Evening NEWS DIGEST
4 Feb.2017: 6 Jamadiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:107
INDIA
28 accused including BJP leader acquitted by local court in Gujarat riots case as witnesses turned hostile
http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/28-acquitted-in-gujarat-riots-case/articleshow/56961971.cms
Ahmedabad All 28 accused in a post-Godhra riots case have been acquitted by a Gandhinagar court citing lack of substantial evidence after all the witnesses turned hostile during the course of the hearings. Prominent among the acquitted is Govind Patel, chairman of Kalol Nagrik Sahakari Bank and ex-general secretary of BJP’s Gandhinagar district unit. All the accused were already on bail since long. Those acquitted have been identified as Natwar K Patel, Mahesh V Prajapati, Manu A Prajapati, Babu T Prajapati, Vijay B Patel, Vinod S Patel, Ramesh D Mochi, Nitin R Patel, Ashok G Patel, Shailesh R Patel, among others. Most of the accused are from Paliyad village while three are residents of Ahmedabad.They were accused of arson, rioting and damaging property of minority community at Paliyad village in Kalol taluka of Gandhinagar district on Feb.28, 2002.Apart from damaging property, they were also accused of damaging some portion of a dargah in Paliyad during an attack by a mob of around 250 locals of the village, including the 28 accused named by police in the FIR.While pronouncing the judgment on Jan. 31, Kalol Additional District Judge BD Patel had noted that charges against the accused could not be proved as all the witnesses turned hostile by claiming that they were unable to identify the accused who were part of the mob.During the previous arguments, defence lawyer Bhavesh Raval informed the court that the accused have already paid for the damages incurred by the minority community under the compromise formula to establish harmony.Lawyer of one of the victims, on condition of anonymity, told Mirror: “The acquittal of the victims has come after a settlement was reached. My client has now relieved me from the case.” Pune mirror/ indian express
Court acquits 26 accused in 2002 post Godhra riots, says ‘probe cannot be said to be proper’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/court-acquits-26-accused-in-2002-post-godhra-riots-says-probe-cannot-be-said-to-be-proper-4505012/
28 acquitted by Gujarat court after witnesses turn hostile
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/godhra-riots-case-28-acquitted-by-gujarat-court-after-witnesses-turn-hostile/story-wwpWgPMNQ9Oj2xHHGGDqsM.html
Court Acquits 26 In Gujarat Riots Citing 'Lack Of Evidence'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/02/03/court-acquits-26-in-2002-gujarat-riots-citing-lack-of-evidence/
Gujarat Riots Case: 28 Accused Acquitted by Kalol Court
http://www.news18.com/news/india/post-godhra-riots-case-28-accused-acquitted-by-kalol-court-1344727.html
Gujarat Tiffin Blast case: Kin of terror accused, acquitted after 13 years, were ostracised
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-kin-of-terror-accused-were-ostracised-4506834/
Ahmedabad:Mohammed Yasin’s family had a thriving business of carry-bag manufacturing at Popatiawad in Ahmedabad’s Dariapur. Around 30 women were employed at their manufacturing unit until 2003 when arrest of Yasin’s brother, Hanif, on terror charges ruined the business.“The business collapsed in no time. People from my own society stopped talking to us. We were treated like terrorists. The coming years took a toll on us and my mother passed away. Hanif’s wife, Yasmin, too, died,” Yasin said.Hanif was arrested on charges of making bombs at manufacturing unit. He was incarcerated for 13 years before the Supreme Court found him innocent and acquitted him. “His elder daughter was only 12 then. She is now 26. We have been trying to find a suitable match for her. But we have been unable to find one due to this case,” Yasin said. “The whole family had to live with the terrorist tag for 13 years. What kind of justice is this?”Hanif is likely to be released along with Habib Hawa from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Central Jail on Saturday. The court separately ordered release of Anas Machiswala and Kalim Ahmed, considering their 13 years in prison as punishment. Gujarat HC had sentenced Machiswala and Ahmed to life in prison for planting bombs in buses to avenge 2002 anti-Muslim riots. indianexpress
Terror undertrial out on bail picks up the pieces, starts practice as lawyer in Mumbai
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/terror-undertrial-out-on-bail-picks-up-the-pieces-starts-practice-as-lawyer-in-mumbai-4506843/
Mumbai;For Mohammed Atik, it is a new beginning. The computer engineer, who was employed with a leading IT company, was arrested by the Mumbai Police crime branch in 2008 on charges of being an alleged member of the Indian Mujahideen (IM). Now 4 years after his release on bail in 2012, 33-year-old Atik has donned a lawyer’s robe and is slowly picking up the threads of his life.“When I was in prison, my first worry was to get bail. I used to think all my problems will be solved once I am released. But, when I came out on bail, I realised my problems have become more serious,” Atik said. Atik was one of 23 accused held by the crime branch while investigating emails sent allegedly by IM members to media houses before a series of blasts in Gujarat on July 26, 2008. While the prosecution has not claimed that these accused were part of the conspiracy on the serial blasts, the allegations are limited to the emails which were sent. As for Atik’s role, the prosecution does not claim that he is the person who had sent the email but claims that he was a member of an organised crime syndicate and of the IM, on the basis of his alleged association with some of the accused in the case, according to the confessions of some of his co-accused.While granting bail to Atik in 2012, the Bombay High Court observed that he deserved to be released on bail, having spent four years in prison without the trial commencing. The court had also observed that there was no prima facie evidence to show that Atik had taken part in achieving the objectives of an organisation by unlawful means or violence. indianexpress
