`Evening NEWS DIGEST
1 March 2018:12 Jamadiul-2 1439:Vol:9, No:132
INDIA
Fight against terrorism not against any religion; Muslim youth must have Quran in one hand and a computer in other, appeals Modi with top Muslim leaders on stage
http://caravandaily.com/portal/fight-against-terrorism-not-against-any-religion-says-modi-with-top-muslim-leaders-on-stage/
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said the fight against terrorism was not against any religion, but against a mindset that misguides the young. He was speaking at a conference on ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding & Moderation’, at Vigyan Bhawan with India’s top Muslim leaders on the stage.“The campaign against terrorism, extremism and radicalization is not against any religion. This is against the mindset that misguides our youths and influences them on unleashing atrocities on innocents,” said PM.PM Modi said India had been a “cradle of all major religions in the world.” Indian democracy is a celebration of age old pluralism, he added.“The soul of religion can never be inhuman. Every faith, community and tradition are for promoting human values. The biggest need of the time is that our youths are attached with humane Islam and could use modern science and means of development,” said the PM.“In India, our efforts are to take all along for development of all because destiny of entire country is linked with development of all citizens and because prosperity of everyone is attached with prosperity of the nation,” said the PM.Among eminent Muslim leaders sitting on the stage were Maualan Mahmood Madani of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, top Shia cleric and vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalb-e Sadiq, national president of Jamiat Ahle Hadees Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi, Shaikh Abu Bakr from Kerala and noted scholar Prof. Akhtarul Wasey. Addressing the Muslim leaders, the PM said: “Your presence here in large number is an indication that there is lot of enthusiasm in you to guide the new generations.”“This also shows that your attention is not just on the progress of the youths but also on their teaching of human values.”PM Modi said: “Full prosperity and multi-pronged progress is possible only when you see that Muslim youths have Quran in one hand and computer in the other.”On his 3-day visit to India, Jordan King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein was also present and spoke at the conference. He lauded India’s religious plurality in success against extremism. “Our strongest defence against turmoil is inclusion,” he averred.Caravan News
PM Modi appeals to misguided Muslim youth of India, asks them to embrace both religion and science
https://www.newsx.com/national/pm-modi-appeals-to-misguided-muslim-youth-of-india-asks-them-to-embrace-both-religion-and-science
Muslims divided on Islamic Heritage conference featuring Modi, Jordan King, Muslim clerics: news18
https://www.news18.com/news/india/muslim-intellectuals-divided-on-islamic-heritage-conference-featuring-modi-jordan-king-1676143.html
New Delhi: Emphasising on the Sufi-syncretic values of Islam, PM Narendra Modi at the ‘Islamic Heritage: Promoting Understanding and Moderation’ conference, said the fight against terrorism and radicalisation was not against any religion, but against a mindset that misguides the young. PM was speaking in the presence of Jordan’s King Abdullah II who is known for his global initiative to fight radicalisation and terrorism in the name of religion.Praising PM’s speech, Faizur Rahman, an independent researcher and secretary-general of the Chennai-based Islamic Forum for Promotion of Moderate Thought, said,“Indian Islam is the best interpretation of Quranic Islam. Indian Muslims have always believed in Islam being syncretic. This conference is again the reiteration of that faith. Not long ago, PM said that Indian Muslims are not at all radicalised.”He added that when Modi Govt says there is no radicalisation among Indian Muslims, then there is also no room for talk of Love Jihad. “Islam in India is what real Islam is — syncretic and harmonious. It does not believe in compulsion or forcing religion on anyone. In fact, the whole narrative of Love Jihad falls flat on its face with no evidence to back it up with,” he said.Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Assistant Professor of political science in Ashoka University, however, said comparing Islam in India to Sufism is “divisive”. To back up his claim, Mahmudabad recalled the World Sufi Forum of 2016 which brought people with a particular religious identity closer to the political power, earning them the mistrust of other members of the community. “The way BJP and RSS talk about ‘acceptable Islam’ creates further divisions among Muslims. It brings a particular group closer to power, or at least creates the perception that they are aligned with the Govt . This is far removed from history as Sufis have always maintained a distance from political power. In fact, they often rose up in rebellion against imperial and tyrannical powers.” “Their views on radicalisation show their uni-dimensional understanding of terrorism. It is as much the result of socio-economic, political, geo-strategic, psychological and class factors as it is of religion. The approach of solely holding religion responsible for terrorism is reductionist and shows the shallow understanding such people have of modern-day terrorists and radical groups. Such an approach can never solve the problem and in fact will only exacerbate it,” Mahmudabad added.Disagreeing, Maulana Azad University Jodhpur V-C Akhtarul Wasey said the conference wasn’t just about Sufi or Salafi Islam.“All participants came together unanimously against terrorism, radicalisation and violence. In this global village, the only model of Islam which can be workable is that of India because Islam in India is basically operating for last one thousand years in multi-cultural set up. It is syncretic.”News18.com
‘Muslims must have Quran in one hand, computer in other’
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fight-against-terror-and-misguiding-mindset-not-any-religion-says-pm-narendra-modi-1818579
PM's statement on Muslim youth reflects his narrow thinking: Cong
http://www.uniindia.com/pm-s-statement-on-muslim-youth-reflects-his-narrow-thinking-cong/india/news/1154616.html
New Delhi: Slamming the remarks by PM Narendra Modi that Muslim youth have Quran in one hand and computer in the other,Congress said that associating knowledge of technology with religion reflected Modi's narrow thinking.AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala said,''It is unfortunate that Modi is assessing the knowledge of science based on religion , I want to ask him if the youth of Hindu, Jain, Sikh or Christian religion should not have knowledge of computers.In today's times, everyone has to move towards modernity.UNI
India, Jordan renew support for Palestine, sign 12 pacts
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/mar/01/india-jordan-renew-support-for-palestine-sign-12-agreements-1780679.html
New Delhi: India and Jordan renewed their support to the Palestinian cause as the two sides signed 12 agreements, including one on defence cooperation, following a bilateral meeting between PM Narendra Modi and King of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein."Both leaders renewed their support and commitment to the Palestinian cause," T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said at a media briefing following the meeting. "His Majesty was appreciative of our PM undertaking a standalone visit to Palestine through Amman," Tirumurti said. The MoU is aimed at promoting cooperation between India and Jordan in the field of defence by defining the scope of such cooperation and making provisions for implementation of the cooperation in some of the recognised areas like training, defence industry, counter-terrorism, military studies, cyber security, military medical services and peacekeeping, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The two sides also signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.IANS
