NEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
14 Aug 2018:02 Zilhajja 1439: Vol: 10, No:88
INDIA
Simultaneous polls not possible without legal framework, says Chief Election Commissioner amid BJP push
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/simultaneous-polls-election-commission-bjp-lok-sabha-assembly-op-rawat-amit-shah-5306496/
New Delhi: Virtually ruling out holding simultaneous polls in the near future, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat Tuesday said the parallel polls are not possible without a legal framework and insisted that any extension or curtailment of the term of assemblies will require a constitutional amendment.“If the term of some state assemblies needs to be curtailed or extended, then a constitutional amendment will be required… Logistics arrangements with regard to 100 percent availability of VVPATs (paper trail machines) will be a constraint,” Rawat told reporters to a question on whether simultaneous elections can be held anytime soon.“On the issue of ‘one nation one poll’, the Election Commission had given inputs and suggestions in 2015 itself… Other requirements of additional police force, polling personnel would also be needed,” he said.Rawat’s remarks came a day after BJP made a strong pitch for simultaneous polls, with party chief Amit Shah arguing that one election would check expenditure and ensure that the nation is not in “election mode” throughout the year. In his eight-page letter to Law Commission chairman Justice B S Chouhan, Shah said holding simultaneous polls is not only a concept but a principle that has been successfully tried in the past and can be implemented.CEC said the poll panel would continue to deliver its responsibility of conducting elections whenever term of the state assemblies come to an end.indianexpress
Congress is winning Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, says survey
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/pre-poll-election-survey-abp-news-cvoter-says-congress-is-winning-rajasthan-madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh-bjp-losing
Good news has been predicted for the Congress party on the electoral battlefront in the coming elections in three big state assemblies of Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh.The opinion poll by Ananda Bazaar Patrika television channel has predicted the Congress winning all the three assembly elections. If this translates into actual performance, it could be big bonanza time for the Congress and a big set back for the ruling BJP, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019In what is the first opinion poll in the electoral season, TV channel ABP News along with polling agency CVoter has predicted a complete and comprehensive victory for the Congress party in the coming elections in Rajasthan. The polls says out of the 200 seats in Rajasthan assembly, Congress is slated to win 130 with a predicted vote share of 40% as opposed to its current tally of 25 seats.The BJP’s predicted vote share is 39%—just one percentage point short of the Congress—but its seat tally is predicted to drop sharply from the existing 160 seats to just 57. Others including smaller parties and independents are slated to get 13 seats, up one from the last time’s 12 seats, with a vote share of 21%.In Chattisgarh, Congress is predicted to get a comfortable majority in the state assembly, winning 54 seats in a house of 90 with a vote percentage of 40%. In 2013, Congress had notched up 39 seats, falling short by just 7. The BJP, which is in power with 49 seats, is predicted to come down to 33 seats with a vote percentage of 39%.In Madhya Pradesh also ABP News-CVoter survey predicts a wafer-thin majority for the Congress, predicting that in a house of 230, Congress will cross the half way mark of 115. It has shown Congress winning 117 seats with a vote percentage of 42%, though in 2013 Congress had only 57 seats. nationalheraldindia
‘What have you done about it,’ SC asks Centre on child sexual abuse in shelter homes
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-child-sexual-abuse-shelter-homes-muzaffarpur-5306630/
New Delhi :Expressing concern over sexual abuse of children living in shelter homes across the country, the Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Centre what action was being taken in the cases of 1,575 minor victims.Referring to the data placed before it by the Centre, a bench headed by Madan B Lokur observed that 1,575 children, including 286 boys, have been sexually or physically abused in the shelter homes in different parts of the country.Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that also comprised Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, that the government has informed the states about the abuse of 1,575 children last year itself.“1,575 boys and girls are victims of sexual and physical abuse. What have you done about it? Which are the shelter homes where they are kept? What action the states have taken on this,” the apex court asked the ASG.The ASG, in her reply, said that she would get instruction on this issue and get back to the court.indianexpress
Umar Khalid attacked: Today’s incident proves importance of today’s programme, says Prashant Bhushan at event
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/umar-khalid-attacked-todays-incident-proves-importance-of-todays-programme-says-prashant-bhushan-at-event-5305281/
New Delhi:Activists at the event which Umar Khalid had come to attend Monday lashed out at the central government for promoting a “culture of violence”, and said the attack was a result of the “propaganda” and “campaign” launched against him and JNU. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who spoke at the event titled ‘Khauf se Aazadi’, said, “Today’s incident has proved the importance of today’s programme. The attack took place to instill fear in us, to make sure that in this age of fascism, no one should dare to raise their voice… The PM himself has become the leader of social media lynch mob. It’s therefore important that more such programmes are held, and that we do not get scared.”Delhi University professor Apoorvanand said the current regime was protecting attackers: “These people feel their protectors are sitting in the government, and they do not need to fear anything. They’re not wrong. We have seen how lynching convicts were garlanded by a union minister. PM himself has supported this culture of violence.”RJD leader Manoj Jha also posed a question to the current regime, asking “why attacks like these were becoming a regular pattern in the last four years”.Fatima Nafees, mother of missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, said the attack “shows the state of Delhi’s security if such an incident can take place two days before Independence Day in such a VIP area”.Others at the event were JD(U) leader Ali Anwar; former IG police S I Darapuri; lynching victim Junaid Khan’s mother Fatima; and Yashpal Saxena, father of Ankit Saxena, who was killed, allegedly by the family of his girlfriend, in Khyala.indianexpress
Umar Khalid accuses ruling party spokespersons, TV channels of spreading canards against him
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-real-culprits-are-the-ruling-party-spokespersons-tv-channels-says-umar-khalid/article24686238.ece?homepage=true
