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Evening NEWS DIGEST
11 March.2017: 11 Jamadiul Akhir 1438:Vol:8, No:138
INDIA: ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
UP (403/403)
Parties Leads Won
BJP 0 325
SP + CONG 0 54
BSP 0 19
OTH 0 5
RLD 0 0
PUNJAB (117/117)
CONG 1 76
AAP 0 20
SAD 0 15
BJP 0 3
OTH 0 2
UTTARAKHAND(70/71)
BJP 1 56
CONG 0 11
OTH 0 2
UKD 0 0
BSP 0 0
GOA (38/40)
CONG+ 0 19
BJP 0 13
MGP+ 0 3
OTH 0 3
AAP 0 0
MANIPUR (60/60)
CONG 0 28
BJP 0 21
OTH 0 7
NPF 0 4
PRJA 0 0
BJP captures UP, Uttarakhand; Congress wins Punjab, leads in Manipur and Goa
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/bjp-captures-up-uttarakhand-close-contest-in-manipur/375999.htm---l
BJP tampered with EVMs, alleges Mayawati; asks for fresh polling by ballot papers
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/mayawati-says-evm-tampered-bjp-tampered-evms-fresh-polling-by-ballot-papers-muslim-up-elections-uttar-pradesh-uttar-pradesh-elections/
New Delhi:Not ready to accept defeat in UP , BSP chief mayawati accused the BJP of tampering with the EVMs and demanded fresh poll with the use of ballot paper. BJP is likely to secure a landlisde victory in the state, according to the latest trend. But Mayawati alleged that the voting was fudged and accused the BJP and its workers of tampering with the electronic voting machines. She said that she will write to the Election Commission to conduct a fresh poll in the state.“The results in UP and Uttarakhand are surprising and not palatable to anyone…it seems EVMs did not accept votes polled for any party other than BJP,” said Mayawati, whose BSP has fared poorly in the UP elections.“People’s trust in EVM voting is broken. BJP has tampered with the EVMs in UP. I have written to Election Commission in this regard, people no more have faith in EVM machines.It’s is an attack on democracy. Whatever reports I am getting my sources, in many areas people where people have not even voted to for BJP, the party is emerging as winner,” she added.“It is a matter of common discussion here that even if button is pressed for any other party, vote will be polled in favour of BJP,”Mayawati added.She asserted that BJP winning in Muslim dominated areas proves that there was something wrong with EVM machines. “Muslims constitute 20% votes in the state and the BJP did not give a single ticket to Muslims…but in Muslim-dominated seats also the results went in the BJP’s favour and this is unpalatable to the party,” she said.Her comments come as the BJP was poised to sweep the state. Issuing an open warning to the BJP, Mayawati said they need not be happy that they got a majority as they have “killed democracy and this is betrayal of democracy”. Indianexpress
Full list of Muslim winning candidates in UP Vidhan Sabha
http://viewsheadlines.com/up-election-results-2017-full-list-of-muslim-winning-candidates-in-uttar-pradesh-vidhan-sabha-12879/
Lucknow: UP election 2017 sent only 20 Muslim candidates to UP Vidhan sabha. From 69 seats in the previous assembly, election, this is like a white wash of sorts.In the last assembly elections held in the year 2012, there were as many as 69 Muslim MLAs in the house of 405. Though compared to their 20 percent population, there should have been ideally 100 Muslim candidates, but it was among the highest in the history of assembly elections in the state.Now the representation of the Muslim in state assembly is just around 5 percent. Amroha 41 Mehboob Ali SP, Bilari 30 mohd. Faeem SP, Chamraua 35 Naseer Ahmad Khan SP, Gopalpur 344 Nafees Ahmad SP, Isauli 187 Abrar Ahmad SP, Kairana 8 Nahid Hasan SP, Kanpur Cantt. 216 Sohil Akhtar Ansari Congress, Kundarki 29 Mohammad Rizwan SP, Meerut 48 Rafiq Ansari SP, Mau 356 Mukhtar Anshari BSP, Moradabad Rural 27 Haji Ikram Qureshi SP, Najibabad 17 Tasleem Ahmad SP, Nizamabad 348 Alambadi SP, Pratappur 257 Mohd Mujtaba Siddqui BSP, Rampur 37 Mohammad Azam Khan SP, Saharanpur 4 Masood Akhtar Congress, Sambhal 33 Iqbal Mehmood SP, Sishamau 213 Hazi Irfan Solanki SP, Suar 34 Abdullah Azam Khan SP, Thakurdwara 26 Navab Jan SP. ViewsHeadlines
UP: 27 Muslim candidates leading; 68 had won in 2012
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/up-only-24-muslim-candidates-leading;-68-had-won-in-2012
UP election results: BJP doubles vote share from 2012, slight drop since Lok Sabha polls
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-up-election-results-bjp-doubles-vote-share-from-2012-slight-drop-since-lok-sabha-polls-372150