2002 Gujarat riots 16th anniversary: ‘Give land ownership to displaced survivors’, says Jignesh Mevani
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/2002-gujarat-riots-give-land-ownership-to-displaced-survivors-says-jignesh-mevani-5082225/
Ahmedabad: Dalit leader and MLA Jignesh Mevani has said that he would work for restoring ownership rights of the land of the victims of the 2002 riots who have been rehabilitated by the NGOs.Speaking at an event to mark the 16th anniversary of 2002 riots in Ahmedabad, Mevani said: “NGOs which helped the riot victims and made houses for them contributed greatly for their temporary relief. All these organisations often call me to speak at events across the country. I want to tell them that till you do not get the ownership rights of the houses to the victims, they should not call me to their functions.”He was speaking at an event organised by a city-based NGO, which had organised a gathering of those displaced during the riots, who are mostly from Muslim community, here.“From 2002 to 2018, no justice has been delivered to those displaced by the riots. People who spoke here today said that there has been no help. But nothing remains like a stone. In the last three years, people have come together no matter what pain they have suffered…Out of the 83 rehabilitated colonies of the riot victims, if we get 15 to 20 persons from each colony and form a team then I will see who does not let us get into Assembly. The next 5 years are ours,” said Mevani.He also proposed to put together 17 demands each of Dalit community, Muslims and tribals.“These 51 demands will be presented before CM Vijay Rupani, and if there is no assurance that they will be met, then we will not let him garland any statue of Baba Saheb on April 14,” Mevani added.Around 3,000 families are living in 83 colonies built for their rehabilitation by various NGOs across nine districts, said advocate Shamshad Pathan of the Manch. Most of these residents are, however, yet to get legal ownership of their new houses, Pathan said.These colonies were initially built as temporary shelters on the outskirts of cities and towns, but eventually they turned into permanent houses for the displaced people, the Manch said in a release. “This non-ownership has deprived them of various Govt schemes. They do not get loans as the houses are not in their names,” said Pathan. “Many of these colonies lack even the basic amenities, such as internal roads, street lights, schools, sewage lines, drinking water connections and hospitals,” he claimed. Social activist Gagan Sethi said that compensation has not been given to the riots survivors. indianexpress
Naroda Patiya massacre anniversary: Survivors prefer silence and so do those acquitted
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/naroda-patiya-massacre-survivors-prefer-silence-and-so-do-those-acquitted-5082248/
Ahmedabad:“I have been asked not to speak to anyone. My husband is a sakshi (witness in the case). We were all here during the riots,” a Muslim lady, in her 40s, says, refusing to disclose her identity. Her house, which has been built recently, stands in the Jawaharnagar locality of Naroda Patiya, close to a school run by a Muslim charitable trust. A few metres down the lane from the house is an anganwadi, which was built two years ago, and marks the end of Muslim part of the neighbourhood. Yasmin’s chicken shop is the last before the anganwadi and she is busy picking mint leaves from a bunch. A goat casually strays inside the shop. “I was born here; have been living here for the past 30 years, but now I am busy with my work. I don’t like to get into other people’s lives,” she says when asked about the locality.16 years ago this day, a violent mob had attacked the Muslim-dominated neighbourhood, killing 97 people that included women and children. Most of the victims were from Jawaharnagar and Hussainnagar.Residents in area are still suspicious of visitors and afraid to speak out.
We did everything to live in harmony, yet father was killed:Ahsan Jafri's daughter
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/we-did-everything-to-live-in-harmony-yet-father-was-killed-5082236/
Ahmedabad: Nishrin Hussain Jafri, daughter of ex-Congress MP Ahsan Jafri who was killed in 2002 riots in Gulberg Society massacre in Ahmedabad, said here that her parents and other family members maintained extremely friendly and cordial relationship with the Hindus in their neighbourhood and yet, her father was brutally killed and many women and children of the society were murdered during the riots.Addressing a gathering organised jointly by NGO ANHAD and Jan Vikas in Juhapura, an emotional Nishrin, who is now settled in the US, said, “We did everything to have harmonious and friendly relations. My parents lived together with others. Yet my father was killed. Many women and children also lost their lives.”“In 1969, when I was 5 years old, Ahmedabad witnessed a horrific communal violence. We were displaced from Champanura. My mother told me that we spent a year in a refugee camp. Our house was destroyed. But my parents returned to the same place and lived by establishing good relationship with others in the locality…Yet our role in promoting sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, was being forgotten… Why is poison of hate being spread,’’44-year-old asked.indianexpress
India-China border situation sensitive, has potential to escalate: junior defence minister Bhamre
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-border-remains-sensitive-has-potential-to-escalate-subhash-bhamre/articleshow/63127191.cms
New Delhi: 8 months after the Doklam standoff, junior defence minister Subhash Bhamre on Thursday said the situation along India's border with China is "sensitive" and it has the potential to escalate."At the Line of Actual Control the situation is sensitive as incidents of patrolling, transgression and standoffs have a potential of escalation," he said.The nearly 4,000-km-long border between the two countries is referred to as LAC. "While confidence building measures are being enhanced, we shall continue to take all action deemed necessary to ensure sanctity of LAC," minister of state for defence said, addressing a seminar on Army's contribution to nation building.Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese army. The face-off ended on Aug.28.Sources said China has been keeping its troops in north Doklam and significantly ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area.PTI
Indicted for his Role in Bhagalpur Riots, KS Dwivedi Takes Over as New Bihar DGP: newsclick
https://newsclick.in/indicted-his-role-bhagalpur-riots-ks-dwivedi-takes-over-new-bihar-dgp
The appointment of IPS officer KS Dwivedi, from 1984 batch, as Bihar’s new DGP has been surrounded by controversy. The opposition, RJD, has alleged that the appointment has been made at the instance of RSS – the ideological mentor of BJP. “Dwivedi was the SP of Bhagalpur in 1989 when the city witnessed an infamous communal violence in which around 1,000 people (the majority of them being Muslims) were killed. His (Dwivedi’s) handling of the situation had come under a lot of criticism,” RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha said.“The decision has clearly been taken by Nagpur (RSS HQRS) and been imposed on Patna. CM Nitish Kumar has chosen Dwivedi at the instance of his political ally (BJP),” he added. Kumar’s party –JDU – had walked out of the Grand Alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and the Congress in July last year after corruption charges were leveled against the then Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav. He, later on, formed a new Govt with his old ally – BJP. A commission of inquiry had later indicted Dwivedi for the partisan role of the police. Newsclick
