Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
28 Oct.2017: 7 Safar 1439:Vol:9, No:31
INDIA
AIMPLB Denies Meeting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Settle Babri Masjid Dispute Out of Court
http://www.news18.com/news/india/aimplb-denies-meeting-sri-sri-ravi-shankar-to-settle-the-babri-masjid-dispute-out-of-court-1559587.html
New Delhi: All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has denied reports that some members met Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to find a solution for the Babri Masjid dispute. The denial came after media reports that representatives from the AIMPLB and Nirmohi Akhara, two parties in case being heard in the Supreme Court, met Ravi Shankar. AIMPLB counsel Zafaryab Jilani told News18 that “there has been no such decision by the board” and “if individual members have done anything that doesn't represent what AIMPLB stands by". The historic case is set to be heard from Dec. 5 in the Supreme Court by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. According to AIMPLB there has been no mediation attempts been made so far. "The position of the board is very clear on this and that is solution is possible only through adjudication and not mediation. There has been no attempts by the board to meet Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. We have a meeting of lawyers even tomorrow in Delhi to prepare for the hearing on December 5. So there is no merit or legal value to any such proposition," Jilani told News18.There were reports that Ravi Shankar had invited Nirmohi Akhada and AIMPLB members in Bengaluru on Oct. 6 on to resolve the matter out of court for which both sides were ready. Rubbishing such reports, Jilani said, "If some individual is doing anything then that does not hamper the legal stand of the board and will not be considered an action on part of AIMPLB. Even earlier Dr Kalbe Sadiq had given a statement, but in a board meeting, he retracted it as was not in line with the stand of the board." General Secretary of AIMPLB, Maulana Wali Rahmani, told News18, "It is not that we do not understand the importance of mediation. But, we have failed in the past and hence the board wants to solve the matter only in the court. I have no knowledge whatsoever of any member approaching the head of Art of Living." news18
Ram temple issue: Ravi Shankar says meeting with imams, swamis a non-political move
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-temple-issue-ravi-shankar-says-meeting-imams-swamis-a-non-political-move/story-1VMsCvTYrOz962Z9H0A7iI.html
Bengaluru: Art of Living Foundation has said its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been in touch with several imams and swamis, including Acharya Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara, to help find an out-of-court settlement to the Ram temple dispute. Ravi Shankar told ANI on Saturday that the situation has changed now and the people wanted peace.“A platform is needed where both communities can show essence of brotherhood. There were efforts is 2003-04 also, but the environment is more positive now. I am doing this in my own capacity, it is non-political,” he said. Foundation said it was too early to draw any conclusions and that these discussions were not done on behalf of the Govt .“Ravi Shankar has been in touch with several imams and swamis, including Acharya Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara,” Shankar said.“Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is of the view that the prevailing mood on the Ram Mandir issue provides an opportunity for people from both communities to come together, show their magnanimity and settle the dispute out of court,” it added.Foundation said these discussions, not done on behalf of any Govt or organisation, had brought to the fore the positive energy and willingness of leaders from both communities to move forward and arrive at an amicable solution. hindustantimes
Babri case: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar acts as 'mediator' in Ayodhya dispute, suggests out-of-court settlement route
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-sri-sri-ravi-shankar-babri-masjid-ayodhya-dispute-nirmohi-akhada-all-india-muslim-personal-law-board-408849
'Am Being Framed As I Have Sex CD Of Minister,' Says Arrested Journalist Vinod Verma: NDTV
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/journalist-arrested-for-alleged-sting-against-chhattisgarh-Govt -1767730
Ghaziabad: A senior journalist was arrested around 4 am today from his home near Delhi by the Chhattisgarh police on charges of extortion. Vinod Verma, a member of the Editors Guild of India, alleges that he is being targeted because he has a sex CD featuring a minister.Verma was arrested at his Ghaziabad home by a police team that caught the last flight out of Raipur to investigate the sex CD and allegations of blackmail. The police claim they have seized hundreds of CDs, a laptop and a pen drive from Verma's home. They say he "intended" to distribute objectionable CDs, refusing to disclose the contents to the media. "I have a sex CD of a Chhattisgarh Minister, he is Rajesh Munat and that is why the Chhattisgarh Govt is not happy with me," Verma told reporters while being taken to court after hours of questioning. The minister has called CD "fake" and said it can be investigated by any agency. A freelance journalist, Verma has been Digital Editor at Amar Ujala and has also worked with the BBC Hindi service.He was part of a fact-finding team of the Editors Guild that travelled to Chhattisgarh last year to examine cases of intimidation of journalists.His arrest followed a complaint yesterday by Prakash Bajaj, a member of the Chhattisgarh BJP's IT cell, that "someone had a CD of his boss (the minister)".
Journalist Vinod Verma Arrested By UP Cops At the Crack of Dawn in "Emergency Like" Action
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/12092/Journalist-Vinod-Verma-Arrested-By-UP-Cops-At-the-Crack-of-Dawn-in-Emergency-Like-Action
Journalist Vinod Verma arrested with 500 copies of BJP leader's 'sex CD'
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/journalist-vinod-verma-arrested-with-500-copies-of-bjp-leader-s-sex-cd-117102800157_1.html
Kerala: After Hadiya's 'I will be killed soon' video, women panel seeks report: dnaindia
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kerala-love-jihad-case-after-hadiya-s-i-will-be-killed-soon-video-women-panel-seeks-report-2555932
In a new twist in Kerala 'love jihad' case, a video has surfaced in media where Hadiya, the girl whose conversion to Islam sparked the controversy, is seen pleading for her freedom. In a 17-second video released by activist Rahul Easwar to media, Hadiya, known as Akhila before her conversion, is seen talking about alleged torture. She said that she would be killed soon and that her father is very angry and he keeps on hitting and pushing her.The brief video was taken on Aug.7 at the house of Hadiya's parents at Vaikom in Kottayam district. Taking cognizance of the video, Kerala Women's Commission has sought report about the well-being of 24-year-old. In her letter to district police chief, Women's Panel chief MC Josephine said the officer heading the probe should at least be a Deputy Superintendent.The video of Hadiya's alleged torture comes after some reports that the parents were sedating the woman.
