5 June-newsdigestdaily.in: Supreme Court allows quota in SC/ST employees' promotion until Constitution bench adjudicates on issue/50,000 foreigners won’t make it to final NRC draft: coordinator/ Delhi’s Court accepts bail plea of 9 ISIS suspects ~ NEWS DIGEST

NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY

05 June 2018:20 Ramazan 1439: Vol:10, No:38

INDIA

Supreme Court allows quota in SC/ST employees' promotion until Constitution bench adjudicates on issue

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-allows-quota-in-sc/st-promotion-until-constitution-bench-adjudicates-on-issue/articleshow/64459749.cms

New Delhi: Supreme Court (SC) today permitted the Centre to provide reservation in promotion for SC/ST employee as per law until the issue is adjudicated by its Constitution bench. At the same time, the SC didn't clarify which law to follow.Centre told the bench that it was bound to give promotion to its employees, and that promotion has virtually come to a standstill after orders passed by various high courts."I'm govt and I have to give promotion to my employee," said Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh to the SC.Then the SC said the promotion can be proceeded with as per 'a law'."We can say that you can go ahead with promotion as per law and we won't mention what is (the) law," said the top court.In April, Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan, who has emerged as the Govt 's key spokesperson on Dalit issues, told reporters that the Govt will move the apex court for the repeal of its directions which, he added, have halted the reservation for these communities in promotion.TOI

50,000 foreigners won’t make it to final NRC draft: NRC coordinator

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/50000-foreigners-wont-make-it-to-final-nrc-draft/articleshow/64457009.cms

Guwahati: Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) coordinator on Monday said the names of 50,000 foreigners and their family members would not figure in the final draft to be out on June 30. This is in contrast to claims made by minority outfits that lakhs of people, including declared foreigners, family members and ‘doubtful’ voters, will be left out of the final NRC which is being updated to find out the number of illegal migrants from Bangladesh settled in Assam after the cut-off date of March 24, 1971. “We usually desist from giving numbers on how many people will be included or will be left out of NRC before anything is finalised. But a misinformation has been created. This is why I am compelled to quote the figure,” NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela said.TOI

‘Constitution is in danger, minorities fear for their safety’: Goa’s Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao

http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/constitution-minorities-goa-archbishop-filipe-neri-ferrao-anil-couto/235867

Panaji: The Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao has said that the Constitution was in danger and needed to be protected, and the country’s minorities were living in fear, in his annual pastoral letter released on Sunday. Ferrao’s strongly worded remarks come two weeks after Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto said that the country was witnessing a “turbulent political atmosphere”. News agency IANS quoted Ferrao as saying in the letter: “Today, our Constitution is in danger, (it is a) reason why most of the people live in insecurity. In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it.”He said in recent times a “new trend” was emerging in the country “which demands uniformity in what and how we ear, dress, live and even worship. Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril”.Also commenting on the kind of development taking place, Ferrao said in the letter: “Various minorities fear for their safety. People are being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development. The first victim of development is poor person. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few."TOI

Goa archbishop: Constitution in danger, human rights being trampled in name of development

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/goa-archbishop-constitution-in-danger-human-rights-being-trampled-in-name-of-development-5203733/

Delhi’s Court accepts bail plea of 9 ISIS suspects

https://www.siasat.com/news/court-accepts-bail-plea-isis-suspects-1365056/

New Delhi: Delhi’s Patiala House Court has accepted bail plea of 9 alleged ISIS suspects arrested from various states of India for hearing. Legal Aid Committee of Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra which is providing legal aid to the accused informed this. General Secretary Legal Aid Committee Gulzar Ahmed Azmi told this to the press persons.On the direction of president Jamiat Ulama Maulana Syed Arshad Madani free legal aid will be provided to the accused. Noted lawyer advocate MS Khan filed the bail petition of accused Sohail Ahmed, Mohammed Aleem, Abu Anas, Najmul Huda, Mohammed Afzal, Moinuddin Shareef Khan, Syed Mujahid, Mohammed Obaidullah Khan, and Mohammed Asif in NIA Court. Special judge Tarun Sherawat accepted the bail petition for hearing. The case will be heard after 3 weeks.NIA has booked cases agents the ISIS suspects for allegedly involving in illegal activities.

1993 blasts: Have nothing to do with blast says accused

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/1993-serial-blasts-case-have-nothing-to-do-with-blast-says-accused-5204167/

Mumbai:Days after the arrest of Ahmed Khalid Kamal Shaikh, an absconding accused in the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts case, CBI claimed that he had given a confession statement before a magistrate. Shaikh was arrested on May 31 by Ahmedabad ATS at Valsad in Gujarat, and his custody had been handed over to STF, CBI.On Monday, Shaikh was produced before the special court by the CBI, which claimed that on Saturday, he had shown his willingness to make a confessional statement before a magistrate.Accordingly, he was given 24-hour time and had been produced before the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court on Monday and his confession was recorded. Before the special court, where he was produced by CBI for his custody, Shaikh told the court that he had not said anything about his role in the blast.“I have not accepted anything about the blast. I have nothing to do with the blast,” Shaikh told the court. Confessional statement was submitted before the special court in a sealed envelope. Shaikh’s advocate Farhana Shah, submitted an application before court that he was retracting from confession.indianexpress

JK terror funding case: 3 accused convicted by Delhi court

http://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/jammu-and-kashmir-terror-funding-case-three-accused-convicted/236020

