Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
07 March.2017: 07 Jamadiul Akhir 1438:Vol:8, No:135
INDIA
From MP train blast to Lucknow encounter: Terror acts put agencies on alert ahead of UP poll phase:India Today
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/terrorist-attack-in-lucknow-up-police-terrorist-in-lucknow-bhopal-train-blast/1/899041.html
New Delhi:Security agencies swung into action after an explosion on a passenger train near Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning.Soon after the incident the several agencies were alerted. Madhya Pradesh IG Law and Order Makrand Devaskar even confirmed that the incident was a terrorist attack.After the explosion, the police received intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of suspected terrorists in Lucknow and Kanpur. While a person was arrested from Kanpur, an operation to neutralise a suspected militant in Lucknow's Thakurganj is underway.With multiple incidents related to terror being reported hours before the last phase of the crucial UP Assembly election, reports surfaced that the Thakurganj attack and the ensuing encounter was in wake of the polling on Wednesday. However, substantial evidence suggesting a link between the spate of terror activities and the polls on Wednesday is yet to be substantiated.Sources from the forces said that efforts are made to capture the terror suspect alive. Encounter in Lucknow began hours after blast on the Bhopal-Ujjain train, where at least eight people were injured. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police said that they are trying to convince the suspect to surrender. indiatoday
LIVE Terror stand-off in Lucknow: Operation continues, National Security Guards called in: financialexpress
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/live-updates-terror-stand-off-in-lucknow-militant-sneaks-into-thakurganj-locality-security-forces-at-the-spot/578318/
8 injured in blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train:PTI
http://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/8-injured-in-blast-in-bhopal-ujjain-passenger-train/1030589
Shajapur: At least 8 persons were today injured, two of them seriously, in a blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train near Jabdi station in the district, a railway official said. The blast occurred in a general coach of the train between 9.30AM and 10 AM when it was on its way to Ujjain from Bhopal, Railway PRO, Indore, Jitendra Kumar Jayant said. A bomb disposal squad has reached the accident sitel, and is trying to ascertain the cause and the nature of the blast.
3 detained in connection with blast in Bhopal-Ujjain train
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/three-detained-in-connection-with-blast-in-bhopal-ujjain-train/1/899014.html
Bhopal: 3 persons have been detained in connection with the blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train today that left 10 people injured."It (the blast) was carried out by planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)," mp IG Intelligence, Makrand Deoskar, told PTI."We have detained three suspects from Piparia town in Hoshangabad district while checking vehicles," he said and confirmed that they have been detained in connection with the blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train.PTI
NIA issues notice to Zakir Naik, asks him to appear on March 14
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-issues-notice-to-zakir-naik-asks-him-to-appear-on-march-14/articleshow/57519129.cms
New Delhi: NIA today issued notice to Zakir Naik asking him to join the investigation at its headquarters in New Delhi on March 14.It is believed Naik is staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after perpetrators of the Dhaka terror strike last year claimed they were inspired by him. The 51-year-old preacher has been booked along with unnamed officials of his Islamic Research Foundation for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. He's also been accused of indulging in acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony beside various sections of UAPA.Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today questioned Naik's sister in connection with a money laundering probe against him and others.Officials said Naik's sister Nailah Noorani met the Investigating Officer of the case at the agency's office here during which her statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).They said the agency wanted to grill Noorani about the alleged fund transactions in her account and the firms associated with her. timesofindia
Crackdown on Zakir Naik: ED questions sister Nailah who is a director of 5 shell companies
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zakir-naik-ed-questions-sister-rs200-crore-money-trail/1/898725.html
ISIS recruitment case: IRF man Rizwan Khan gets bail as NIA fails to submit charge sheet
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/isis-irf-case-rizwan-khan-gets-bail-as-nia-fails-to-submit-charge-sheet/story-uH7Mu2QJj35QxRfCxFoH6N.html