BJP resorting to 'sinister conspiracy' fearing defeat in Gujarat: Cong on linking IS suspects with Ahmed Patel
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-resorting-to-sinister-conspiracy-fearing-defeat-in-gujarat-congress-on-ahmed-patel-issue/articleshow/61300866.cms
Congress hit back at BJP today over "failed" Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani's demand that its leader Ahmed Patel resign from the Rajya Sabha on charges that a suspected ISIS operative used to work at a hospital where the latter had been a trustee. Launching a counter-attack, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the BJP resorted to such "sinister conspiracy" due to its "trepidation" of defeat in Gujarat, which goes to Assembly polls in two phases in December this year. Surjewala said that neither Patel nor his family members were trustees of the hospital, named after Sardar Patel, or had any role in its administration. Surjewala stressed that the issues relating to national security are not "toyed with or politicised" and listed names of its leaders including former PM s Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi "who sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism". Seeking to turn the tables on BJP, he also asked the saffron party to come clear as to why the central and Maharashtra Govts were clueless when underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's wife visited Mumbai and flew back to Pakistan last year. Surjewala also asked whether it was true that former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse had to step down owing to his links with Dawood Ibrahim. 2 ISIS suspects were arrested by Gujarat ATS 3 days ago. According to an FIR, one of the accused, Kasim Stimberwala, earlier worked as a technician at Sardar Patel Hospital in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district. At a press conference yesterday, Gujarat CM said, "This is a serious issue, as a terrorist was arrested from a hospital which is being run by Ahmed Patel...Patel, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress must come clean on the issue. We also want Patel to resign as Rajya Sabha MP." "Rupani has resorted to making such despicable statements and conspiracy for the BJP is afraid that 6.5 crore Gujaratis are going to reject it completely (in the Assembly polls). This shows the level to which the failed CM can stoop to out of fear of BJP's defeat," Surjewala said in a statement. PTI
Gujarat CM alleges Ahmed Patel's link to IS suspect, Cong rubbishes charge
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/gujarat-cm-alleges-ahmed-patel-s-link-to-is-suspect-cong-rubbishes-charge/488636.html
Ports, airports alerted to check ‘radicalised’ Indians returning from IS strongholds in Syria, Iraq:HT report
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ports-airports-alerted-to-check-radicalised-indians-returning-from-is-strongholds-in-syria-iraq/story-IdeTkMi6jOba2UAe6Ig5MJ.html
New Delhi: With the fall of Raqqa, the so-called Islamic State capital, on Oct.17, security agencies have alerted all airports and ports to guard against radicalised Indian fighters returning from the fallen Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.The instructions are clear that Indian fighters are to be heavily screened and arrested on arrival.Top intelligence sources said that available data indicates that 91 Indians joined the IS in Iraq and Syria, and Khorasan in Afghanistan. Of them, 67 went to fight in Syria and another 24 from Kerala joined IS in Afghanistan. According to counter-terror specialists, 11 Indians have returned to India, but it is not clear whether they returned from fighting in Syria or some of them were turned back from the Turkish border.While reports of the total number of Indians killed in fighting range from 7 to 15, there is no confirmation on any of the deceased. Indian agencies are constantly in touch with their Iraqi, Syrian, Russian and American counterparts to ensure that each of these radicalised mercenary Indians is accounted for and not let loose in the society at large. Hindustantimes
When J&K people ask for ‘Azadi’ they actually seek autonomy: P Chidambaram in Rajkot
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/when-jammu-and-kashmir-j-k-people-ask-for-azadi-they-actually-seek-autonomy-p-chidambaram-in-gujarat-4910805/
New Delhi:Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday said when people of J&K talk of ‘azadi’ they actually seek autonomy. Speaking to the media in Rajkot on the ‘State of Economy’, Chidambaram was quoted by ANI as saying: “My interactions in the state led me to conclude that when people ask for ‘Azadi’ most of them actually seek autonomy. He added that larger powers need to be given to the people and certain areas in the state of J&K should be given autonomy.“Must consider areas to give autonomy to J&K. It’ll remain part of India but will have larger powers as promised under Article 370,” the senior Congress leader said.Calling the demand of BJP wanting the resignation of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political advisor Ahmed Patel outrageous, Chidambaram said Patel was a trustee of the hospital but had resigned or retired in 2015. He added if a person joined as a technician and then he was linked to ISIS, how was some trustee who had left hospital three years ago responsible. indianexpress
J-K HC quashes detention order against Muslim League head Masarat Alam
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-high-court-quashes-detention-order-against-muslim-league-head-masarat-alam/story-qrsatwxwRHLp3yF3H3zfhN.html
Srinagar: J&K high court on Friday quashed yet another order of detention issued against Muslim League chairman Masarat Alam under the PSA. A single bench of the high court, led by Justice Alok Aradhay, ordered that Alam be set free “if not required in any other offence”. According to reports, this is the 35th time the court has quashed the separatist leader’s detention under the PSA since 1990s.“The arguments in the case were completed yesterday, and the court quashed PSA today,” said a Muslim League member.Under PSA, described as a “lawless law” by Amnesty International, police can imprison a man for at least 6 months sans trial. Alam continues to be in prison, with authorities booking him in one case after another under PSA in a seemingly never-ending cycle even as the court continues quashing multiple detention orders. Police had filed a case under section 120B and 13 ULA against Alam in May, soon after the court granted him bail in another case. Consequently, 46-year-old firebrand leader has remained in jail for most of the time since his arrest in Oct.2010 for allegedly instigating a mass public agitation. hindustantimes
Another Kashmir policeman suspected of joining LeT after social media photo
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/missing-kashmir-policeman-suspected-of-joining-let-after-social-media-photo/story-AqY1SYCIOKGor2eI1VcHyN.html
Srinagar: A J&K police constable is suspected to have joined the militant LeT in what could be the third such switch by a security personnel in the Valley this year.Police ordered a probe after the constable, Isfaq Ahmad Dar, last week announced on social media that he has joined the LeT, a Pak-based militant outfit blamed for several terror attacks in India.A photograph of Dar holding an AK-47 assault rifle was also widely circulated on social media and messaging apps in the Valley over the past few days.“There are reports we are trying to confirm. The matter is being investigated,” state police chief SP Vaid told HT.He added that police are yet trying to “know the facts”.Many in Dar’s family, including his brother, are policemen, sources said. More than 1,500 police personnel have been killed in the valley since insurgency broke out in 1989. In recent months, several policemen have been killed or attacked and their homes ransacked by suspected militants, seen as warnings to local police personnel to stop participating in counter-insurgency operations.Sources said Dar was shifted from Kargil to Kathua in July after adverse reports about his alleged “militant sympathies”. When he did not reach Kathua, family lodged a missing person report. Soon after, Dar announced his entry into LeT on social media.HT