From 47 seats in the 2012 Assembly elections of UP, BJP’s numbers are all set to surge to more than 300 in the 2017 polls. In terms of vote percentage, BJP has more than doubled its vote share this time compared to the 2012 Assembly elections. BJP’s vote share was just 15 % in 2012 Assembly elections of UP which has risen to almost 40 % in 2017. In terms of the latest vote share data, as available with the Election Commission, BJP polled 39.6 % , followed by the SP and the BSP with 22 % each while the Congress was seen getting over 6 % in 2017 state elections. Among others, the RLD was seen getting less than 2 % vote share and the CPI had just 0.2 % , while 0.9 % votes were cast for NOTA. Independent candidates who were seen as leading on three seats polled 2.5 % votes.BJP had got 42.6 % vote share in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in UP while the same was just 15 % in the last assembly elections in the state in 2012. SP’s vote share has remained largely unchanged from 22.3 % since 2014, but has come down from over 29% in 2012.BJP did even better in the neighbouring Uttarakhand with over 46 % vote share, though down from nearly 56 % in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In Punjab, where the Congress was headed for a victory, the BJP saw its vote share decline to just about 5 % , down from nearly 9 % in the 2014 elections.The party also saw its vote share drop in Goa to nearly 33 % from over 54 % though it saw a big jump in Manipur to close to 35 % from 12 % .BJP’s rival parties—the SP, BSP and the Congress—have all seen their vote shares decline sharply since 2012 Assembly polls in UP though there is surprisingly not much change in their share since in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014.india tv news
BJP shining in Muslim stronghold a big jolt to Mayawati, Akhilesh: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/up-elections-results-bjp-shinning-in-muslim-stronghold-a-big-jolt-to-maya-akhilesh-samajwadi-party-bsp-bhartiya-janata-party-uttar-pradesh/
New Delhi:Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav have all reasons to be upset with the UP poll results. Not only their parties failed to return to power, the BJP secured massive victories in Muslim dominated areas – where SP and BSP parties used to enjoy lead in previous polls. From all six constituencies of riot-hit Muzaffarnagar to Deoband in Saharanpur, Bareilly, Bijnor and Moradabad where Muslims dominate the demography, the BJP swept the polls. Though the voting percentage is yet to come, Mayawati has alleged tampering of EVMs by BJP, saying even the ‘Muslims votes have gone to the saffron party which is unacceptable.’Well, how true is Mayawati’s allegation will be probed by the Election Commission. But if Muslims have cast their vote in favour of BJP, it is a big achievement for Narendra Modi and Amit Shah who are accused of marginalising the minorities. And the result in this region seems to be a big blow to the appeasement politics of the ruling SP and the BSP. indianexpress
Elections 2017: Prashant Kishor’s fall from grace as kingmaker is complete: HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/elections-2017-prashant-kishor-s-fall-from-grace-as-kingmaker-is-complete/story-2dxocKwWtfFJfAuM28h2qI.html
For poll strategist Prashant Kishor, the time for basking in the glory of past achievements just got over.Though the Congress registered a resounding victory in Punjab, the win was largely attributed to Captain Amarinder Singh’s charisma and the ten-year anti-incumbency factor against the SAD-BJP combine rather than Kishor’s campaign strategy. But Kishor will have much explaining to do on his role in UP and Uttarakhand, where the Congress has been reduced to ashes. It was Kishor who had persuaded the Congress leadership to go in for an alliance with the SP in UP and fight the assembly elections under outgoing CM Akhilesh Yadav.The move backfired for the Congress.Unlike his stint with PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Kishor had a relatively tough assignment with the Congress.Right from the beginning, he remained a ‘persona non grata’ in the Congress. At the time of hiring Kishor early last year, Congress leaders had insisted his expertise is needed to help the party adapt to changes in the mode of campaign in the internet age with social media having assumed much significance.But Kishor found it difficult to implement all his ideas in the grand old party. A few of his suggestions that Rahul Gandhi be declared the party’s UP CM ial candidate and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should lead the campaign were rejected outright by Congress leadership.HT
Irom Sharmila quits politics
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/irom-sharmila-quits-politics/articleshow/57594689.cms
Imphal: Manipur's 'Iron Lady' Irom Sharmila has reportedly decided to quit politics.The activist-turned-politician decided to enter politics after ending her 16-year-long fast against AFSPA in August 2016. She announced her decision to contest the Assembly elections in the state against incumbent CM Okram Ibobi Singh in Thoubal constituency, where he had won the last three elections. Times of india
India snubs new UN chief, rejects mediation on Kashmir issue
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-snubs-new-un-chief-rejects-kashmir-mediation/articleshow/57584466.cms