Convicted by Gujarat High Court, SC acquits 4 Muslim men after 13 years in prison
http://www.siasat.com/news/convicted-gujarat-high-court-sc-acquits-four-muslim-men-after-13-years-prison-1123918/
14 years a ‘terrorist’: The story of two Muslims acquitted of all charges in 2002 Ahmedabad blasts case
http://twocircles.net/2017feb03/404042.html
Gujarat Tiffin Blast Acquittals After 14 Years: Anyone Accountable?Seema Mustafa
http://newsclick.in/gujarat-tiffin-blast-acquittals-after-14-years-anyone-accountable
2002 Ahmedabad Tiffin blast:After 13 years in jail, SC acquits Muslim youths
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/after-13-years-in-jail-sc-acquits-two-accused/articleshow/56942779.cms?
NIA court grants bail to two associates of Zakir Naik’s IRF accused of attempting radicalisation of Kochi youth
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/feb/04/nia-court-grants-bail-to-duo-accused-of-attempting-radicalisation-of-kochi-youth-1566698.html
Kochi: NIA Court on Friday granted bail to two Maharashtra natives, who were associated with Zakir Naik’s IRF and accused of attempting to radicalise a youth from Kochi and instigating him to join Islamic State (IS). Arshid Qureshi alias Arshi, the guest relation officer with IRF, and Rizwan Khan, a maulavi from Kalyan, were granted bail after NIA failed to file a charge-sheet in the case and the duo completed 180 days in judicial custody. NIA Court ordered the two to execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh each with two solvent sureties. They are serving judicial custody in another NIA case related to radicalising a Keralite in Mumbai.Once they complete the judicial custody in the case, they have been asked to appear before the NIA unit in Kochi. They have also been asked to surrender their passports and not to influence any witnesses in the case. The duo is accused of forcing Palarivattom-native Ebin and his sister to convert to Islam and instigating the former to join IS. They were arrested by Kerala police with the assistance of Mumbai Police in July 2016. newindianexpress
Patna: 3 ISI suspects sent to judicial custody till Feb 17
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/patna-3-isi-suspects-sent-to-judicial-custody-till-february-17-4506346/
Patna:A special NIA court on Friday sent three ISI suspects arrested last month for their role in triggering train derailments to judicial custody till Feb 17. Special judge Manoj Kumar Sinha sent the trio to judicial custody after they were produced in his court in Patna. Motilal Paswan, Mukesh Yadav and Umashanker Patel were arrested from Bihar’s East Champaran district on Jan.17. During the course of investigation, Paswan admitted playing a role in the derailment of Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur on Nov.20, 2016 in which around 150 passengers were killed. After their arrest, East Champaran Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana had claimed the trio had confessed to having worked for a Nepalese contact suspected to be connected with the ISI.PTI
Govt forms panel to improve Haj policy, look into subsidy issue
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt -forms-panel-to-improve-haj-policy-look-into-subsidy-issue-4507567/
New Delhi The Centre has formed a 6-member committee to give a report on ways to improve India’s Haj policy and also look into issue of subsidy to the pilgrimage in light of 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing it by 2022. Ex-Consulate General of India (CGI), Jeddah, Afzal Amanullah has been appointed as convener of the high-level panel, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in New Delhi on Saturday. Bombay High Court judge (retd) SS Parkar, ex-Haj Committee of India chairman Qaiser Shamim, former Air India CMD Michael Mascarenhas and Muslim scholar-chartered accountant Kamal Faruqui are also part of the panel, which will have the Ministry Joint Secretary J Alam as member secretary. Among other, the committee will figure out whether the pilgrims can travel to Saudi Arabia paying less in the absence of the subsidy.“The experts committee has been formed and it will give us report in a month or two on how India’s Haj policy can be improved, how the pilgrims can get maximum concessions and how Haj can be managed better,” Naqvi said.He said that panel will speak to all the stakeholders concerned before finalising and submitting its report.“There are several issues relating to Haj subsidy. Some people are of the view that it should go, some say it should be there. Some have suggested the system at AIR India should be changed. The SC has given its verdict.“Hence, the experts committee has been formed to look into these aspects. It will speak to all the stakeholders and soon, we will figure out some way,” he said on asked about the issue of floating global tender for air travel to Haj.According to sources, panel will examine implications of various directions of the apex court with regard to the existing Haj policy, and suitable amendments in it.The committee will also review the effectiveness of Haj Committee of India’s management of pilgrims’ accommodation and air travel.PTI