Mumbai:The special NIA court granted bail to Rizwan Khan, one of 3 accused booked in connection for allegedly influencing a city-based Muslim man to join ISIS. Khan is the second accused in the case, after Mohammad Haneef, to be released on bail after the NIA failed to file a charge sheet against him. Mohammad Haneef, a maulavi from Kerala, Arshi Qureshi, guest relations officer at IRF and Rizwan Khan were arrested following complaint of city businessman Abdul Khan. Abdul had alleged that Haneef, Arshi and Rizwan were responsible for radicalising his son Ashfaque to join ISIS along with at least 21 other Muslim youth from Kerala. While NIA filed a charge sheet against Arshi Qureshi last month, it is yet to gather enough evidence to file charge sheet against Haneef and Rizwan. As there was no charge sheet against Haneef, he was granted bail in Feb.after completion of 180 days of his arrest. Soon after the deadline to file chargesheet against Rizwan ended last week, his lawyer Tahwar Khan Pathan immediately field a bail application. The court, after hearing the plea, granted bail to Rizawn on Saturday. At the time of Rizwan’s arrest, NIA had alleged that he was responsible for conversation of several people to Islam, including youth from Kerala who have alleged left to join the ISIS. HT
Ex-DU professor Saibaba sentenced to life for Maoist links
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/du-professor-saibaba-convicted-for-maoist-links/article17422375.ece?homepage=true
Former Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba and four others, who were was arrested by the Maharashtra police for their alleged links with Maoists, were sentenced to life in prison by a court in Gadchiroli on Tuesday. Another accused, Vijay tirke was awarded 6-year imprisonment.JNU student Hem Mishra, Prashant Rahi, Mahesh Tirke and Pandu Narote were the others who got the life term. the hindu
Mufti seeks compensation for malicious prosecution
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/mufti-seeks-compensation-for-malicious-prosecution/articleshow/57502956.cms
Ahmedabad: Mufti Abdul Qayyum Mansuri, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2002 Akshardham Temple attack case, has dashed off legal notices to the state govt and 4 police officials who investigated case, seeking compensation of Rs 5.20 crore.Mufti also sought a reply on why the 4 cops, including retired DIG D G Vanzara and IPS officer GL Singhal, should not be put on trial for their malicious prosecution which resulted in his 11-year-long incarceration. Mansuri and 5 others were acquitted by the SC in May 2014. After their acquittal and SC's observation that innocent persons were prosecuted, some of them approached the SC seeking directions to the state govt to prosecute cops for their victimization. 6 accused were convicted, said advocate Barun Kumar, who represented them in the court along with advocate Surendra Gadling. TOI
Delhi court reserves order on Yasin Bhatkal's petition challenging solitary confinement in Tihar
http://www.indialivetoday.com/delhi-court-reserves-order-on-yasin-bhatkal-039-s-petition-challenging-solitary-confinement-in-tihar/133858.html
New Delhi: Patiala House Court on Tuesday reserved its order on Yasin Bhatkal's plea challenging his solitary confinement in a high security cell in the Tihar Jail.The Tihar Jail authorities in its reply told the court that there is no solitary cell in the jail, adding that Bhatkal is kept under surveillance since there are several cases pending against him.The court is to pass the order on Bhatkal's application on March 25.In the application moved by Bhatkal's counsel, it's stated that his solitary confinement would result in the contempt of court.ANI
2008 Malegaon blast: Accused alleges NIA flouted protocol while collecting voice samples
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/2008-malegaon-blast-accused-alleges-nia-flouted-protocol-while-collecting-voice-samples/story-i9941BLmajPIP9x7NotpOM.html
Mumbai: Major Ramesh Upadhyay, one of the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, has claimed that the investigating agencies did not follow due protocol to obtain voice samples of the accused. Upadhyay wants the court to discard the evidence of audio-video tapes. The audio -video tapes are said to be crucial evidence in the case, as the same are proof of the alleged conspiracy meetings held in Bhopal (April 2008), Faridabad (June 2008) and Nashik (Sept 2008). Apart from this, the agency has also relied on the interceptions and transcripts of the conversations recorded between accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Upadhyay and other accused. NIA, in its chargesheet, claimed that the voice samples have matched with the conversation recorded. HT
J&K: Thousands attend militant’s funeral in Tral
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/thousands-attend-militants-funeral-in-tral/articleshow/57504757.cms