New Delhi: India has again reiterated that only a bilateral solution to the Kashmir issue is possible, amid signs that new UN secretary general Antonio Gutterres was looking at ways to break the deadlock between the two nations. Responding to reports that Guterres was considering opening a conversation with senior Indian and Pakistani officials on Kashmir, Govt sources said, "Our position on addressing all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally has not changed."Guterres' spokesperson Farhan Haq was quoted as saying that the secretary general "will talk to different officials if it helps (to) move the process along. That's something that he is looking into. Beyond that, I have nothing new to say about the issue". Haq was answering journalists' questions about the situation in Kashmir, and if Guterres had been able to understand the Kashmir dispute and would he be talking to PM Narendra Modi to start a dialogue with Pakistan.When asked if there was a timeline as to when the UN chief would talk to leaders from the two countries, Haq said that, as with any number of long-running situations, there were "a lot of complex issues" that needed to be examined. UN chief "will... certainly...try to see what can be done to improve the situation on the ground", Haq said.Pakistan has repeatedly asked the UN to intervene in Kashmir, particularly after the months-long unrest and violence in the Kashmir Valley last year.TOI
Gilgit Baltistan is an integral part of J&K: Junaid Qureshi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gilgit-baltistan-is-an-integral-part-of-jk-junaid-qureshi/articleshow/57579239.cms
New Delhi: Junaid Qureshi, son of Kashmiri separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, on Friday said that Gilgit Baltistan is an integral part of J&K and Pakistan has no right to divide the state, ANI reported."Gilgit Baltistan (region) is an integral part of (India's) Jammu and Kashmir state. Pakistan has no right to divide the state further and sell its resources under false rubric of infrastructure development," Junaid Qureshi said, adding that the "state is not for sale." timesofindia
We can’t declare Pakistan a terror state: Centre
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/we-cant-declare-pakistan-a-terror-state-centre/article17444416.ece
New Delhi: The govt told Rajya Sabha on Friday that declaring Pakistan a “terror state” could have “diplomatic as well as other far-reaching consequences.” Independent Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the BJP’s Kerala unit, had moved ‘The Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016’ to create a legal, economic and travel sanctions regime for citizens of countries which promote terror.The Bill came up for discussion on Feb. 3, the end of the first half of the Budget session and then it came up for discussion again on Friday.The Hindu had reported on Feb.21 that Centre was set to oppose the Bill as it would jeopardise international relations under the Geneva Convention.On Friday, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told Rajya Sabha,“The Govt has taken many steps to deal with terror.The existing laws already have sufficient provisions for dealing with citizens of a terrorist country. To declare a country as a terrorist state can have diplomatic as well as other far-reaching consequences. Before doing so a detailed study is required. Therefore I request Mr. Chandrasekhar to withdraw the bill.” thehindu
Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar withdraws bill seeking to declare Pakistan terror state
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/mar/10/rajya-sabha-mp-rajeev-chandrashekhar-withdraws-bill-seeking-to-declare-pakistan-terror-state-1579961.html
Friday prayers not allowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar:Kashmir Reader
http://www.kashmirreader.com/2017/03/10/friday-prayers-not-allowed-jamia-masjid-srinagar/
Srinagar: Authorities on Friday closed all gates of Jamia Masjid Srinagar and sealed all routes leading to the historical worship place to stop people from gathering for weekly congregational prayers.“Even Mouzin of Jamia Masjid, Molvi Mohammad Yasin was not allowed to call Azan,” spokesperson Auqaf Jamia Masjid told Kashmir Reader.He added that all roads leading to Jamia Masjid were blocked by a heavy deployment of police and CRPF men and no one was being allowed to move towards Nowhatta.Pertinently, pro-freedom leadership had called for protests after Friday prayers against the killing of a civilian at the hands of Govt forces on Thursday in south Kashmir. Two militants were also killed in Awantipora area of the district during a gunfight.Kashmir Reader
Over 100 military personnel commit suicide every yr
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/over-100-military-personnel-commit-suicide-every-year/articleshow/57579464.cms
