NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
02 Dec. 2018:23 Rabiul-I 1440: Vol: 11, No:68
INDIA
After Congress’ accusation, Election Commission admits failure of CCTV camera at EVM strongroom
https://www.newsx.com/national/after-congress-accusation-election-commission-admits-failure-of-cctv-camera-at-evm-strongroom
Hours after the Congress accused the BJP of “an organised attempt to subvert the mandate”, the Election Commission on Saturday, admitted that there was an unprecedented power cut at a Bhopal strongroom where the CCTV cameras failed to function for an hour and where EVMs were stored just after the state assembly elections, resulting in a blackout which frowned the Opposition party, reported NDTV.EC also reportedly said that it has taken action against the official who allegedly did not hand over the EVMs immediately in Sagar and took two days to submit after the completion of single-phase state polls. The development came to light hours after a Congress delegation comprising-Manish Tiwari, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha and PL Punia met the election body in New Delhi to raise its concern over the over the security of EVMs inside strongrooms and counting of votes in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Earlier media reports said EC eventually asserted that there were no cases of EVM tampering, however, later it admitted that there were some procedural oversights.In a statement issued by the EC following the development, it said it has suspended Nayab Tehsildar Sri Rajesh Mehra for the delay in handling over the machines.Congress party leaders also expressed concern about many people carrying laptops and mobile phones, who sneaked into the strongrooms in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari assembly seats on the pretext of repairing CCTV cameras.As counting of votes in Maoist-affected Chattisgarh is imminent,the delegation submitted 4 suggestion to the election body, among them was crosschecking of postal ballots received from eligible voter.newsx
Election Body Admits Cameras Failed For Over An Hour At EVM Strongroom
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-congress-outcry-poll-body-admits-to-security-lapses-at-evm-store-rooms-1956510
In Assam, merging NRC updation with Aadhaar enrolment leads to fresh questions
https://scroll.in/article/902731/grey-area-assam-seeks-to-merge-nrc-claims-process-with-the-collection-of-biometric-data-for-aadhaar
Assam government will collaborate with the Unique Identification Authority of India, which runs Aadhaar, to collect the biometric data of people reapplying to the National Register of Citizens.About 40 lakh people were left out of the draft register published in July. They have filed fresh claims of citizenship, which will be heard by the officials responsible for updating the register. During the hearings, the biometric data of the applicants will be collected, according to a document laying out the standard operating procedure for the claims process: “During the course of the hearings of claims and objections, State Govt in collaboration with UIDAI will undertake the process of biometric enrolment of all the applicants of NRC. The biometric enrolment in respect of persons who are part of claims and those persons objected upon will be distinctive and separate ID will be generated. Once the final NRC has been published such persons who are included in the NRC will be given the usual Aadhaar number as applicable to legal residents in the country. In case a person already has Aadhaar number who is also a part of the claim or objected upon, his Aadhaar number will be obtained.” L Changsan, Assam’s home secretary, said the government and the Aadhaar authority are still working out the modalities. Those who do not make it to the final register cannot be barred from getting Aadhaar since the biometric ID is only a proof of residence and not connected to citizenship, she added. Under the Aadhaar Act, “any person who has resided in India for a period or periods amounting in all to 182 days or more in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment” is eligible for Aadhaar.It is not clear if the biometric data will be used to track the applicants who are not included in the register. Changsan has previously said those left out of the final list, and essentially declared non-citizens, can “move from one state to another – they can take up different identities”. The full details of what will happen to the biometric data of those who are rejected have not yet been finalised. “But some sort of interconnection would be there between Aadhaar platform and the NRC,” Changsan said. According to Aadhaar activists and lawyers, merging the citizen counting process and the collection of biometric data for Aadhaar strays into legally grey territory. The National Register of Citizens is governed by the Citizenship Act of 1955 and the Citizenship Rules of 2003. The citizenship statutes do not empower governments to collect biometric data, they pointed out, and the Aadhaar Act does not allow the UIDAI to collect biometric data for any purpose other than to generate the 12-digit identity number.scroll.in