Srinagar: Thousands of people turned up for funeral prayers on Monday for Hizbul Mujahideen commander Aqib Moulvi, killed along with his Pakistani associate in a fierce gunfight with security forces at Nazneepora village in Tral area of Pulwama district.Aqib, and his Pakistani associate, Usama, were killed on Sunday. One member of the police SOG was killed while several other personnel, including a major, were injured in the gun battle. One house was blown up by the security forces. Meanwhile, thousands of people, including women, attended the funeral procession of Aqib at Hayina, his ancestral village in Tral. Witnesses said the people were shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Amid slogans about Islam and "Azadi", the slain militant's funeral was held multiple times due to space constraints, reports said.Aqib was laid to rest in local martyrs' graveyard. A complete shutdown was observed in Tral to protest aganst the killing of militants. Meanwhile, in Shopian, massive stone-throwing clashes erupted at Pinjoora after security forces launched a cordon-andsearch operation on receiving intelligence about the presence of some militants.TOI
Ramjas row: Delhi HC disposes of plea seeking action against cops for assaulting students
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ramjas-row-delhi-hc-disposes-off-plea-seeking-action-against-cops-for-assaulting-students/articleshow/57512330.cms
New Delhi: Delhi High Court has disposed of a plea seeking action against cops for allegedly manhandling students and journalists during a clash that broke out between 2 student associations in Ramjas college. The students from Delhi University's law dept.approached the High Court for action against those cops responsible for assaulting students and scribes.Two of Delhi University law students Tarun Narang and Deepak Joshi filed a PIL in the matter, which seeks formation of an independent committee of senior Delhi Police officials to investigate what led to massive protests in the College.TOI
Rajasthan HC stays university move to suspend Jodhpur professor for organising lecture of JNU professor
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-hc-stays-university-move-to-suspend-jodhpur-professor-for-organising-lecture-4557673/
Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court stayed a decision by Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur to suspend an assistant professor for organising a seminar on campus last month during which JNU professor Nivedita Menon allegedly delivered controversial remarks on the Indian Army and Kashmir, leading to protests by the ABVP.A single-judge bench of the High Court stayed the university’s order and issued notices to its vice-chancellor and registrar, seeking their response by the next date of hearing on April 7.“In the meanwhile and until further orders, effect and operation of the order dated 16.07.2017 placing the petitioner under suspension remain stayed,” Justice Dinesh Mehta said in his order.Ranawat’s lawyer Shivendra Singh Rathore said, “The HC bench heard our arguments and based on facts, stayed the suspension order as well as the committee formed by the university to look into Professor Ranawat’s termination.”
RSS, which doesn't believe in Constitution, is in power today: Teesta Setalvad
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rss-which-doesnt-believe-in-constitution-is-in-power-today-teesta-setalvad/articleshow/57501632.cms?from=mdr
New Delhi: Teesta Setalvad termed the Modi govt "more dangerous" than the Trump administration saying the RSS "is in power today" in the country and "does not believe" in the Constitution. "We may curse the US for all we like, but look at the protests taken out in America everyday. The media, the women, the workers and all sections of the society are challenging the extremely crass president. "But the leadership here is more dangerous. Trump doesn't have the RSS behind him. RSS is in power in India today. RSS is a proto-facist force and it does not believe in the Indian constitution," Setalvad said during the launch of her book 'Foot Soldier of The Constitution' here today. The activist also pointed out the recent violence at Delhi University and several such instances across universities in the country to buttress her point. "Look at what is happening in our universities now. Young leaders are increasingly charged with sedition. The kind of violence perpetrated against women in DU should shock all of us...but nobody is willing to come out as we all are scared," Setalvad said. The society is being "gripped by a stupor", Setalvad said, adding, "This sense of fear and isolation is really in the favour of the perpetrator and we need to think about it." The book was originally scheduled to be launched at the Oxford Bookstore on March 6 here, but the bookstore cancelled the launch apprehending "disruption" by "external elements". PTI
RSS backing makes Modi more dangerous than Trump: Teesta
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/03/06/rss-backing-makes-modi-more-dangerous-than-donald-trump-says-teesta-setalvad-activist-du-jnu-row-ramjas
‘Gujarat riots did not happen all of a sudden’
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/gujarat-riots-did-not-happen-all-of-a-sudden/article17419695.ece
Triple Talaq on WhatsApp: Red corner notice sought against brothers from Hyderabad
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/03/07/triple-talaq-on-whatsapp-red-corner-notice-against-brothers-fro/