New Delhi: The armed forces continue to lose around 100 personnel to suicides every year despite successive Govt s holding that several measures have been taken to reduce the stress among soldiers. As many as 125 military personnel took the extreme step to end their lives in 2016.Replying to question in Lok Sabha on Friday, minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said 101 soldiers,19 airmen and five sailors committed suicide last year, with another three cases of fratricide (to kill a fellow soldier or superior) being reported from the three Services. This year, 13 Army jawans have already committed suicide, while two such cases have been reported from the IAF. Soldiers posted in far-flung areas often undergo tremendous mental stress for not being able to take care of the problems being faced by their families back home, which could range from property disputes and harassment by anti-social elements to financial and marital problems, as was earlier reported by TOI. timesofindia
12 CRPF men killed in Naxal attack in Sukma district
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nine-crpf-men-killed-in-naxal-attack-in-sukma-district/articleshow/57589437.cms
Raipur: In the first major attack this year, Maoists on Saturday ambushed a team of CRPF, killing 12 jawans and injuring four others near Bhejji in Sukma district in tribal Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.CRPF personnel, belonging to 219 battalion, were part of a road opening party (ROP), which were clearing the road between Bhejji and Kuttacheru when the Maoists rebels first triggered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) and then opened indiscriminate fire at the injured security personnel.Police said the Maoists also looted 10 weapons and radio sets from the slain security personnel. timesofindia
Aamir Rashadi Madni questions Lucknow encounter
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-leader-aamir-madni-questions-lucknow-encounter/articleshow/57579864.cms
New Delhi: Rashtriya Ulama Council (RUC) president Aamir Rashadi Madni on Friday, while lashing out at the the ATS, the Govt and media, alleged that the terror stand-off was fake and was performed to trigger communal polarisation amid UP polls, ANI reported."The way police has killed the suspect was wrong, this encounter was same as the Batla House fake encounter," Madni said.He, after a brief interaction with Saifullah's father Sartaj Mohammed, also questioned UP 's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary's silence on the matter."The police held the suspect hostage and it was the police who were firing from inside, not the former. The photo of the encounter which went viral on social media is the proof that it was a fake encounter," the RUC chief said.Meanwhile, UP ADG (Law and Order) Daljit Chaudhary has directed SSP Kanpur to register case against RUC chief for allegedly inciting kin of Saifullah.TIMESOFINDIA
Muslim leader Aamir R Madni calls Lucknow terror showdown 'fake' like Batla House
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-muslim-leader-aamir-r-madni-calls-lucknow-terror-showdown-fake-like-batla-house-2349122
ATS Action in Lucknow: Fake Encounter or a Planned Assassination?By Samiullah Khan, Urdu Media Monitor
https://www.urdumediamonitor.com/2017/03/10/ats-action-lucknow-fake-encounter-planned-assassination/
8 suspects arrested in MP, UP terror incidents: Rajnath
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/eight-suspects-arrested-in-mp-up-terror-incidents-rajnath-singh/story-hl7905SpTYYGqAr3VzQwXL.html
New Delhi: 8 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the blast on a train in MP and the subsequent anti-terror operations leading to the killing of alleged militant Saifullah in Lucknow, home minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in Rajya Sabha.Making a statement during the Zero Hour on incidents in Madhya Pradesh and UP on March 7 and 8.PTI
Enemy Property Bill passed in House of 31, Opposition says Govt breached trust
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/enemy-property-bill-passed-in-house-of-31-opposition-says-Govt -breached-trust-4564392/
New Delhi: With just 31 members present, the Rajya Sabha Friday passed a Bill to amend a 49-year-old law to guard against claims of succession or transfer by heirs of property left behind by those who migrated to Pakistan and China, amid a walkout by the handful of Opposition members. Registering their protest, the Congress and Left parties alleged the Govt had pushed the Bill in violation of an “understanding” within BusinessAdvisory Committee (BAC), and on a Friday afternoon when the House was near-empty. “We strongly protest. This is against the decision of the BAC. The Chair had directed in the BAC Thursday that the Govt will talk to the Opposition and this will be taken up only after a consensus is reached. The Opposition will meet on this. Not only will we protest, we will take it up with all our numbers and strength,” Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said.CPI(M) Parliamentary party leader Sitaram Yechury said, “The bill was passed in a very clandestine manner. In the BAC, they had agreed that the matter will be shelved because it is a very sensitive issue. The general impression was that they were not going to bring it. But contrary to the understanding in the BAC, they smuggled it in today at the end of the private member business when there are virtually nobody in the House. This is a total sleight of hand and betrayal of the assurance that they gave.”