Wanted in India, Zakir Naik says he has not broken any law
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/wanted-in-india-fiery-islamic-preacher-zakir-naik-says-he-has-not-broken-any-law/story-bIeDkdrhcVZBx1reg0FxLO.html
Dr Zakir Naik, wanted in his home country of India, said he has not broken any Indian law and was being targeted by the “enemies of Islam,” in a rare public speech in Malaysia where he has sought refuge.Naik, 53, is facing charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, where authorities last year said he has been “promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures”.He has been living in Malaysia, where he has permanent residency, since India started investigating him, but he has kept a low profile over the past year amid criticism that he is a threat to peace in multi-ethnic Malaysia.Naik said in a late Saturday speech in Kangar, capital of the north Malaysian state of Perlis, that he had never broken any Indian law.“But because I was spreading peace, I was giving solution for humanity, all the people who don’t like peace to prevail, they don’t like me,”he said, adding he was being targeted because of his work to spread Islam.“This doesn’t go down (well with) the enemies of Islam. Be it western countries or the country I was born in, India.” About 1,000 people turned up for Naik’s speech, along with the state’s chief minister, crown prince and religious officials.Reuters
Enemies of Islam Targeting Me:Zakir Naik
https://www.thequint.com/news/islamic-preacher-zakir-naik-says-being-targeted-by-enemies-of-islam
SC was not moving in right path under former CJI Dipak Misra: Justice Kurian Joseph
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-was-not-moving-in-right-path-under-former-cji-dipak-misra-justice-kurian-joseph/story-p5FUATXjs5zcm19hl2LoHK.html
New Delhi:After demitting office as Supreme Court judge, Justice Kurian Joseph, who was one of the 4 judges to go public against the functioning of then CJI Dipak Misra, said that the top court was not going in the right direction under Misra, reports ANI. On Jan.12, Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph, in a first of its kind press meet had said “unless Supreme Court is preserved, democracy will not survive.” They had alleged faulty “assignment of cases” and “sensitive cases being allotted to junior judges” by Justice Misra.Justice Joseph who retired on Nov.30 said, “We pointed that the Supreme Court was not going in right direction. Many aspects we brought in the notice of the then CJI(Dipak Misra) to put things on the proper path. Since there was no result, we thought there was no other option but to bring it to the notice of the nation,” reports ANI.“There was one other reason. My position has always been that there are two watchdogs, one of which is the media. We came out to let there be an awareness that we have done our best. Despite barking the master is in deep slumber. So we decided to bite,” he added, asserting that things have improved since then. “Institutional system and practices need to be put in place. It will take time,” Justice Joseph, who was then the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court said. hindustantimes
No one can even touch Gyan Vapi masjid: SC
https://www.siasat.com/news/no-one-can-even-touch-gyan-vapi-masjid-supreme-court-1440315/
New Delhi: Refusing to intervene in the Ganga-Kashi Vishwanath pathway project, the Supreme Court has asked petitioners who approached it with a plea to stay the on-going work on the project to not take any steps that would disrupt peace in the ancient city.A broad tree-lined pathway from the river to the temple complex has to be built under the project. The temple complex also includes a masjid. Some quarters fear that the masjid will be taken over on the pretext of demolition the properties around the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyan Vapi mosque complex.Jitendra Nath Vyas and Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani of Gyan Vapi masjid have filed the petition in Supreme Court against the district administration’s move to pull down the boundary wall between the two structures on Oct 25. They claim that this would have far-reaching “adverse consequences for peace, harmony and tranquillity existing between the two communities for decades.” The petitioners told the apex court that the two religious shrines stand next to each other inside the Gyan Vapi compound and the respective sides have entered into various agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) for the maintenance and upkeep of the complex. Siasat/HT