Mushawarat Questions Appointment Of Interlocutor for Kashmir; Demands Release Of All Political Prisoners
http://caravandaily.com/portal/mushawarat-questions-appointment-of-interlocutor-for-kashmir-demands-release-of-all-political-prisoners/
New Delhi: Umbrella body of prominent Muslim organizations, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) has questioned Govt’s “wisdom” of appointing a former intelligence officer as new Interlocutor for Kashmir. It also demanded that all political prisoners including youths should be released immediately to start the process. Mushawarat president Navaid Hamid has also expressed his surprise over the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma, a former IB chief who was associated with country’s major paramilitary and security forces in past, and said that his past association with intelligence agencies would haunt his role in the dialogue process. Hamid said if the Govt is sincere in initiating dialogue with all stakeholders then the number of interlocutors should be raised to three, with representation from Indian civil society and one political figure. He has also asked for the immediate release of separatists and other youths arrested in recent past during protests and also the withdrawal of cases against students and youths detained in stone pelting incidents.Caravan Daily
JK:No Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid for 5th straight week
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/srinagar-city/no-friday-prayers-at-jamia-masjid-for-5th-straight-week/264362.html
Srinagar:Authorities on Friday disallowed congregational prayers for the fifth consecutive week at historic Jamia Masjid in Downtown Srinagar by imposing restrictions in the area. Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who addresses the faithful at the mosque every Friday has been placed under house arrest.Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for a shutdown and had asked people of Kashmir to observe 'Accession Day' day as a 'Black Day'. greaterkashmir
NIA summons Hizbul chief’s grandson: Family being harassed to put pressure on Salahuddin, says kin
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nia-summons-hizbul-chiefs-grandson-family-being-harassed-to-put-pressure-on-salahuddin-4909983/
New Delhi: Days after NIA arrested Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin’s 41-year-old son Shahid Yousuf, the agency on Friday summoned his grandson to Delhi for questioning. Describing the NIA’s action as “a ploy to pressure Salahuddin” at a time New Delhi has appointed a special representative to initiate talks in J&K , a family member said that “all the relatives will together produce themselves before J&K Police in Budgam on Saturday so that they are arrested together”.Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Salahuddin left Kashmir in the early 1990s, crossed the Line of Control and never returned. His five sons and two daughters live in his ancestral village of Soibug in Budgam district. His wife died a few years ago. “I haven’t seen him for the last 27 years. I was a boy then. Now we are all grown men with families,’’ one of Salahuddin’s sons told The Indian Express. “He never discussed his political decisions with us. He didn’t tell us when he left. Other than being the family of Salahuddin, we have no role in anything.”He said the family had gone through “unbelievable suffering” in the 27 years. “For 12 years, we couldn’t live in our home,’’ he said.Another family member said that almost every agency — police,CID, Army — had investigated each member of the family. “Everyone knows we were not involved in anything,’’ he added. indianexpress
Inflating imports: DRI Adjudicating Authority drops second case against Adani
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/inflating-imports-dri-drops-second-case-against-adani-4909999/
Mumbai:The adjudicating authority of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), KVS Singh, has struck down the second show-cause notice issued by the agency against an Adani Group firm for alleged 380% inflation of imported power equipment. Maharashtra Eastern Grid Power Transmission Company Ltd (MEGPTCL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, Electrogen Infra FZE, UAE (EIF) and Ahmedabad-based PMC Projects (India) Private Ltd were accused of inflating the total declared value of goods imported under power and infrastructure heads, which attracts zero or less than 5 % duty, to the extent of Rs 1,493.84 crore.“I drop the proceedings initiated against MEGPTCL, PMC, EIF, Vinod Shantilal Adani @ Vinod Shantilal Shah…” said Singh in the order issued on October 18. The Adani Group did not respond to phone calls and an email from Indian Express seeking comment.On August 22, Indian Express had reported that the adjudicating authority had dropped the first show-cause notice of the DRI against two other Adani firms and Electrogen Infra that were allegedly accused of inflating the total declared value of imports to the extent of Rs3,974.12 crore.With latest 293-page adjudication order, the two show-cause notices issued by DRI in 2014 for alleged over-valuation of imports by Adani Group firms to the tune of Rs 5,467 crore have been dropped. In terms of value, the DRI cases against Adani firms were among the biggest the agency has handled in the last three years.Indian Express
Did RBI have authority to issue Rs 2,000 and Rs 200 currency notes?
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/28/did-rbi-have-authority-to-issue-rs-2000-and-rs-200-currency-notes-1685542.html
Mumbai: In what could be a bizarre situation, RBI does not seem to have any official records to prove that it had authorised the issue of new currency notes in denominations of Rs 2,000 and Rs 200, after demonetisation, according to documents available through RTI."As per RTI replies provided by RBI, country's central bank has apparently not published any Govt Resolution (GR) or a circular till date to issue the new Rs 2,000 and recently, the Rs 200 currency notes," says Mumbai-based RTI activist M.S. Roy.A May 19, 2016 document - roughly around 6 months before demonetisation - shows that the RBI's Central Board of Directors approved a proposal put forth by its Executive Director on May 18, 2016.This (proposal) pertained to the new designs, dimensions and denominations of future Indian bank notes, and the Board resolved to forward it to the central Govt for approval, as per extracts of the minutes of that Board meeting.Essentially, this was carrying forward an earlier such proposal made on July 08, 1993 to introduce a new family of Indian bank notes of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 500 of reduced sizes.IANS
150 people died, it's a day of mourning: Shashi Tharoor slams BJP for celebrating 'Anti-Black Money Day'
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-150-people-died-it-s-a-day-of-mourning-shashi-tharoor-slams-bjp-for-celebrating-anti-black-money-day-2555507