“Govt has broken mutual trust,” said CPI’s D Raja. None of the top leaders of the Opposition were present in the Upper House when the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, which amends the Enemy Property Act, 1968, was taken up. Arguing that it be deferred, Congress’s Jairam Ramesh pointed to the absence of senior members, including the Leader of Opposition, in the House. “Therefore, the Bill should be taken up for discussion and passed on the next working day,” he said. Ramesh’s views were echoed by other MPs, including SP’s Javed Ali Khan and Trinamool Congress’s Sukhendu Shekhar Roy.The new Bill ensures that the law of succession does not apply to enemy property; there cannot be transfer of any property vested in the custodian by an enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm; and, the custodian shall preserve the property till it is disposed of in accordance with the Act. Bill also prohibits civil courts and other authorities from entertaining disputes related to enemy property. indianexpress
Taking advantage of low attendance of opposition NDA passes Enemy Property Bill in Rajya Sabha
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/taking-advantage-of-low-attendance-of-opposition-nda-passes-enemy-property-bill-in-rajya-sabha/articleshow/57583219.cms
'Syed Shahabuddin didn’t speak only for Muslim India, but all India'
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/he-didnt-speak-only-for-muslim-india-but-all-india/article17444282.ece
New Delhi: Politicians, former diplomats, and Govt service colleagues, including Vice-President Hamid Ansari, ex-PM Manmohan Singh, ex-J&K CM Farooq Abdullah and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, remembered politician and Muslim ideologue Syed Shahabuddin, who passed away earlier this month, at a memorial meeting on Friday. Ansari, who had known Shahabuddin first as a fellow foreign service officer until the latter resigned in 1979, spoke of his commitment to “serving the nation and the Constitution”. He praised Shahabuddin for the journal he published, “Muslim India”, that focussed on issues concerning the minority in India. “Even now, when I travel, I find the journal in prestigious libraries abroad, which shows how important his research and documentation was,” Ansari said.Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said he knew Shahabuddin, who was elected twice to Lok Sabha from Kishanganj constituency (1985 and 1991) and was a Rajya Sabha member (1979-1984) from the Janata Party, both politically and personally. “He did not care about a position; he only wanted to serve,” Kumar said at the India Islamic Cultural Centre auditorium.Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke of his long association with Shahabuddin, in particular his contribution to the Sachar committee report on the status of minorities in India, while Yashwant Sinha referred to him as his “mentor”. Farooq Abdullah said Shahabuddin had “stood for the nation, and every downtrodden community. He didn’t just speak for Muslim India, but all of India.”Family members recounted how Shahabuddin had raised contentious issues after joining politics and then after he became the president of the All India Majlis Mushawara. “He was trolled at a time the world didn’t know what trolls were,” said his daughter Parveen Amanullah, who is also a politician and served as Bihar’s Minister for Social Welfare. the hindu
YouTube blocks Gujarat riots documentary maker Rakesh Sharma’s channel
https://scroll.in/latest/831469/youtube-blocks-gujarat-riots-documentary-maker-rakesh-sharmas-channel
A YouTube channel run by filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, whose documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots created a stir when it was released in 2004, has been terminated by the video-sharing website. Sharma’s channel featured more than two dozen video clips from Final Solution, his critically-acclaimed documentary that sharply criticises Narendra Modi, who was Gujarat CM during the violence, and the state’s BJP Govt for the communal riots in 2002.On Friday, Sharma’s YouTube channel RakeshFilms was blocked with a notice from the website that said, “This account has been terminated due to multiple or severe violations of YouTube’s policy against spam, deceptive practices, and misleading content or other Terms of Service violations.”Filmmaker said his channel was perfectly functional three days ago, and that he had not received any email, message or warning from the