‘Note ban had absolutely no impact on black money. During polls we seized a record amount’: OP Rawat
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/op-rawat-cec-note-ban-black-money-polls-assembly-elections-mizoram-5474369/
Outgoing CEC O P Rawat explains what led to Mizoram CEO’s removal, admits social media a threat and that they are testing it in current polls, says EC will call for polls in J&K after assessing the climate, says India is ready but legal framework is needed for simultaneous elections, and expresses concern over electoral bonds. Appointed Chief Election Commissioner in January this year, OP Rawat has had a busy tenure, conducting nearly nine state elections in less than a year. Besides, his term also saw the Election Commission being dragged into controversies — from questions over delay in the press conference to announce dates for Assembly elections to 5 states in Oct, to allegations of deletion of voters in a Delhi constituency by the Aam Aadmi Party. A retired 1977- batch MP-cadre IAS officer, Rawat hands over charge to the new CEC, Sunil Arora, today. In an interview, Rawat said, "Note ban had absolutely no impact on black money. After demonetisation, we seized a record amount of money during elections. Even in elections to these five states, seizures have been close to Rs 200 crore. It shows that money during elections is coming from sources which are very influential and are not affected by such measures."indianexpress
Sunil Arora takes charge as Chief Election Commissioner
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sunil-arora-takes-charge-as-chief-election-commissioner/article25646950.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:Sunil Arora, a retired 1980-batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, took over as the new Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday.Arora, the senior-most Election Commissioner, succeeded O.P. Rawat, who demitted office on Saturday on completion of his tenure. As an IAS officer, Mr. Arora had held several key posts in the government. At the Secretary level, he served in the Information and Broadcasting Skill Development and Entrepreneurship ministries.thehindu
J&K administration mulls change in grant of Resident Certificates
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-administration-mulls-change-in-grant-of-resident-certificates-satya-pal-malik-5474605/
New Delhi:J&K administration under Governor Satya Pal Malik is believed to have set in motion a plan to bring in procedural changes in grant of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs). Apart from the fact that this is a sensitive issue in the state, this is the fourth significant move by a regime that is essentially caretaker after Malik dissolved the Assembly.A senior functionary in the administration, who didn’t want to be named, said “there was a feeling in Revenue Department that the existing process (of granting PRCs) has some impediments. They have been asked to tell us the impediments they are facing. The aim is to bring in transparency.” He added, “We are only consulting people within the administration because we had reports of undue delays in the grant of PRCs. We haven’t made any changes to the procedure as yet.”Article 35A empowers the J&K Assembly to define ‘permanent residents’ of the state. These residents are then eligible for special rights and privileges, which the legislature can provide. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a bunch of petitions seeking abrogation of the legislation, which was added by a Presidential Order in 1954 through Article 370 of the Constitution granting J&K special status, Political parties in the state alleged “political agenda” behind the Malik-led regime’s moves, including the latest, warning there would be “far-reaching consequences”.indianexpress
Kashmir parties criticise Governor Satya Pal Malik
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/kashmir-parties-criticise-governor-satya-pal-malik/article25645268.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar:A slew of decisions taken by the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday sparked sharp reactions from Jammu and Kashmir’s regional parties, which suspected that these moves were “motivated”.PDP leader and former State Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said his party warned the Governor’s administration against “fiddling with the existing State subject laws”.He described the administration’s move to amend rules of Jammu & Kashmir Protection of Human Rights Act — by virtue of which the State Human Rights Commission will be unable to investigate any complaint of human rights violation submitted one year after the incident — “an act beyond its mandate”.“Governor’s rule is a transitory arrangement and Governor Malik should avoid disrupting the existing laws and procedures. People here have been worst victims of human rights violations and there is no time-frame for the problems they have faced,” Mr. Haq said.Engineer Rashid, who heads the Awami Ittehad Party, said the order issued regarding SHRC functioning “should be immediately revoked”.thehindu
