NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
19 Feb. 2019: 13 Jamadiul-II 1440:Vol:11, No:132
INDIA: PULWAMA AFTERMATH
Pulwama: Imran promises action if evidence given, warns against war; says understand it is India’s poll year, blaming Pak will make it easier to get votes
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pulwama-attack-imran-khan-warns-against-war-promises-action-if-india-gives-evidence/article26310864.ece?homepage=true
Pakistan is ready to help India investigate the deadliest blast in Kashmir in decades, but will retaliate if New Delhi attacks, PM Imran Khan said today. “Pakistan won't just think to retaliate. Pakistan will retaliate,” he said in a televised address.Khan went on to demand New Delhi share proof of Islamabad's involvement in the suicide blast. Khan said he understood it was India’s election year and the narrative of blaming Pakistan would make it easier to get votes from the masses but he hoped that better sense would prevail and that India would be open for dialogue. He continued, "New Delhi held Islamabad responsible each time an incident happened in Kashmir and made Pakistan its “whipping boy” again and again. The Kashmir issue, like the Afghan issue, will be resolved through talks. If you have any actionable intelligence that a Pakistani is involved. Give it to us. I guarantee you we will take action - not because we are under pressure, but because they are acting as enemies of Pakistan.I have been hearing and seeing on the Indian media that politicians there are calling for revenge from Pakistan. If India thinks it will attack Pakistan, then we will not just think but retaliate. Starting a war is in our hands, it is easy. But ending a war, that is not in our hands and no one knows what will happen.Its not in our interests that somebody from here goes out to do terrorism, nor that somebody comes here and does terrorism.I say it clearly this is a new Pakistan and a new mindset. India talks about including terrorism in dialogue with Pakistan. Terrorism is a big issue facing this region and we want to eliminate it. If someone is using Pakistan’s soil [to carry out terror attacks elsewhere], it is enmity with us. It is against our interests." Khan said he did not respond to India’s allegations as he was busy with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the country. “India accused Pakistan without any evidence and without thinking how this [attack] would benefit us. Would even a fool try to sabotage such an important visit as that of the Saudi crown prince” he asked. “We have been fighting against terrorism for the past 15 years. How will Pakistan benefit from such incidents? Kashmiris are not afraid of death anymore. There must be a reason for that. Should there not be a discussion in India on this? Which law in the world allows everyone to become a judge and jury?,” he said.Questioning whether India “wants to resolve issue through military”, he said, “This has never been a successful measure.” Earlier in the day, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi pleaded with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to intervene, saying India was threatening to “use force against Pak” and abandon a vital water treaty.PTI /AFP
Imran warns India against retaliatory action: Full text
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-pulwama-attack-crpf-kashmir-blast-jawans-killed-india-5591184/
Crown Prince MBS Flies to Riyadh First as India Objects to Direct Arrival from Pak
https://www.news18.com/news/india/crown-prince-mbs-flies-to-riyadh-first-as-india-objects-to-direct-arrival-from-pakistan-amid-pulwama-tensions-2040979.html
New Delhi: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, popularly known as MBS, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday at the start of his tour of South Asia, but returned to Saudi Arabia on Monday,PTI quoted sources as saying, adding that New Delhi had reservations over his coming to India from Pakistan. Ahead of the visit by Crown Prince, Saudi's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said in Islamabad on Monday that Riyadh will try to "de-escalate" tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the attack in Pulwama. Official sources said Saudi was no longer accepting Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir and cross border terrorism and that India will forcefully raise the issue of Pakistan's support to terror groups during delegation level talks between PM Narendra Modi and Crown Prince tomorrow. They said the joint statement to be issued after talks between the two sides is likely to have strong reference about terrorism and ways to deal with it. Secretary, Economic Affairs in External Affairs Ministry TS Tirumurti said both sides are expected to sign 5 agreements in areas of investment, tourism, housing and information and broadcasting during the Saudi leader's visit.Official sources said there has been a "change" in the way Saudi looked at relations between India and Pakistan and that powerful Gulf nation has a better understanding of the cross-border terrorism. "As part of this engagement, we are finalizing the setting up of 'Strategic Partnership Council' between the two countries at ministerial level. We are confident that this will give greater thrust to our strategic partnership and take forward our discussions in a focussed and action-oriented manner," Tirumurti said.India's bilateral trade with Saudi was USD 27.48 billion in 2017-18,making it 4th largest trading partner.News18