website about any kind of violation. “I will certainly demand an explanation from YouTube for their unilateral action. They should have reached out to me if there was any issue,” he added.Sharma said he was not surprised by the move. “Since my film was released in 2004, there have been concerted efforts to prevent it from reaching the public realm,” he said. “This move is part of the same campaign to whitewash Modi’s image and erase his stained past.” He added that the trend was evident on social media, where “specific accounts are targeted and suspended”.At the time of its release, Final Solution was initially denied a censor certificate. Central Board Of Film Certification had cleared the documentary only after intense public outcry. Scroll.in
Nashik: Dargah trust in legal battle to reclaim Waqf property worth Rs 2,000 crore
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nashik-dargah-trust-in-legal-battle-to-reclaim-waqf-property-worth-rs-2000-crore-4564512/
Nashik:Shaikh Mulla Wali’s Dargah is a modest subterranean structure — where the faithful have to crawl to pay their respects. Its narrow interiors may not be able to accommodate over half-a-dozen people, but its dank and musty premises, according to its trustees, hold Waqf rights over property with a commercial value of over Rs 2,000 crore.The unassuming dargah called locally as the “Dudadhari dargah” after the Sufi saint’s propensity to provide milk to visiting devotees is also symbolic of the way land sharks in connivance with govt officials have attempted to grab Waqf properties across the country. This was before the present BJP Govt stepped in and decided to suspend a former Waqf Board CEO, who had denied the dargah’s claim over Waqf land. The dargah trust still has a long legal fight on its hands before it manages to reclaim 53 acres of the contentious land, a part of which has been sold to a builder. The govt’s decision to suspend one of its officials has, however, instilled some faith that the community would be able to reclaim Waqf land that has been transferred and sold illegally. In India, over 4 lakh acres comprise Waqf land, out of which 90,000 acres are in Maharashtra alone. A committee instituted by the state govt to look into irregularities in the functioning of Waqf properties had claimed that nearly 70% of this land was encroached. indianexpress
Holding scrapped currency notes beyond Dec.31 ‘illegal’: Centre to SC
http://twocircles.net/2017mar10/406063.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
New Delhi: Holding scrapped currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 after the deadline of Dec.31 is “illegal”, the central Govt told the Supreme Court on Friday.Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, made the submission before the bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice SK Kaul that Govt will contest petitions against the demonetisation ordinance.Rohatgi opposed a batch of pleas seeking order to the Govt to allow individuals and companies to deposit their scrapped currency notes without any prejudice.Posting the matter for March 21, the bench said: “If required, we will extend the date.”The court was hearing a batch of PILs alleging that people are not being allowed to deposit the demonetised notes till March 31, as promised by the Govt .IANS
Now, ATM in MP dispenses 'Manoranjan Bank' note
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/now-atm-in-mp-dispenses-manoranjan-bank-note/articleshow/57579908.cms
Bhopal: While investigators across the country are trying to solve mystery behind 'Children Bank of India' notes finding its way to ATMs, an SBI's machine in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh has reportedly dispensed a Rs 500 note of "Manoranjan Bank of India".A security guard of veterinary hospital in Hoshangabad who had gone to withdraw cash from a State Bank of India ATM in Hosgangabad district was in for a shock when an Rs 500 note allegedly dispensed from the machine read "Manoranjan Bank of India" in Hindi and "Children Bank of India" in English.Komal Singh Kewat had approached the bank officials to get his note replaced, but was not heard, said sources.Kewat said he had gone to withdraw Rs 2,000 from the ATM; one of the notes was fake. Kewat said he had initially kept the notes in his wallet and moved out of the ATM. Later when he checked them outside, he found that one of the notes was different. timesofindia
At least 55k villages off mobile phone network
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/at-least-55k-villages-off-mobile-phone-network/articleshow/57584526.cms
New Delhi: At least 55,000 villages in the country do not have mobile connectivity and efforts are being made to provide it, the Govt informed Rajya Sabha.During the question hour, minister of state for communications Manoj Sinha said the ministry had sent letters to all CM s and chief secretaries seeking a list of villages that didn't have mobile connectivity.