New Delhi: Delhi's Patiala House Court has convicted three out of four people in 2011 terror funding case and sentenced them for the period already undergone. District Judge Poonam Bamba convicted Mohd Sadiq Ginai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga, who had pleaded guilty, under the various provisions of UAPA.The trio was allegedly running a hawala (illegal money transfer) racket to fund the Mujahideen (HM) in J&K . In 2011, NIA had filed the charge sheet against trio, indicting them for collecting more than Rs 4.57 crore from Pakistan through hawala channels within three years for funding terrorist activities in the Valley.ANI

Nagrota terror attack: Third accused held by NIA

http://www.freepressjournal.in/india/nagrota-terror-attack-third-accused-held-by-nia/1290535

Srinagar/New Delhi: NIA on Tuesday announced the arrest of a third accused in connection with terror attack at the Nagrota Army camp in J&K in Nov.2016 in which 7 soldiers were killed.Ashiq Baba of Alochibagh locality in Srinagar was arrested by NIA in a joint operation with J&K Police. IANS

Official figures say 62% of land claims made by tribals were rejected by Maharashtra

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/62-per-cent-of-tribal-land-claims-rejected-in-maharashtra-official-figures-devendra-fadnavis-5204235/

More than 62 % of claims filed by tribals for individual land titles in Maharashtra under the Forest Rights Act have been rejected, according to data compiled till March 31, 2018, by the state’s Tribal Development department and accessed by Indian Express.Records show that of 3,59,745 claims for Individual Forest Rights (IFR) submitted under the law that came into force in 2006, 2,24,874 claims, or 62.5 % , were rejected in a three-tier process involving local bodies. These include 51,348 claims rejected by Gram Sabhas, 1,70,126 by Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs) and 3,390 by District Level Committees (DLCs). Of the appeals filed by IFR claimants, only 41.37 % were accepted by DLCs, including claimants rejected previously and those who sought amendments in acreage granted.Records show the Govt processed 3,35,660, or 93 % , of the IFR claims it received. Of the 1,10,786 claims accepted, land titles have been distributed to 1,10,589 claimants covering 2,60,271.52 acres.Implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act was the central demand of the nearly 40,000 adivasi protestors who undertook a “long march” of 180 km from Nashik to Mumbai in March. Their agitation ended with CM Devendra Fadnavis assuring that his Govt would resolve their grievances regarding pending claims and appeals within six months.indianexpress

Tribal Patthalgadi leader Yusuf Purty, aides booked on sedition charge in Jharkhand

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/patthalgadi-leader-yusuf-purty-aides-booked-on-sedition-charge-in-jharkhand-5204168/

Ranchi:Police has registered an FIR against Yusuf Purty, self-styled leader of “patthalgadi”, and his associates under the charge of sedition for announcing the setting up of a separate bank in the presence of villagers in Murhu police station area of Jharkhand’s Khunti district. Purty, who has been involved in several patthalgadi cases, held the public meeting to announce a “gram sabha bank” on Sunday in his native village Uduburu. Patthalgadi is a traditional practice among tribals in which they put up stone slabs with names of their ancestors. But of late, it has taken the form of a protest, with patthalgadi supporters urging people not to allow Govt officials and police to enter their areas. They have also said that they intend to run their own schools and set up an “adivasi board”. They have argued that Constitution has given them the right to maintain their own systems in Scheduled Areas. The administration, however, has alleged that patthalgadi supporters are backed by people involved in illegal cultivation of opium. Also, some of the self-styled leaders, including Purty, are believed to be nursing political ambitions.According to the police, Purty, his associate Balram Samad and some others, have been booked under charges of sedition and other IPC sections. indianexpress

Dalit Boys as Young as 12 Languish in Yogi's Jails on 'Attempt to Murder' Charges

https://thewire.in/caste/dalit-boys-as-young-as-12-languish-in-yogis-jails-on-attempt-to-murder-charges

Meerut: “Whenever I go to ask about my son who has been arrested, policemen turn me away saying ‘Chamaars are having too much fun’,” says 62-year-old Dharmvir Singh, a resident of UP’s Meerut district. “My son Sachin is a student at St. Devashram. He is 15. The police arrested him on April 2 and passed him off as a 20-year-old.” Dharmvir cries as he recounts his tale. He is one of three children against whom the police in Adityanath’s Govt have filed an array of serious charges, including attempt to murder and dacoity, in the wake of April 2 Bharat Bandh called by various Dalit outfits against the Supreme Court’s order banning the automatic registration of cases for alleged harassment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. During the bandh, violent incidents including police firing were witnessed across several states, especially in UP and MP. 3 children, their families allege, were picked up at random by a constabulary bent on making an example of Dalits.Dharmvir Singh’s wife, 60-year-old Rameswari, is a domestic worker. They have 3 sons who work as labourers but only the youngest, Sachin, lives with them. For the past 2 months he has been languishing in jail.thewire

Sohrabuddin Encounter Case: Senior Rajasthan cop declared hostile

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sohrabuddin-encounter-case-senior-rajasthan-cop-declared-hostile-tulsi-prajapati-5204330/