Saudi’s position on J&K, terror has evolved: India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/saudi-arabias-position-on-jk-terror-has-evolved-india/articleshow/68053511.cms
'Trade,investment' to top Saudi crown prince's visit
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/investment-top-saudi-crown-prince-india-visit-190218194521839.html
India wants Masood on UN blacklist, Saudi-Pak joint statement is a snub
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pulwama-attack-india-wants-jem-masood-azhar-on-un-blacklist-saudi-pak-joint-statement-is-a-snub-5590181/
A day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lands in Delhi for a bilateral visit, Riyadh signed off on a joint statement with Pakistan Monday where they said there was a need to avoid “politicisation of UN listing regime” — an apparent reference to India’s efforts to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist”.It puts a stamp of approval on Pakistan’s narrative that India is trying to politicise UN listing process.Hours before the joint statement, MEA Secretary TS Tirumurti, who handles ties with the country, said that the Kingdom has shown “greater understanding” of India’s terrorism-related concerns and has agreed to work with India in countering this global menace.But the joint statement did not reflect these sensitivities as it not only praised Pakistan’s “achievements” in the war against terrorism but was also seen to be backing Islamabad on the listing regime.“Kingdom of Saudi and Pakistan reiterated their commitment to continue combating extremism and terrorism and expressed their deep appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices made by the two sides in the war against terrorism.They also applauded the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to confront this serious scourge and called on international community to shoulder its responsibilities to join all international efforts to combat global terrorism. They also underlined the need for avoiding politicization of UN listing regime,” the joint statement said. Saudi Prince “praised openness and efforts of Imran Khan for dialogue with India and the opening of the Kartarpur crossing point for Sikh pilgrims, the joint statement said.It also pointed out to the “efforts exerted by both sides, stressing that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region to resolve outstanding issues”.indian express
Israel offers unconditional help to India to defend itself, especially against terror: Envoy
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/israel-offers-unconditional-help-to-india-to-defend-itself-especially-against-terror-envoy/articleshow/68063203.cms
New Delhi:Israel has offered unconditional help to India in defending itself, especially against terrorism, asserting that "there is no limit" to its assistance, an assurance which assumes significance amid demands that the Govt should consider Israeli-type retaliation to terror strikes. The comments by newly-appointed Israeli envoy Dr Ron Malka came in response to a question on up to what extent Jerusalem will go to help India which has been a victim of terrorism."Whatever India needs to defend itself there is no limit. We are here to help our close friend India to defend itself specially against terrorism, because terrorism is the problem of the world and not only of India and Israel," Malka told PTI.He said, "So, we help India, share our knowledge, share our technique because we really want to help our really important friend." 52-year old Malka, who was in Israeli military service from where he retired with the rank of Full Colonel, said PM Benjamin Netanyahu told him that India was a very "important partner, very important friend and he wants to collaborate to enhance ties and deepen them ... to share our knowledge."PTI
‘Jaish leadership in Kashmir Valley eliminated within 100 hrs of Pulwama attack’:Army
https://scroll.in/latest/913803/jaish-e-mohammad-leadership-in-kashmir-valley-eliminated-within-100-hours-of-pulwama-attack-army
Militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad is nothing but a “child” of the Pakistan Army, and there is no doubt that Islamabad “100%” had a role in the attack in Pulwama last week, Indian Army said today.Army said that the top leadership of the outfit in the Kashmir Valley had been eliminated within 100 hours of the attack. 3 militants affiliated to the extremist group were killed in a 17-hour gunfight with security forces in Pulwama on Monday. 4 soldiers were also killed in the gun battle, including a major. Army’s Chinar Corps Commander Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon warned youth in Kashmir: “You pick up a gun, and you are dead – unless you surrender. This is a message and request to all the mothers of Kashmir. There is a very good surrender policy made by Govt so that they can come back into the mainstream.”Dhillon said Jaish-e-Mohammad is controlled by Pak Army and the spy agency ISI. scroll.in
Bajrang Dal ‘warning’ to Darul Uloom, madrassas: Expel all Kashmiri students or we will deal with them
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/bajrang-dal-warning-to-darul-uloom-madrassas-expel-all-kashmiri-students-or-we-will-deal-with-them/articleshow/68054380.cms
Muzaffarnagar:Activists of Bajrang Dal have now asked Islamic seminary Darul Uloom and all other madrassas in Deoband to “expel all Kashmiri students immediately”. In a video message, Bajrang Dal’s local convenor Vikas Tyagi said:“All Kashmiri students who are studying in Darul Uloom and other madrassas in Deoband should be expelled.Or, we know how to deal with them”. According to an estimate, there are over 2,000 Kashmiri students in Darul Uloom and scores of other seminaries across Deoband. Sources say that they have stopped venturing out of seminary premises due to fear. Activists of a right wing outfit gathered in Saharanpur,where a large number of people from Kashmir live, and issued an appeal asking them to leave the city “immediately”.“Go where you belong to, go to Kashmir or Pakistan.Otherwise, we will send you there,”said Vijaykant Chauhan, convenor of Vande Mataram Mishan. According to sources, holding Tricolours,he and his associates went door-to-door in the area and asked landlords to “throw out” Kashmiris. TOI
Muzaffarnagar:Bajrang Dal, VHP men vandalize BSA's office over WhatsApp post on Pulwama
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/bajrang-dal-warning-to-darul-uloom-madrassas-expel-all-kashmiri-students-or-we-will-deal-with-them/articleshow/68054380.cms
Muzaffarnagar: Hundreds of activists of local right wing groups on Monday vandalised the office of Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) in Muzaffarnagar after a social media post, allegedly shared by the officer, claimed that the attack on CRPF convoy “didn’t happen, but it was engineered”. BSA Dinesh Yadav could not be reached for his comments as he is on a leave. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the district administration was quick to order a probe into it. ADM Amit Singh said: “An investigation against BSA has been ordered by the district magistrate. Action will be taken accordingly.” However, by that time, the screenshot of the WhatsApp text was shared widely. On Monday, hundreds of Bajrang Dal men and activists of other right wing outfits vandalized his office. Soon, police was called and it used “mild force” to disperse the agitators. TOI
Protests against Kashmiri students:’ Mob wanted it so dean was suspended:’Dehradun college head
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pulwama-attack-kashmiri-students-asked-to-leave-mob-wanted-it-so-dean-was-suspended-says-head-of-dehradun-college-5590191/
Dehradun:AS more colleges asked their Kashmiri students to temporarily leave the city, one institute suspended its Dean because a protesting mob demanded it.Aabid Majeed Kuchay, Dean,Academics, at Dehradun-based Alpine College of Management, was placed under suspension on Saturday after a crowd of Hindutva groups including the ABVP, Bajrang Dal and VHP, demanded that Kuchay, a Kashmiri, be fired.An estimated 3,000 students from Kashmir currently attend colleges and institutes in Dehradun. Hundreds have left the city over the past 3 days fearing backlash after the Pulwama terror attack. “For the safety of the college and the Kashmiri students in it, I asked college authorities to suspend me,” Kuchay, who is from Kaddar in Kashmir’s Kulgam district, said.When contacted, Alpine college chairman Anil Saini said: “Mob was so aggressive that we had to give in to their demands.”indianexpress
FIR Against JNU Scholar Shehla Rashid for Tweet on Kashmiri Girls 'Trapped' in Dehradun Hostel
https://www.news18.com/news/india/jnu-scholar-shehla-rashid-booked-by-dehradun-police-for-spreading-rumours-in-wake-of-pulwama-attack-2041005.html
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-jnu-scholar-shehla-rashid-booked-for-spreading-rumours-fear-on-social-media-post-pulwama/325753
Dehradun: Shehla Rashid, a JNU research scholar and activist, was booked by Dehradun Police on Monday for allegedly spreading rumours and fear on Twitter, in the wake of the Pulwama attack.Amid reports of Kashmiri students being harassed and assaulted in parts of the country, Rashid in a tweet, said, 15 to 20 Kashmiri women students were “trapped” in a Dehradun hostel, while a mob of angry people standing outside demanded their expulsion. She added, police was present at the spot, but was “unable to disperse the mob”.However, Uttarakhand Police dispelled all “rumours” in a tweet on Sunday, clarifying that the Kashmiris were not trapped in a hostel. Omar Abdullah said on Twitter that by filing the case against Rashid, the Uttarakhand police had shown that they would rather "take sides than deliver justice by upholding the law". Shah Faesal, who quit IAS, also tweeted against Rashid being booked by police.News18/PTI