Muslim community very cooperative: Sri Sri after meeting Salman Nadvi
https://www.news18.com/news/india/muslim-community-very-cooperative-says-sri-sri-ravi-shankar-after-meeting-maulana-expelled-by-aimplb-1676023.html
Lucknow: Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Thursday met Maulana Salman Nadwi, who was recently expelled from AIMPLB, and expressed confidence that a peaceful solution would soon be found to Ayodhya dispute. After meeting him at Congress leader Luv Bhragava’s residence in Hazratganj area, Sri Sri said, “We are getting good response from all sides. We are continuing our efforts and speaking to both sides for a peaceful solution to build a Ram Temple. The Muslim community is very co-operative.” Sri Sri will meet Nadwi, who was expelled from the AIMPLB for suggesting an out-of-court settlement, again on March 28. Nadwi had recently announced plans to float an inter-religious platform named ‘Manav Kalyan Manch’ to address the Ayodhya dispute.Sri Sri, who has been mediating between parties to the dispute, had said on Wednesday that “one side will win and one side will lose”. “The side which loses will accept the solution for some time but new issues will crop up soon. There are chances that a peaceful way out can be worked out in the case.”Responding to the criticism of his mediation efforts, Sri Sri said, “Everyone has the right to display their level of knowledge. There are always problems when you go out to do something good. We will continue our efforts. The results so far are very good. Everyone is cooperative and soon our efforts will succeed.”news18
Sri Sri meets Maulana Nadvi, says 'there is cooperation from Muslim community'
https://www.oneindia.com/india/sri-sri-ravi-shankar-meets-maulana-nadvi-says-there-is-cooperation-from-muslim-community-2650716.html
Hopeful of amicable solution in Ayodhya dispute: Sri Sri
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/hopeful-of-amicable-solution-in-ayodhya-dispute-sri-sri-ravi-shankar
Waseem Rizvi asks AIMPLB to hand over 9 Muslim religious places to Hindus
https://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20180228/3287543.html
Lucknow: After kicking up a row by asking Muslims to hand over the Ayodhya disputed area to Hindus for the Ram Temple, Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi has now written to All India Muslim Personal Law Board to hand over the occupied land of mosques which were once Hindu temples to the majority community of the nation.The letter said that these nine places should be immediately handed over to the Hindus by the AIMPLB.The nine temples places of worship are ---Ayodhya, Keshav Dev (Mathura), Atala Dev at Jaunpur, Kashi Vishwanath(Varanasi), Rudra Mahalaya in Batana district of Gujarat, Bhadrakali in Ahmedabad, Adina in Pandua of West Bengal, Vijaya (Vidisha) and Qutubul Islam in Qutab Minar in Delhi.In the three-page letter sent to the AIMPLB chairman Maulana Rabe Hassan Nadvi on Tuesday, which was released to the media here a day later, Mr Rizvi asserted that in Islam construction of a mosque was illegal on occupied land where there was a temple.UNI
Wasim Rizvi has lost his mental balance: Mufti Mukarram
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/mar/01/wasim-rizvi-has-lost-his-mental-balance-muslim-cleric-sayeed-mufti-mukarram-1780706.html
New Delhi: Muslim cleric Mufti Mukarram lashed out at Wasim Rizvi for his statement on surrendering mosque built atop destroyed temples to Hindus and said that only a person who has lost mental balance can make such remark.Mukarram pitched for the unity between Hindus and Muslims and urged people to respect every religion.“This is against the Constitution and policy of our country. Only a person who has lost his mental balance can make such remark,” Mukarram said. “Nothing should be demolished; both Temple and Mosque will remain wherever they are,” he added.He further said that Humanity is above everything and such statement of the Rizvi should be just ignored.ANI
UP Imams defer namaz timings in view of Holi
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/feb/28/uttar-pradesh-imams-defer-namaz-timings-in-view-of-holi-revelries-win-widespread-appreciation-1780246.html
Lucknow: Setting a new precedence in consonance with Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb, quintessential to Lucknow, the Muslim clerics and religious leaders of the city have decided to change the timings of Friday prayers (namaz) on Holi.The leaders and clerics of both the Islamic sects -- Shia and Sunni -- have deferred the Friday prayers' timings by an hour so that Hindus could play with colours freely without coming across large groups of Muslims going for Friday namaz.The imams of different mosques across UP were urged by Maulana Kalbe Jawwad and Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahali, to adjust the Friday prayer timings to facilitate Holi revelries. Consequently, the imams of a number of mosques in Lucknow altered the timings by postponing the noon prayers by an hour. He gesture has also contributed to the exercise of maintaining law, order and communal harmony during the festival on the aprt of district administration.newindianexpress
14 Lucknow mosques change namaz time for Holi
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/lucknow-gets-drenched-in-colours-of-harmony/articleshow/63119255.cms
Jaipur: Muslim women hold massive protest against Talaq bill
http://caravandaily.com/portal/muslim-women-hold-massive-protest-against-triple-talaq-bill-in-jaipur/
Jaipur;The walled city of Jaipur witnessed a vast sea of Burqa clad Muslim women on the roads in a silent protest against the proposed triple talaq Bill on Wednesday.Led by All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s member Yasmeen Farooqui, women carrying placards demanded that the triple talaq Bill be withdrawn by the Central Govt.The protest march started from Char Darwaza and culminated at Muslim Musafir Khana is said to be a historic and unprecedented protest march in Jaipur in which more than one lakh women participated.A memorandum was also submitted to the Governor which stated that “Muslim women are against the Bill and the protest rally sent out a strong message to the Govt to not interfere in the religious rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”“It is important to hold such protest in a BJP-ruled state where they have created propaganda that Bill is reformatory. Bill gives special power to state to imprison Muslim men for up to three years for pronouncing triple talaq. Is it not ironical that on August 22, 2017, the Supreme Court banned triple talaq. So the point is when it is banned or not legal how can you put somebody in jail for giving triple talaq”, Yasmeen Farooqui told reporters.On Feb. 26, a similar protest march by hundreds of Muslim women was organised in Jhunjhunu, and AIMPLB will hold many more in other states on this very demand, Imitiyaz Khan, its spokesman said.caravandaily
INX Media case: CBI gets 5-day custody of Karti Chidambaram, no home food allowed
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/inx-media-case-cbi-seeks-14-day-custody-of-karti-chidambaram/story-6ct1vIHOTq2yKpA8Spvh7N.html