CBI files chargesheet against Teesta in FCRA case
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/cbi-files-chargesheet-against-teesta-in-foreign-funding-case/articleshow/56964279.cms
Mumbai: CBI filed a chargesheet against activist Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and their company for alleged violation of foreign funding rules on Friday. Setalvad, who spearheaded a campaign seeking justice for Gujarat's riot victims, described agency's action as "vindictiveness".Setalvad and Anand's statements that $290,000 received by their publishing firm, Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt Ltd (SCPPL), from Ford Foundation were "consultation fees" and not a grant received in violation of the FCRA are being refuted by CBI's Economic Offences Wing (EOW). CBI has cited IT returns of the foundation that show it had received tax benefits in the US by listing the sum as a "grant". timesofindia
Ford Foundation officer connived with Teesta Setalvad’s company for fund grant: CBI
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ford-foundation-officer-sushma-raman-connived-with-teesta-setalvad-s-company-sabrang-for-fund-grant-cbi/story-Msc2TQzKPNmXKigysB7X9J.html
ASSEBLY POLLS & POLITICS
Punjab, Goa Assembly elections 2017: 70% polling in Punjab, Goa sees highest turnout at 83%
http://indianexpress.com/elections/assembly-elections-live-updates-polling-voting-begins-in-punjab-goa-breaking-news-4507019/
New Delhi:Voting ended in Punjab and Goa today for the 2017 Assembly elections, with Goa witnessing a high turnout of 83 percent. This year’s turnout in Goa broke last election record of 81.7 %. The two states are the first of the five to go to polling ahead of UP , Manipur and Uttarakhand which are being held simultaneously in the months of Feb.and March. The counting of votes for all five states will begin on March 11. Voting for 40 seats in Goa began at 7.00 am and Punjab, which has 117 assembly seats, an hour later. Till 5 pm, 83% had cast their vote in Goa and 66% in Punjab. indianexpress
Vote decisively for secular candidates, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind asks people
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/vote-decisively-for-secular-candidates-jamaat-asks-people
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Saturday appealed to people to choose good candidates with clean character in assembly elections in 5 states and ignore calls of the politicians seeking votes on the basis of religion and caste divisions. Without naming any party or alliance, Jamaat asked people in 5 states to defeat communal forces who are making attempts to divide the society.“The people of the country should thwart the attempts of communal forces aiming to divide the electorate in assembly elections in Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Manipur and UP by coming out in large numbers and voting decisively for secular candidates with clean character,” said leaders of Jamaat while addressing their monthly press conference here on Saturday.“The divisive forces are trying to create communal polarization in different parts of the country so that they will be able to attract voters on emotive issues and not on the basis of serious concerns and problems being faced by the common people like demonetization, poverty, corruption, inflation, unemployment…”, said Jamaat.“The electorate must ignore the calls made by politicians seeking votes on the basis of religion and caste divisions. They must not succumb to the propaganda of hate-mongers and should reject the candidates who want to win elections on the basis of money and muscle power,” it said. “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appeals to all to defeat communal-fascist powers. Secular vote should not be divided. This is not just for Muslims but for all people to choose good candidates,” said Jamaat's Secretary General Mohammad Salim Engineer while addressing press conference at Jamaat's HQRS in Delhi.Replying to a question on the SP-Congress alliance in UP,Syed Jalaluddin Umari, President of Jamaat, said: “Though Samajwadi Party (SP) did not fulfill all its promises but this is the time to check fascist forces.”“A majority of Muslims seemed to be in support of SP-Congress alliance. But there are such consistencies in UP too where the candidates contesting election from BSP and RLD are better,” he said.IndiaTomorrow
Jamaat cautions against split of secular votes in state polls; Urges defeat of communalism: caravandaily
http://caravandaily.com/portal/jamaat-cautions-against-split-of-secular-votes-in-state-polls-urges-defeat-of-communalism/
Jamaat asks voters to reject communal forces in polls: theindianawaaz
http://theindianawaaz.com/jamaat-e-islami-asks-voters-to-reject-communal-forces-in-elections/
UP will give triple talaq to SP, Congress & BSP: Owaisi
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/up-will-give-triple-talaq-to-sp-congress-bsp-asaduddin-owaisi-4507681/