JNU student Umar Khalid today said that “having seen the assassinations of one activist after the other in the last few years” in the country, he knew that “someday a gun may be turned” against him too.In a statement released the day after he was shot at outside the Constitution Club in New Delhi by an unidentified man, he said “2 days before 15th August, the question also is what does 'freedom' even mean if the citizens of this country have to be ready to die for their 'crime' of just being vocal against injustice?”.What was most paradoxical was that he had gone to attend an event named “Freedom from Fear” when the attack happened, he said.“The fact that two days before Independence Day, in one of the most high security zones of the national capital, an armed assailant could dare to attack me in broad daylight only goes onto show the brazen impunity that some people feel they enjoy under the present regime,” he said.In a tweet targeted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said he had a suggestion for Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech: “Can you guarantee that there will be no attack on those who criticise your government and its many failures?” Khalid said the real culprit for the attack on him was not the unidentified gunman but those who, from their seats of power, have been breeding an atmosphere of hatred, bloodlust and fear. thehindu
JNU student Umar Khalid attacked: Lone PCR van near Constitution Club, area was buzzing at time of attack
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jnu-student-umar-khalid-attacked-lone-pcr-van-near-constitution-club-area-was-buzzing-at-time-of-attack-5305301/
2 months ago Umar Khalid wrote to police: Danger to my life, am on hit list; was supposed to meet Spl Cell today
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-months-ago-umar-khalid-wrote-to-police-danger-to-my-life-am-on-hit-list-5305282/
Nearly 2 months before Monday’s incident — where a gun-toting man allegedly tried to shoot him — JNU student Umar Khalid had written to the Delhi Police saying there was a “danger to his life”, and asked them to provide him with security.At the time, Khalid had said there was a threat to his life from gangster Ravi Pujari.In his letter to SHO of the Vasant Kunj police station on June 8 this year, Khalid had said: “I wish to bring to your notice that a person identifying himself as Ravi Pujari has been making threatening calls to Vadgam MLA (Gujarat) Jignesh Mevani for the last 3 days, threatening to kill him. Today, he made another call to him and also sent a message threatening to kill him as well as myself. The screenshot of the message along with the number of the sender is attached herewith. It reads, ‘Yeh jo provocative speeches dena bandh kar varna thok dunga. Umar Khalid bhi meri hit list mein he. Ye mere tarf se warning. Mafia don Ravi Pujari’.”A senior officer who did not wish to be named acknowledged the receipt of the letter and added: “We received a complaint on June 13 and, since then, we tried to approach him eight times. But three times, he was not present at JNU; once he was out of station; twice his phone was switched off; once a security guard at JNU told police personnel he was not staying there; and during our last conversation, Khalid said he would meet us on Aug.14, at Lodhi Colony office of Special Cell.”On Monday, Khalid wrote an application for security yet again:“I want to state that there is a continuous threat to my life and limb. This has increased after today’s attempt on my life. I urge you to please take cognizance of this and provide me police security.” “At the time when I had filed my earlier letter, police had told me that they would assess the security threat and get back. But they did not act promptly. I only received a call on July 20, a few days before my PhD submission deadline, asking me to come to some place and meet some police person. I said I was busy and would get back after submission. I received a call yesterday too, and I was supposed to meet them on Aug.14,” he said.Khalid’s father SQR Ilyas alleged, “It’s shocking that the incident could take place in such a high security area. For 15 minutes after the incident, no police personnel was there. I believe this was not a spontaneous attack. It was planned; he (the attacker) knew Umar would be there to attend the programme. It’s just that the assailant seemed to be untrained, which is why he got scared and fled.”indianexpress
‘Shut your mouth or we’ll do it’: Activist Shehla Rashid alleges threat by gangster Ravi Poojary
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shut-your-mouth-or-we-ll-do-it-activist-shehla-rashid-alleges-threat-by-gangster-ravi-poojary/story-ATvSVNXupb9U2feTRhymgP.html
Student activist Shehla Rashid Shora on Monday filed a case in Srinagar against mafia don Ravi Poojary for allegedly threatening her.The case came on the day JNU student leader Umar Khalid was allegedly shot at in Delhi.“FIR filed by J&K Police against Ravi Poojary on my complaint,” Shora said on Twitter.She said Poojary had warned her, Khalid and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani to shut up.“Meanwhile, got this death threat from right-wing Hindutvawadi fundamentalist Ravi Poojary. He warns Khalid, Jignesh Mevani and me to shut up! Threat by SMS #DigitalIndia,” she said.In a message to Shora – the screenshot of which the student activist put up on Twitter - Poojary said, “Just shut your mouth or we will shut your mouth forever. Tell Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mewani also. Mafia don Ravi Poojary”.HT
Now Dr. Kafeel Khan Gets Death Threat
http://caravandaily.com/portal/now-dr-kafeel-khan-gets-death-threat/
New Delhi: After the shocking incident of murder attempt on JNU scholar Umar Khalid in the heart of the National Capital on Monday, a series of death threats to well-known personalities has been started.Within 24 hours after the attack on Umar, the death threat to Dr. Kafeel Khan of Gorakhpur is second one. Before Dr. Khan, JNU scholar and former JNU Students Union vice president Shehla Rashid had also got a death threat through SMS on Monday.On the midnight of Monday, Dr. Khan got an SMS — “Ab teri baari hai, Bachega nahi Ab tu” (Now you are the next target, you will not be spared).On the death threat, Dr. Khan reacted on Twitter: “So after my brother, after Umar, it’s me?? …. Darunga nahi larunga that’s Dr Kafeel Khan’s words, M not scared, Allah rahem kare, I dare u, I swear M not going to bend I speak my heart.”Caravan News
Ban on Sanatan Sanstha difficult to enforce:Maharashtra ATS
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ban-on-sanatan-sanstha-difficult-to-enforce-says-maharashtra-ats-5305377/
Mumbai : While the 2015 request of the Maharashtra government to ban Sanathan Sanstha is still pending with the Union home ministry, state ATS has informed both the central and state governments that the right wing outfit is not registered as a single entity but as separate units in every district and city, sources said.A senior official from the state home department said, “They have around 20 registered organisations. The units at various districts or cities are registered independently. In one of the communique, Maharashtra ATS had said that while in 1990, Jayant Athawale founded the Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha, the organisation changed its name and claims to be floated in 1999. Also, its various ashrams in Goa are registered in different names.”indianexpress
Hindutva activists arresting: ‘Mumbai terror suspect’s community rallies in support
https://scroll.in/article/890237/how-can-a-man-who-protects-cows-make-bombs-mumbai-terror-suspects-community-rallies-in-support