New Delhi:A Delhi court has sent Karti Chidambaram, accused of corruption in the INX Media case, to CBI custody till March 6.“I will be vindicated eventually,” Karti told the media outside the court.Special Judge Sunil Rana extended Karti’s custody after CBI contended that there were “very shocking evidences” of what he has done when he went abroad and alleging “when he went abroad, he closed bank accounts in which funds were received”. CBI, which wanted his custody for 14 days, arrested Karti — the son of former finance minister P Chidambaram — from Chennai airport a day earlier. He was produced in court after the expiry of his one-day custody.The court has allowed Karti’s lawyer to meet him for one hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. It also allowed Karti to carry medicines on prescription, but no home food.In his his argument seeking bail for Karti, lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “The question today is how can there be a need for arrest given the facts of this case...They (CBI) have not issued summons to me (Karti) since August 27, 2017...Natural inference is you (CBI) have nothing to ask me.”Singhvi argued the CBI’s contention that Karti has not be cooperating is “bizarre”. “The only way to establish non-cooperation by me (Karti) is to send me summons. Non- cooperation does not mean I will offer myself to your (CBI) office. CBI did not summon me since August but arrested me for not cooperating...You never tested my non-cooperation. Sudden arrest after 6 months. It’s bizarre,” said Singhvi.He asked if Karti had done something illegal while abroad, why didn’t the CBI file a contempt petition before the court which allowed him to travel abroad. “There is not an iota of evidence against Karti. He is being arrested despite complying with court orders repeatedly,” said Singhvi.HT
PNB fraud case probe: Blue Corner notice issued to locate 'wilful defaulters' Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi
http://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/article/punjab-national-bank-fraud-rs-12700-crore-blue-corner-notice-against-nirav-modi-mehul-choksi/203663?utm_source=facebook-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=trending-stories&utm_content=Feb-desktop
New Delhi: An Income Tax Department official has confirmed that a Blue Corner notice has been issued against key accused in the Rs 12,700 crore PNB fraud. Both Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi have allegedly fled the country in the wake of the revelation of the biggest banking fraud in the country. The notice was issued against the diamantaires by the Bureau of Immigration. A Blue Corner notice is issued to locate, identify or obtain information about a person or someone related to a criminal investigation and it will be valid for a year starting February 22 at all ports of embarkation. IT official also said that it has attached 4 more properties of the Nirav Modi group, which includes his farmhouse in Alibaug (Maharashtra) worth Rs 13 crore and a 5.24MW solar power plant over 135 acres of land in the same state's Ahmednagar district worth Rs 70 crore, as per the books. timesnownews
Modi, Mehul, Mehta scammed, scrammed under Modi Govt: Congress
http://caravandaily.com/portal/modi-mehul-mehta-scammed-scrammed-under-modi-govt-congress/
New Delhi: Congress party has attacked PM Narendra Modi over the huge bank scams of Nirva Modi, Mehul Choksi and Jatin Mehta – all 3 have fled the country. “Modi ji remains on ‘Maun Vrat’ and ‘Jan-Dhan-Gaban Yojna’ rises to Rs 39,000 crore,” said Randeep Singh Surjewala, Media Incharge, Congress while addressing the press here.“‘Art of Leaving’ after defrauding banks is the new culture under BJP Govt. A scam a day gets unearthed as Modi ji remains on ‘Maun Vrat.’ Last 12 days saw the bank loot scams of Rs 31,691 crore (NiMo + Choksi Rs 22,606 crore + Rs 5,000 crore, Rotomac – Rs 3,695 crore and Dwarka Das Seth Jewellers– Rs 390 crore),” said the Congress leader.After Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, jewelers from Palanpur, Gujarat, another Palanpur jeweler Jatin Mehta “has duped the banks, including Punjab National Bank, of Rs 6,712 crore,” alleged Congress“The three ‘Ms’ i.e. Modi, Mehul and Mehta have followed the same modus operandi – raise money through Letters of Credit, fleece it and fly away to foreign shores. Total scams have now risen to Rs 39,000 crore,” said Congress.The party also alleged that the Modi govt, its agencies Maharashtra govt had prior knowledge of the scams.“Jatin Mehta and his wife conveniently fled from India, gave up Indian citizenship on 2nd June, 2016 and settled down as citizens of International Tax Heaven, St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean with whom Govt has no extradition treaty.”Caravan News
Cabinet approves Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to deal with those escaping overseas to evade law
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/arun-jaitley-cabinet-approves-fugitive-economic-offenders-bill-to-deal-with-those-escaping-overseas-5082999/
New Delhi:The Cabinet on Thursday approved the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to deal with those escaping overseas to avoid getting caught. The Bill will empower the Govt to confiscate any property owned by such persons in India. The bill is aimed at deterring economic offenders like jeweller Nirav Modi from fleeing the country or not returning to face trial. In a press conference today in New Delhi, Jaitley said, “Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 has been brought to confiscation of assets of a fugitive, including Benami assets. There will also be the provision to confiscate those assets outside India but co-operation of that country will be needed.”indianexpress
Kashmir Statistics Give A Lie to Communal Propaganda: 18 Muslim army personnel killed in 2 months
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/13166/Kashmir-Statistics-Give-A-Lie-to-Communal-Propaganda-
Srinagar: At a time when the minorities are facing the heat of the ‘nationalist’ right-wing groups who are questioning their ‘loyalty’ to the country, at least 18 Muslim men from J&K working with different armed forces have laid down their lives in insurgency-related violence this year. According to official data accessed by The Citizen, the deceased include two Muslim CRPF men from J&K who were killed in the New Year’s eve attack on a security training centre in south Kashmir’s Lethpora in which two militants and three more CRPF personnel were also shot dead.While the heat of Lethpora attack had not died down yet, on January 6, four Muslim policemen who were on patrol duty, were killed in an improvised explosive device blast in a market in Sopore town of north Kashmir. This was the first such IED attack in Kashmir since 2015.This was followed by the attack on Sunjuwan military station, one of the worst after the Pathankot terror attack, in Jammu, which resulted in the killing of five Army soldiers and a civilian, all of whom were Muslims from different parts of the Kashmir Valley. The civilian was the father of one of the soldiers posted at the station.Two Muslim police personnel were killed when suspected militants targeted a police party outside Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital last month. A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander, Naveed Jutt, who was brought to the hospital for treatment, managed to escape from custody during the shooting.“The slain include eight police personnel, six Army jawans, two CRPF personnel and a civilian who was shot dead by militants at Sunjuwan military station. All of them were Muslims. During the last two months, at least 23 militants have also been shot dead in counter-insurgency operations across the state,” a senior police officer said.J&K Police, which is mostly comprised of men from Muslim background, has borne the brunt of the attacks by militants in Kashmir Valley. Last year, 6 Muslim cops, including an officer, were shot dead when suspected militants targeted a police party on the outskirts of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on June 16.According to the information tabled by the J&K Govt in the recently concluded budget session, at least 49 policemen, most of them Muslims from Kashmir Valley, were killed in various insurgency-related incidents reported from the state over the last two years.The Citizen