Ahmedabad/mumbai:In the Sohrabuddin Shaikh and Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case, a senior police officer from Rajasthan was declared hostile Monday after he claimed that 2 CBI officials had coerced him to give a false statement. The officer was 62nd witness to not support the prosecution in the case from among 91 witnesses examined so far. Officer is also the fourth witness from Rajasthan police claiming to have been pressured by CBI.Officer, Bhawar Singh currently DSP of Rajasthan, was the SHO of Hathipole police station in Udaipur in 2005 and was the investigating officer of the amid Lala murder case, where Tulsiram and Sohrabuddin were named as absconding accused.The main contradiction of the officer with the prosecution case was that while CBI claims Tulsiram was arrested by Rajasthan police on Nov.26, 2005, the officer claimed on Monday that it was on Nov.29, 2005. CBI claims Tulsiram was abducted along with Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausarbi on Nov.23, 2005 and while Sohrabuddin was killed in an alleged fake encounter on Nov.26, Tulsiram was taken to Rajasthan but was shown arrested only on Nov.29 to ensure there is no suspicion of 2 cases being connected.indianexpress

No Desire for War, But Don’t Mistake Peace Push as Weakness: Pakistan Army Tells India

https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-desire-for-war-but-dont-mistake-peace-push-as-weakness-pakistan-army-tells-india-1768759.html

New Delhi: Pakistan’s DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that despite the agreement of peace along the border, India had continued to violate the terms. Addressing a press conference, Ghafoor said Pakistan responded after India targeted innocents. “We understand that they need time to implement it but then media in India made it look like the violation happened from Pakistan. When the firing hits our post, we don’t respond. But when it hits our civilians, we are compelled to respond,” Ghafoor said. On May 29, DGMOs of India and Pakistan agreed to "fully implement" the ceasefire pact of 2003 in "letter and spirit" forthwith to stop border skirmishes in J&K.The two military commanders reviewed the prevailing situation along the LoC and IB in J&K during a conversation over the special hotline.Ghafoor also said that Pakistan’s want for peace should not be construed as their weakness. He added that India needed to understand and realize where they want to go. “We are two nuclear powers, there is no space for war,” he added. “We might not respond to the first bullet with due respect to the ceasefire agreement. But if there is a second bullet that is fired, we will retaliate,” the chief of the military’s media wing further said. News18

Kathua rape-murder case: Prosecution withdraws application seeking transfer of accused

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kathua-rape-murder-case-prosecution-withdraws-application-seeking-transfer-of-accused-jk-govt-5204640/

Chandigarh :The prosecution in the Kathua rape-murder case Monday withdrew its application seeking transfer of the accused from Kathua to Pathankot District Jail during pendency of the case after the Punjab Govt did not accede to J&K Govt request for it.Sources said the jail authorities in a written submission told Pathankot District and Sessions Court that the district jail is only a sub-jail and it is not feasible to keep the accused there. Pathankot jail is a “small jail” and does not have the requisite infrastructure to hold the accused, the court was told after which prosecution withdrew the application. Meanwhile, J&K Govt issued a notification for appointment of another Special Public Prosecutor in the case. Punjab Govt is learnt to have allowed its Pathankot District Attorney JK Chopra to assist J&K’s Special Public Prosecutor Santokh Singh Basra in the case after J&K Govt ’s request for it on May 25.indianexpress

J-K interlocutor underlines: For talks, need to cool tempers first

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-interlocutor-dineshwar-sharma-underlines-for-talks-need-to-cool-tempers-first-5204220/

New Delhi:Dineshwar Sharma, Centre’s interlocutor for J&K , has said sentiments have to be addressed and the level of violence in the Valley has to be brought down before any political dialogue can be initiated.A former IB director, Sharma, who is credited with advocating the amnesty programme for Kashmiri youth booked for stone-pelting and for persuading the Centre to announce the Ramzan ceasefire, in a recent conversation with Indian Express, said: “The biggest challenge in Kashmir today is to calm down the sentiments of the people, particularly youth.”“ Other issues which need priority attention are how to prevent local youth from joining militancy; how to ensure the return of youth who have already joined; convince the youth that violence and gun will not bring solution to any problem but will only add to the miseries…; and, how to restore harmony between people of different communities living in all 3 regions of J&K.”He made these remarks days ahead of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to J&K — it starts June 7 — during which he will review, among other scenarios, the suspension of security operations for Ramzan.indianexpress

A cult has been born: Ex- J&K police chief Kuldeep Khoda on rising militancy

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jun/04/a-cult-has-been-born-former-jammu-and-kashmir-police-chief-kuldeep-khoda-on-rising-militancy-1823627.html

New Delhi: Ex-J&K police chief Kuldeep Khoda has warned of a "cult" being born in the state with more educated youths getting enthused to join militancy and picking up the gun becoming an "attractive and glamorous" option.The "dimensions and dynamics" of terrorism are changing, Khoda, the longest and amongst the most successful police chiefs of the state, has said in a blog.Examining the reasons for increasing number of youths joining militancy, he said, "When political grid is inactive, even if security grid gets results, common man on many occasions becomes a victim of favoritism and nepotism. Frustration of common man with the system he is in, has to find an exit route." PTI

J&K : Families say two dead militants their own

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-families-say-two-dead-militants-their-own-5204190/

Srinagar :2 families from south Kashmir have claimed that their sons were among five militants killed by Army while foiling an infiltration bid on May 26. Militants were buried at a village near LoC as their identities were not ascertained.The families went to Tangdhar, where the duo were buried, and identified them as their sons from pictures recorded by police. On Sunday, the family of Mudasir Ahmad Bhat from Parigam village of Kulgam claimed that one of the deceased was their son. According to them, Mudasir, a physical education teacher, went missing a year ago. Another family from Lajoora in Pulwama said their son Sheeraz Ahmad was among those killed. A videographer, Sheeraz, was missing since Sept., they said.indianexpress