On Sunday evening, in Nallasopara in north Mumbai, around 500 people gathered outside the home of Hindutva activist Vaibhav Raut to demonstrate their support for him. Raut, a member of a cow protection group, had been arrested on Thursday by ATS of Maharashtra Police. The police claimed that they had recovered eight crude bombs from his home and office. But the crowd, which included Nallasopara residents as well as Raut’s relatives from other parts of Mumbai, expressed firm belief in Raut’s innocence.“Vaibhav Raut is our person, he is someone who protects cows,” said his cousin Jitesh Raut who lives in the same building as Raut does. “How can a person like that make bombs?”In Nallasopara, which is also Raut’s ancestral village, disbelief ran high, with a particular mistrust in the procedures of search and investigation followed by ATS. “[Vaibhav Raut] is a Hindutvawadi and a rashtrawadi,” Diptesh Patil, a childhood friend of Raut and co-founder of the Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti said as he briefly choked up with tears. “How can he be a terrorist? […] I ask you to support us for the Bhandaris, for Hindutva and for the nation. We will show everyone what the Bhandari community really is.”Patil made a particularly strong call for their “samaj” or community to support Raut, telling them to tell those who hesitated to join that it might happen in their homes next. scroll.in
Hindu right-wing arrests: Maharashtra ATS probes UP, Assam links
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/hindu-right-wing-arrests-maharashtra-ats-probes-up-assam-links?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Mumbai: 4 days after busting a terror plot involving some Hindu right-wing activists in Palghar, the Maharashtra ATS has found a mini arms making unit and is now probing their links in Uttar Pradesh and Assam, official sources said on Monday. On Friday, ATS created a sensation by claiming to have unearthed a terror plot targeting Mumbai, Pune, Satara and Solapur ahead of Independence Day celebrations and the upcoming Bakri Eid festival.In the ATS swoop, 3 right-wing activists were arrested. Over a dozen other associates or suspects have been interrogated to ascertain their connections in other parts of the state or outside and certain email exchanges between the accused with references to Uttar Pradesh and Assam shall be probed.IANS
Those opposing developmental projects have terror links: Modi
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/those-opposing-developmental-projects-have-terror-links-prime-minister-narendra-modi/269136
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said there are proof of links between terror outfits and those who oppose developmental projects in states. In an interview to Tamil paper Daily Thanthi, Modi said in the recent times it has been observed that some people hinder the implementation of developmental projects in states."There are proof of such people having links with terror outfits. It is not only me who is saying this, even my predecessor Manmohan Singh had rightly said that some foreign NGOs are instigating protests against the nuclear power project in Kudankulam," Modi said in an e-mail interview to the newsdaily.He was responding to a question about Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan saying that there are movements of terror organisations in Tamil Nadu and their activities are of serious concern.Continuing further, he had said that these terror outfits create fear among innocent people about projects that are for the welfare of people.Asked about BJP President Amit Shah's statement that Tamil Nadu is one of the most corrupt states in India, Modi said it is the right of the people of that state to estimate the performance of their govts.IANS
Shiv Sena dismisses PM's interviews as 'propaganda'
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/shiv-sena-dismisses-pms-interviews-as-propaganda?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Mumbai: In its first reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's published interview, BJP ally Shiv Sena on Monday described it as "akin to sheer propaganda"."The reporters sent questions to PMO, which sent written replies. Many have treated it as an an interview. In other words, it is propaganda," Sena said in 'Saamana' and 'Dopahar Ka Saamana,' the party's mouthpieces. "It happens in China, Russia and Communist countries, a case of one-sided dialogue," it added. The Sena pointed out how, in a direct interview, many questions could have been asked and any "fake statement" would have been detected by the interviewer. "That much freedom must be allowed to journalists.IANS
Left out in NRC, Fomer Army Soldiers Write to President: “Is This What We Deserve?”
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/14666/Left-out-in-the-NRC-Fomer-Army-Soldiers-Write-to-President-Is-This-What-We-Deserve
GUWAHATI: 4 defense personnel including those who were a part of the Kargil war, wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind for failing to get their names in the final draft of NRC which was published on July 30. The retired defense personnel said that they were hurt at being dropped from the list. The final draft left out 40 lakh people. Following that, many Indian citizens couldn’t find their names which led to criticism of the NRC authorities for the loopholes.“It’s very unfortunate. This is not a joke. I think the authorities have not done their work properly. Why genuine Indian people have been left out? We want to know the reason. And on top of that, we were left out. Is this what we deserved after serving the nation for 30 years? With a deep heart, we have written to the President,” 50 year-old Azmal Haque, who retired as a junior commissioned officer in 2016, told The Citizen.He said that it was a humble submission and voice forth some serious grievances and apprehensions that have cropped up in their mind after viewing the draft.Besides, Samsul Haque (57) and Sadullah Ahmed (49) both served in the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the Kargil war, were also kept out of the list. Apart from that retired honanary captain Sana Ullah, former sergeant Sadullah Ahmed and sepoy Enamul Haque who is currently with the Army have faced the same fate.thecitizen
Assam: 11 Muslim men held for Goalpara clash
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/11-held-for-goalpara-clash-252072
Goalpara: Goalpara district police on Monday arrested at least 11 people in connection with a clash between two groups at Baladmari Sar under Mornoi police station in lower Assam on Saturday. The arrested have been identified as Salam Ali, Sayed Ali, Mofidul Islam, Abu Bakkar Siddik, Atower Rahman, Abdul Kalam, Johirul Islam, Rofikul Islam, Alauddin, Saiful Islam and Ajibar Rahman. They were produced before the court on Monday and sent to judicial custody for 60 to 90 days. The clash, which allegedly started over the theft of a mobile phone, led to the death of a person and injured 28, police sources said.telegraphindia
Kasganj on Alert Over August 15 'Tiranga Yatra' Plans, Over 150 Cops to Keep Vigil
https://www.news18.com/news/india/kasganj-on-alert-over-august-15-tiranga-yatra-plans-over-150-cops-to-keep-vigil-1842025.html