Lashing out at BJP Govt for celebrating November 8 as 'Anti-Black Money Day', Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the day should be mourned rather than celebrated. Talking to ANI, Tharoor said, 'It is absolutely shocking to see that BJP has a goal to celebrate anti-black money day on Nov.8.""It should be a day of mourning and not of celebration,' he opined.' About 150 people died because of demonetisation and there has been no accountability from the Govt for this human tragedy,"he added.The statement of Tharoor came after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's announcement that BJP will observe Nov.8, the day when Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in circulation ceased to be a legal tender, as "Anti-Black Money Day" across the country.Stepping up his attack on the ruling BJP, the Congress leader said the Govt should apologise to the public for a step like demonestistaion.He asked the BJP: 'How much black money have they been able to unearth because of demonetisation' Out of all the money in circulation, Rs 16,000 crores have come back. It is a disgrace that less than 1% money in circulation should be an occasion to celebrate.'Tharoor termed the demonetisation move as 'all pain, no gain'.Prior to the BJP's decision to mark Nov.8 as 'Anti-Black Money Day', the Opposition declared to observe the same day as 'Black Day'.ANI
Chidambaram targets govt: ‘If economy is strong, why announce bank recapitalisation?’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/p-chidambaram-targets-govt-if-economy-is-strong-why-announce-recapitalisation-gst-demonetisation-economy-narendra-modi-arun-jaitley-congress-bjp-4910375/
New Delhi:Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Saturday questioned why the Govt was introducing its Rs 6 lakh crore Bharatmala programme and the process of bank recapitalisation if it believes the economy is strong. He added that demonetisation and the GST have destroyed the economy, which has slowed down terribly since 2014.“Indian economy grew 8.5% between 2004 and 2009, which is the best ever rate in India so far. But it has slowed down terribly since 2014,” Chidambaram said.“Finance Minister says macroeconomics are strong. If the economy is strong, why announce 6 lakh crore Bharatmala programme? Why bank recapitalisation?” he asked.In yet another attack at the Modi-led BJP Govt, Chidambaram said, “The economy has slowed down because of demonetisation. But there’s nothing like black money or white money. The colour of notes are not black. It’s the same as old ones.” He added, “None of the objectives of demonetisation has been achieved. They couldn’t catch any black money.”“Demonetisation has destroyed small and medium businesses so new jobs are not being created. Big business don’t create many jobs, it is the small and medium businesses which do it,” the former finance minister added. Slamming the Govt for passing GST Bill, he said, “Before the economy could recover from demonetisation, the country had this “great GST”. “There are multiple rate slabs in this GST. This is not GST.Please call it by some other name.”indianexpress
Cows will take country to the dogs: Manish Tewari
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cows-will-take-country-to-the-dogs-manish-tewari/story-bCVumeerXBH87e40lvbtaL.html
Mohali: Former Union minister Manish Tewari on Friday took on PM Narendra Modi over cow vigilantism and commented, “Cows are going to take the country to the dogs.” Addressing a Young Thinkers Conference at the Indian School of Business in Mohali, the Congress leader said, “PM has not understood that social disharmony and economic progress cannot go hand in hand. When you have social turbulence, economic development will suffer... Unfortunately, over the past 41 months, there has been a premeditated attempt to submerge the social fabric of the country.”Alleging that cow vigilantism, ‘love jihad’ and ‘ghar wapsi’ are “manifestations”, he said these reflect the social agendas of the RSS to “try and create a majoritarian ethos”.He said Modi has taken the country economically backwards by four decades. “The double tap at the heart of the Indian economy, demonetisation and GST coupled with social disharmony, is responsible for the economic state we are in,” he said, referring to the growth rate coming down. He said demonetisation has killed the informal sector and so has the “tardy” implementation of GST.HT
Another Aadhaar card 'goof up': 800 villagers in Haridwar now have same date of birth
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/28/another-aadhaar-card-goof-up-800-villagers-in-haridwar-now-have-same-date-of-birth-1685388.html
Haridwar UIDAI has faced a major setback after reports of over 800 people in Haridwar's Gaindi Khata village sharing Jan.1 as their date of birth in their new Aadhaar cards surfaced.Amid the reports, UIDAI clarified saying that Jan.1 of a particular year is typically taken by default as the official date of birth by the system in instances where the applicants do not know their exact date of birth or do not have supporting documents.ANI
Rampant delays and other illegalities in MGNREGA wage payments continue: NREGA Sangharsh Morcha
http://twocircles.net/2017oct27/417942.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Civil society working with NREGA workers ‘NREGA Sangharsh Morcha’ have issued a press statement stating that many of workers under MNGREGA scheme have not been paid since past several months.The statement said, “Wage payments for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are frozen in nineteen states in the country. Since August 31 this year, no wage payments have been made in Haryana, since the first week of September, no wage payments have been made in Karnataka and West Bengal, and since a month no wage payments have been made in Kerala and Jharkhand, among other states.”According to the study conducted by Morcha workers, Wage payments worth at least Rs. 3,066 crores are pending due to lapses by the central and state Govt s and insufficiency of funds allotted for the programme; a problem that recurs year after year and is unlikely to get resolved soon. These are wage payments for which the Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) have been approved by the first and second signatories; these are pending at the level of the Union Govt .TCN
Hindustan is a country of Hindus but it doesn’t exclude others: RSS chief
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hindustan-is-country-of-hindus-but-it-doesn-t-exclude-others-says-rss-chief/story-SCsAbuAI0Kn5kjWL4lgm7N.html
Indore:RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said ‘Hindustan’ is a country of Hindus, but it does not mean that it does not belong to “others”.Addressing a gathering of college-going RSS volunteers in Indore, Bhagwat also said the govt alone cannot bring development, and that it needs changes in the society.“Whose country is Germany?...It’s a country of Germans, Britain is a country of Britishers, America is a country of Americans, and in the same way Hindustan is a country of Hindus. It does not mean that Hindustan is not the country of other people,” Bhagwat said.PTI
Gujarat’s Naroda Gam massacre: SIT submits 12 witnesses’ accounts
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2002-naroda-gam-massacre-sit-submits-12-witnesses-accounts/story-BrgCy7EP2dyJHlTiToqgcK.html
Ahmedabad: SIT submitted accounts of 12 witnesses before a special court hearing the 2002 Naroda Gam massacre case on Friday.Special Public Prosecutor Suresh Shah, who appeared on behalf of the SIT probing the case, submitted testimonies and statements given by 12 witnesses before the special SIT judge PB Desai, who will resume hearing arguments from the prosecution side from Oct.30.The trial of the case, in which former BJP leader Maya Kodnani is one of the prime accused, is in the final stage.Out of nearly 80 witnesses, testimonies of 6 were submitted before the court last Wednesday while witness accounts of 12, all residents of Muslim Mohalla of Naroda Gam, were submitted before the court Friday. While submitting the testimonies, public prosecutor Suresh Shah told the court that all of them had identified several accused who were part of the unruly mob which went on rampage and torched their vehicles, shops and houses in 2002.While reading out these testimonies before the court, Shah told the court that one of the key accused, VHP leader Dr Jaideep Patel, was part of that mob which targeted minority community in Naroda Gaam area after the Godhra train burning incident on Feb.27, 2002.PTI