Tharoor to face trial in Sunanda case, summoned on 7 Jul

https://www.thequint.com/news/india/live-updates-sunanda-pushkar-death-case-shashi-tharoor

A special court in the Patiala House Court in New Delhi has taken cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi police against MP Shashi Tharoor for abetment to suicide and committing cruelty on his wife, Sunanda Pushkar.The court has summoned Tharoor on 7 July.thequint

Removal of ex Waqf Board chairman: SC issues notices to govt, Rajasthan Waqf Board

http://www.indialegallive.com/top-news-of-the-day/breaking-news-articles/removal-former-rajasthan-waqf-board-chairman-sc-issues-notices-govt-rajasthan-waqf-board-49531

The apex court on Monday issued notice to Rajasthan Govt and Rajasthan Waqf Board (RWB) on the plea challenging removal of former RWB Chairman Syed Abu Bakar Naqvi by the Rajasthan High Court.The next hearing of the case will be held in the third week of July. The HC had removed Naqvi from the post of Chairman stating that Rajasthan Govt had violated certain provisions of Waqf Act 1995 while nominating Naqvi for the post of Chairman.India Legal Bureau

Minorities commission to probe Meghalaya violence

https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/minorities-commission-to-probe-meghalaya-violence-118060400639_1.html

New Delhi: National Commission for Minorities will send a member to the Meghalaya capital Shillong to investigate the clashes between residents of the city's Punjabi Line area and Khasi drivers of state-run buses, the panel's chief said today The panel has decided to send its member Manjit Singh Rai from Punjab to Shillong to assess the situation, said NCM chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi.PTI

India services PMI comes down in May;falls to 3-month low

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/india-services-pmi-contracts-in-may-falls-to-3-month-low/article24085735.ece?homepage=true

New Delhi : India’s services sector activity contracted for the first time in 3 months in May as new business orders stagnated and cost pressures intensified amid higher fuel prices, said a monthly survey.The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Services Business Activity Index fell to 49.6 in May from 51.4 in April, indicating a marginal contraction in business activity, following a two-month period of growth.The index had last slipped below the 50-point mark, that separates expansion from contraction, in Feb.“Performance of the service sector was disappointing in May, as output dipped into contraction for the first time in three months,” said Aashna Dodhia, Economist at IHS Markit, and author of the report.As per the survey, competitive demand conditions and a broad stagnation in new orders were the key factors behind a decline in output across the service sector in May.“India saw the slowest improvement in the health of the overall economy since February in May, whilst the latest survey showed the effects of higher global oil prices as the private sector recorded the most marked input cost inflation for three months,” Dodhia added.Headline seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Composite PMI Output Index -- that maps both the manufacturing and the services sector -- fell from 51.9 in April to 50.4 in May.Meanwhile, speculation is rife that RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) may hike the key interest rate for the first time in over four years. PTI

Indian shares extend fall; RBI decision in focus

http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/indian-shares-extend-fall-rbi-decision-in-focus/article24086140.ece?homepage=true

Vegetable, milk prices soar in several states as farmers remain divided over protest

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vegetable-milk-prices-soar-in-several-states-as-farmers-remain-divided-over-protest/story-CjrSkokdJJtwwwqO4tJptK.html

Mumbai/Chandigarh/Jaipur:A farmers’ organisation in Punjab called off its protest on Monday after a scuffle between protesting farmers and milk suppliers in several parts of the state on day four of the Goan Bandh (village blockade) even as prices of vegetables, fruits and milk continued to soar in several cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh.Balbir Singh Rajewal, president of a faction of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said there were reports of fracas between protesting farmers and milk suppliers in Amritsar, Faridkot, Mohali, Moga, Gidderbaha and some other places in the past two days. “I have never supported any violent stir. There was no support from the state Govt and the situation was going out of hand at some places. We do not want any clashes,” he said, justifying the decision to call off the agitation in the state.HT

Saudi bans produce from Kerala over Nipah virus scare

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/saudi-arabia-bans-produce-from-kerala-over-nipah-virus-scare/story-dNe4M3SOTV2Pqb9v1i4XVL.html

Saudi Arabia has banned frozen and processed fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over the deadly Nipah virus outbreak. Nipah virus itself can cause encephalitis – a dangerous swelling of the brain – and common symptoms vary from none to elevated fevers, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion, Gulf News reported on Monday.On May 29, UAE banned imports from Kerala.UAE officials announced that 100 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce that was to be imported from Kerala was prohibited from entry.IANS

Ban proposed on obscene depiction of women on Net

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ban-proposed-on-obscene-depiction-of-women-on-net/article24082045.ece

New Delhi:Ministry of Women and Child Development has proposed to ban obscene depiction of women on the Internet and on SMS/MMS by amending the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986. Ministry has also suggested that stricter punishments be awarded for such crimes on par with those recommended under IT Act, 2008.“Ministry has proposed amendment in definition of the term to include digital form or electronic form or hoardings, or through SMS, MMS, etc.,” according to an official statement released on Monday.thehindu

World Environment Day: Tamil Nadu to ban plastic bags, bottles

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/live-updates-of-world-environment-day-2018/article24085664.ece?homepage=true