Lucknow: Kasganj district president of newly formed Rashtriya Bajrang Dal was arrested on Tuesday after he posted a video threatening to take out a 'Tiranga Yatra' through minority-dominated areas on Independence Day, forcing district administration to deploy forces.Nearly 150 officers have been deputed as precautionary measure along with three companies of PAC and 2 companies of RAF."Nobody will be allowed to disturb peace and harmony in any way on Independence Day. People are requested to celebrate the day in good spirit. Section 144 has been imposed in the area. 3 companies of PAC and 2 companies of RAF have been deployed in Kasganj to keep a check on any unwanted situation," Commissioner Aligarh (Zone) Ajaydeep Singh said, adding that the administration has denied permission for Tiranga Yatra or any other new programme in Kasganj.According to intelligence reports, several right-wing outfits are planning to take out yatras in Kasganj without seeking permission.Among them is Pravin Togadia's outfit Rashtriya Hindu Parishad and its youth wing Rashtriya Bajrang Dal.A similar ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on Republic Day this year led by ABVP and VHP in Kasganj had triggered communal clashes leading to the death of 22-year-old Chandan Gupta.News18
Uttar Pradesh: Hindutva group member booked over remark on Tiranga Yatras
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-hindutva-group-member-booked-over-remark-on-tiranga-yatras-5305335/
Lucknow :Agra police on Monday booked Govind Parashar, an office bearer of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, after he released a video statement announcing he would take out ‘Tiranga Yatras’ in Muslim-dominated areas on August 15 without permission, threatening district administrations of “serious consquences” if they tried to stop them.On Republic Day this year, a man was killed and another was injured in large-scale violence that erupted after a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ was taken out in Kasganj district.Parashar has been booked under IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity) and 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), Circle Officer, Hariparwat, Abhishek Kumar said.RBD is the youth wing of the ‘Antar-Rashtriya Hindu Parishad’, an organisation founded by former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia earlier this year. Parashar — who claims to be the ‘vibhag adhyaksha’ of RBD, and in-charge of Agra, Aligarh, Mathura and Hathras districts — said he recorded the video at the outfit’s office in Agra Monday.In the video, which has been shared on social media, he is seen saying, “All Tiranga Yatras this year will be taken out from Muslim areas. I want to tell the administration to deploy adequate force to ensure peace during Tiranga Yatra. We will not seek permission.”indianexpress
Kashmir: ‘Non-locals roughed up’ while attempting to hoist tricolour at Lal Chowk, says police
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-non-locals-roughed-up-while-attempting-to-hoist-tricolour-at-lal-chowk-says-police-5306646/
Srinagar :A group of people, who tried hoisting the national flag at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, were ‘rescued’ by the police on Tuesday after they were allegedly roughed up by locals. “A group of six to seven persons tried to hoist the flag at Lal Chowk. This created a ruckus in the area and the police team rescued three of them,” said Superintendent of Police (East) Dawood Ayoub.The incident occurred around 1 pm near Srinagar’s clock tower. The group, as per the police, consisted of non-locals. According to witnesses, the group assembled at the clock tower and were stopped by locals who objected to the hoisting of the flag. As an argument ensued, the non-locals were roughed up before the police intervened and took them away.indianexpress
Hizbul-Mujahideen warns Kashmir schools to keep kids away from Independence Day celebrations
https://www.indiatoday.in/independence-day/story/hizb-terror-group-warns-kashmir-schools-to-keep-kids-away-from-independence-day-celebrations-1313824-2018-08-14
New Delhi:Kashmir's largest indigenous militant group Hizbul-Mujahideen has issued a warning letter to school authorities and parents against sending children to schools to celebrate Independence Day.The letter states that the heads of schools and colleges who force "our brothers and sisters to participate must know that they have to answer before the people who have offered everything for this pious cause".The terse warning states that all schools and colleges must cooperate with the group failing which, the group will take action as per their own rules.Further the letter warns the parents of children. Hizb has stated that "parents should not send their wards to Independence Day celebrations of India".indiatoday
I feel like a baby again, says Justice K.M. Joseph on being the juniormost SC judge
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/i-feel-like-a-baby-again-says-justice-km-joseph-on-being-the-junior-most-sc-judge/article24687623.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI:In his first public appearance as a Supreme Court judge, Justice K.M. Joseph on Tuesday said he was aware of his “limitations,” refrained from giving any promises, but promised to remain true to his oath of office.“At the age of 60 plus, I feel like a baby again,” he said about being the 25th and the ‘juniormost’ judge now in the court.Justice Joseph, in a short speech at a felicitation function organised for the new judges of the court by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said he expected to be called the last to deliver his speech after Justices Indu Malhotra, Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran.He said the SCBA office-bearers were gracious enough to inform him that he would have to speak first at the function.“I am far too conscious of my own limitations to be elevated to the highest court. It is indeed a great honour,” he said.“It will be too presumptious on my part to even venture to make any promises. All that I can hope and pray for is to be true to the oath of office which I have taken and which will go a long way in dispensing justice,” he said.thehindu
Uttarakhand HC declares itself legal guardian of cows; bans cow slaughter
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-hc-declares-itself-legal-guardian-of-cows-bans-cow-slaughter-5305152/
Uttarakhand High Court on Monday invoked the doctrine of ‘parens patriae’ to become the legal guardian of cows and other stray cattle, thereby giving a slew of “mandatory directions” towards cow protection. “Court by invoking the ‘parens patriae’ doctrine issues mandatory directions…in the welfare of the cows and other stray cattle,” the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari stated in an order banning slaughter and export “for purpose of slaughter” of “any cow, bull, bullock, heifer or calf”, and selling of beef and beef products across Uttarakhand.‘Parens patriae’, which translates from Latin into “parent of his or her country” is the power that could be invoked by a state regarded as a sovereign to provide protection to those who are unable to take care of themselves.The court directed all Circle Officers in the state to “to patrol the rural areas once in 24 hours to ensure that no cow is slaughtered”. Further, the court directed that owners of cattle be prosecuted if the cattle are “found on the streets, roads and public places”.For smooth traffic flow, the chief engineers of national highways and state highways, the village panchayats, and the municipal bodies, have been directed to ensure that “no stray cattle come onto the roads”. To ensure the safety of stray cattle while being removed from the roads, the court order directed that “utmost compassion” must be shown by state functionaries towards cattle and “no unnecessary pain and suffering is inflicted” on them.The Division Bench was hearing a PIL filed in the year 2017 by one Alim from from the Sohalpur Gada village in Roorkee tehsil of Haridwar district, where he had sought the court’s intervention to stop the illegal cow slaughter in his village. However, the High Court enlarged the scope of the PIL to give directions for cow protection across the state.indianexpress