Lucknow:UP will give “triple talaq” to SP, Congress and BSP, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said on Saturday, dubbing PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav “2 sides of the same coin”. “There is no difference between Modi and Akhilesh…Both make a fool of people in the name of development… UP will give triple talaq…to SP, Congress and BSP,” he said in Lucknow.PTI
UP Assembly elections 2017: BSP gets support from Muslim outfit Gharib Nawaz Foundation
http://www.newsnation.in/india-news/up-polls-2017-gharib-nawaz-foundation-comes-out-in-full-support-of-bsp-urges-muslims-to-galvanise-support-for-mayawati-article-160255.html
New Delhi: Gharib Nawaz Foundation chairman Maulana Ansar Raza on Saturday came out in full support of BSP and accused the Samajwadi Party of cheating Muslims of UP. Lashing out against Samajwadi Party for not taking up the issues pertaining to Muslims and ignoring their affliction, Maulana Raza openly came out in support of Mayawati’s BSP amid the ongoing election phase.Urging all Muslims and Hindu brothers to galvanize support and vote for BSP, he asked all to vote for BSP in UP Assembly elections 2017. Not only this, he also accused SP of not presenting the Kairana report properly before the authorities. newsnation
UP : Hindu youths form ‘Trump Sena’ to support BJP, stop Hindu migration
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/uttar-pradesh-hindu-youths-form-trump-sena-to-support-bjp-stop-hindu-migration-4507551/
New Delhi:In a bid to support BJP and stop Hindu migration from western UP , some Hindu youths have formed a group called ‘Trump Sena’. The group has been inspired by US President Donald Trump’s decision to bar immigration from Muslim countries harboring terrorists. On Saturday, it showed its first support at BJP President Amit Shah’ rally at Pilkuwa, Hapur, on Friday. Pilkuwa, falls under Dhaulana assembly seat in Hapur district from where BJP has fielded its four-time MP, Dr Ramesh Chand Tomar. indianexpress
'I lost my home in Muzaffarnagar riots. I will vote for Akhilesh'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/02/03/i-lost-my-home-in-muzaffarnagar-riots-i-will-vote-for-akhilesh/
Muzaffarnagar: Mohammed Hashim, 27, still hasn't moved into a house of his own, over three years after the Muzaffarnagar riots. He can't recall the month, but it was the night between 7th and 8th in Kakda village some time in 2013. His family realised their house had been set on fire, they woke up and ran to Muzaffarnagar town, and from there to his relatives in Navla village."I went back to our house in Kakda the next morning and saw everything there had been looted. They didn't leave a single thing," he says. The arsonists were Jats and Sainis he says, even claims to have seen two people from the Saini community amongst the arsonists. "I knew them, they were our neighbours."The holy book in the mosque, he says, was desecrated, and buffaloes tied in its premises. Now it is locked, no Muslims live in Kakda. huffingtonpost
Husband jailed for rioting, wife Suchi Chaudhury gets BJP ticket for UP election
http://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/husband-jailed-for-rioting-wife-gets-bjp-ticket-for-up-election/story-BDh1Kln3ghF0hjzLbfoZ0I.html
Ram temple construction in Ayodhya to start soon:Adityanath
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-temple-construction-in-ayodhya-to-start-soon-adityanath/story-wEjk5AN8REiDobcniDilmN.html
Raipur:BJP MP Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the hurdles on the path of construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will be gradually removed and its construction will start “soon”. “Chhattisgarh was Lord Ram’s ‘nanihal’ (his mother Kaushlya’s maternal home). According to ‘jyotishi manyata’ (astrology), when the Lord will settle at his ‘nanihal’, it would automatically pave the way for the construction of a (Ram) temple (in Ayodhya).MP from Gorakhpur was speaking to reporters on sidelines of inaugural ceremony of a Ram temple constructed on VIP Road in the outskirts of state capital Raipur. Chhattisgarh governor Balramji Das Tandon and CM Raman Singh, among others, were present on the occasion.PTI
OTHERS
Jodhpur university files police complaint against JNU prof for Kashmir mention
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jodhpur-university-files-police-complaint-against-jnu-prof-for-kashmir-mention-4506897/
Jaipur: Registrar of Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur has filed a police complaint against JNU professor Nivedita Menon over her alleged remarks about Kashmir and the Indian Army during a speech on campus that triggered protests by ABVP members leading to a shutdown in the university Friday. Confirming the move, the university’s vice-chancellor RP Singh quoted Menon as saying that Kashmir was not an integral part of India and that soldiers worked for their livelihood and not the nation. Menon denied the charges and said that an “unnecessary controversy” had been created “based on rumours”.“The university registrar filed a complaint, along with a report of what happened. We will be conducting an inquiry based on which we will decide whether to file an FIR or not,” Jodhpur Police Commissioner Ashok Rathore said. A professor at the School of International Studies at JNU, Menon had been invited by the JNVU’s English department to deliver a lecture Thursday on the topic, ‘History reinterpreted: nation, individual and culture’.Indian Express.