Every year, June 5 is observed as World Environment Day to raise awareness and increase Govt action on the pressing issue. This year, the theme is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ with focus on single-use or disposable plastic.India is the host to this year’s World Environment Day.On Environment Day, Tamil Nadu has decided to ban single use plastics such as polythene bags and bottles. The decision was announced by CM in the Assembly. The ban will come to effect from next year and essential goods such as milk, oil and medicines have been exempted from the ban.State has already banned manufacture and use of plastic bags below 51 microns.The Hindu

Assam:Jyotish held for posting communally sensitive, pro-Pak comments from neighbour Ali’s Facebook ID

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-arrested-in-assam-for-posting-pro-pakistan-comments-from-neighbour-s-facebook-account/story-UZUfQROT33p009KHg1BzsI.html

Guwahati:Police in Assam arrested a trader on Monday on charges of posting communally sensitive and pro-Pakistan comments from the Facebook account of his neighbour to spite him.The comments praising Pakistan and derogatory remarks about Assamese and Hindus posted on poultry shop owner Ahedul Ali’s page had led to tension in Sorbhog town in Barpeta district, 145 km west of Guwahati on Sunday night.“The nature of the comments led some people to burn down Ali’s shop. Police swung into action swiftly and detained Ali,” informed Violet Baruah, SP Barpeta. On questioning, Ali revealed that he wasn’t technologically savvy and denied posting any offensive comments.Investigations by police about the IP address from where the comments were posted led them to Jyotish Nath, a footwear shop owner, whose establishment was close to Ali’s poultry shop. On questioning, Nath revealed that he had opened Ali’s Facebook account some months ago and was aware of the log-in id and password.“Nath said he had enmity with Ali over money and other personal issues. On Sunday, he accessed Ali’s account and posted the comments to target him, said Baruah.HT

Muzaffarnagar riots case: Non-bailable warrants against Balyan, Sadhvi Prachi

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muzaffarnagar-riots-case-non-bailable-warrants-against-balyan-sadhvi-prachi/story-zOr980vgHfWm57aLtRszZI.html

Muzaffarnagar:A court here has issued non-bailable warrants against ex Union minister Sanjeev Balyan, VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi, BJP MLA Umesh Malik and two others for not appearing in the court in connection with a case related to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ankur Sharma issued the non-bailable warrants and asked to accused to be present in court on June 22.Bijnor MP Bhartendu Singh, UP Minister Suresh Rana, and MLA Sangeet Som, were also accused in the case.PTI

Cooch behar gram panchayat: CPM member’s uncle killed in ‘attack by TMC’

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/cooch-behar-gram-panchayat-cpm-members-uncle-killed-in-attack-by-tmc/

Kolkata :A CPM gram panchayat member on Monday accused the ruling TMC supporters of killing his 48-year-old relative in an attack on him and his supporters in North Bengal’s Cooch Behar district two days earlier.Atabul Islam, who won a Jamaldaha Gram Panchayat seat last month, said Ramzan Miya was killed in the attack while he was on his way to file a police complaint against the intimidation he has been facing. “As I am the only opposition member elected to Jamaldaha Gram Panchayat, TMC workers have been putting pressure on me to leave the area. As I was on my way to lodge a written complaint with Mekhliganj Police Station along with my family members and party workers, people led by TMC leader Rathin Ray Dakua, who lost the election to me, attacked us with a sharp weapon,’’ he said.“My father Safiruddin and my uncle were seriously injured. My uncle died on the way to a hospital and my father is in a critical condition. I somehow escaped unhurt,” Islam said. He later filed an FIR against 23 people. TMC denied Islam’s allegations. “It was a family dispute. It was not a political clash. CPI (M) is trying to give it a political colour,”TMC’s leader Udayan Guha said.indianexpress

Ayodhya priests hold iftar for city Muslims in a temple near Babri site; Muslim offers namaz on temple premises

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jun/05/ayodhya-priests-hold-iftar-for-communal-amity-1823806.html

Lucknow:In a surprising move, Hindu priests organised a ‘Roza Iftar’ party at the 500-year-old Saryu Kunj temple adjacent to the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya which witnessed participation by a large number of Muslims from the twin towns of Ayodhya-Faizabad on Monday. The Ayodhya priests projected the iftar as an effort towards spreading the message of peace and harmony between the two communities with no political involvement. “Ours is an apolitical event and the intention is to send out a message of peace to the world out there,” said Mahant Jugal Kishore Sharan Shastry, chief priest of the Saryu Kunj temple.After offering Iftaar and Maghrib prayers on the temple premises on a white sheet arranged by the temple management, traditional dates and sweets were distributed among Rozedaars by the priests of different temples of Ayodhya who had descended on the Saryu Kunj temple on the occasion. While Mahant Raghusharan Das called it an effort to bridge the gap between two communities, the members of Muslim community heaped praise on their Hindu brethren claiming that despite being a minority in the temple town they never felt threatened even in the worst of time. “Of course not because of any political party but the understanding between the two communities on the ground in Ayodhya,” said a Muslim man who had come from Faizabad.In a related development, RSS affiliated outfit Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) that held an iftar party in Mumbai on Monday will hold iftar parties in UP from Friday onwards. MRM’s first party in UP is scheduled for June 8 in Bareilly, June 9 in Lucknow, June 11 in Unnao and June 12 in Kanpur. It will also hold parties in Kolkata on Tuesday, followed by a series of such gatherings in various districts of Kashmir from Wednesday onwards. newindianexpress

Ayodhya temple hosts iftar for city Muslims

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ayodhya-temple-hosts-iftar-for-city-muslims/articleshow/64457068.cms