.Chinese troops intruded 500 metres into Ladakh’s Demchok area in July, say reports
https://scroll.in/latest/890386/chinese-troops-intruded-500-metres-into-ladakhs-demchok-area-in-july-say-reports
Chinese security forces intruded about 500 metres into Demchok area in southeastern Ladakh in July, The Times of India reported on Monday, quoting unidentified defence ministry officials. The Chinese soldiers reportedly posed as graziers and pitched five tents before leaving the Cherdung Nullah grazing grounds, which is located on the southeastern part of the Tso Moriri Lake.The Indian security forces were involved in a stand-off with the Chinese for two weeks, and after a meeting between senior officials of the two sides, the Chinese “mostly withdrew”, an unidentified Defence Ministry official told The Print. China’s Peoples Liberation Army removed three of its tents but two tents with “some Chinese troops in civvies” still remain.scroll.in
SC admits plea by 355 Army personnel challenging probe into operations where AFSPA is in force
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-admits-plea-by-355-army-personnel-challenging-probe-into-operations-where-afspa-is-in-force-5305879/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has admitted a petition filed by 355 Army personnel against the dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in disturbed areas. The petitioners have also challenged the registration of an FIR against them for operations where AFSPA is in force. Representing the petitioners, Advocate Aishwarya Bhati said “military operations in border areas will suffer” if a probe is conducted. The petition will be heard on Monday.AFSPA has been contested as it gives discretionary powers to the armed forces over a civilian population.indianexpress
SC Sends Notice to Centre, Assam on PIL Accusing Forces of Fake Encounter
https://thewire.in/communalism/sc-sends-notice-to-centre-assam-on-pil-accusing-forces-of-fake-encounter
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and Assam government on a PIL accusing the armed forces and state police of allegedly indulging in fake encounters in the state.A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A.M. Khanvilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud also sent notices to the CRPF, the National Human Rights Commission, general officer commanding of 4 Corps and chairperson of Operational Group, the Unified Command, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), CRPF Chirang district commandant Rajesh Pandey and Rajnish Rai.Some of the senior officials of the central forces are named in the petition filed by former bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma. PIL is based on a report filed by CRPF inspector general Rajnish Rai in April 2017 alleging “cold blooded fake encounter killing of two suspected members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) faction” on March 30 last year in Assam’s Simalguri village.Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared for Sarma and cited newspaper reports claiming that Rai had met some of the witnesses to the alleged fake encounter.PTI
HC seeks Centre’s stand on plea for removal of Jamia professor
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-seeks-centres-stand-on-plea-for-removal-of-jamia-professor/article24683501.ece
NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court on Monday sought the stand of the Centre and Jamia Millia Islamia on a plea seeking setting aside of reinstatement of a professor who was removed from the university over allegation of plagiarism.A Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice C. Hari Shankar issued notices to the Centre and the university seeking their reply to a petition which sought contempt action against various officials of Jamia for allegedly fabricating a court order to facilitate the professor’s reinstatement.The plea, filed by a former student of the university, has alleged that the professor had copied from a book, Media, Markets and Democracy, in his book titled Democracy and Media.The petition said the university had in May 2011 removed the professor, who had challenged the decision in the High Court, where a single judge had in Sept.2011 and a Division Bench had in April 2012 affirmed the step taken by the university.In 2015, the university amended a provision of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act that dealt with removal of academic staff to allow review of such a decision, the plea said.The petition added that subsequent to the amendment, the professor moved a representation seeking a relook into his removal.Jamia upheld its earlier decision and the professor challenged it in the High Court, which dismissed his plea in Aug.2016. He filed an appeal before a Division Bench against the dismissal of his plea, claimed the petition by Hamidur Rehman.Professor Deepak Kem also filed a review plea against the 2012 decision of the High Court, the petition said, alleging that this was not disclosed in court.thehindu
UP Govt issues directions for madrasas to celebrate
http://www.uniindia.com/up-govt-issues-directions-for-madrasas-to-celebrate-independence-day/states/news/1318936.html
Lucknow:Uttar Pradesh government on Monday issued instructions to all statefunded Islamic religious schools Madrasas to celebrate the 72nd Independence Day on August 15 in a grand manner. The state govt has, however, withdrawn the mandatory conditions of the videography of the event as issued in 2017. Minority Affairs Minister Chowdhary Lakshmi Naryan said that flag hoisting in all Madrasas will be held at 0800 hrs and later tributes will be paid to freedom fighters and heroes of the Indian freedom movement. The Minister said along with the flag hoisting plantation of saplings in madrasa premises, a cultural programme will also be held. UNI
Muslim kanwariya threatens to convert if those who attacked him at mosque are not punished
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/muslim-kanwariya-threatens-to-convert-if-those-who-attacked-him-at-mosque-are-not-punished/articleshow/65391439.cms
Meerut: 2 days after a Muslim farmer in Baghpat was allegedly attacked and thrown out of a mosque on Friday night for going on the Kanwar Yatra and bringing a kanwar of Ganga water to a local temple, the man has threatened to convert to Hinduism if his community did not stop persecuting him and if proper action was not taken against his tormentors. n Monday, Babu Khan,40, was able to offer prayers at the mosque at his village, Ranchhad. However, he alleged that three persons, detained by police for the earlier attack on him had been let go, and they threatened him again after he came out of the mosque. “Mustaqeem Ahmad, Mohd Yazuddin and Gullu, who had attacked me earlier, threatened me again on Monday as I left the mosque. They said now that they were released from police custody, there was nothing I could do to them. They said they would now see what needed to be done about me.” Police on the other hand said the issue was more personal than religious. However, Khan is not satisfied with the development. “Police cannot be with me all the time and these men are rogues. For a couple of days after the incident I had even sent my family including my wife and four children to another village. They came back only on Sunday night but today I was again threatened. If this situation continues, I will convert to Hinduism. At least I will get respect there,” he said. TOI
