to Russia
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160822-yemens-ex-president-offers-military-bases-to-russia/
Yemen’s former President Ali Abdullah Saleh has offered to allow Russia to use the country’s military bases with a view to fighting ‘terrorism’. Saleh described Russia as “the closest kin to us”.“We extend our hands to Russia. We have agreements with the Russian Federation which were with the Soviet Union…we are ready to activate these treaties and agreements that were between us and Soviet Union,”he said.middleeastmonitor
Kurds deny Hasakeh truce deal agreed with Syria regime
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/176456/kurds-deny-hasakeh-truce-deal-agreed-with-syria-regime
Syria's military said Sunday a truce deal has been reached with the Kurds in the flashpoint city of Hasakeh, but a Kurdish source said it has yet to be finalised.The northeastern city has been rocked by deadly clashes between US-backed Kurdish forces and fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad since Wednesday.In a bid to calm tensions, a delegation of Russian officials from the coastal Hmeimim military airport arrived in the nearby city of Qamishli on Saturday for talks with the two sides.A Syrian military source told AFP the deal was struck between regime forces and Kurdish fighters after two days of mediation by regime ally Russia.The three-point agreement calls for a "halt to all hostilities and the return to regime forces of any positions seized by Kurdish fighters" since Wednesday, the Syrian military source said.It also stipulates that casualties would be transferred north to Qamishli.World Bulletin
Truce between Syrian army, Kurdish forces after Russian mediation
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/truce-between-syrian-army-kurdish-forces-after-russian-mediation/
Regime, Russian airstrikes kill 14 in Syria’s Aleppo
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/regime-russian-airstrikes-kill-14-in-syria-s-aleppo/633229
Aleppo:At least 14 people were killed and 26 others injured Monday in airstrikes carried out by President Bashar al-Assad regime and Russian warplanes in northwestern Syria’s Aleppo province, according to a pro-opposition civil defense source on the ground. Ibrahim Abu Leys saidy that the regime and Russian warplanes struck a marketplace in the opposition-held al-Sakhour neighborhood in the war-battered city. Anadolu
Civilian deaths mount after Syrian regime loses ground
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/civilian-deaths-mount-syrian-regime-loses-ground-160821142329864.html
More than 500 Syrian civilians have been killed in a single week, mostly in govt and Russian air raids and shelling, across several cities in the war-torn country.Casualty figures released on Saturday by the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), a grassroots network of activists in Syria, recorded 508 civilians killed between August 13 and August 19, including 96 children and 73 women.Most of the deaths occurred in Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment across Aleppo, Idlib, Damascus, and Hama, according to the LCC. aljazeera
Anadolu Agency reveals new Syria chemical attack images
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/anadolu-agency-reveals-new-syria-chemical-attack-images/633205
Damascus:Anadolu Agency has released new images of the Syrian regime’s chemical attack in Syria's Damascus suburbs of al-Ghouta on August 20, 2013, which left more than 1,400 people dead.The images have been released to mark the attack’s third anniversary.Anadolu Agency’s new video of the attack, depicting dead bodies of the women and children at the scene, also shows doctors trying to revive people affected by the chemical gas attack.In the video, some women and children could be seen lying down on the ground, who had difficulty breathing and were fighting for their lives. Civil defense officials wrote numbers on a piece of paper, which were then stitched to the victims’ heads for the sake of keeping records. Anadolu Agency
Death toll rises to 54 in SE Turkey wedding attack
http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/death-toll-rises-to-54-in-se-turkey-wedding-attack/632326
Gaziantep, Turkey: The death toll in Saturday's terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in southeastern Turkey’s Gaziantep province rose to 54 Monday, according to a hospital source. Three more people succumbed to their wounds at hospital, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions over talking to the media, said. Anadolu Agency
Iraq hangs 36 people sentenced to death for killing of troops in 2014
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-iraq-executions-idINKCN10W0FI
Iraq said on Sunday it had hanged 36 militants sentenced to death over the mass killing of hundreds of mainly Shi'ite soldiers at a camp north of Baghdad two years ago. It is the highest number of militants executed in one day by the Iraqi govt since IS fighters took control of parts of northern and western Iraq in 2014. As many as 1,700 soldiers were killed 2 years ago after they fled from Camp Speicher, an ex US military base just north of Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit, when it was overrun by IS. UN said on Aug. 1 that Iraq's efforts to speed up the execution of militants could result in innocent people being put to death.An estimated 1,200 people are on death row in Iraq, including possibly hundreds who have exhausted appeals, the UN statement said. Reuters
Turkey summons 300 diplomats for questioning over failed coup
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160822-turkey-summons-300-diplomats-for-questioning-over-failed-coup/
Turkish foreign ministry has recalled 300 diplomats working in foreign missions to the country for questioning over the failed military coup last month, Al-Arabiya reported. According to the news channel, sources in the Turkish foreign ministry said that Turkey plans to temporarily discharge diplomats who it believes have links to the Fethullah Gulen Organization, adding that the rest of the diplomats can return to their missions after the completion of the investigation. middleeastmonitor
Tunisia Ennahda party 'has reservations' on unity govt
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/176455/tunisia-ennahda-party-has-reservations-on-unity-govt
Tunisia's Ennahda party, the largest in parliament, said on Sunday it has "some reservations" about the line-up of the country's new unity government announced the previous day."We have some observations and reservations to pass on to the head of the government-designate," Abdelkarim Harouni, head of the party's top body the Shura Council, told reporters. The council met for several hours on Sunday after premier-designate Youssef Chahed unveiled his unity government Saturday, pledging to work to try to resolve deep social and economic crises that plague Tunisia five years after the Arab Spring revolt.World Bulletin
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:46 PM)