Discourse on welfare should build up during Ramzan: Indresh Kumar

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jun/04/discourse-on-welfare-should-build-up-during-ramzan-indresh-kumar-1823695.html

Mumbai: Ramzan is the month of purification and hence discourse on welfare should build during this month, said senior RSS leader and patron of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) Indresh Kumar as he addressed a gathering at the state guest house here on Monday.The program that is being seen as the efforts of outreach to the minority community by the RSS, was organized by the department of minorities affairs and waqf of the Maharashtra Govt . Officially termed as the "dialogue session" was attended by members of Islamic organizations and foreign consulates in large numbers. Opposition parties including the Congress and NCP had raised objection to such a program in association with the RSS body (MRM) being organized at the state guest house. Referring to the controversy, Indresh Kumar said, "It is ironical that the people who blame RSS for being anti-Muslim, oppose even an effort to build a dialogue."Kumar also blamed the established way of discourse during Ramzan. "Instead of vote bank politics, we should focus on discussing welfare of minorities," he said and praised Maharashtra minister of minorities affairs Vinod Tawde for taking lead in organizing the conference. Tawde, while speaking at the ocassion said that the Govt has taken a view that the issue of minority welfare needs to be handled with an approach that goes beyond schemes and focuses on integration." Dignitaries from various sectors including members from at least consulates of Iran, Israel, Hungary, Turkey, Singapore and US participated in dialogue and Iftar party. newindianexpress

RSS involvement in Maharashtra Govt ’s Iftar party fuels ‘misuse’ charge by Congress, NCP

https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rss-involvement-in-maharashtra-Govt s-iftar-party-fuels-misuse-charge-by-congress-ncp/1193830/

Hindus make evening snacks for their Muslim brothers during Ramadan in Ajmer

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/videos/news/hindus-make-evening-snacks-for-their-muslim-brothers-during-ramadan-in-ajmer.html

Ajmer: In the Ajmer city of Rajasthan, the members of Madare Shah Akhada were seen busy preparing evening snacks for their Muslim brothers who were yet to return after devoting Namaz. For years, it has remained a tradition among the businessmen of this locality to perform Roza or fast during the month of Ramzan and observe 'Roza Iftar' at the evening along with their Muslim brothers. ANI

Late by 3 yrs due to injuries, HC lets Muslim girl topper join CISF

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/late-by-3-years-due-to-injuries-hc-lets-muslim-girl-topper-join-cisf/articleshow/64455652.cms

New Delhi: The Delhi high court has made an extraordinary intervention to allow a Muslim girl from an orthodox family a shot at working in India’s Central armed police forces, saying she could become a shining example for her community, and for women in general.A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Pratibha Rani recently ordered the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to induct Noor Fatima three years after she emerged as one of the all-India toppers in the Central Armed Police Force examinations in 2015 but was bedridden due to a series of injuries.Fatima, who faced great resistance from her family which wanted her to get married immediately rather than work, had moved court when CISF refused to allow her to join after she missed the deadline due to injuries.TOI

54% Indians are physically inactive, shows ICMR study

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/54-indians-are-physically-inactive-shows-icmr-study/articleshow/64456520.cms

Physical inactivity is increasingly leading to a high disease burden and deaths, posing a major threat to productivity and contributing significantly to health expenditure. One in five adults, and four out of five adolescents (11-17 years) globally, do not get enough physical activity. This physical inactivity is costing $54 billion in direct healthcare, a latest report by the World Health Organisation shows.While the UN agency report does not contain India-specific data, a report by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows physical inactivity is very common in India with 54.4% people found inactive during a study by the Govt agency. TOI

Man held for abducting 4-year-old Ghaziabad boy says he never had the child, made fake ransom calls

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/man-held-for-abducting-4-year-old-ghaziabad-boy-says-he-never-had-the-child-in-custody/story-ynzzMwtHPj3aUIaExF45jL.html

Ghaziabad:One of the two men arrested by the Ghaziabad police 18 months ago for the alleged abduction of four-year-old Mohammad Zaid, said on Monday that they never had the child in their custody. Zaid’s body was found on Sunday, in a wooden box on his neighbour’s roof in Sahibabad. Even in its charge sheet, the police had hinted that the accused – Aftab and Irfan – may have tried to extort ransom money from the boy’s father under false pretences, rather than being the actual kidnappers.Zaid went missing on the evening of Dec.1, 2016 from outside his house in Sahibabad’s Shamshad Garden locality.His father Nazar Mohammad, who runs a barber shop, started receiving ransom calls on Dec.12, 2016 and the callers asked for Rs 8 lakh. Aftab was arrested by the police on Dec.21, 2016 in connection with the calls. His accomplice, Irfan, was apprehended two days later.HT

3 poll officers get notice for lapses in MP bypoll voter lists

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/3-poll-officers-get-notice-for-lapses-in-mp-bypoll-voter-lists-5204163/

Election Commission (EC) has initiated disciplinary action against three electoral registrations officers (EROs) for alleged lapses in preparation of voter lists for Mungaoli and Kolaras bypolls held in MP in Feb. An ERO is responsible for preparing the electoral roll for an Assembly seat and, usually, the area SDMs or ADM acts as the ERO for a constituency.According to EC sources, showcause notices were issued to the concerned EROs seeking their explanation on why electoral rolls for Kolaras had more than 12,000 incorrect entries, including dead, shifted and duplicate voter names, while 1,500 such names were found on those for Mungaoli.indianexpress