Allow Shiv Puja Or Ban Friday Namaaz At Taj Mahal, Demands RSS History Wing
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/allow-shiv-puja-or-ban-friday-namaaz-at-taj-mahal-demands-rss-history-wing/303549
Hours after UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s visited to Taj Mahal on Thursday, the Akhil Bhartiya Itihaas Sankalan Samiti (ABISS) -- the history wing of RSS -- has demanded that Friday prayers at the Mughal-era monument in Agra be banned, reports India Today. "Taj is a national heritage- why allow Muslims to use it as a religious site? Permission to perform namaz at Agra's Taj Mahal should be withdrawn," ABISS secretary Dr Balmukund Pandey told India Today, adding if namaaz is allowed then permission to perform Shiva prayers be also granted to Hindus."There is ample evidence that Taj Mahal was a Shiva Temple constructed by a Hindu King, Taj is not a symbol of love, Emperor Shahjahan married within four months of his queen Mumtaz Mahal'a demise," said Pandey.He added that his organisation was collecting evidence and will soon detail every aspect of it.Ali, the imam at the heritage sight, said that Shiva prayers should not be performed there adding that peace can happen through dialogue.Recently, BJP MLA from Sardhana Sangeet Som had said the Taj Mahal was built by traitors and is a "blot on Indian culture". outlookindia
Case against Muslim youths over 'objectionable' Yogi Adityanath photo
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/27/case-against-muslim-youths-over-objectionable-yogi-adityanath-photo-1684472.html
Luknow: A case has been registered against seven Muslim youths in Maharajganj district for allegedly posting an objectionable picture of UP CM Yogi Adityanath on social media, police said on Friday.The complaint was filed by Narsingh Pandey of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth group formed by Adityanath in 2002. The complainant said the accused photoshopped the photo of the CM and circulated it on social media. Alleging that this had hurt Hindu sentiments, Pandey sought their arrest. IANS
UP civic polls in Nov: Time to test Adityanath govt’s performance before 2019
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-civic-polls-dates-out-time-to-test-yogi-govt-s-performance-popularity-before-2019/story-q0DEwq30o13142Xuvau5oJ.html
3-phase civic polls in UP from Nov.22 will provide a veritable ground to all political parties to test the turbulent waters ahead of the general elections in 2019. And they are not leaving anything to chance.At stake is BJP’s desire to retain its popular hold on the northern state that had sent 73 MPs to Lok Sabha and opposition’s desperation to revive from its moribund stage and checkmate the saffron outfit’s easy return to power in the assembly elections with a massive mandate. hindustantimes
Kancha Ilaiah placed under house arrest in Hyderabad
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kancha-ilaiah-placed-under-house-arrest-in-hyderabad-117102800210_1.html
Hyderabad:Police placed Dalit writer and social activist Kancha Ilaiah under house arrest here on Saturday to stop him from leaving for Vijayawada to address a public meeting.Policemen were deployed outside his house in Tarnaka. A team from Andhra Pradesh has conveyed to him that he will be arrested if he steps out of the house.A large number of Ilaiah's supporters gathered outside his house. One of the supporters said they were determined to leave for Vijayawada.The police team on Friday served notice on the Dalit thinker, informing that there is no permission for the public meeting in Vijayawada as prohibitory orders were in force in the city.Some Dalit and backward classes organisations had planned to organise to express solidarity with Ilaiah, facing threats from various groups from Arya Vysya community.IANS
Najeeb missing case: Court reserves order on CBI plea
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/jnu-missing-student-case-court-reserves-order-on-cbi-plea
New Delhi:A court here on Friday reserved its order on CBI's plea seeking early hearing on the application seeking consent of nine students for a lie detection test in connection with the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.Additional CMM Samar Vishal said that he will deliver his order on Oct.30 on plea of CBI. CBI plea came after the Delhi High Court asked the probe agency to seek early hearing in the trial court, which had earlier adjourned the matter for Jan.2018.8 of these students appeared before the court while one sought exemption from personal appearance on health grounds and was represented by his counsel.IANS
JNU students accused in Najeeb missing case cry foul in probe
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/najeeb-ahmed-missing-case-jnu-abvp-members-protest-to-meet-dean/1/1076373.html
Students protest disbandment of JNU gender panel
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/students-protest-disbandment-of-jnu-gender-panel/article19935320.ece
Several students and activists joined a protest demonstration called by JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) outside the UGC on Friday demanding autonomous, democratic and empowered bodies on campuses to deal with cases of sexual harassment. JNUSU demanded UGC’s intervention to restore JNU’s disbanded sexual harassment watchdog GSCASH, which has been replaced by Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).The administration has said that it was forming the ICC on orders from UGC.Ever since administration’s move was implemented, JNUSU has been spearheading an agitation aiming to reinstate the autonomous body and set up similar such bodies at other universities.“Recently, we have witnessed a massive movement by women students of BHU against sexual harassment. When BHU students demanded action after a horrifying incident of molestation, the warden of the girls’ hostels blamed the women students for going out of the hostel at 6 p.m.,” said the students, adding that it was a case of “institutionalised misogyny”. thehindu
IS suspects from Gujarat: Advocate from business family, technician eyeing job in Jamaica
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/is-suspects-advocate-from-business-family-technician-eyeing-job-in-jamaica-4909959/