Police maintain vigil after slogans seeking Kashmiris’ expulsion from Panipat college
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/police-maintain-vigil-after-slogans-seeking-kashmiris-expulsion-from-panipat-college-5590231/
Gurgaon:Students from Kashmir at Geeta Engineering College in Haryana’s Panipat district had a harrowing 24 hours from Sunday night to Monday evening after some men from a village in the area allegedly raised slogans during a candlelight march, demanding that their names be struck off the rolls. “There was a candlelight march that was held by residents of a village here and some people raised slogans demanding that Kashmiris be expelled. Although police resolved the problem then, college authorities suggested we return to our homes because they were concerned that the situation could escalate,”said Mohsin Shafi, BTech student from Kashmir. Police have said they are keeping an eye on the matter. SP said,“We are keeping vigil and will ensure the situation remains calm.” indian express
College suspends 6 Kashmiri students: MP youth tries to slit hand, chants ‘Jai Shri Ram’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/college-suspends-6-kashmiri-students-mp-youth-tries-to-slit-hand-chants-jai-shri-ram-to-avoid-arrest-5590219/
Bhopal :A 20-year-old tried to slit his hand, praised India and raised slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” to escape police action for glorifying the militant who carried out the Pulwama attack as a “hunter”, and calling the slain CRPF troopers a “prey” in a Facebook post.Monty alias Mohsin Khan was bleeding from his left hand, apparently from wounds made using a razor, as the police arrested him from Pali in Umaria district on Monday.Local Bajrang Dal activists had approached the Birsinghpur Pali police station on Saturday after they saw the post and demanded that Monty be booked. They also reached his home but Monty had managed to escape.AK Jha, in-charge of Pali police station, said the youth apologised for his remark and tried to placate the angry local residents by praising India and with slogans like “Jai Shri Ram”.Police have booked Monty for provoking riots and for causing disharmony between two religious groups. Meanwhile, a nursing college in Bhopal suspended 6 Kashmiri students after receiving a complaint that they posted anti-national content related to the Pulwama attack on social media. indian express
‘Leave within 48 hours’: Bikaner administration orders Pakistanis in city
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/leave-within-48-hours-bikaner-administration-orders-pakistanis-in-city/story-vZ6nCQhQBOsYT8wULuih4M.html
Rajasthan: DM and collector of Bikaner has issued an order directing all Pakistan nationals to leave Bikaner district within 48 hours.In an order issued on Monday, Collector Kumar Pal Gautam also restricted any direct or indirect trade, employment and exchange of classified information with any Pakistani national.The order also states that Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to stay at any hotel, residences and even in hospitals within the revenue limits of Bikaner district.According to the order, police, intelligence and security agencies have observed an intense aggressiveness among locals towards Pakistan after Pulwama attack that could be harmful for Pakistani nationals as well as the internal security. The collector also banned the use of Pakistan-registered SIM cards in the district. This order will be effective for two months or till the date of prior cancellation.HT
Pulwama Attack: Protect Innocent Kashmiris:Minorities Commission
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/message-should-not-go-across-that-kashmiris-are-being-singled-out-for-retaliation-says-national-commission-for-minorities_in_5c6a9c07e4b01757c36dabc9
New Delhi:National Commission for Minorities is concerned about the attacks on students and traders from Kashmir residing outside the valley, especially about the message that singling them out for attacks will send across India as well as among residents of the valley, Chairman Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi said.Rizvi has previously served as the state president of the UP BJP’s unit’s Minority Morcha.He also said that he had raised this issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a “telephonic talk” on Saturday after television news reported the attacks in Dehradun and was assured that an advisory had already been issued to the Director Generals of Police of all states about providing security.huffingtonpost
Lawyer moves SC for judicial probe into Uri, Pulwama attacks