Gujarat: Religious leaders to help identify murdered four-year-old girl
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/faith-leaders-to-help-identify-murdered-four-year-old-girlhead_deck-20-strap-intro-deck-intro-deck-head-deck-intro-deck-intro-deck-head-deckyagnesh-mehtagaurang-joshi/articleshow/65393006.cms
Surat: These 5 mosques in Pandesara are not just religious centres, but a humanitarian channel. Muezzins in these mosques some time after their call for prayers, remind people on loudspeakers that they need to help police identify the four-year-old girl whose body was recovered from near Vadod village on August 7. Maulvis of these mosques are more than happy to show photos of the girl to those coming to offer namaz, hoping that someone from among them may recognize her and help establish the deceased’s identity. Pandesara police had tried to ascertain the identity of the girl by going door-to-door but the attempt failed to produce any results, compelling them to try something different. A few cases of late have remained undetected mainly because the identities of the deceased were not known. “We have been making the announcements about the girl from loudspeakers after the azan twice in a day. We also show photos of the girl who come to offer prayers at the masjid. We are trying to help police to identify the girl at the earliest,” said Maulana Abdul Kazi of Masjide Rehman. Many other mosques in the area were also approached by police and they too are making announcements regularly asking residents to help cops establish the identity of the girl. TOI
Rampur: Muslim youth dies in police custody, family demands probe
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/man-dies-in-police-custody-family-demands-probe/articleshow/65392702.cms
Rampur: family of Mohammad Islam Qureshi (30), who died after being taken to the police lockup on Monday evening, has demanded a magisterial inquiry into the matter. Qureshi had surrendered before the court of the additional CJM in connection with a case registered against him under the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act earlier in the day. The court ordered that he be sent to jail. On learning about Islam Qureshi’s death, his father, Aslam Qureshi, suffered a massive cardiac arrest. He was referred to a Meerut hospital. Islam's cousin Wasi Qureshi said, “Qureshi did not have any medical history and he was a young man. We want to know under what circumstances he died. We want that a post-morterm should be carried out to ascertain cause of death.” TOI
New al Qaeda affiliate ‘ideologically inclined’ to carry out attacks in India, claims UN report:PTI
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-al-qaeda-affiliate-ideologically-inclined-to-carry-out-attacks-in-india-un-report/story-mf6hxBCzkc12nSYQYUSygM.html
Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the terror group’s newest affiliate, is “ideologically inclined” to carry out attacks inside India but its capability is believed to be low and is relatively isolated owing to increased security measures in the region, according to a UN report.22nd report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team was submitted to the UN Security Council Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.The report said that AQIS is “relatively isolated owing to increased security measures within the wider region, but the group continues to seek security gaps for opportunistic attacks.”The group is “ideologically inclined to carry out attacks inside India but its capability is believed to be low,” it said, adding that according to Member States, the strength of AQIS in Afghanistan is estimated at several hundred people, located in Laghman, Paktika, Kandahar, Ghazni and Zabul provinces.
Rupee crashes to all-time low of 70.08 against US dollar
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/market/rupee-breaches-historic-low-of-rs-70-us-dollar-5305703/
New Delhi :The rupee hit the 70-per dollar mark for the first time, tumbling to a record low, as a Turkey-led rout in emerging-market currencies intensified losses. Rupee slipped as much as 0.2 percent to 70.08 per dollar in Mumbai and is down almost 9 % this year in Asia’s worst performance.The rupee has been among the hardest hit in Asia from the recent Turkey-led sell-off in emerging assets, thanks to a wide current-account deficit that’s already strained by higher oil prices. A weaker rupee could complicate the Reserve Bank of India’s job of keeping inflation in check. indianexpress
PM Modi’s Theory On Using Gutter Gas For Preparing Tea Is Making People Lose Their Minds: indiatimes
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/pm-modi-s-comical-theory-on-using-gutter-gas-for-preparing-tea-is-making-people-lose-their-minds-351148.html
It is difficult to say if we have even remotely witnessed Achche Din since BJP came to power in 2014 and Narendra Modi became the prime minister. But one thing that we are sure of is that comedy is soaring high in the country, courtesy our politicians, especially the Pradhan Sevak.A Twitter user posted a video of PM Modi speaking on the possible uses of toxic gas emitted from sewage. However, science and logic on the production of biogas failed Modi. “Kisi chotte se nagar mein, naale ke paas, koi chai ka thela lekar ke khada rehtha tha aur chai banakar ke bechta tha. PM Modi is possibly talking about converting sewage into biofuel and using it for powering stoves. What’s leaving people in splits is Modi’s explanation of how a tea-seller, (obviously, he has a soft-corner for him for all the right reasons) who had his shop near a sewer, used toxic gases by just turning over a utensil, drilling a hole in it and attaching it to the pipeline. And voila! indiatimes
WORLD
Turkey currency crisis: Erdogan vows to boycott US electronics
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/turkey-crisis-erdogan-vows-boycott-electronics-180814080354868.html
Turkey's president fired a new salvo in the growing war of words with the US on Tuesday, saying Ankara will boycott all American-made electronic products.Showing no signs of backing down in the standoff, President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would stop procuring US-made iPhones and buy Korean Samsung or Turkish-made Vestel products instead."If they have the iPhone, there is Samsung elsewhere. We have Vestel." It was unclear how Erdogan intended to enforce the boycott.Over the last few days, Turkey has seen a significant devaluation of its currency the lira, which has lost more than 45 percent of its value this year.The lira pulled back on Tuesday from a record low hit a day earlier, helped by the central bank's new liquidity measures and news of a planned conference call in which the finance minister will seek to reassure investors.But analysts have raised concerns of a wider contagion rippling through global markets. On Tuesday, the Indian rupee hit a record low as a result of the economic issues in Turkey. Analysts say the financial crisis has been a long time coming and reflects Turkey's refusal to raise interest rates to curb double-digit inflation and cool an overheated economy. Disputes with NATO ally the US have also contributed to the lira's plunge."Unfortunately I think Erdogan is the extreme example of a policy-maker who is totally deluded," Aly-Khan Satchu, CEO Rich Management, told Al Jazeera."It's a losing battle. He is going to have to raise interest rates to bring the situation under control," he added.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the events are a sign the dollar is becoming obsolete as the global trade currency.Alazeera