Hurriyat meeting disallowed
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/hurriyat-meeting-disallowed/article25645310.ece?homepage=true
SRINAGAR:Hurriyat faction chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest at Nigeen when he started for the party headquarters in Srinagar on Saturday.“We were having a one-day Hurriyat workers’ session and it was barred. Rajbagh office was also sealed. I am not allowed any space or scope for any political activity. So much for practising honest democracy, Governor sahab,” said the Mirwaiz.A Hurriyat spokesman said senior leaders like Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Mukhtar Ahmed Waza were scheduled to meet at the party headquarters. “But before they could, all the lanes and by-lanes were sealed by police.”thehindu
2 accused in Gauri Lankesh case held for Govind Pansare killing
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-accused-in-gauri-lankesh-case-held-for-govind-pansare-killing-5474551/
Pune: SIT of Kolhapur Police, which is probing the murder of Communist leader Govind Pansare, has arrested 2 of the accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh. The duo, identified as Bharat Kurne and Vasudev Suryavanshi, were produced before a court in Kolhapur on Saturday. Judicial Magistrate (first class) S A Mali remanded the duo in police custody till Dec. 7.Pansare and his wife Uma were shot by two assailants while they were returning home from their morning walk in Kolhapur, on Feb.16, 2015. Pansare had died of his injuries a few days later. Uma sustained a bullet injury but survived.SIT took Kurne and Suryavanshi into custody on Saturday. Prosecution lawyer Shivajirao Rane told the court that the duo were involved in the conspiracy to kill Pansare and investigation was on to ascertain the “responsibilities” given to them to carry out the murder. Rane told the court that probe has revealed Suryavanshi gave a motorcycle to Dr Virendra Tawade, a Sanatan Sanstha seeker who was arrested by SIT in August 2016. Rane said an investigation has to be conducted to ascertain how Suryavanshi provided the motorcycle to Tawade and what happened to the vehicle later.indianexpress
Dissent is normal to civilisation, cannot be equated to ‘terrorism’: Romila Thapar
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dissent-is-normal-to-civilisation-cannot-be-equated-to-terrorism-romila-thapar-5474283/
New Delhi:Dissent is normal to any civilisation and it cannot be equated to “terrorism”, noted historian Romila Thapar said Saturday, expressing concern over attacks on those fighting for the rights of the underprivileged. Speaking at a public discussion ‘Dissent and Democracy’, Thapar, one of the five petitioners in Bhima- Koregaon case, said, “Suppression of dissent is not a new development, but it has become more frequent of late.”Joining the debate Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan and veteran journalist N Ram expressed disappointment over the higher judiciary’s decisions in cases where activists fighting for the rights of people were charged under laws like the NSA, UAPA and Armed Forces Special Powers Act.indianexpress
Will start countrywide agitation against atrocities on Dalits: Chandrashekhar Azad
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/will-start-countrywide-agitation-against-atrocities-on-dalits-chandrashekhar-azad-5474076/
Muzaffarnagar: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad said Saturday he would start a countrywide agitation against “atrocities” on Dalits and demanded the withdrawal of cases against the community during an agitation early this year. Azad, also known as Ravan, was addressing Bhim Army activists who staged a dharna in front of the Muzaffarnagar collectorate in Uttar Pradesh. The Dalit leader alleged that the BJP-led state government was taking action against innocent Dalits and false cases had been registered against members of the community during a Bharat Bandh on April 2.Some Dalit groups called the bandh in protest against a Supreme Court judgement in March that ruled out immediate arrests in cases under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Twelve people were killed in violence during the bandh. Azad demanded the withdrawal of the cases registered during the Dalit agitation and asked for compensation to the families of the deceased who were killed in police firing. Bhim Army chief announced that his organisation would start a nationwide agitation against atrocities on Dalits and said they began their agitation from Muzaffarnagar on Saturday. The Dalit leader also hit out at the district authorities for not allowing their meeting here.PTI