Surat: Ubed Mirza and Kasim Steamerwala alias Khan were both married 2 years ago, both have infant sons. Both were arrested by the Gujarat ATS on Wednesday on the suspicion of being IS recruiters. But that is where the similarities between them end.While Ubed (29), an advocate, has roots in UP , Kasim (31), a lab technician, has roots in Kerala — where other suspects were also held this week for alleged IS links. Ubed, the eldest of 7 siblings, was the junior of a Surat-based advocate who deals with accident cases. His father, Uzair Beg Mirza, a graduate from AMU, settled in Surat about 40 years ago, working at his uncle’s tobacco shop. Uzair eventually took over his uncle’s business and launched a trading company for tobacco products. As the business flourished, he called his brother to Surat to join him.Seated in a room in his 3-storey apartment, Uzair Beg refused to believe that his son could be an IS recruiter.“Police came and searched Ubed’s bedroom. He stays on the first floor with his wife. They took his laptop and other gadgets. They took away my son. I suspect they framed him. We will fight the case. My son had not done anything anti-national. I fear I will not be able to see him before I die,” Uzair Beg, rendered almost immobile due to inflammation in legs,said.Kasim’s father, Hanif Steamerwala, worked in a zardosi embroidery unit until he succumbed to cancer 6 years ago. His mother Saberabibi Malbari has roots in Kerala.Family sources said Kasim’s life had been traumatic. His younger brother Sufiyan died after falling from a building when he was eight. Kasim’s marriage and birth of a son brought joy, but he lost his job at Care Hospital when it shut down. Earlier this year, he found a job with Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute at Ankleshwar.After the inauguration of Sardar Patel hospital by former President Pranab Mukherjee in October last year, Faisal Patel, the son of Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, gave a presentation on the hospital to the dignitaries. Besides scores of Congress leaders, industrialists such as Gautam Adani of Adani Group and Pankaj Patel of Cadila Healthcare were present. The hospital website describes Ahmed Patel as one of the trustees that helped establish the hospital, formerly called Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rotary General Hospital.A family source said, “Kasim used to stay with his mother and wife at their ancestral house in Surat, which was recently sold. His mother got her share of Rs 3.3 lakh. 2 months ago, they shifted to their aunt Rabiyabibi’s flat in Rander. Rabiybibi is in South Africa.”The source said that Kasim wanted to earn more, so he used his mother’s money to get a passport and a visa to work in a private hospital in Jamaica. “His mother and wife don’t have money to fight a legal battle. Kasim was only earning member in the family,” the source said. Indian Express
Himacha: In Tissa, riot-hit shopkeepers unmoved: ‘Who came to us when our shops were burnt?’ indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/in-tissa-riot-hit-shopkeepers-unmoved-who-came-to-us-when-our-shops-were-burnt-4909946/
The small town of Tissa in the district Chamba of Churah constituency bustled with political activity, with beats of drums and slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Friday as the people awaited the arrival of former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal to address a BJP rally. Each shop in the town’s market had one thing common – a saffron BJP flag hanging outside with a lotus symbol, ABVP posters pasted on its walls and an appeal from PM Narendra Modi to re-elect the local MLA Hans Raj.2 months ago, the scenes here starkly different and heart-rending. When Indian Express team had visited the same market in August this year, it painted a picture of gloom and the shopkeepers here had become victims of the communal riots in the area. There were burnt shops, vandalised furniture and shopkeepers on the roads with everything lost in communal riots, waiting to start again from a scratch. Following the alleged rape of a 15-year old Muslim schoolgirl by a Hindu teacher, there was communal tension in the area in end-July. What followed was entire incident taking a communal colour as even after teacher was arrested, a mob allegedly led by local Muslim leaders attacked other Hindu teachers in school at village Khushnagri. What followed for the next 3 days was the widespread violence in Tissa where shops of Muslim men (few in numbers) were allegedly set on fire and vandalised.Indian Express spoke to those shopkeepers who started from the scratch again and continue to work in the market where they were allegedly targeted even as the school incident had nothing to do with the market in Tissa town. Mustafa, 42, who runs a pure vegetarian ‘786 Shuddh Vaishno Dhaba’ (786 being number of religious faith for him) eatery in the market, has now taken a shop on rent for Rs 10,000 a month as his own dhaba was set on fire. He still had BJP flag at his shop today. “I suffered loss of Rs 3.5 lakh. They had petrol bombs in their hands when my shop was put on fire. Now, I have started again with this shop on rent,” he says. Asked about BJP flag, he says, “Some people today put it. I did not remove it or object to it. Flags are not going to give votes to anyone. Why should I object?” he says.
Modi was reason behind Trump’s victory, claims this senior BJP leader and ex CM
http://www.financialexpress.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/narendra-modi-was-the-reason-behind-donald-trumps-victory-claims-this-senior-bjp-leader-and-ex-cm/909607/
In one of the most interesting comments of this election, Prem Kumar Dhumal, ex-CM of Himachal Pradesh, on Friday suggested that Donald Trump’s campaign in US presidential elections gained winning momentum only after he referred to PM Narendra Modi. Dhumal, who was campaigning for MLA Hans Raj in Chamba’s Churah Constituency, said, “Now, I will talk about the most powerful nation in the world, the US, and its President Trump. Everyone thought Hillary Clinton would win, but Trump won in the elections. Who knew about him? No one thought he would win, but during the last days of his campaign, he said he would work like India’s PM Narendra Modi. He said that like Modi is working to take India forward, he would work for the US. And he won.”He then drew an analogy based on his own observation. “If this is the impact of Modi in the US, then in Himachal we are already No.1,” Dhumal said. financialexpress
Muslim Bodo leader’s killing: Protesters try to block trains
http://morungexpress.com/bodo-leaders-killing-protesters-try-block-trains/
Kokrajhar: Centre has handed over the probe into the killing of All Bodo Minority Students Union (ABMSU) chief Lafikul Islam to the CBI, even as his supporters staged protests in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts today demanding immediate arrest of the killers.ABMSU members attempted rail blockades in the two districts prompting police action leading to scuffles between the two sides, officials said.Hundreds of slogan-shouting ABMSU protesters, including Islam’s wife and sister, took to the streets in Kokrajhar district around 5 am today, a senior police official said.Police intervened when they were approaching railway stations to block the movement of trains, he said.“When the protesters pelted stones at the officers in their attempt to move forward, police resorted to lathicharge, teargas shelling and firing of rubber bullets in the air to disperse them,” he added. Several protesters were injured in the lathicharge while some hurt themselves when they tripped while running away, the police official said, adding that four security personnel also received injuries.PTI
Qadian annual meet: MHA clears visa for 1,800 Pak Ahmadiyyas for event: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-annual-congregation-mha-clears-visa-for-1800-pak-ahmadiyyas-for-event-4910039/
New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs has granted security clearance for visas to over 1,800 Ahmadiyya from Pakistan, including women, for participation in the annual congregation of the community at Qadian in the border district of Gurdaspur in Punjab. Last year, not a single Ahmadiyya Muslim from Pakistan attended the annual event due to security concerns, said Home Ministry officials. In 2015, as many as 5,000 Pakistanis took part in the congregation, they said. Every year, an annual jalsa for the community is organised there. The community is estimated to have more than 170 million followers across the world and about 1,25,000 of them stay in India. A senior Govt official said, “The security clearance for the first batch of visas was given after consultation with the PMO and Ministry of External Affairs. We are expected to give more visas to Ahmadiyya community from Pakistan and elsewhere to encourage them to participate in the event.” Sources said the Home Ministry will urge the Punjab Govt to provide full-proof security at Qadian following reports that several Muslim groups in India and abroad have declared the Ahmadiyyas as heretics. indian express