Clashes mark shutdown against death sentence to Kashmir youth: kashmirreader
http://kashmirreader.com/2017/02/04/clashes-mark-shutdown-death-sentence-kashmir-youth/
Srinagar: Fierce clashes erupted between youth and govt forces in Nowhatta area of old city and north Kashmir’s Sopore town after Friday prayers amid a shutdown called by the resistance leadership.As soon as Friday prayers ended at both the places, youth took to streets and staged protests against the death sentence awarded to a south Kashmir youth by a Bengal court.The joint resistance leadership had called for protests today against the life sentence awarded to Muzaffar Ahmad Rather of Kulgam district.
J&K: Security forces gun down two militants in Sopore
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/security-forces-gun-down-two-militants-in-north-kashmir-s-sopore/story-hBtRzfZAlqTGNrHRpMbpCM.html
Srinagar: 2 suspected militants were killed in an encounter with security forces on a highway in the Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday, security officials said. Local reports said one of the militants was a local commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and the other was a foreigner. Police officials said they were trying to confirm the identities. Police also did not confirm the reports of injuries to at least two cops in the shoot-out. hindustantimes
Abdul Basit set to become Pakistan’s new foreign secretary: Reports
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/abdul-basit-set-to-become-paks-new-foreign-secretary-reports-4507741/
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit is set to become the country’s new foreign secretary, media reports said on Saturday. Nawaz Sharif govt has “in principle” decided to appoint Basit as the country’s new foreign secretary, replacing Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry who has been designated as Pakistan’s ambassador to US, The News reported.PTI
Pak hopes to resume talks with India after assembly polls
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-hopes-to-resume-talks-with-india-after-assembly-elections/story-Q41aulaGRJYVIlnue430rI.html
washington:Pakistan hopes that there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India after the state assembly elections in the neighbouring country, a senior minister has said. “We are hoping that by March these state elections will be over and maybe then there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India. But we are totally committed,” Pakistani minister of planning and development Ahsan Iqbal told a gathering in Washington. Responding to a question at US Institute of Peace, a top American think-tank, Iqbal rued that Pakistan is an election issue in the state assembly elections in India.“This is a bit unfortunate that they’re taking, you know, strong positions along the electoral cycle. I think we should be mature enough to think beyond that was India and Pakistan have to live together, we cannot change our geography, and we must now, think in terms of peace,” Iqbal said.PTI
Kashmir: Army officer booked for rape, abetment to suicide in ex-wife’s death case
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-army-officer-booked-for-rape-abetment-to-suicide-in-ex-wife-s-death-case/story-Nr2FnIt6KkMEBdMSm5ByzK.html
Jammu:An Army Major was booked on Friday for raping and abetting the suicide of a female colleague in industrial town of Bari-Brahmana in Samba district in December last year. The former husband of the woman was also booked on charges of blackmailing. No arrests have been made so far.Major Anita Kumari, 36, who served the Army Supply Corps at Bari-Brahmana in Samba district, 15km from Jammu, was found dead at her official residence on Dec.15 last year.HT
Top Indian diplomat re-appointed to UN Inspection Unit
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-indian-diplomat-re-appointed-to-un-joint-inspection-unit/story-SFncyUr8oqrbsX3dIesPII.html
New York: Achamkulangare Gopinathan, a top Indian diplomat, has been re-appointed by the UN General Assembly to the Joint Inspection Unit, the only independent external oversight body of the UN system.Gopinathan, along with Sukai Prom-Jackson of Gambia, Jean Wesley Cazeau of Haiti and Nikolay Lozinskiy of Russia were appointed members of the Joint Inspection Unit for a 5-year term beginning Jan.1,2018.Joint Inspection Unit is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations system mandated to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations system-wide.PTI
Lack of jeera, onions in dal reason behind BSF jawan’s Facebook post: panel
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bsf-soldier-video-lack-of-jeera-onions-in-dal-the-reason-behind-facebook-post/story-ixxOdy8f5J57na5o3Ipm9I.html
New Delhi: Lack of ‘jeera’ (cumin) or onions in ‘tadka’ or tempering for dal prompted BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav to post videos of the meal, preliminary findings of the BSF court of inquiry say.Yadav’s Facebook videos from a border base in J&K triggered a countrywide debate on the living conditions of those securing our borders. Yadav, who was subsequently brought to his battalion’s headquarters in Rajouri, had alleged that the poor quality food, including watery dal without ‘tadka’ and burnt chapatis, was a result of pilferage of supplies by senior officers. The outrage generated by viral video ensured it was probed by a court of inquiry headed by a DIG of the paramilitary.Inquiry looked into the supply of items such as cumin, garlic,ginger and onion,which are required for ‘tadka’.HT
Days after crackdown, Hafiz Saeed renames JuD to Tehreek Azadi J&K