BJP not thinking of Ram Mandir ordinance as of now, says Kailash VijayvargiyaIndia
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bjp-not-thinking-of-ram-mandir-ordinance-as-of-now-says-kailash-vijayvargiya/324472
Kolkata: BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has said that his party was not thinking of bringing an ordinance "as of now" for construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. He, however, asserted that it was only the saffron party that could construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya as "no one else has the guts" to do it.According to him, the temple issue did "more harm than good" to the BJP as the matter was being used by the opposition "to terrorise minorities and polarise votes". "We would appeal to the court once again for a verdict on the issue (Ram Mandir). When a matter is in court, we should not be in a hurry and give it enough time to take a decision."But if people's aspirations keep increasing, the government will have to take a call on it (whether to bring ordinance or not). As of now, the party is not thinking of bringing in an ordinance on construction of temple," Vijayvargiya told PTI.PTI
Hurt by Congress silence, Muslims say choice between kuan, khai
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hurt-by-congress-silence-muslims-say-choice-between-kuan-khai-5474608/
Nagaur :In the state where the lynching of Pehlu Khan in Alwar in April last year by a mob that accused him of “cow smuggling” sparked nation-wide outrage, and the police investigation subsequently cleared six men Khan had named as his assailants in his dying declaration, and where the same crime stalks more victims, you hear the disclaimer over and over again: Rajasthan does not have a communal problem, they say, everything is fine here between Hindus and Muslims. The denials of an increasing communal polarisation end outside the Muslim mohalla.In Mohalla Chopdaran, in the heart of the tiny town of Jhunjhunu, a group of young Muslim men talk of an increase in “bhed bhaav (discrimination)” and intolerance. Mohammad Ali, a salesman, says the conversation has changed: “Earlier, when we got together with our Hindu friends, we would talk about business and other things. Now the online hate campaigns hang over our interactions with each other.”They describe WhatsApp messages that feel like a whiplash — like the one that carried an exhortation to Hindus not to eat in Muslim homes this Eid, amid gory images of cow meat.About six months ago, a drunken sparring between two childhood friends, one Hindu and the other Muslim, flared into something nastier and bigger in a neighbouring locality. Processions were taken out, they recall, and slogans were raised: “Hindustan mein rehna hai toh (If you want to live in Hindustan)….”Mohammad Aslam says he used to take calves from Jhunjhunu to Delhi, sell them in Ghazipur, carrying on a family business. “I stopped because it became difficult. There was the threat of the mob, there could be violence, and we saw that police would not come to our rescue. My brother was beaten up. Since two years, I have been forced to look for work as a daily wage labourer.” indianexpress
BSF Report Flags ‘Radicalisation Of Muslims’ at Jaisalmer Border
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bsf-study-says-muslim-radicalisation-at-jaisalmer-border
A study by BSF has reportedly raised concerns over the increasing radicalisation of Muslims along the border of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, The Times of India reported on Saturday.According to the report, a BSF study found that there was a 22-25 percent growth rate in Muslim population compared to the 8-10 percent growth among other communities. The survey was carried out across 6 villages in Jaisalmer – Mohangarh, Nachna, Bahla, Bharewala, Sam, Tanot and Pokhran. Changes were reportedly noticed in the hairstyles and dresses worn by the residents, who are moving away from traditional Rajasthani culture and leaning towards ‘Arab customs’, the report said. It added that even the interaction between the Hindu and Muslim communities in the region has reduced.Although the study warns about radicalisation, there is no evidence of anti-national activities in the area.The Quint
An ICIJ-Express investigation: J&J advertised their surgeries ‘live’, then it all went wrong
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/an-icij-express-investigation-jj-advertised-their-surgeries-live-then-it-all-went-wrong-5474611/