Pakistan’s Khan expresses solidarity with Turkey
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-s-khan-expresses-solidarity-with-turkey/1230647
Pakistan’s Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed support for Turkey amid its financial difficulties.“On behalf of the people of Pakistan & myself, I want to let President Erdogan & the people of Turkey know we are praying for their success in dealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them, as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history,” Khan wrote on Twitter.His remarks came several days after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by increasing U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.On Monday, in a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also opposed the “unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Turkey over the detention of an American pastor under terrorism charges.Anadolu Agency
Muslim Brotherhood calls for early polls in Egypt
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/muslim-brotherhood-calls-for-early-polls-in-egypt/1230695
CAIRO:Egypt’s embattled Muslim Brotherhood group has called for fresh presidential election as a way-out of the country’s lingering political crisis. This came in a statement issued by the group on the 5th anniversary of a deadly dispersal by security forces of two major protest camps in support of former president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawaya Square and Giza’s Nahda Square in 2013.While Egyptian authorities say 632 people, including 8 policemen were killed in the dispersal, rights groups put the death toll at over 1,000 victims. The Muslim Brotherhood said its 10-item initiative aims to “cruise the country out of the dark tunnel”. “The best way-out of this dark tunnel is the return of President Morsi to power to chair a coalition government agreed upon by national powers for a specific and sufficient period of time to prepare the country for fair election supervised by an independent judicial entity…without exclusion of any party,” the group said. It went on to call for national dialogue as a way of bolstering unity inside Egypt.There was no comment from the Egyptian authorities on the Brotherhood’s call. Egypt has been roiled by turmoil since the military deposed Morsi, the country’s first freely elected president, in a military coup in 2013. Since Morsi’s overthrow, Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissents, killing hundreds and sending thousands behind bars for violence-related charges. Last month, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief who led the 2013 coup, announced his rejection of reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, saying that “he was fighting terrorism tirelessly”.
Egypt: 5 years since 'Rabaa massacre'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/egypt-years-rabaa-massacre-180813145929087.html
Five years ago, Egypt witnessed one of the deadliest days for demonstrations in its modern history when security forces killed hundreds of supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. The dramatic dispersal of the sit-in at Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square on August 14, 2013, saw soldiers and police shoot dead more than 800 protesters in a matter of hours.The bloody crackdown came weeks after Morsi was overthrown by the military following mass demonstrations against his one-year rule. Egypt's security forces maintain some of the demonstrators were armed and there were "terrorists" among their numbers.Despite a wealth of evidence implicating the Egyptian army and police in killing the protesters, no one has ever been brought to trial and the Egyptian government has yet to transparently investigate the massacre.aljazeera
Netanyahu met Sisi in secret visit to Egypt: Israeli media reports
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/netanyahu-met-sisi-secret-visit-egypt-gaza-deal-media-reports-1058844377
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a rare, secret visit to Egypt in May for talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli television reported on Monday.There was no immediate confirmation of the visit from official sources, but the private Channel 10 station said the leaders met on 22 May.The reported visit followed a day of large-scale protests on 14 May in the besieged Gaza Strip against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.Israeli forces violently repressed the demonstrations, killing at least 65 Palestinians.Egypt has previously mediated between Netanyahu's government and the Hamas movement, the de facto ruling party in Gaza since 2007.According to American sources quoted by Channel 10, Netanyahu and Sisi discussed the possibility of a long-term truce in Gaza, where Israel has waged 3 wars against Hamas since 2008.A Hamas victory in 2006 legislative elections led to an armed conflict with Fatah, the leading party of the Palestinian Authority (PA), following which the PA was effectively booted out of power in the Gaza Strip. Since 2007, Gaza has also been submitted to a crushing siege imposed by Israel and upheld by Egypt.middleeasteye
Military Court delays trial of 304 Muslim Brotherhood members
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/55923/Military-Court-delays-trial-of-304-Muslim-Brotherhood-members
CAIRO: Military Court delayed on Monday the prosecution of 304 defendants over the attempted assassination of Assistant Attorney Genera; Zacaria abd al-Aziz. The defendants belong to the “Hasm” movement considered the armed group of the Muslim Brotherhood, held at the Institute of Police Secretaries in Batrah. The list of those indicted include Mohammed Ali Bishr, a member of the Brotherhood's Guidance Bureau, and other leaders of the group. The inquisition of the Supreme State Security related the movement of the "Hasm" commission of 17 terrorist incidents targeting army officers, police, clerics, and prosecutors. Egypt Today
UK Labour leader slams Netanyahu's 'false' claims
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-labour-leader-slams-netanyahus-false-claims/1230373
LONDON :Israel’s nation-state law discriminates against the country’s Palestinian minority, British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Monday.Corbyn made the remarks on Twitter in reply to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who joined the criticism against Corbyn over his alleged participation in a wreath-laying ceremony in Tunisia four years ago to honor the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.“The nation-state law sponsored by @Netanyahu's government discriminates against Israel's Palestinian minority. I stand with the tens of thousands of Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel demonstrating for equal rights at the weekend in Tel Aviv,” Corbyn said.British tabloid the Daily Mail published photos of Corbyn at the ceremony holding a wreath while standing near the graves of members of the Black September group. The event took place in 2014, before he was elected Labour leader.Anadolu agency
New UN rights chief faces tough decision on Israeli settlements
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/new-un-rights-chief-faces-tough-decision-israeli-settlements-1950868461