2-front war not a good idea: top general
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-front-war-not-a-good-idea-says-top-general-5082346/
Chandigarh:Arguing for a greater role of military diplomacy to bring normalcy in relations with Pakistan, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, said on Wednesday that a two-front war is not a “smart idea”.Army chief Bipin Rawat had said in June 2017 that the Indian Army was ready for a “two-and-a-half-front war”. Speaking on the concluding day of a seminar on “Geo-strategic manifestations in Pakistan and Implications for India” at Panjab University here, Lt Gen Singh said India needed to improve relations with China in order to gain the best possible leverage over Pakistan.indianexpress
Over tea and mithai, I will make Army Chief Rawat aware of facts: AIUDF chief Ajmal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-tea-and-mithai-i-will-make-army-chief-bipin-rawat-aware-of-facts-aiudf-chief-badruddin-ajmal-5082145/
New Delhi:A week after the Army chief’s controversial remarks comparing the growth of AIUDF with that of BJP, AIUDF chief has proposed to meet him over tea and sweets and make him “aware of the facts”.AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal, a Lok Sabha MP, is in Delhi. “I will visit him and drink tea with him and eat mithai too with him, despite being a diabetic, and apprise him of the facts about AIUDF. I will, as we don’t have any guilt about who we are are and what we do. He must be made aware of the facts.”Ajmal and some colleagues met Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday with a 2-page memorandum, and asked for a “clarification” of the statement of the Army chief and that the “confusion” created by it be dispelled. Ajmal said the meeting was also meant to convey the “great shock and surprise” over the fact that the Army chief “has not been correctly informed regarding the role of the AIUDF in the public life of Assam, as well as the facts of illegal infiltration in the state”.Ajmal said he and his 13 MLAs plan to meet the President and register their concern about the Army chief’s comments, and also meet the PM “when Parliament convenes” as well as NSA Ajit Doval. indianexpress
Kathua rape and murder: Villagers allege harassment by Police, demand CBI probe
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-hiranagar-villagers-allege-harassment-by-police-demand-cbi-probe-5081992/
Jammu;Over 200 men, women and children blocked the road in front of the Hiranagar Police station in Kathua district as a protest against the PDP-BJP Govt alleging harassment and mass detentions by J&K Police’s Crime Branch which is probing the killing of an eight-year-old girl. A senior crime branch official denied that there was any harassment caused to the villagers. The villagers, however, alleged torture and harassment of their children by crime branch and demanded a CBI probe in the case, reports PTI. They also demanded the release of scores of villagers including women and sarpanches detained by the Police. Police personnel warned them through load speakers that restriction under section 144 of the CrPc were in place in Hiranagar.On Tuesday, residents of village Rasana had alleged detention, torture and harassment of their children by the crime branch and left their homes. Villagers, including women and young children, were living under “constant fear” due to “random detention of young children” in the name of questioning and refused to return to their native village, they alleged.Hundreds of people of adjoining villages joined them to express solidarity. Vijay Sharma, president of an organisation called the Hindu Ekta claimed the villagers did not have faith in the crime branch. He said that the families of Rasana village and many families from the adjoining Dhamyal village had migrated to Kootah on the Jammu-Pathankot highway as they have been living in constant fear.PTI
Haryana: HC reserves order on plea filed by Junaid kin
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-reserves-order-on-plea-filed-by-junaid-kin-5082135/
Chandigarh; A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Wednesday reserved its order on the maintainability of the appeal filed by family of murdered teenager Junaid Khan against the single bench judgment, which had dismissed their plea for CBI probe in the matter. The stay on the trial before the Faridabad court will continue in the meantime.The Haryana govt, in response to the letter patents appeal against the single bench judgment, cited the verdict by the Supreme Court in the ‘Ram Kishan Fauji Vs State of Haryana and Ors’ matter to contend that the appeal filed by Junaid’s father Jalaluddin is not maintainable before a division bench.indianexpress
TISS protests get support from IIT-B and other institutes
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/tiss-protests-get-support-from-iit-b-and-other-institutes/story-yeCiWoeKARqvjo0FDjy5bO.html
Mumbai : As their protests enter the second week, students of TISS are receiving support from campuses across India.On Wednesday, students from IIT-B, FTII and Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), among others, voiced their support for the agitation. “We want the TISS administration to pay heed to students’ demands, including continuation of financial support for SC, ST and OBC students,” said a representative of the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle of IIT-B. Students of the group staged a protest in their campus on Wednesday, in support of TISS students.A bandh was called by TISS Students’ Union on February 20 to protest against the institute’s decision to withdraw fee waiver to SC, ST and OBC students eligible for the Govt of India’s Post Matric Scholarship (GoI-PMS) last year. On Sunday night, representatives of the institute’s management held a three-hour meeting with protesting students to find an alternative solution to the problem. Students, however, refused to budge till their demands are met.Students of the Hyderabad campus of TISS started an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday.HT
Murshidabad, 3 other districts in Bengal to get Universities; locals express happiness
http://twocircles.net/2018mar01/421293.html
Govt of West Bengal is likely to set up a University in its Murshidabad district declared by the State Education Minister, Partha Chatterjee, yesterday in the Education Budget session. The decision of establishing 3 more Universities in three different districts was also declared on the same budget session. The other 3 proposed districts where three universities will be set up are South Dinajpur, Darjeeling and Alipurduar. The announcement came after a series of protests by the people of the Murshidabad district including a 10-day rally organised across Murshidabad villages of the district to the district’s headquarter, Berhampore. The rally was organised by the Students’ Islamic Organization, West Bengal. Protests by students from Murshidabad district studying in other States, like AMU and Hyderabad Central University (HCU), were also held and TwoCircles.Net covered one such protest held in HCU.While the announcement by the Education Minister has, on one hand, brought cheer and happiness among the people of the district, some of residents, on the other hand, are doubtful over the implementation of the declaration.Sadikur Rahaman, the district President of SIO, Murshidabad, who is one of the key persons for the last November rallies, spoke to TwoCircles.Net. “We are thankful to the Govt and to those irrespective of religion, caste or creed who stood by for the long struggle for the demand of a university in Murshidabad. We will be holding a programme for them who paved the way for our demand as gratitude. At the same time, we seek immediate implementation of the declaration without any delay instead of the promise.”