http://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/days-after-crackdown-pakistans-hafiz-saeed-renames-jamaat-ud-dawa-to-tehreek-azadi-jammu-and-kashmir/537484/
Islamabad: Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi J&K ', just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation's activities. He had indicated about a week before his arrest that he might launch Tehreek Azadi J&K (TAJK) to "expedite the freedom of Kashmir".The rebranding shows that Saeed had got a wind of the official plans and had already worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).Official sources confirmed that the two organisations have started activities under the name new of TAJK and were planning to organise events on Feb.5, which is observed as 'Kashmir Day' in Pakistan.PTI
China denies putting pressure on Pak for Saeed’s arrest
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/China-denies-putting-pressure-on-Pakistan-for-Saeed%E2%80%99s-arrest/article17190509.ece
Beijing; China on Friday signalled that it had not imposed any pressure on Pakistan to put Hafiz Saeed under house arrest. However, Beijing has decided to send a top diplomat to Islamabad following his detention.Asked to comment on news reports from Pakistan that China had imposed pressure on Islamabad which led to the Saeed’s house arrest, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang stated that eijing supported international cooperation on counterterrorism with Pakistan, provided it is conducted with Islamabad’s consent. Lu confirmed that a Vice-Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping, who is in charge of counter-terrorism, will “shortly” travel to Pakistan to “discuss counter-terrorism efforts”. thehindu
Govt rules out tax incentive beyond Rs 2 lakh for 2nd home
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/govt-rules-out-tax-incentive-beyond-rs-2-lakh-for-second-home/articleshow/56970868.cms
New Delhi: Ruling out rollback of the proposal to restrict tax incentive for second home to Rs 2 lakh per annum, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Saturday said there is no point in subsidising purchase of second property by those who have surplus funds.Moreover, he added that the tax incentive for second home loan borrower is being "virtually misused."Citing limited resources, he said it is prudent to subsidize first-time buyer and not the second property owner who is not staying in that but earning income from the second unit.The Finance Bill 2017 has restricted set-off of loss towards second home against other heads of income up to Rs 2 lakh under Section 71 of the Income Tax Act.PTI
Personal income tax base must be up before corporate tax cut: revenue secretary Adhia
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56969026.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Marital rape brought under law will put family system under stress: Union minister
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/marital-rape-brought-under-law-will-put-family-system-under-stress/story-9lX7c5KoFPgbzFot5DK1iL.html
New Delhi: The entire family system will be under great stress if marital rape is brought under the law, a parliamentary panel, which deliberated the issue of making amendments to Section 375 of IPC that defines rape, has observed.Citing NCRB data, Union minister of state for women and child development Krishna Raj said in the Lok Sabha that 700 cases pertaining to rape by live-in partners or separated husbands were filed in 2015.However, she reiterated govt stance against bringing marital rape under law.“Dept-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs presented its 167th Report on Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012 on Mrch1, 2013. PTI
MP: Girl’s suicide triggers communal tension in Harda
http://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-school-girls-suicide-triggers-communal-tension-in-harda/1013280
Harda: Prohibitory orders were clamped in the town after communal tension following stone pelting at a Masjid on Friday. Situation was reported to be tense but under control till filing of the report. As per the police, people of a particular community took out a rally and staged protest against the suicide by girl after harassment by youths of another community. During the protest, they pelted stones at masjid. This led communal tension. Many were stone pelting. Police swung into action and imposed Section 144 in city. A class 11 girl committed suicide due to continuous eve teasing. She hanged herself on Wednesday. The girl student was distressed by eve-teasing while her father made a complaint against the boys Salman and Farooq. Police have arrested 7 accused and registered a case against 10 people. Freepressjournal
Law commission has no mandate for consultation on Uniform Civil Code: JD(U)
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/feb/03/law-commission-has-no-mandate-for-consultation-on-uniform-civil-code-jdu-1566621.html
New Delhi: JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav criticized the Law Commission for initiation consultation on Uniform Civil Code without having comprehensive discussion and consensus on the issue.Raising the matter in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, Yadav said that Law Commission has written to all state CMs including Bihar CM seeking views on UCC.Yadav said that it is beyond Commission’s mandate as the Constitution provides for moving towards such step only when there is a consensus. “The constitution provides people of all religions freedom to practice their traditions and practices.Law commission without any discussion is going ahead with consultation process. Law commission is going beyond its mandate,” said Yadav.