Muslim women felt only BJP could save them from triple talaq: Subramanian Swamy
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/muslim-women-felt-only-bjp-could-save-them-from-triple-talaq-says-subramanian-swamy-4909858/
Mumbai:Pointing out that the BJP had won the UP elections “despite demonetisation woes being the maximum then”, BJP leader Dr Subramanian Swamy on Friday said the Muslims voted for them because Muslim women felt that only the BJP could save them from “triple talaq.”Swamy was speaking at the Mumbai launch of Professor R Vaidyanathan’s book “Black Money and Tax Havens”.“We (BJP) were told that we will lose 125 seats, as we did not have Muslim candidates there (in UP),” he said adding that they won more than 80 seats “because Muslim woman felt that only we could save them from triple talaq.” indianexpress
WORLD
Assad's forces were responsible for gas attack that left dozens of civilians dead:UN
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/syrian-president-assads-forces-were-responsible-for-gas-attack-that-left-dozens-of-civilians-dead-says-un/articleshow/61305382.cms
Beirut: A new report from the UN has found that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces are to blame for a deadly chemical attack that killed more than 90 people in a rebel village earlier this year.The investigation from the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), released on Thursday, said that experts are "confident that the Syrian Arab Republic is responsible for the release of sarin at Khan Sheikhoun on 4 April 2017".Dozens of people were rushed to hospital in the rebel-held town in Idlib province after the incident with symptoms such as convulsions, suffocation, coughing blood and foaming at the mouth, consistent with either sarin gas - a nerve agent - or chlorine exposure, Medecins Sans Frontieres said their staff found.Images and video from the incident, including dying children, caused outrage around the world, and eventually led to US President Donald Trump's "warning shot" barrage of 59 Tomahawk missiles on a nearby Syrian airbase - the only direct US intervention in Syria's civil war to date.The new JIM report, however, backs up preliminary findings by UK, US, French and Israeli intelligence that it was a Syrian warplane that dropped sarin on the town.The Independent
UN warns of ‘shocking’ starvation in besieged Damascus outskirts: Middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171028-un-warns-of-shocking-starvation-in-besieged-damascus-outskirts/
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein warned on Friday of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged eastern outskirts of Damascus, AlKhaleejonline.com has reported. The senior UN official described the situation in the besieged areas as “shocking” and called upon the parties to the conflict to allow food and medicines into the relevant areas to help at least 350,000 besieged Syrians.“ Shocking images have recently emerged showing children seemingly suffering acute malnutrition,” said Al-Hussein. “This is a frightening indicator that Eastern Ghouta residents are experiencing a crisis and facing an emergency humanitarian situation.”According to Reuters, relief workers and residents report that people are heading towards starvation in the area controlled by the opposition.
Yemeni Salafist imam killed in Aden
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171028-yemeni-salafist-imam-killed-in-aden/
A Salafist imam was shot dead by gunmen early on Saturday in Aden, southern Yemen, witnesses and local officials said, the third killing of a Salafist imam this month.Sheikh Adel Al Shehri, imam of a mosque in Inmaa district west of Aden, was shot while he was heading to the mosque for morning prayers. No one has claimed responsibility for the 3 killings and no motive has been made clear, but some of the ultra-conservative Salafists back secession for southern Yemen, and have been a major component of the breakaway southern army. Ex-Aden governor has declared a council that seeks secession for southern Yemen.A referendum on independence would be announced soon, he said. middleeastmonitor
Proposal to ban non-Jews from election to Israeli parliament
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171028-proposal-to-ban-non-jews-from-election-to-israeli-parliament/
The ruling Israeli coalition may propose a bill in the Israeli Knesset that blocks non-Jews from being elected to the parliament, Quds Press reported on Friday. The bill would apparently prevent intervention by Supreme Court in decisions taken by the Israeli Central Elections Committee; it is the latter which would then have sole responsibility for blocking non-Jewish candidates.“This bill aims to return the authority and power to Elections Committee by preventing appeals against its decision,” said its proposer, Oded Forer MK of the extreme right-ring Jewish Home party. “Knesset has become a place for terrorists and their supporters [sic] to sit in without fear.”This was a reference to MKs Basel Ghattas – who is now in prison – and the head of the Arab Joint-list Ayman Odeh. At least 20% of Israel’s population are non-Jews; if such a bill became law it would confirm the apartheid nature of the Israeli state. MEM
Hamas denies asking Jordan for an office in Amman
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171028-hamas-denies-asking-jordan-for-an-office-in-amman/
Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, denied on Thursday that it has asked Jordan for permission to open an office in Amman, Quds Press has reported.“All the reports about this issue are baseless,” insisted Ra’fat Morrah, the Head of the movement’s information committee. “The claims are aimed at disrupting the positive relationship between Hamas and Jordan.”It is known that the head of the Hamas Political Bureau, former Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh, had a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed the latest political developments with the Hashemite monarch. The main focus of the discussion was Palestinian internal reconciliation. middleeastmonitor
Egypt: Osama Morsi jailed for 3 years
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171027-egypt-osama-morsi-jailed-for-3-years/
A court in Egypt has sentenced ousted President Mohamed Morsi’s son to 3 years in prison over accusations that he allegedly possessed weapons at the time of his arrest in 2016. Muslim Brotherhood’s lawyer Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Maqsoud told journalists that the ruling against Osama Morsi is not final and that he will appeal it.No evidence was submitted to support the charges except for the alleged eyewitness accounts of the police offers who arrested him at his home 10 months ago, Abdel-Maqsoud added.Osama was arrested on 16 December on charges of violence related to the dispersal of the Rabaa protest sit-in, which was set up in 2013 after Morsi was ousted in a military coup by current President Al-Sisi. middleeastmonitor
Catalonia declares independence as Spain prepares to impose direct rule
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-independence-latest-spain-direct-rule-catalan-parliament-president-a8023221.html