The Hyderabad police has sought a Red Corner Notice against two brothers based in New York after their wives approached the police after one of them was divorced over WhatsApp. The older brother had done the same with his wife 6 months ago. The story came to light recently when Usman Qureshi sent three talaq messages to his wife Mahreen Noor. The Indian Express had reported that Qureshi's elder brother, Syed Fayazuddin, had done the same with his wife 6 months ago. Fayazuddin is said to have sent his wife Heena Fatima divorce papers by post. huffingtonpost
India has highest bribery rate among 16 Asia Pacific countries: Transparency International
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-has-highest-bribery-rate-among-16-asia-pacific-countries-says-transparency-international-report/articleshow/57508800.cms
Mumbai: India had the highest bribery rate among the 16 Asia Pacific countries surveyed by Transparency International. Nearly seven in 10 Indians who had accessed public services had paid a bribe. Contrast this with the least corrupt country - Japan, where only 0.2% of the respondents reported paying a bribe.The only silver lining is that over a half of the respondents from India were positive about the govt's efforts to combat bribery. Even as the govt's efforts to tackle bribery were appreciated, slightly more than 40% of the respondents viewed that corruption had increased over the past twelve months. 63% of the respondents in India also felt that they as individuals had the power to fight corruption. The Global Corruption Barometer for the Asia Pacific Region was released by Transparency International (TI) - an anti-corruption global civil society organisation, at the stroke of one minute past midnight on March 7, in Berlin. timesofindia
Note ban hits cash stash of 11 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani still richest
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-faced-a-tough-year-due-to-disruptive-policies-hurun-report-india/articleshow/57519635.cms
Mumbai: The country's economy faced a 'tough year' due to the govt 's disruptive policies like the recent demonetisation drive, a global rich list report said on Tuesday. According to the Hurun Global Rich List India, the demonetisation drive which started on November 8, 2016 eroded the wealth of 11 individuals to below the threshold limit of $1 billion. The report featured 132 Indian-origin billionnaires with a wealth of $1 bilion or more. "India had a tough year because of disruptive govt policies such as demonetisation drive," said Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and Chief Researcher, Hurun Report India. "However, on a long term perspective, we do believe that such transparent currency economics will have a positive impact for the entrepreneurs."The list ranked Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, 59 as the richest Indian. Ambani topped the list of 132 individuals with a fortune of Rs 175,400 crore ($26 billion). "In addition to his aggressive plans for his oil business, Mukesh Ambani is now focusing on his new telecom venture, Jio, which has acquired more than 100 crore customers in less than 6 months," the report said. IANS
Azam Khan moves SC against bailable warrant in UP Jal Nigam case
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/azam-khan-moves-sc-against-bailable-warrant-in-up-jal-nigam-case/story-ZLes4X78IZ7ClhOqKIHpEP.html
New Delhi: UP minister Azam Khan on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court against the bailable warrant issued by the Allahabad high court after he failed to appear before it in a case related to the state Jal Nigam, which he heads.Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khan, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar and said the high court has sought presence of Khan before it on Tuesday itself in connection with the case.PTI
Pak home to 2 million Indian migrants, 2nd largest in world
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/world/story/243032.html
:Pakistan is home to the second-largest number of Indian migrants after UAE, a new survey has reported.“While many Indian migrants move to far-flung, wealthy countries like the US, Canada, and the UK, a large number of them ends up right next door in Pakistan. According to a study by Pew Research, in 2015, Pakistan was home to the second-largest number of Indian migrants after UAE,”reported Quartz India. greaterkashmir
Another BSF jawan posts video on social media, says some subordinates ‘treated like slaves’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/another-bsf-jawan-posts-video-on-social-media-says-some-subordinates-treated-like-slaves-4558045/
New Delhi:Alleging that jawans are provided with lowest quality fruits and vegetables in many units, another BSF jawan took to social media and complained about the poor treatment meted out to some of them by their seniors. According to a CNN-News18 report, Jawan Sindhav Jogidas has alleged that he was forced to be a Sahayak as a punishment for joining late. “Some of the officers treat their subordinates as if they are slaves. The jawans have to do everything as a compulsion and the one who speaks up gets killed. This is because Army ‘constitution’ is very strict,” he says in the video.The jawan also said that he had written to PMO in January 2016 highlighting all his complaints but a disciplinary action case was started against him in response to this. Indian Express