NEET exams: Relief to students as CBSE to give out common question papers for all languages
http://www.dnaindia.com/education/report-relief-to-students-as-cbse-to-give-out-common-question-papers-for-neet-exams-2589719
Bringing relief to thousands of students who have opted for bilingual papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, the CBSE would give out common question papers for students opting in any language. HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted on Wednesday, that ‘There will be same questionpaper for all languages — English, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Tamil & Telugu’.NEET 2018 exam would be held across on May 6, 2018. Following the supreme court order in response to a plea by the Students Islamic organisation, Urdu will be introduced for the first time as a language option.dnaindia
Apologise for ‘Islam, Christianity are alien´ statement before attending convocation: AMUSU to President Kovind
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/apologise-for-2010-statement-before-attending-convocation-amu-students-union-to-president-ram-nath-kovind-1676063.html
Lucknow: AMU Students’ Union has asked President Ram Nath Kovind to apologise for his ‘Islam and Christianity are alien´ comment before he attends the varsity’s convocation on March 7.In 2010, Kovind had given the statement while commenting on a report by the Ranganath Misra Commission. The Commission had, in its report, recommended 15% reservation for socially and economically backward religious and linguistic minorities.Opposing President Kovind’s AMU visit, AMU Students’ Union vice president, Sajjad Subhan said, “Either the President should apologise for his statement or should refrain from attending the convocation. There is resentment among the students against the statement and if anything untoward takes place, then the President and Vice-Chancellor will be responsible for it.”Subhan said that the President should accept that all religions are equal. “If BJP and the President want peace then this statement should be taken back. The President’s visit is not going to do any good for the AMU campus either. He was invited by the VC due to vested interests. The VC wants to send a message that AMU has accepted the BJP ideology,” he said.The student leader also said that local MPs, MLAs and RSS workers will not be allowed to enter the campus. “If they are invited, the students’ union will boycott the convocation and will also oppose the Vice Chancellor as he is busy saffronising the campus due to his vested interests,” said Subhan.news18
Varanasi: Police manhandles Teesta Setalvad, prevents workshop on ‘How to Stop Fake News’
http://twocircles.net/2018feb28/421266.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Varanasi police on Tuesday lined with the alleged “intimidation practices” and threatened Teesta Setalvad, a human rights activist, against conducting a workshop by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi.The workshop titled “Mainstream journalism in the age of Social Media” was scheduled to take place at 2 pm on February 27, 2018, and Setalvad was in the premises to take part in the same. The press statement released by CJP over the same has alleged that ‘the move is yet another example of bullying and strong-arm tactics for which the ABVP, the purported ‘students’ wing of BJP and RSS, has gained notoriety”. CJP has further condemned the “overt intimidation of free inquiry and questioning” when permission was granted for the workshop many days before the scheduled workshop. The mentioned workshop was being organised with the help of Student Union at Vidyapeeth which is dominated by socialist and Congress panellists. The university administration cancelled the permission granted to Union’s vice president at the last moment, which resulted in chaos in the university premises. Organisers have also released a copy of the permission letter, which can be seen below.TwoCircles
Major Reshuffle: Govt appoints new secretaries; Mukim, Subrahmanyan to join Mines, Higher Education respectively
https://www.newsx.com/national/major-administrative-reshuffle-centre-appoints-new-secretaries-r-subrahmanyan-and-mukim-to-join-higher-education-and-mines-dept-respectively
In a major administrative reshuffle, Central govt has appointed senior IAS officers R Subrahmanyam and Anil Gopishankar Mukim as secretaries of Higher Education and Mines department respectively. The Personnel department of Central Govt issued the official order for the same which says the decision will be implemented from today. R Subrahmanyam will succeed KK Sharma who has completed his service as IAS officer. Subrahmanyam is currently the special secretary in Dept of Higher Education. In the second case, Centre has appointed yet another IAS officer from Gujarat cadre. Anil Gopishankar Mukim who is currently working as an administrator in Gujarat has been asked to join the Central Govt as the secretary of Mines Department.NewsX
India, Israel discuss border security, terror threats
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/qDt98mRS5PMtR5mHvvm9sJ/India-Israel-discuss-border-security-terror-threats.html
New Delhi: Amid continuing cross-border firing and infiltration from Pakistan, India and Israel have discussed how to ensure foolproof security along the international border by using sophisticated technology, besides enhancing security cooperation, officials said.The 2-day meetings of the India-Israel joint steering committee on homeland and public security, which concluded on Wednesday, also discussed how to step up cooperation to deal with the grave threat that terrorism poses, including by non-state actors, to peace and security.India and Israel discussed threadbare how to ensure proper security along the international borders by using modern gadgets like electro-optical sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a home ministry official said.Following the September 2016 terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Israel had offered India its expertise for strengthening border fencing, stressing that the two countries share “similar challenges” on many fronts, including cross-border terrorism.In a statement, the home ministry on Wednesday said the objectives of the meetings were capacity building and modernisation in police forces besides border management. “Both sides agreed to work out the modalities to address these issues. Discussions were held in a friendly atmosphere and it was agreed to maintain sustained interactions to enhance security cooperation between the countries,” it said.PTI
Anti-Terror Body NIA To Probe Human Trafficking Cases, Would Receive Financial Aid Under Nirbhaya Fund
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/anti-terror-body-nia-to-probe-human-trafficking-cases-would-receive-financial-ai/308921
The country's apex anti-terror body, NIA, will be made the nodal authority for probing human trafficking cases and would receive financial aid under the Nirbhaya Fund for safety of women to set up a cell for this as the Govt today approved a proposal in this regard.The Union Cabinet today okayed the draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, which also proposes a punishment of life imprisonment for repeat offenders, the source said.According to officials of the ministry of women and child development, the NIA would receive financial aid under Nirbhaya Fund for safety of women in order to set up a cell for investigating human trafficking.OUTLOOK
Brought Muslims under (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: United Muslim Morcha
https://www.siasat.com/news/brought-muslims-prevention-atrocities-act-1989-united-muslim-morcha-1324316/
New Delhi: To free the country from riots politics and to divert the politics of the country towards basic issues, minorities should also be included under (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, under article 341 of the Indian constitution. National president of UMM and former MP Dr Eijaz Ali told this while addressing the ‘Tahaffuz Muashera Conference’ organised by United Muslim Morcha. He said the Morcha is ready to compromise with the centre on the controversial issue such as Ayodhya to get legal security.National vice president of the Morcha Kamal Ashraf said, so far Dalits, Adivasi and minorities were facing atrocities. But since the (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 came into being, Dalits and Adivasis got relief but minorities have been the soft target during riots and the situation is becoming worse day by day.siasat
Omar Abdullah seeks divorce, wants to re-marry: HC told
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/omar-abdullah-seeks-divorce-wants-to-re-marry-delhi-hc-told-5083080/
New Delhi: Delhi High Court has sought the response of Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former J&K CM Omar Abdullah, on his plea seeking divorce on the ground that their marriage has broken down irretrievably and he wants to get re-married.A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Deepa Sharma issued notice to Payal asking her to file a reply before the next date of hearing on April 23.The court also sought her stand on an application moved by Omar seeking early hearing in the matter.Advocate Malavika Rajkotia, appearing for Omar, claimed that the court had on an earlier date asked if the parties wanted to get married again. She replied in affirmative about Omar’s intent, saying “I do”.PTI
WORLD
Over 600 killed in latest regime offensive against eastern Ghouta
https://www.trtworld.com/mea/eastern-ghouta-death-toll-surpasses-600-15574
The death toll in Syria’s eastern Ghouta has surpassed 600 since Bashar al Assad’s regime forces, backed by Russian air strikes, intensified their offensive on the rebel-held Damascus enclave on Feb.18,Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At least 14 people, including a rescue worker, were killed by regime attacks on Wednesday despite an internationally-brokered ceasefire deal to secure the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to besieged civilians, the White Helmets civil defence group reported. There were no air strikes during Wednesday's 5-hour ceasefire, but the heavy bombardment resumed in the afternoon.38 members of the regime forces were also killed while attempting to storm eastern Ghouta in the last 48 hours,it said. trtworld.com