Catalonia declared independence from Spain less than an hour before a vote in the country’s Senate gave Madrid the power to seize the region’s autonomous powers.The vote in the regional parliament followed a tense week of last-ditch negotiations between Madrid and Barecelona. Seventy of 135 Catalan deputies voted for independence, with 10 opposed and 2 blank ballot slips.Opposition lawmakers had walked out of the chamber ahead of Friday’s vote in protest.Rounds of applause broke out in the chamber as members of the parliament hugged and shook hands.Thousands of people watched the voting process and the counting live on big screens outside Catalonia’s parliament in Barcelona, and cheered and danced after the motion was passed.The motion calls for beginning an independence process that includes drafting Catalonia’s new top laws and opening negotiations “on equal footing” with Spanish authorities to establish co-operation. Independent
Catalonia declares independence from Spain
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/catalan-parliament-begins-vote-independence-171027115908493.html
Europe rejects Catalonia's independence
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/195411/europe-rejects-catalonias-independence
Turkey says Catalan independence declaration 'wrong'
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/195409/turkey-says-catalan-independence-declaration-wrong
Haider al-Abadi halts operation in northern Iraq
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/haider-al-abadi-halts-operation-northern-iraq-171027162513466.html
Iraq's PM has ordered a temporary halt to a military operation in the country's north aimed at wresting back territory held by Kurdish security forces.In a statement on Friday, Haider al-Abadi ordered Govt forces to suspend their operations for 24 hours to enable the deployment of other forces in coordination with Kurdish forces in the disputed areas and along the country's borders.The suspension of the movement of troops will allow a technical team from the two sides to jointly work for the deployment, al-Abadi said. aljazeera
US calls for dialogue in Iraqi-Kurdish dispute
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/iraqi-kurdish-forces-reach-ceasefire-deal-171027123041488.html
Bangladesh eyes sterilisation to curb Rohingya population
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/bangladesh-eyes-sterilisation-to-curb-rohingya-population/articleshow/61285517.cms
Palongkhali: Bangladesh is planning to introduce voluntary sterilisation in its overcrowded Rohingya camps, where nearly a million refugees are fighting for space, after efforts to encourage birth control failed.More than 600,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar in Aug triggered an exodus, straining resources in the impoverished country.The latest arrivals have joined hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled in earlier waves from Myanmar's Rakhine state, where the stateless Muslim minority has endured decades of persecution. Most live in desperate conditions with limited access to food, sanitation or health facilities and local officials fear a lack of family planning could stretch resources even further.Pintu Kanti Bhattacharjee, who heads the family planning service in the district of Cox's Bazar where the camps are based, said there was little awareness of birth control among the Rohingya."The whole community has been deliberately left behind," he told AFP, citing a lack of education in Myanmar, where the Rohingya are viewed as illegal immigrants and denied access to many services.Bhattacharjee said large families were the norm in the camps, where some parents had up to 19 children and many Rohingya men have more than one wife.District family planning authorities have launched a drive to provide contraception, but say they have so far managed to distribute just 549 packets of condoms among the refugees, who are reluctant to use them.They have asked the government to approve a plan to launch vasectomies for Rohingya men and tubectomies for women, Bhattacharjee told AFP.AFP
UN: Myanmar to allow food aid into Rakhine
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/195388/un-myanmar-to-allow-food-aid-into-rakhine
Myanmar will allow UN to resume food distribution in northern Rakhine state which was suspended for two months after a military crackdown, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday."WFP has been given the green light to resume food assistance operations in the northern part of Rakhine State. We are currently coordinating with the [Myanmar] government with the details," WFP spokeswoman Bettina Luescher told a news conference in Geneva on Friday.office of Myanmar's commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday said some military columns carrying out "clearance operations" would be withdrawn from Buthidaung and Maungtaw townships.It also claimed "engagements" with "rebels" had decreased after Sept.5 but did not further details on the withdrawal plan.However, 3 UN human rights experts on Friday said their first fact-finding mission in Bangladesh left them "deeply disturbed by accounts of killings, torture, rape, arson and aerial attacks reportedly perpetrated against the Rohingya community in Myanmar".UN Human Rights Council appointed the mission last March to "establish the facts and circumstances of alleged human rights violations by military and security forces, and abuses, in Myanmar, in particular in Rakhine State".World Bulletin
Myanmar corrects state media report on UN “agreement” to help house refugees:Reuters
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/myanmar-corrects-state-media-report-on-un-agreement-to-help-house-refugees/article19938249.ece?homepage=true
American Rabbis call on Israel to stop arms sales to Myanmar: Jerusalem post
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/American-Rabbis-call-on-Israel-to-stop-arms-sales-to-Myanmar-508651
Over 300 American rabbis and cantors called on Israel to stop selling weapons to Myanmar amid violence there against the Rohingya people.Israel has refused to stop selling arms to Myanmar, also known as Burma, despite calls from human rights activists to do so. Rabbis and cantors invoked the Holocaust and the Hebrew word for repentance in the letter sent to the Israeli Govt.
Qatar emir: Trump offered US meeting to end Gulf crisis:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/qatar-emir-trump-offered-meeting-gulf-crisis-171027232030330.html
Qatari emir says US president has offered to hold a meeting at his retreat in Camp David to put an end to the Gulf diplomatic crisis. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Trump plans to bring Gulf neighbours together in a bid to mediate the dispute. "It is true, he [Trump] suggested that we come," Sheikh Tamim told CBS News' 60 Minutes about US president's offer to hold a meeting at Camp David."I told him straight away, President we are very ready, I've been asking for dialogue from day one.'"
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Arrest of Senior Journalist Vinod Verma Is Reminiscent of the Emergency: URMILESH
https://thewire.in/191815/vinod-verma-arrest/
Hadiya Knows What She Wants. Why Is Nobody Listening?K. Satchidanandan
https://thewire.in/191411/hadiya-kerala-womens-rights-nia-court/
Why is 25-year-old Hadiya under house arrest in democratic India?Haritha John
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-25-year-old-hadiya-under-house-arrest-democratic-india-70639
Fear, loathing in Jharkhand: Where peace means victims of lynch mobs giving up quest for justice:Harsh Mander
https://scroll.in/article/854729/fear-and-loathing-in-jharkhand-where-peace-means-victims-of-lynch-mobs-giving-up-quest-for-justice
'Not a single rupee': Why Modi's warning to states on barring development funds is anti-Constitution: Garga Chatterjee
http://www.firstpost.com/india/not-a-single-rupee-why-narendra-modis-warning-to-states-on-barring-development-funds-is-anti-constitutional-4179237.html
Saga of Police ‘Inefficiency’ & ‘Cover-up’: How Cops are ‘Protecting’ the Murderers of Pehlu Khan:Tarique Anwar
https://newsclick.in/saga-police-inefficiency-and-cover-how-cops-are-protecting-murderers-pehlu-khan
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:34 PM)