18 months on, Bihar yet to receive PM’s Rs 125,000 cr package: RTI reply
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/18-months-on-bihar-yet-to-receive-pm-s-rs-125-000-cr-package-rti-reply/story-ztSEDWkEcDMofLZlNJXFAL.html
Mumbai:Even 18 months after the Bihar assembly elections held in October 2015 , the state still awaits a sum of Rs 1.25 lakh-crore announced by PM Narendra Modi during the poll campaign, an RTI query has revealed.Mumbai RTI activist Anil Galgali filed the query with the Union finance ministry in December 2016 seeking details of Modi’s assurances on massive financial aid or development packages to various states. He also sought details of the action taken on the financial packages.IANS
Tribal communities oppose Assam govt’s decision to make Sanskrit compulsory in schools
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/tribal-communities-oppose-assam-govts-decision-to-make-sanskrit-compulsory-in-schools-4557707/
Guwahati:A platform representing eight tribal communities in Assam has opposed the Sarbananda Sonowal-led Assam govt ’s decision to make Sanskrit compulsory in state board schools till Class VIII.Another leader who has opposed the move is ULFA anti-talks faction leader Paresh Barua. He said in a statement that Bodo language should be compulsory instead of Sanskrit. Bodo Sahitya Sabha andAll Bodo Students’ Union have not seconded Barua’s demand.The decision to make Sanskrit compulsory till Class VIII in state board schools was taken by the Sonowal cabinet on Feb28. indianexpress
Fears of misuse of Muslim 'waqf' property in India as official suspended: Reuters
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-fears-of-misuse-of-muslim-waqf-property-in-india-as-official-suspended-2344378
Mumbai: Maharashtra has suspended an ex head of a Muslim organisation in charge of land endowments, amid growing concern that "waqf" land and property set aside for religious or charitable use is being illegally sold on to developers. State land dept, in an order last week, said Naseem Banu Patel misused her power as chief executive in declaring waqf land endowed for religious or charitable purposes, as non-waqf for sale to a developer.Patel's mobile phone was switched off. She had stepped down as chief executive but was still an officer on the waqf board. Board's current chief executive, AR Qureshi, said he did not wish to comment.Waqf is an endowment of land or property by a Muslim for a religious, educational or charitable purpose. Under Indian law, it cannot be transferred or sold, and must be used for the community's welfare.It is estimated that waqf boards in India hold nearly 500,000 registered properties and tracts of land, making them among the top landowners in the country.Yet several state boards have been accused in recent years of selling waqf land to developers and private buyers for low rates in return for illegal kickbacks as demand for land soars."Waqf properties are meant for the welfare of the entire community,"said Salim Baig, a social worker who has filed lawsuits against waqf boards.
No Wakf land misappropriation during my tenure: Maharashtra ex-Minister Arif Khan
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-no-wakf-land-misappropriation-during-my-tenure-arif-khan-2344673
Mumbai: Ex-Minority Affairs Minister Arif Khan has said that no misappropriation in the Wakf land has happened during his tenure. He also demanded a judicial inquiry into the scam to unearth how Rs 2500-crore worth land around Masjid Doodhwari Katra in Nashik has slipped from Wakf hands to that of a Pune-based known private builder."I am working on unearthing the names of all the bigwigs involved. I have repeatedly claimed that alleged scam took place during the BJP tenure and I have no connection with it," he said."I can tell with confidence that during my tenure as minister, no order adverse to Masjid was issued. Whatever little information I have as on today, all the orders relating to land transaction are passed during 2015-2016. Therefore, there is no question of any involvement of previous govt, which is apparent from the order dated March 2,2015 by the HC," he said. DNA
Madrassa scam: Ex-DEO questioned by CCS cops
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/madrassa-scam-ex-deo-questioned-by-ccs-cops/articleshow/57510829.cms
Hyderabad: Ex-district education officer (DEO) M Somi Reddy has been quizzed by sleuths of Central Crime Station (CCS) in connection with the Madrassa scam where funds earmarked for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) were siphoned off."We have recorded the statement of Somi Reddy as irregularities were reported during his tenure as he was also the district project officer of SSA," said inspector B Ravindra Reddy. Though cops questioned him two days ago, matter was kept under wraps. 2 education department officials, Naga Raju (field officer) and Yogender have already been arrested, while another officer, Asra Firdouse, is absconding. In Dec.2016, CCS cops took up the case based on a complaint by Syeda Zehra Unnisa, Nazim of Madarsa Ali-Ul-Uloom at Bhadurpura. It booked 12 and among the first to be arrested was MBA student Mohammed Zubair of Falaknuma who allegedly stole lakhs of rupees by furnishing fictitious names of Vidya Volunteers. Siasat