As Interpreter Reads Answer, Modi is Accused of 'Scripted' Interview Again

https://thewire.in/politics/narendra-modi-scripted-interview

New Delhi: Taking a swipe at PM Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused him of giving scripted interviews and said it would be an “embarrassment to us all” if he did take “real” questions.“The first Indian PM who takes ‘spontaneous’ questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to! Good that he doesn’t take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did,” Gandhi said on Twitter.Gandhi was referring to an interview Modi gave at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore on June 1 during his recent visit to the city-state.thewire

 AMU shuts down 29 distance learning centres across India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/-amu-shuts-down-29-distance-learning-centres-across-india/articleshow/64454284.cms

AGRA: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has closed down 29 of its 35 academic centres for distance learning across the country as they failed to comply with regulations laid down by the UGC in 2017.The director of Centre for Distance Education, prof Mohd Nadeem Ahmad Ansari, confirmed the news and said that only five distance learning centres of the university, which fulfilled UGC regulations, were still functional. However, he added that these too would need a fresh approval from UGC to keep running. These centres are in Moradabad, Tamil Nadu, Badayun and two of them are in Bihar.UGC had recently made NAAC accreditation a must for institutes offering distance learning courses as well as for open universities.TOI

WORLD

Amnesty: US-led coalition's Raqqa offensive killed hundreds

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/amnesty-led-coalition-raqqa-offensive-killed-hundreds-180604203719788.html

Hundreds of civilians were killed during the US-led coalition's military offensive to remove ISIL, group from its self-styled capital in Syria last year, a human rights organisation has said.In a new report published by Amnesty International on Tuesday, 112 civilians belonging to four families in Raqqa were interviewed who recalled the horrors they witnessed and family members killed during 4-month-long joint US-coalition and Kurdish-backed SDF offensive from June 6 until Oct.12, 2017."When so many civilians are killed in attack after attack, something is clearly wrong, and to make this tragedy worse, so many months later the incidents have not been investigated," said Donatella Rovera, Senior Crisis Response Adviser at Amnesty International. "Victims deserve justice," she added.68-page report, titled War of annihilation: Devastating Toll on Civilians, Raqqa - Syria, includes field investigations from Amnesty International researchers who visited 42 coalition air attack sites across the city.While British and French Coalition forces carried out tens of thousands of air strikes,US was responsible for more than 90 % of the air strikes, and admitted to firing 30,000 artillery rounds, the report said."Coalition's claims that its precision air campaign allowed it to bomb IS out of Raqqa while causing very few civilian casualties do not stand up to scrutiny," Rovera said."On the ground in Raqqa, we witnessed a level of destruction comparable to anything we've seen in decades of covering the impact of wars."Families interviewed lost 90 relatives and neighbours between them. One family lost 39 family members from the unrelenting aerial bombardment.aljazeera

Turkey, US agree on plan to remove YPG from Syria's Manbij

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/turkey-agree-roadmap-remove-ypg-syria-manbij-180604164548598.html

Turkey and the United States agreed on a plan on the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters considered "terrorists" by Ankara from the northern Syrian city of Manbij. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, DC, on Monday.The two sides agreed on a joint work to end a bilateral dispute over the presence of the People's Protection Units (YPG) troops in Manbij.aljazeera

Qatari FM dismisses reported Saudi threats over S-400 deal

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/qatari-fm-dismisses-reported-saudi-threats-400-deal-180605061648530.html

Qatar's foreign minister has dismissed reports of threats of military action by Saudi Arabia over Doha's plans to acquire the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, saying Qatar's decision to buy weapons is a "sovereign" one.The threats, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Monday, violates "international law and all the international norms"."The purchase of any military equipment is a sovereign decision that no country has anything to do with," Al Thani told Al Jazeera.

Qatar: 'Purchase of military equipment is sovereign decision'

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/qatar-fm-purchase-military-equipment-sovereign-decision-180605060617449.html

Al Jazeera is taking a look at the causes and effects of the Gulf crisis one year after an air, sea and land blockade was imposed on Qatar by four Arab countries.Saudi Arabia and its allies Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE cut ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting "terrorists" and being too close to Saudi Arabia's archrival Iran. Qatar has denied the allegations.On June 1, French daily Le Monde reported that Saudi Arabia had threatened military action against Qatar if it acquires the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.aljazeera

Jordanians vow to continue protests, demand 'new approach': aljazeera

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/jordanians-vow-continue-protests-demand-approach-180604125104346.html

Jordanians have vowed to continue protesting after resignation of the country's PM , broadening their demands to include a complete overhaul of the Govt 's system and approach. protests began last week amid anger over an income tax reform bill and price increases. PM Hani al-Mulki resigned on Monday, a move seen by many as an attempt by the kingdom to defuse the outrage over the economic policies. But protesters are expected to again take to streets later on Monday for fifth consecutive day,demonstrators and organisers say, calling for a "new approach" to how the Govt operates.