New Delhi :The world over, global medical majors resort to a popular promotional strategy — “live surgeries” — to advertise their products and persuade doctors to push them. With top surgeons conducting these surgeries, that are telecast live to doctors, and the publicity that comes with it, it’s a win-win for all.Except when things go wrong.Horribly wrong, as in the case of patients who underwent live hip replacement surgeries to implant ASR metal devices manufactured by global major Johnson & Johnson.In 2010, Johnson & Johnson issued a global recall of these ASR devices, many of which were found to be “faulty” with numerous complaints of toxic fluid seepage. In India, The Sunday Express found, the recall left behind a number of patients who went under the scalpel at these live surgeries — and now regret every moment under the spotlight.During its Implant Files investigation on the unregulated medical bazaar, in collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), The Indian Express crisscrossed the country to trace the “victims” of this promotional campaign.And zoomed in on three telling cases: a retired civic body official in Rajkot, a former employee of an automobile giant in Pune, and a government school teacher in Faridkot. indianexpress
WORLD
Erdogan demands Saudis extradite suspects in Khashoggi killing
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/erdogan-demands-saudis-extradite-suspects-khashoggi-killing-181201224111180.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan demanded on Saturday that Saudi Arabia extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the kingdom was not cooperating. At a summit of the Group of 20 in Buenos Aires, the Turkish leader took a firm tone on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Saudi Arabia has announced the detention of 18 nationals and vowed to probe the killing of Khashoggi, a royal confidant turned critic who was killed and dismembered when he visited the kingdom's Istanbul consulate on October 2 to handle paperwork for his planned wedding."It's essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have," Erdogan told reporters."Whoever has ordered and implemented this violent crime should be found out at once. Unless the perpetrators are found out, the whole world and the Islamic community shall not be satisfied."Erdogan said the Saudis have refused to help Turkish prosecutors who sought information including the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body and the identities of accomplices said to have supported the visiting Saudi hit squad.The Turkish leader, who has been vying for influence in the region with Saudi Arabia, said he did "not wish to cause any damage" to the royal family. aljazeera
Israel police recommend PM Netanyahu be charged with bribery
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/israel-police-recommend-pm-netanyahu-charged-bribery-181202085100719.html
Israeli police have said their investigation has found sufficient evidence for bribery and fraud charges to be brought against PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, in a third corruption case against the leader. Authorities on Sunday alleged Netanyahu awarded regulatory favours to Bezeq, Israel's largest telecommunications group, in return for more positive coverage of him and his wife on Bezeq's subsidiary news website, Walla."These recommendations were determined and leaked even before the investigations began,"Netanyahu said."I'm sure that in this case the relevant authorities, after examining the issue, will reach the same conclusion: that there was nothing because there is nothing."Attorney general will now decide whether to bring indictments in the case.If charged, the 4-term prime minister would be facing one of the greatest challenges to his political survival.Despite his dominance of Israeli politics, the newest police recommendation comes just after his right-wing coalition's majority was reduced to a precarious one seat in parliament.aljazeera
US, China declare trade war ceasefire after Trump, Xi summit
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/china-declare-trade-war-ceasefire-trump-xi-summit-181202031620261.html
China and the US have agreed to halt additional tariffs as both countries engage in new trade negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement within 90 days, the White House said on Saturday.The breakthrough came after a dinner meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires.Trump agreed not to boost tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods to 25% on Jan.1 as previously announced, while Beijing agreed to buy an unspecified but "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products, White House said.China "is open to approving the previously unapproved" deal for US company Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) to acquire Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors (NXPI.O)"should it again be presented".aljazeera
China's Uighur Muslims told to share bed, meals with govt-appointed Han relatives as party infiltrates homes to spy on community
https://www.firstpost.com/india/chinas-uighur-muslims-told-to-share-bed-meals-with-govt-appointed-han-relatives-as-party-infiltrates-homes-to-spy-on-community-5652251.html