Kerala CM writes to Modi, raises concern over 'treatment' to E Ahamed by RML Hospital
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/kerala-cm-writes-to-modi-raises-concern-over-treatment-to-e-ahamed-by-rml-hospital-117020400186_1.html
New Delhi: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has written to PM Narendra Modi requesting an enquiry into Former Union Minister E Ahamed's death, saying the situation should've been handled in "humanitarian" way.In the letter, Vijayan asserts that the protocol of treatment provided to Ahamed by the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital and the treatment of the late politician's family by the hospital administration have raised serious concerns."Needless to say that the situation should have been handled in a humanitarian way. To allay the apprehensions of his family, colleagues and the people of Kerala, I request that the entire matter may kindly be enquired into. I would also like to suggest that steps may be taken to avoid such incidents in the future," Vijayan said.ANI
Ahameds death: PAC chief slams Centre
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ahameds-death-pac-chief-slams-centre/1/874822.html
Kochi:Raking up the issue of the death of IUML leader E Ahamed at a Delhi hospital, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament KV Thomas today alleged that the govt wanted to keep his body there till the budget was presented and said it was not only an "insult" to the late MP but also to the Muslim community..PTI
Cleric approaches Delhi HC to halt 'Fatah Ka Fatwa'
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/special-stories/muslim-cleric-approaches-delhi-hc-to-halt-fatah-ka-fatwa-20000
New Delhi: An obscure Mullah from Delhi, who was previously close to the RSS has moved writ petitions to the Delhi High Court, asking the courts to intervene and halt all future episodes of the hugely popular new TV series ‘Fatah Ka Fatwa’ that airs on Saturday and Sunday nights on ZeeNews.Maulana Ansar Raza who heads the ‘Gareeb Nawaz Foundation’ NGO filed a PIL on Jan. 25th asking the courts to seize all material related to ‘Fatah Ka Fatwa’ from the premises of ZeeNews, alleging that the show’s host Tarek Fatah “abuse literally the majority of the country citizen (sic) especially against the Hindu community which will spread riot like situation.”India Samvad
Cash transfer gets thumbs down, less than 60% cash reaches beneficiaries
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cash-transfer-gets-thumbs-down-less-than-60-cash-reaches-beneficiaries/story-Aw9K2movh4xprVAcE71aQP.html
Who is Anubhav Mittal, the prime accused in Rs 3,700-cr Noida online trading scam?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/anubhav-mittal-conman-robinhood-and-prime-accused-in-rs-3-700-cr-scam-noida-ponzi-scam/story-KbgoxypVn9pPR5bOyW526N.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=recommended-for-you
Nagaland violence: Why the anger? Tribals allege quota rule hits tradition, state’s status: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nagaland-kohima-behind-the-fire-tribals-allege-women-quota-hits-tradition-states-status-4506535/
How the Right-biased media is trying to paint Kerala as a communal warzone: Meen Aviyal
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/bjp-rss-right-wing-media-is-trying-to-paint-kerala-as-communal-warzone/story/1/15469.html
Jallikattu and the Bovine Underbelly of Indian Nationalism: Sadanand Menon, the wire
https://thewire.in/105905/bovine-underbelly-indian-nationalism-jallikattu/
WORLD
Kuwait denies reports entry visa ban of ‘some nationalities
http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2590228&language=en
Kuwait: Kuwait Friday categorically denied media reports that it planned to stop issuing entry visas for some nationalities, affirming that issuance of visa was a "sovereignty matter." The foreign ministry "categorically denies these claims and affirms that these reported nationalities (which he did not mention) have big communities in Kuwait and enjoy full rights," Sami Al-Hamad, Assistant foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, said. Al-Hamad said citizens of those countries mentioned by social media visited Kuwait regularly through direct commercial flights.Businesspeople from Kuwait and those countries are bound to commercial relations, he explained."State of Kuwait believes that granting of visa is a sovereign matter, and is not linked to terrorism or violence or nationality or faith," he said. Kuwait News Agency
In another attempt,US Judge blocks immigration ban
http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/judge-halts-ban-on-entry-to-us-1655931