6 Jamia Nagar homes demolished for Delhi Metro, residents cry foul
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi/six-jamia-nagar-homes-demolished-for-delhi-metro-residents-cry-foul-4557738/
New Delhi:At least 6 semi-pucca homes and a newly-opened restaurant were demolished in an anti-encroachment drive to make way for Delhi Metro construction, in Jamia Nagar Monday. DMRC said it had cleared a portion of the land in Tikona Park, where the Jamia Nagar Metro station is being constructed on the Janakpuri West-Kalindi Kunj line as part of the DMRC’s third phase. 3 companies of police personnel, including paramilitary forces, were stationed in the area from 9 am to ensure law and order.However, residents alleged that the Metro had given them no prior notice. Mohammad Arif, a car mechanic whose family was one of the 6 which saw their homes demolished, said they had been living there for the last 40 years and had documents to prove ownership of the land.“Delhi Metro was supposed to clear around 4,500 gaz of my six bigha patch, because the remaining 1,500 gaz does not belong to them, as specified by court orders. Despite me showing them court papers, the Delhi Metro demolished my holdings on the entire six bigha patch. They had given us no prior notice about the demolition,” alleged Arif, whose wife, sons and grandchildren will spend the night in the open, at least on Monday. indian express
Ghaziabad: Khoda tense after 3 VHP men shot at, attacked with hockey sticks
http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ghaziabad-khoda-tense-after-three-vhp-men-shot-at-attacked-with-hockey-sticks/story-Tl6mR7ZGOCr991NGwo69fJ.html
Ghaziabad:Khoda, bordering Ghaziabad, Noida and Delhi, remained tense after 3 VHP activists were shot at in Anil Vihar on Sunday night allegedly by a group who were irked by their objection to construction of a mosque.Police, however, said they were yet to verify the victims’ claims regarding the mosque, and maintained that it was a road-rage incident as the victims had not given way to the attackers’ SUV.As saffron activists swarmed the hospital where the victims were undergoing treatment, a posse of policemen were deployed to maintain normalcy in the area.Among the victims, Vikas Mishra (28) suffered bullet injuries on his head and leg, his brother Abhishek Mishra (24) was shot on his left leg whereas Rakesh Kumar (36), a property dealer in Khoda, claimed he was thrashed with hockey sticks and cricket bats as he had filed a complaint against the “illegal” mosque construction in Deepak Vihar of Khoda village on Friday.(SSP, Ghaziabad, Deepak Kumar said on Rakesh’s complaint, they had stopped the construction.“Action under section 107/116 of CrPC was taken against those trying to erect the structure without any permission,” he said, adding that the attack on the three VHP men was the result of an altercation between the accused and the victims over giving way to the SUV of the accused.“Till late night, the issue was only of road rage while in the morning, the victim claimed that one member of the accused group was a member of the mosque committee. We are yet to verify their claims,” he said.An FIR was lodged against one person while 7-8 unnamed persons were also mentioned. 4 persons had been arrested till Sunday night, police said. HT
70% TN retailers stop selling Coke, Pepsi drinks
http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/70-tn-retailers-stop-selling-coke-pepsi-drinks-117030700932_1.html
Chennai: As the boycott against Pepsi and Coke completed seven days, a traders’ association claimed 70% of retailers in the state had stopped selling brands of the two cola majors.A M Vikramaraja, leader of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu (TNVSP), said: "Almost 70% of the retailers are not selling these brands. The other retailers have annual contracts with Pepsi and Coke and we are consulting legal experts on how to get them to stop selling these brands."An email to PepsiCo, Coca-cola and the Indian Beverage Association (IBA), which has been responding on behalf of the beverages manufacturers, did not elicit a response till the time of going to press. IBA earlier said that was is disappointed by the call to boycott Coke and Pepsi products. Business standard
Telangana: Girls can appear SSC exam wearing ‘burqa’
http://www.siasat.com/news/muslim-girls-can-appear-ssc-exam-wearing-burqa-1145607/
Hyderabad: According to Syed Naveed Akhtar, President Zaidi Educational Society, Muslim students can write exams while wearing ‘burqa’ and no one can force them to remove it.There are clear orders of Director of Govt. Examinations Dr. R Surender Reddy in this connection. He has issued clear orders in this connection to staff on invigilation duty for SSC exams especially Chief Superintendent and Departmental Officers. Hence girl students appearing SSC exams are advised to write exams with relaxed mind. School managements are also requested to inform the students about this. Siasat
Indo-Israel ties set to grow with PM Narendra Modi’s visit