Istanbul: 2 women in the photograph were smiling, but Halmurat Idris knew something was terribly wrong.One was his 39-year-old sister; standing at her side was an elderly woman Idris did not know. Their grins were tight-lipped, mirthless. Her sister had posted the picture on a social media account along with a caption punctuated by a smiley-face.“Look, I have a Han Chinese mother now!” his sister wrote. Idris knew instantly: The old woman was a spy, sent by the Chinese govt to infiltrate his family.There are many like her. According to the ruling Communist Party’s official newspaper, as of the end of Sept.1.1 million local government workers have been deployed to ethnic minorities’ living rooms, dining areas and Muslim prayer spaces, not to mention at weddings, funerals and other occasions once considered intimate and private.All this is taking place in China’s far west region of Xinjiang, home to the predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uighurs, who have long reported discrimination at the hands of the country’s majority Han Chinese.AP
1 killed over 170 injured in factional clash among two factions of Tableeghi Jamaat
https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2018/12/01/fes42-bangla-sunnis-clash.html
Dhaka:A septuagenarian man was killed and over 170 people injured Saturday in a clash between supporters of two factions of Tableeghi Jamaat, a India-based Sunni Muslim organisations, over establishing dominance at a congregation organised here, police said. The factional clash disrupted the traffic movement on a major highway linking Dhaka with northwestern regions, they said. The Tableeghi Jamaat is one of the largest organisations of Sunni Muslims in the Indian subcontinent with its headquarters, referred to as the Markaz, in New Delhi. Attempts to establish dominance on the ijtema ground on the banks of the Turag river at Tongi district on the outskirts of Dhaka triggered the clash, he said.According to police, the clashes erupted as followers of one of the factions led by Tabligh Jamaat's Delhi Markaz leader Moulana Mohammed Saad Kandhalvi began to march towards the Ijtema ground for a five-day congregation ahead of the annual main event earlier planned for January.The Bangladesh's Election Commission had banned any kind of congregation at Tongi Ijtema field till the December 30 general election, following a petition by the opponent Deoband group.The members of the Deoband faction led by Moulana Zubayer took up positions around the Tongi field and the nearby areas to prevent supporters of the other group from entering into the main ground, prompting the clash. PTI
Worst riot in a decade engulfs Paris
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/worst-riot-in-a-decade-engulfs-paris-macron-vows-action/articleshow/66905662.cms
Paris: France’s most violent urban riot in more than a decade engulfed some of central Paris on Saturday as “yellow jacket” activists torched cars, smashed windows, looted stores and tagged the Arc de Triomphe with multi-colored graffiti.Protesters angry about rising taxes and the high cost of living clashed with French riot police, who closed off some of the city’s most popular tourist areas and fired tear gas and water cannon as they tried to quell the mayhem in the streets.According to police 133 people have been injured and 412 have been arrested. Police said on Sunday that those injured during Saturday's protest included 23 police officers.They say 378 of the arrested have been put in police custody after the violence that tore apart parts of central Paris.French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the violence from G-20 summit in Argentina, saying those who attacked police and vandalized the Arc de Triomphe will be “held responsible for their acts.” He said he will hold an emergency govt meeting Sunday on the protests." (Violence)has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of a legitimate anger” and “no cause justifies” attacks on police or pillaging stores and burning buildings, Macron said in Buenos Aires. He refused to answer any questions from journalists about the situation in Paris.AP
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
What was the ‘personal favour’ done to the NSA in Dubai?Uttam Sengupta
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/what-was-the-personal-favour-done-to-the-nsa-in-dubai
Dalit communities: The deafening voices of the ‘silenced’ in India: Badri Narayan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/dalit-communities-the-deafening-voices-of-the-silenced-in-india
India’s GDP Debate: What Explains Reduced Growth Rates Under the UPA?R. Nagaraj
https://thewire.in/macro/indias-gdp-debate-what-explains-reduced-growth-rates-under-the-upa
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 4:57 PM)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a comment