Indian-American federal prosecutor Preet Bharara asked to quit
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/nris-in-news/indian-american-federal-prosecutor-preet-bharara-asked-to-quit/articleshow/57587696.cms
New York:Preet Bharara, a high-profile Indian-American federal prosecutor who had an Indian diplomat arrested, has been asked to quit by US President Donald Trump's administration in a sweeping ouster of hold-overs from the previous administration. Bharara and 45 other federal prosecutors, who were appointed by former President Barack Obama, were told on Friday by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to submit their resignations. IANS
Lost in cacophony of elections, Najeeb Ahmad's mother awaits answers:Shantanu Guha Ray
http://www.firstpost.com/india/jnu-missing-student-lost-in-cacophony-of-elections-najeeb-ahmads-mother-awaits-answers-3327062.html
WORLD
Netherlands stops Turkey FM's plane from landing
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/186104/the-netherlands-stops-turkey-fms-plane-from-landing
The Netherlands has canceled Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's flight permit on grounds of "security" and "public safety", Dutch Foreign Ministry announced in a statement Saturday. The announcement came just hours after Cavusoglu said Turkey would impose “severe sanctions” on the Netherlands if attempts were made to cancel his planned meeting in the European country.The foreign minister was scheduled to address the Turkish community in the Dutch city of Rotterdam later Saturday.In remarks made during a live television interview on CNN Turk earlier, Cavusoglu said: "If the Netherlands cancels my flight, we will impose severe sanctions on them that will affect it economically and politically."He also asked: "Where is the harm in my visiting the country?", adding he could travel anywhere as a foreign minister."If tension will increase [between the two countries] because of my visit, then let it increase," he said.World Bulletin
Netherlands revokes landing rights for Mevlut Cavusoglu
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/netherlands-revokes-landing-rights-turkey-mevlut-cavusoglu-170311103543825.html
Turkey warns Netherlands of 'severe sanctions'
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/186100/turkey-warns-netherlands-of-severe-sanctions
Turkey will impose severe sanctions on the Netherlands if it attempts to cancel my planned meeting there on Saturday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.In remarks made during a live television interview on CNN Turk, Cavusoglu said: "If the Netherlands cancels my flight, we will impose severe sanctions on them that will affect it economically and politically."World Bulletin
Netherlands branded ‘Nazi remnants’ by Erdogan, as Turkey FM barred from entry
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170311-netherlands-branded-nazi-remnants-by-erdogan-as-turkey-fm-barred-from-entry/
Twin bombing kills at least 40 in Damascus' Old City:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/bombs-damascus-fatalities-reported-170311101052510.html
Two bombs killed at least 40 people, mostly Iraqi Shia pilgrims, and wounded more than 100 others in Old City of Damascus on Saturday in a rare attack in the Syrian capital. Syria State TV aired footage from the scene showing blood-soaked streets and several damaged buses in a car park, apparently where the explosions went off near Bab al-Saghir cemetery.The cemetery is one of the capital's most ancient and is where several prominent religious figures are buried.Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar visited the wounded in local hospitals. He said 40 were killed and 120 were injured.Shaar said the attacks targeted civilians, including Arab visitors, who were frequenting the shrines in the area. He didn't elaborate, but Iraqi Shia often visit shrines in Syria. Iranians and other Shia from Asia are often also among the pilgrims to the area. aljazeera
Fear and hunger in Iraq's west Mosul
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/186092/fear-and-hunger-in-iraqs-west-mosul
In parts of Iraq's war-torn second city seized this week by Iraqi forces, hundreds of residents queued up behind a Govt truck as they waited for their first proper meal in weeks."We have been under siege for more than six months on this side" of Mosul, said Khaled Meshaal, a resident of Al-Mansur district, which Govt forces took on Wednesday."We bought food four times but we finished it all, there was nothing left.""The markets were empty: we only had a little rice, flour and dates," said Abu Ahad, a 45-year-old from Al-Mansur.In a street devastated by fighting, hundreds of men with shaggy beards waited to receive cartons containing bottles of oil, boxes of baby formula, rice, tea and sugar.The cardboard packages were emblazoned with the label "Ministry of Migration and the Displaced".