1,389 Civilians Killed in Syria in Feb: Syrian Network For Human Rights
http://sn4hr.org/blog/2018/03/01/51637/
UK based NGO Syrian Network For Human Rights, SNHR said today that no less than 1,389 civilians were killed in February by the parties to the conflict in Syria, 67% of them were killed in Eastern Ghouta at the hands of Syrian regime forces. The report notes that SNHR has largely focused, since it was founded, on documenting victims who were killed at the hands of the parties to the conflict, and created a database for the victims’ names and their information such as sex, age, occupation, way of killing, the party that killed them, and the type of weapon used.The report also sheds light on the various and different patterns of crimes and ways of killing that have been documented since the popular uprising for freedom started in March 2011, ranging from gunfire, air attacks, and death due to torture inside detention centers, to chemical and cluster attacks, landmines, as well as victims who died of hypothermia, starvation, or due to medication shortage, or drowning as they were fleeing.The report includes the civilian death toll by the seven parties to the conflict in Syria. The report stresses that military victims weren’t included in light of the difficulties found in this type of documentation. sn4hr.com
Airstrikes, shelling continue in Syria despite Security Council’s ceasefire call – top UN officials
http://www.gbcghana.com/1.11828376
Despite the Security Council’s demand for a ceasefire throughout Syria, violence continues to plague the war-ravaged country, worsening the humanitarian situation and the suffering of its people, top United Nations political and relief officials said Wednesday, calling on all parties to the conflict to “fulfil their obligations to end the fighting.”gbcghana
Ghouta: Residents 'mock' ceasefire as killing continues
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/eastern-ghouta-residents-mock-ceasefire-killing-continues-180301081447610.html
Residents of Syria's Eastern Ghouta are "mocking" a so-called ceasefire in the area, as bombardments by the Syrian Govt and their principal ally, Russia, continue, according to doctors and local activists. At least 5 civilians were killed on Thursday in attacks on several towns in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta - activist Abdelmalik Aboud said from the town of Douma.Fayez Orabi, spokesperson for the opposition's health directorate in Damascus and its suburbs, and UK-based monitoring group, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, confirmed the numbers. Syrian Civil Defense - a volunteer rescue group also known as the White Helmets - said a child was killed in the attacks. "The people of Eastern Ghouta mock the news of exit corridors - they did not believe it for a second because they have lost all confidence in the regime's credibility - particularly because the shelling has not stopped, and neither the Russians nor the regime have expressed any seriousness in keeping civilians out of the war," Aboud said. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, about 19 markets, seven medical centres, six schools, 3 kindergartens and 10 civil defence centres have been hit since Nov. 2017. But residents say neither the ceasefire nor the corridors have been implemented. aljazeera
Eastern Ghouta residents refuse to leave their land
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180301-eastern-ghouta-residents-refuse-to-leave-their-land/
Cleaning up Mosul: Challenge to identify the dead
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/cleaning-mosul-challenge-identify-dead-180301113534357.html
Rescue workers in Mosul are still searching through bombed out buildings, seven months after the Iraqi Govt declared victory over ISIL in the city.They've found more than 3,000 bodies, and there's still much work to do.A group of volunteers is helping out, young people who despite the stench in the air and the emotional and security challenges, say they want to bring Mosul back to its old glory. aljazeera
EU urges Russia, Turkey, Iran to uphold ceasefire in eastern Ghouta
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180301-eu-urges-russia-turkey-iran-to-uphold-ceasefire-in-eastern-ghouta/
Amnesty: Egypt used banned cluster bombs in Sinai
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180301-amnesty-egypt-used-banned-cluster-bombs-in-sinai/
Amnesty International published a report which confirms the Egyptian authorities’ use of banned cluster bombs during its recent raids on northern Sinai.“On 21 February, the Egyptian military released a video on its official Twitter account of what it claimed were improvised explosive devices planted by ‘terrorist elements’. However, Amnesty has analysed this video and confirmed it shows an unexploded US-made Mk 118 cluster munition, which could only have been dropped by the Egyptian air force,” the rights group said.Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Regional Deputy Director, said:"This new video confirms our worst fears, that the Egyptian Armed Forces are using cluster bombs in North Sinai. This shows a horrifying disregard for human life and international law."“Claims that these weapons were planted by members of armed groups just do not stand up to scrutiny.”In July 2017, Daesh’s Amaq news released a video claiming an F-16 fighter jet dropping two cluster bombs. Amnesty experts analysed the video, the release said, concluding that it had not been doctored and that the F-16s shown in the video “displayed the Egyptian flag on their tails”.middleeastmonitor
Netanyahu refuses dialogue with Qatar, praises UAE
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180301-netanyahu-refuses-dialogue-with-qatar-praises-uae/
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Qatar of supporting Hamas, rejecting calls for dialogue with Doha, while stressing the need for dialogue with other Gulf states. This came during a meeting held with leaders of Jewish organisations in US yesterday which dealt with the nature of relations between Tel Aviv and the Gulf states.Netanyahu said: “It is necessary to establish a dialogue with the constructive forces in the Gulf region.”He added: “I certainly do not talk about Qatar.” Official said Gulf powers were looking for a better future for their people and that “they do not support terrorist groups like Hamas”.Netanyahu stressed that UAE is a constructive power in the region and that Qatar is not.MEMO
Israeli air lines seeks international help to access Saudi airspace
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-el-al-arlns-saudi-exclusive/exclusive-israels-el-al-seeks-international-help-to-access-saudi-airspace-idUSKCN1GD4SZ?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Tel Aviv:Israel’s flag carrier El Al has asked an airline industry lobby group to help it access Saudi Arabian airspace, so it can compete with Air India’s [AIN.UL] planned route between India and Israel.The request came in a letter on Wednesday from El Al’s chief executive to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in which he said he has also approached Israel’s PM .Saudi does not recognize Israel though there has been a thawing of the relationship between the U.S. allies, with a shared concern over Iranian influence in the region. Granting an Israeli airline access to its air space by lifting a 70-year-old ban, however, would mark a dramatic diplomatic shift.The appeal is a response to plans revealed by Air India last month to begin direct flights to Tel Aviv which pass through Saudi airspace, a shorter route so far off-limits to all Israel-bound commercial planes. There has been no official announcement whether Air India has received permission to fly over Saudi soil for its proposed thrice-weekly flights.El Al’s CEO has now turned to the head of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, saying he understood no such permission would be granted to Israeli jetliners and asking Juniac to step in to prevent “an uneven playing field.”“I am approaching you and kindly requesting IATA to intervene and to represent aviation industry’s interest by advocating equal overfly rights for all carriers over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and opposing any form of discrimination,” CEO Gonen Usishkin wrote in the letter seen by Reuters.Usishkin said he has also requested help from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to resolve the issue.El Al has yet to receive a response. reuters
Taliban pour cold water on Afghan peace overtures:Reuters
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/taliban-pour-cold-water-on-invitation-to-afghan-peace-talks/article22893503.ece?homepage=true
Kabul:Taliban on Thursday issued a cool response to proposals that they should begin peace talks with the Afghan Govt , a day after President Ashraf Ghani offered a pact to recognise the insurgents as a legitimate party in negotiations. The movement has not yet given any formal answer to Ghani's invitation, made at a conference of officials from countries in the so-called Kabul Process aimed at creating a platform for talks to end more than 16 years of war. But its chief spokesman did reply to an “Open Letter" published this week in the New Yorker magazine by Barnett Rubin, a respected commentator on Afghan politics, who urged the Taliban to accept talks with the Kabul Govt .“Our country has been occupied, which has led to an American-style supposed Afghan Govt being imposed upon us,” the Taliban response said.“And your view that we talk to them and accept their legitimacy is the same formula adopted by America to win the war,” it said, adding that the Kabul Process was simply aimed at seeking the “surrender” of the Taliban.The comments come a month after the Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack in which an ambulance packed with explosives blew up in Kabul, killing around 100 people, in the worst attack seen in months.