NEW YORK, United States – The UN’s new human rights chief Michelle Bachelet faces a tough decision when she starts work next month: whether to release a controversial list of some 200 businesses that operate in Israeli settlements and risk alienating an already-recalcitrant Trump administration.Upon becoming UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 September, Bachelet, a former Chilean president, must choose whether to publish the names of companies doing trade linked to unlawful Israeli settlements in the West Bank.Palestinian activists say a UN-certified list would help them target offenders in their global boycott and divestment effort. Businesses understood to be operating in Israel’s settlements, which are widely viewed as illegal, include Caterpillar, Airbnb and Motorola.Earlier this year, the UN delayed publication of the list, sparking fears that it would ultimately be buried amid pressure from Israel and its powerful ally, the United States, which pulled out of the UN’s 47-nation Human Rights Council in June.middleeasteye
Fatah threatens to withdraw from Oslo Agreement
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180814-fatah-threatens-to-withdraw-from-oslo-agreement/
The Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee has threatened to withdraw the movement from the Oslo Agreement and its resulting obligations. “We are very close to announcing our withdrawal from all the obligations resulting from Oslo,” Jibril Rajoub told a TV interviewer.The Oslo Agreement was signed between the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Israel in 1993 as a transitional phase towards peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Its economic terms were signed in 1994.Under the agreement, the PLO recognised Israel in 1993, but the latter has still not recognised the right of the Palestinians to establish an independent state. In January this year, the Palestinian Central Council asked the Executive Committee of the PLO to “suspend recognition of Israel” in response to the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Council also decided to “stop security coordination with Israel and stop economic relations with it.”middleeastmonitor
Taliban overrun military base in Afghanistan
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taliban-overrun-military-base-in-afghanistan-/1230963
KABUL:Following deadly siege by the Taliban for days, an Afghan military base in northern Faryab province has fallen to the Taliban, officials and local media confirmed on Tuesday.Sibghatullah Sailab, deputy chairman for the provincial assembly, told Anadolu Agency the Afghan National Army base in Ghormach district was under the siege of the Taliban for the past two days, and the besieged soldiers finally surrendered late on Monday when no additional forces came for their rescue.The local Tolo News channel reported that 43 security personnel have been killed and wounded and 17 others were taken hostage by the militant group amid fierce battles that were ongoing for the last two days.The particular base is located in a remote part of the province, and was receiving supplies via air for months.Meanwhile, the Taliban spokesman Qari Yosuf Ahmadi has tweeted that the military base in Chilgazi area of the district was taken over by the militant group.Elsewhere, Afghan Ministry of Defence claimed to have finally pushed the advancing Taliban out of Ghazni city after four days of deadly clashes.Ghafor Ahmad, the spokesman for the ministry, told the local Azadi Radio that 324 Taliban rebels, 70 policemen, 30 soldiers and 40 civilians got killed in these offensives.Anadolu Agency
Prominent Sheikh tortured to death in Saudi jail
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180814-prominent-sheikh-tortured-to-death-in-saudi-jail/
Prominent Islamic Scholar Sheikh Suleiman Dweesh has died under torture in a Saudi Arabian jail, AlKhaleejonline.com reported on Tuesday. According to a twitter account which documents and reports news of political detainees in the Kingdom, the Sheikh was arrested on 22 April, 2016.The fact that the full details of the treatment to which Sheikh Dweesh was exposed suggests that it was extremely inhumane. He was arrested less than a day after posting critical comments about Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman on social media.Ever since he was appointed as Crown Prince, Bin Salman has had thousands of political and religious opposition figures arrested. They include hundreds of Sharia scholars, intellectuals and prominent Sheikhs and university professors. Middleeastmonitor
Thousands of Daesh fighters remain in Syria, Iraq: UN
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/thousands-of-daesh-fighters-remain-in-syria-iraq-un/1230371
WASHINGTON:Despite their defeat, an estimated 20,000-30,000 Daesh fighters are still in Syria and Iraq, according to a UN report published Monday.The report on Daesh and Al-Qaeda, which was presented to the Security Council, said a smaller number of Daesh fighters had made their way to Afghanistan, where there are now 3,500-4,500 fighters. There are also 3,000-4,000 militants in Libya.The report further noted that although Daesh was militarily defeated in 2017, it was able to regroup early this year. Within Syria and Iraq, it has been able to revert its structure to that of a "covert network".While the Daesh threat may have been eliminated on the surface, the UN said there are still "sleeper cells" throughout Iraq, where it is able to launch attacks without controlling any territory.Meanwhile in Somalia, Yemen and South Asia, Al-Qaeda has been showing resiliency compared to Daesh. In Yemen, there are 6,000-7,000 Al-Qaeda fighters compared to 250-500 Daesh fighters.
Ethiopia: Paramilitaries 'kill at least 40' in Oromia region
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/ethiopia-paramilitaries-kill-40-oromia-region-180813192518949.html
At least 40 people were killed by paramilitary forces in eastern Ethiopia over the weekend, a senior regional official said, in the latest spate of violence driven by ethnic divisions. On Monday, Oromia regional administration's spokesman Negeri Lencho said heavily armed members of a paramilitary force from the Somali region had carried out cross-border attacks in Oromia's East Hararghe district."We still do not know why Liyu forces raided the areas on Saturday and Sunday," he said, referring to the paramilitary soldiers. "But we know that all the victims were ethnic Oromos.At least 40 were killed in attacks."Unrest first broke out along the border of the country's Somali and Oromia provinces in September, displacing nearly a million people, though the violence had subsided by April.aljazeera
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
‘Hindutva Is Better Described as a Movement of the Oppressive Minority’: Jean Dreze
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/14677/Hindutva-Is-Better-Described-as-a-Movement-of-the-Oppressive-Minority-Jean-Dreze
How Tricolour & Lion Emblem Really Came to Be:Laila Tyabji
https://thewire.in/history/india-national-flag-emblem-suraiya-badruddin-tyabji
‘No doubt that there are membership elements of RSS who have engaged in lynching’: Walter Andersen's interview
https://scroll.in/article/890264/no-doubt-that-there-are-membership-elements-of-rss-who-have-engaged-in-lynching-walter-andersen
Ruling Awami League must see that students’ protests reflected deep discontents:Ali Riaz, Distinguished Professor at Illinois State University, USA
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/seeking-justice-in-dhaka-bangladeshi-teenagers-protest-road-safety-5305195/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:26 PM)
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