Daesh frees dozens of Iraqis from Mosul jails
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170311-daesh-frees-dozens-of-iraqis-from-mosul-jails/
Iraq's UN envoy: No evidence ISIL used chemical weapons
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/iraq-envoy-evidence-isil-chemical-weapons-170310211044131.html
Mohamed Ali Alhakim, Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations, has said there is "no evidence" that ISIL fighters have used chemical weapons in Mosul, where they are battling an offensive by US-backed Iraqi forces.His comments on Friday came nearly a week after medical workers said that several people, including women and children, had been treated for possible exposure to chemical weapons agents in Mosul since the start of the month. Alhakim said he spoke with officials in Baghdad and "there was really no evidence that Daesh has used this chemical weapon". aljazeera
Tehran welcomes Chinese offer to mediate with Riyadh
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170310-tehran-welcomes-chinese-offer-to-mediate-with-riyadh/
Iran’s embassy in Beijing on Friday announced Tehran’s readiness to hold talks with Saudi Arabia based on a Chinese offer to mediate between the two regional rivals, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.The news agency reported that Tehran welcomed a mediation initiative proposed earlier this week by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with a view to promoting regional stability.In a Wednesday press statement, Yang had voiced hope that Tehran and Riyadh would “resolve their differences on the basis of equality and friendly consultation”. China, he added, “is a friend to both countries and is ready to play a mediating role”.Gulf States, led by Saudi Arabia, frequently accuse Iran of meddling in their domestic affairs – claims denied by Tehran. middleeastmonitor
Putin and Erdogan vow cooperation to help end Syria war
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/putin-erdogan-vow-cooperation-syria-war-170310153210486.html
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said a truce in Syria is on the whole being observed, as he welcomed his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow, adding that he is cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a deal to end the six-year Syrian conflict.Russia andTurkey,which back opposing sides in Syria's war, co-brokered a ceasefire in December that helped reduce the scale of fighting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition.They also supported two rounds of talks this year between the Govt and the rebels, while a third set is scheduled for next week. aljazeera
UN invokes human rights on Israeli anti-adhan bill
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170311-un-invokes-human-rights-on-israeli-anti-adhan-bill/
UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson has stressed protection of freedom of religion after a preliminary move by Israeli MPs to limit the Muslim call to prayer – adhan – through loudspeakers.“Of course we want to make sure that the rights of all, including the religious rights of all, are respected,” Farhan Haq said Friday.He said the effort seemed to be in its early stages. “We’ll have to see what happens with this as it proceeds,” he added.A spokesperson from Neturei Karta, an Orthodox Jewish organisation against Zionism, said the group is against the policy and is planning a protest in New York City to defend the adhan. middleeastmonitor
Donald Trump invites Mahmoud Abbas to White House
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/donald-trump-invites-mahmoud-abbas-white-house-170310181300100.html
US President Donald Trump has invited Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for a visit to the White House, in the first phone call between the two leaders since Trump's inauguration on January 20.Trump invited Abbas "to visit the White House soon to discuss ways to resume the [Palestinian-Israeli] political process", Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, quoted Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina as saying on Friday.The White House said in a statement that Trump invited Abbas to a meeting at the White House "in the near future". Abbas told Trump that peace was a "strategic choice" for the Palestinian people which should lead to the "establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel," Wafa reported. aljazeera
8 Afghan police killed in "insider attack"
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/186116/eight-afghan-police-killed-in-insider-attack
8 local policemen were killed by their colleagues after they were poisoned in their base in southern Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, in a latest so-called "insider attack".The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident, which happened in the Nawshar district of southern Zabul province late on Friday, as the militants escalate a deadly winter campaign of violence."The infiltrators first poisoned their colleagues and then shot them dead," provincial spokesman Gul Islam Seyal told AFP, adding that the attackers fled the area taking all the weapons and munitions from the base.World Bulletin
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:48 PM)