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/indo-israel-ties-set-to-grow-with-prime-minister-narendra-modis-visit/578154/
WORLD
MB creating 'parallel social structure' in Sweden, aided by 'political elites' making it impossible to criticise Islam, claims govt report; academics, experts refute claims
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4289770/Muslim-Brotherhood-creating-parallel-society-Sweden.html#ixzz4aeJsZOEz
The Muslim Brotherhood is creating a 'parallel social structure' in Sweden with the help of 'political elites' who foster a culture of silence, a damning govt report has found. The document claims that the Brotherhood is building a 'parallel society' within the Scandinavian country, which can help the Islamist group to achieve its ends. The group is arguably the largest Islamist organisation in the world and has in the past been linked to mainstream Islamic institutions, including to the Muslim Council of Britain.The research focused on Muslim Brotherhood members both in Egypt and in Europe. Publication of the damning document about the group has sparked a row in Sweden, with critics labelling the report 'conspiratorial' and claiming it misrepresents Islam.The report, which was published on Friday, was commissioned by Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), which is part of the country's Ministry of Defence.The paper's authors claim the Brotherhood is working to increase the number of practising Muslims in Sweden, which they say encourages tension with the secular society and puts community cohesion in jeopardy.The authors also claim the organisation is targeting political parties, NGOs, academic institutions and other civil society organisations. 'Islamists aim to build a parallel social structure competing with the rest of the Swedish society the values of its citizens. In this sense, MB's activists pose a long-term challenge in terms of the country's social cohesion', the report says.However, the publication has been heavily criticised, with a group of 22 academics and religious experts questioning the methodology of the research.In a blog post they said the suggestion that criticism in Islam was difficult in Sweden is 'almost conspiratorial', and said past research had refuted the idea that the Brotherhood was building a parallel society.The blog post, which has academics at some of Sweden's top universities among its authors, read: 'The [report's] authors seem to conclude that Swedish Islam is a homogeneous phenomenon and that Swedish Muslims are led by the Muslim Brotherhood. 'It is a conclusion that goes against the overall research, which rather points towards the Muslim community being diverse and there being competition between Muslim groups.' Daily Mail
Not a Muslim ban in any way, US official defends travel ban
http://www.timesnow.tv/international/article/not-a-muslim-ban-in-any-way-us-official-defends-travel-ban/57175
Washington: Defending the revised travel ban that prevents people from 6 Muslim-dominated countries from entering US, senior Trump administration officials on Tuesday said the order is not aimed at Muslims but it’s an effort to safeguard the nation from foreign extremists."This is not a Muslim ban in any way, shape or form," the official told reporters during a conference call."This is a temporary suspension on the entry of nationals from six countries that have either failed states at this point, or that are state sponsors of terror; that we don't have the ability to make safe, adequate screening and vetting determinations for nationals under current procedures because of those weaknesses," said the official, who did not want to be identified.Times Now
US says extremist groups ‘active’ in India, warns of attacks across South Asia
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/us-says-extremist-groups-active-in-india-warns-of-attacks-across-south-asia/story-XLUir2rSIvpWShCAzpKOwO.html
Washington: Extremist groups are active in India and terror groups in South Asia may be planning attacks in the region, the US has warned in an updated “worldwide caution” for its citizens. The warning came on a day Donald Trump issued a new order temporarily barring citizens of 6 Muslim-majority countries from entering the US but exempted those with valid visas. “A number of established terrorist organisations, indigenous sectarian groups, and other militants pose a danger to US citizens in Pakistan,” the US state department said in the worldwide caution that was updated on Monday. “Extremist elements are also active in India, as outlined in a recent emergency message. Terrorists have hit a wide variety of targets and institutions in Bangladesh,” the document said without mentioning any group.HT
Indian-origin man subjected to racial slurs in NZ; told to go back to his own country
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/indian-origin-man-subjected-to-racial-slurs-in-new-zealand-told-to-go-back-to-his-own-country-4557578/