Rohingya say Myanmar targeted the educated in genocide

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/rohingya-say-myanmar-targeted-the-educated-in-genocide/article24085570.ece?homepage=true

Bangladesh:The last time Mohammed Hashim saw his brother alive, he begged for his life, his arms bound behind his back as soldiers marched the 35-year-old teacher away.It was Aug. 26, the day after Rohingya Muslim separatist attacks on military outposts in the group’s homeland in western Myanmar. In their wake, Myanmar’s military and local Buddhists would respond with a campaign of rape, massacre and arson that has driven about 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh.But more than a dozen teachers, elders and religious leaders told AP that educated Rohingya were already subject to systematic and widespread harassment,Soldiers targeted the educated so there would be no community leaders left willing to speak up against the pervasive abuse.It’s an old tactic, according to those who study genocide and often a precursor to killing.“My brother apologized and pleaded with the military not to kill him; he showed them his ID card and said, ‘I’m a teacher, I’m a teacher.’ But the Govt had planned to kill our educated people, including my brother,” Hashim said.After the Aug. 25 attacks, soldiers in Maung Nu village, the site of a massacre, asked villagers- “Where are the teachers?”Rahim, a 26-year old high school science and math teacher who was known to many soldiers because he taught their children at the local battalion school, saw the military coming and fled.“I knew I was dead if I got caught. They were hunting me,” said Rahim,Interviews with about 65 refugees in a September report by UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner indicate that “the Myanmar security forces targeted teachers, the cultural and religious leadership, and other people of influence in the Rohingya community in an effort to diminish Rohingya history, culture and knowledge.”AP

Malaysia appoints ethnic Indian non-Muslim as new attorney general

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/malaysia-appoints-ethnic-indian-as-new-attorney-general/article24085661.ece?homepage=true

Malaysia’s king has approved the appointment of an ethnic Indian lawyer as the new attorney general, amid protests from Islamic groups that the job must be held by a Muslim. A palace statement says Sultan Muhammad V has approved terminating current Attorney General Mohamad Apandi Ali and replacing him with Tommy Thomas, the first minority to hold the post in 55 years.Groups representing ethnic Malays, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia’s 31 million people, have demanded the top legal job be given to a Muslim to protect the status of Islam as the official religion.The statement has said the king urged all Malaysians to ensure that Thomas’ appointment doesn’t “create religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be treated fairly regardless of race and religion.”PTI

Ethiopia lifts state of emergency imposed in Feb

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/ethiopia-lifts-state-emergency-imposed-february-180605081810759.html

Ethiopia has lifted the state of emergency in the East African country, imposed in Feb.following the abrupt resignation of PM Hailemariam Desalegn after months of protests.Parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to end emergency rule two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana reported.aljazeera

Far-right party faces hurdles in forming Slovenia parliament

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/party-faces-hurdles-forming-slovenia-parliament-180604102944134.html

Former Slovenian PM Janez Jansa's far-right anti-immigrant party won nearly double the seats than its closest opponent in parliamentary elections but faces major hurdles in forming a new Govt .Slovenian President Borut Pahor said he will offer Jansa's SDP a mandate to form a Govt after his party won 25 out of the 90 parliament seats up for grabs."I am not obliged to award the mandate to the relative winner of the election, but I will do so because I strongly believe in democracy," Pahor was quoted in news reports as saying.Jansa's main opponent, Marjan Sarec, and his party won only 13 seats.aljazeera

Dozens of civilians are killed as violence continues in Derna, Libya

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180605-dozens-of-civilians-are-killed-as-violence-continues-in-derna-libya/

The northeastern Libyan city of Derna is witnessing violent outbreaks between the city’s Protection Force and the Karama Forces led by Khalifa Haftar in the latter’s attempt to move forward and control several neighbourhoods in the last remaining opposition stronghold in eastern Libya.According to local Libyan media, the Karama Forces are bombing residential areas with the support of the controlled Emirati Air Force, which targeted a number of sites in the centre of the country.The same sources reported the disruption of Libyana and Almadar Aljadid mobile network operators in the city.Libyan TV channel Alnabaa quoted a source from Tobruk Medical Centre confirming the arrival of more than five injured members of Karama Forces to the centre due to the violence.middleeastmonitor

Iran could unleash new refugee wave, Netanyahu tells Berlin

https://www.firstpost.com/india/iran-could-unleash-new-refugee-wave-netanyahu-tells-berlin-4495863.html

Berlin:Iran's activities across the Middle East threaten to drive another wave of refugees to Europe, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Netanyahu, on a tour to persuade European countries to follow the U.S. administration of Donald Trump in tearing up a nuclear non-proliferation deal with Iran, said the country was using proceeds from eased sanctions to finance conflict.Iran wanted to expand and deploy Shi'ite militias it commanded to convert Muslims from the Sunni branch of Islam, he said at a joint news conference with Merkel."This will inflame a religious war, and the consequences will be many more refugees and you know exactly where they'll come," he added.Reuters

NEW & VIEWS FLASH:
Jews, Muslims find a common enemy in defending their religious freedom - a misguided effort to ban circumcision in Denmark:DANIELLA GREENBAUMJUN
https://www.businessinsider.in/Jews-and-Muslims-find-a-common-enemy-in-defending-their-religious-freedom-a-misguided-effort-to-ban-circumcision-in-Denmark/articleshow/64456393.cms
New Age Militancy – Kashmir Youth Need Policies Encouraging Change, Not Surrender:Tara Kartha
https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-militancy-surrender-policy
How RSS icon MS Golwalkar misrepresented Nehru’s words to justify the Hindutva project of ghar wapsi: Ajaz Ashraf
https://scroll.in/article/881409/how-the-rss-guru-ms-golwalkar-twisted-nehrus-writings-to-justify-the-hindutva-project-of-ghar-wapsi

Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:54 PM)

NEWS DIGEST

NEWS DIGEST

05 June 2018