A federal judge in Washington state declared Friday that he would temporarily block enforcement of President Donald Trump's controversial ban on entry to US, and govt authorities immediately began taking steps that would allow those previously affected to travel, according to a US official familiar with the matter.The ruling from Judge James Robart was broader than similar ones before it, and it prompted officials to immediately communicate with airlines. At the same time, though, White House said the Justice Dept would "at the earliest possible time" file for an emergency stay of the "outrageous" ruling from the judge. Minutes later, it issued a similar statement removing the word "outrageous.""The president's order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people," White House said.The Washington Post
US judge temporarily blocks travel ban nationwide
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-judge-temporarily-blocks-donald-trumps-travel-ban-nationwide-4506981/
US slaps sanctions on Iran, ticks off Israel, goes after Russia
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-slaps-sanctions-on-iran-ticks-off-israel-goes-after-russia/story-sOkTS6eQTOr1N50U96s5JK.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=recommended-for-you
Trump administration has announced new sanctions against Iran, naming 25 entities and individuals connected to the country’s ballistic missiles programme and talked tough on Russia and Israel, veering its foreign policy closer to the mainstream than before. Administration had put Iran on notice earlier, after it conducted a missile test, and President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, “Iran is playing with fire - they don’t appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!”
Trump’s supporters will be his first victims: economist
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-supporters-first-victims-nobel-prize-winner-economist-joseph-stiglitz-a7559591.html
Airlines to board nationals barred under US Muslim ban
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/airlines-board-nationals-barred-muslim-ban-170204091834947.html
London: Thousands protest against Trump’s refugee ban
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/muslim-immigration-us-thousands-protest-in-london-against-trumps-refugee-ban-4507752/
Canada PM Among Thousands Attending Funeral of Quebec Mosque Shooting Victims
http://caravandaily.com/portal/canada-pm-among-thousands-attending-funeral-of-quebec-mosque-shooting-victims/
'Hundreds of Rohingyas' killed in Myanmar crackdown: UN
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/rohingyas-killed-myanmar-crackdown-170203101817841.html
Myanmar's security forces have committed mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya Muslims and burned down villages since October in a campaign that likely amounts to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing, according to the United Nations."The 'area clearance operations' have likely resulted in hundreds of deaths," a report from the UN's human rights office said, referring to a military crackdown launched in the wake of an attack on a military post. aljazeera
28 female Bangla Jamaat activists put on 2-day remand
http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/138053/28-female-Jamaat-activists-put-on-2-day-remand
A Dhaka court on Friday placed 28 female activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, arrested from the city's Mohammadpur area, on a 2-day remand in a case filed under the Special Powers Act, reports UNB.Metropolitan magistrate Md Delwar Hossain passed the order after officer-in-charge of Mohammadpur Police Station Md Shafiqul Islam, also investigation officer of the case, produced them before the court seeking a seven-day remand, said General Recording Officer of the court sub-inspector Nizam Uddin. prothom
UN lifts sanctions on Afghan warlord Hekmatyar: Reuters
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/un-lifts-sanctions-on-notorious-afghan-warlord-gulbuddin-hekmatyar/story-9l7rHTIQLenxJfJSdQcR7I.html
UNSC has dropped sanctions against Afghan strongman Gulbuddin Hekmatya .Afghan govt requested the move as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-i-Islami, in Sept.The deal was criticised by some Afghans and human rights groups for the pardon it granted to Hekmatyar and many of his fighters. Afghan govt welcomed the UN’s decision made on Friday as a “a major step toward peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, a political advisor for President Ashraf Ghani.hindustantimes
US says Israeli settlements 'may not be helpful'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/israeli-settlements-helpful-170203041339270.html
59 IS militants killed in northern Syria: Turkish military
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/51-islamic-state-militants-killed-in-northern-syria-says-turkish-military/story-O7dHfhuhWpfL0CTrZPy2yM.html
Turkey, US-coalition jets 'kill 47 ISIL fighters'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/turkey-coalition-jets-kill-47-isil-fighters-170203064906271.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:43 PM)
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