Afghan policemen kidnapped in Taliban bus attack
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/afghan-policemen-kidnapped-taliban-bus-attack-180301072448796.html
Taliban fighters have killed at least six policemen in an attack on a checkpoint and kidnapped dozens of bus passengers in two separate incidents in southern Afghanistan, officials said.A group of fighters wearing army uniforms kidnapped 30 people, including 19 policemen, after stopping a bus on Tuesday night at the border between Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces.The Taliban claimed responsibility for both attacks saying they kidnapped police officers "alive".aljazeera
US should balance policy to mediate between India-Pak, says Asif, also backs Afghan offer of peace talks with Taliban
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-should-balance-south-asia-policy-for-talks-between-india-and-pakistan-says-khawaja-asif-5083016/
Islamabad:Pakistan has asked Washington to strike a balance in its policy towards South Asia if it was interested in having a dialogue between Pakistan and India and said it was ready for mediation between the Afghan govt and the Taliban. Speaking at the second Kabul Process conference, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that his Govt was ready to recognise the Taliban as a political group and offered unconditional talks with the militant group to “save the country”. The Afghan Taliban are a political entity and Pakistan supports the dialogue between the Afghan Govt and the Taliban, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said.“The talks between the Taliban and the Afghan govt are actually discussions between two political forces, and Pakistan will support it…Pakistan is also ready for one-on-one mediation with the Afghan Taliban,” he said. He said Pakistan wants peace and stability in the neighbouring country, while stressing that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.“US can have an interest in Pak-India discussions, but before that it should create some balance in its South Asia policy,” he said. He also talked about the so-called “institutional interests” in Pakistan and said that practice of portraying interests of institutions as the greater national interest “will also be changed soon”.PTI
Pakistan welcomes Afghan offer of dialogue with Taliban
https://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-welcomes-afghan-offer-of-dialogue-with-taliban/1076849
Pakistan makes huge sacrifices in war on terror: China
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/pakistan-makes-huge-sacrifices-in-war-on-terror-china201803010203530001/
Beijing: Pakistani Govt and its people have sacrificed enormously in the country's fight against terrorism, a Chinese official said here.China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang on Wednesday acknowledged that Islamabad's efforts in terms of ground operations and in the field of combating terror financing need to be seen by all, Radio Pakistan reported. Addressing a press release here, Lu said Pakistan had made important progress in actively strengthening financial regulations to combat terror financing, and the country's contributions in the area of countering terror financing were obvious. China hopes that all relevant parties of the international community arrive at an objective and fair conclusion on Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism.ANI
Anti-Muslim violence in eastern Sri Lanka sparks concern
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/anti-muslim-violence-in-ampara-sparks-concern/article22885121.ece
COLOMBO:Sri Lanka’s Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan on Wednesday condemned the recent anti-Muslim attacks in the Ampara district of Eastern Province and sought “stern action” against the culprits. His comments come in the wake of an attack on a mosque and several Muslim-run shops late on Monday in Ampara town. At least five persons were injured in the attack. Police have since deployed additional security in the area.Following the development, President Maithripala Sirisena said such incidents are detrimental to reconciliation in the country. The matter was also discussed at Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, according to Ministers.Muslims here identify themselves as a distinct ethnic minority, and constitute about 9% of the country’s population. Monday’s incident, said to have been triggered by a Sinhalese mob, has sparked concern among many Sri Lankans, given that the island has witnessed a spate of anti-Muslim attacks over the last few years.thehindu
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Army Chief’s statements on the Northeast are problematic in terms of prudence, politics, principle:Suhas Palshikar
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indian-army-general-bipin-rawat-northeast-immigration-5082088/
Maharashtra Govt Recommended Sambhaji Bhide for Padma Shri in 2015:THE QUINT
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/maharashtra-govt-recommended-sambhaji-bhide-for-padma-shri-in-2015
Karti Chidambaram fracas: Timing and manner of arrest shows it has more to do with politics than actual case: Arati R Jerath
http://www.firstpost.com/india/karti-chidambaram-fracas-timing-and-manner-of-arrest-shows-it-has-more-to-do-with-politics-than-actual-case-4372461.html
In This Unique Punjab Village, Brahmins & Sikhs Are Building a Mosque Together! Jovita Aranha
https://www.thebetterindia.com/132669/village-punjab-mosque/
Who lost Madhya Pradesh bypolls—Shivraj, BJP or Election Commission? ROHIT GUPTA
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/kolaras-mungaoli-bypolls-chitrakoot-bjp-lost-where-shivraj-singh-chouhan-campaigned-declining-popularity-of-shivraj-madhya-pradesh-assembly-election
No Room For Historical Blunder, Socialists and Communists Need to Unite:BHABANI NAYAK
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/4/13165/No-Room-For-Historical-Blunder-Socialists-and-Communists-Need-to-Unite
Rajasthan lynching: A crime of hate, a journey of love;Harsh Mander
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-crime-of-hate-a-journey-of-love-rajasthan-afrazul-death-5082085/
Dear Sanghis, everything that Mohan Bhagwat says is not gold : ROHIT PRAKASH
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/dear-sanghis-everything-that-mohan-bhagwat-says-is-not-gold
Syria becoming weapons testing ground for foreign military forces : Rohit Dhyani
http://www.merinews.com/article/syria-becoming-weapons-testing-ground-for-foreign-military-forces/15929362.shtml
Prasar Bharati vs I&B again: DD says no to Rs 2.92 crore for private firm
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/prasar-bharati-vs-ib-again-doordarshan-says-no-to-rs-2-92-crore-for-private-firm-5082340/
It’s High Time Gujarat Govt Recognises the Communal Elephant in the Room:NIDHI TAMBI
https://thewire.in/228736/its-high-time-gujarat-Govt -recognises-the-communal-elephant-in-the-room/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:37 PM)
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