New Delhi:Another case of racial attack has come to light as an Indian national in New Zealand was subjected to racial slurs and told to go back to his own country during a road rage incident in Auckland, according to a local media report. Narindervir Singh said he videographed the incident from inside his vehicle last week. “I gave him a space… that lady gave me the finger. He was driving that car [pointing to a white Holden] and now he’s trying to threaten me, giving me bad names,” Singh says in a video which was being streamed live onto Facebook.The situation escalated after Singh informed the driver that he was uploading the video live. He was then racially abused and told to go back to his own country. The abuser, who is seen in video wearing a grey Everlast t-shirt, also made tasteless remarks about Punjabi people, Newshub reported. Singh said the abuser was tail-gating and, therefore, he simply pulled over to let him pass.Another Indian national, Bikramjit Singh, also became the victim of racial abuse last week when he left a Papatoetoe storage facility. indianexpress
Muslim leaders’ headscarf advice for women ‘attack on freedom’: Austrian govt
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/muslim-leaders-headscarf-advice-for-women-attack-on-freedom-austrian-govt/story-8y4PwWLlaFMzcufu0plAvI.html
Vienna:Austrian govt officials are criticising a recommendation by the country’s Islamic leaders that Muslim women wear a headscarf with the onset of puberty.Foreign minister Sebastian Kurz, who also is the country’s integration minister, says the stance is “an attack on the freedom and self-determination of women.”State secretary Maria Duzdar says such restrictions on the freedom of women are “unacceptable”.Austrian media reported their comments on Monday in reaction to a recommendation by the Islamic community.AP
Israel passes law banning entry for boycott supporters
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/185889/israel-passes-law-banning-entry-for-boycott-supporters
Israel’s parliament (Knesset) Monday evening passed into law a bill barring the entry for advocates of boycotting settlement goods. Supporters of the law argue that the legislation was the next step in Israel's battle with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement (BDS), which they claim targets Israel as a whole and accuse of being anti-Semitic."Banning BDS supporters that come here to harm us from within is the minimum we can do [to fight] against those Israel-haters," said Jewish Home party lawmaker Bezalel Smotrich.The law allows Israel's interior ministry to refuse visas to people in groups linked to BDS or who have supported a boycott of Israel.On its Facebook page, BDS drew a link between the new law and Donald Trump's new executive order banning citizens of 6 Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.World Bulletin
Hamas slams Israeli ‘kidnapping’ of colleagues in W. Bank
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170307-hamas-condemns-israeli-kidnapping-of-colleagues-in-west-bank/
Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform parliamentary bloc yesterday condemned the Israeli “kidnapping” of its members in the occupied West Bank, Safa news agency reported.Israeli occupation forces raided several West Bank cities yesterday evening and arrested Khalid Tafish and Anwar Zannoun, Palestinian MPs from the Hamas bloc.In a statement, the Change and Reform bloc said: “Returning to the policy of kidnapping the Palestinian MPs is a dirty Israeli policy and organised state terror against Palestinian legitimacy.” Meanwhile, the statement accused Israel of interfering in internal Palestinian affairs favouring one party over the others.
middleeastmonitor
Israel arrested 15,000 Palestinian women since 1967
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170307-israel-arrested-15000-palestinian-women-since-1967/
Israel has arrested some 15,000 Palestinian women since 1967, a Palestinian organisation revealed in a report today.The Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs added that there are currently 56 women and girls held by Israel, 16 of them minors, 18 married, 11 sick, and one held under administrative detention.The women are held in Sharon and Damon prisons, the report said ahead of International Women’s Day which is marked tomorrow. middleeastmonitor
Rights group says 107 Egyptian were killed by police forces in Feb
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170306-rights-group-says-107-egyptian-were-killed-by-police-forces-in-february/
107 extrajudicial killings were committed by security forces in Egypt in Feb.2017, El-Nadeem Centre for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture has revealed in its report for the month of Feb.The report, titled “Archive of Oppression”, has documented 110 cases of enforced disappearances during the same month, ten of which were carried out during investigations at the police stations.According to the report, February’s killings have included eight cases of prisoners’ death in custody and others in violent acts during the security raids to arrest regime opponents, and in terrorist attacks in the troubled Sinai Peninsula.Nadeem’s report has showed 12 cases of individual torture and 21 cases of mass torture while in detention. It has also reported 17 cases of medical negligence and 31 cases of general misconduct against the detainees. middleeastmonitor
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:08 PM)