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/lawyer-moves-sc-for-judicial-probe-into-uri-pulwama-terror-attacks/730985.html
New Delhi:A Delhi-based lawyer has moved the Supreme Court seeking a judicial probe into terror attacks in Uri and Pulwama in which Indian security forces suffered huge casualties.In his petition, advocate Vineet Dhanda demanded the Govt should freeze all bank accounts belonging to All Parties Hurriyat Conference and their leaders and submit an action taken report before the top court. He also sought a direction to debar APHC and other anti-national parties from contesting the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.Dhanda wanted the top court to direct the Govt to constitute a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge and having officials from the Army, intelligence and local administration to inquiry into the Uri and Pulwama attacks and find out the lapses.The petitioner wanted lapses to be detected at local level as also the role played by Indian nationals in helping the terrorists from Pakistan in executing these attacks.Dhanda accused Govt of J&K of not taking enough strict action to control lawlessness in the state and ignoring incidents of stone pelting on the armed forces."Tribune India
‘Boycott Kashmiris’: Meghalaya Governor Roy’s tweet sparks row
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/boycott-kashmiris-meghalaya-governor-tathagata-roy-s-tweet-sparks-row-omar-ambullah-has-a-question/story-TZyBapeNURkY8ssuQWMm2I.html
New Delhi:Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy has sparked a controversy again with his tweets. Citing a retired colonel, without disclosing the officer’s identity, Roy said he is “inclined to agree” to boycott Kashmiri traders in other parts of the country and tourism in the state.Roy wrote on Twitter, “An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir, don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri. I am inclined to agree.”Roy’s comments on the micro-blogging site drew sharp reaction from former J&K CM Omar Abdullah. He said, “These are the bigots driving Kashmir over the abyss. While you are at it, Tathagata why don’t you stop using our rivers to generate your electricity as well?” HT
Muslims in India posted accha hua on social media while our jawans died: BJP MLA Raja Singh
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/muslims-in-india-accha-hua-social-media-jawans-died-bjp-mla-raja-singh-1459194-2019-02-18
Hyderabad:All the Muslims in India took to social media to say "accha hua" when our jawans were dying, a BJP MLA from Telangana has said while reacting to the Pulwama attack. MLA T Raja Singh, who is known for his controversial and provocative speeches, was speaking at a public event when he said, "All Muslims in India took to social media to say 'Accha Hua' when our jawans were dying."Raja Singh asked PM Narendra Modi to give "us freedom for 10 minutes and we will eliminate every terrorist."Raja Singh also called for an all out war against Pakistan. He said, "The future generations of Indians should ask where Pakistan used to exist."india today
SIO expresses concern over Pulwama attack
https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/sio-expresses-concern-over-pulwama-attack-119021900042_1.html
Expressing concerns over Pulwama attack, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has offered condolences to families of the slain soldiers.SIO Goa Unit President Suheb Naik said, "It is extremely disheartening and painful to hear the sad loss of 44 CRPF soldiers. We condemn every terrorist action in the strongest terms. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all soldiers killed in the attack and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."Further emphasizing the need to stay united he added, "We appreciate the move by the Govt of India to carry out a thorough investigation into the reasons for the attack, uncovering the truth behind the incident. It is important that in times like this we all stand together united and not let anybody break the peace and harmony that exists among us. It is essential that we don't fall prey to any false news being circulated through the social platform."ANI
Hurriyat leader Ansari wants security cover withdrawn
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hurriyat-leader-mohammad-abass-ansari-wants-security-cover-withdrawn-5590151/
Srinagar:A day after the Govt decided to withdraw the security cover of 3 separatist leaders in the Valley, Hurriyat leader Mohammad Abass Ansari has demanded that his security cover be taken away as well.Ansari, who heads Ittehadul Muslimeen, constituent of Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat, has written to J&K Police to withdraw his security cover. indian express
RSS wing wants ‘hurdles’ for Chinese firms in country
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-wing-wants-hurdles-for-chinese-firms-in-country-pulwama-attack-masood-azhar-5590148/
New Delhi:Pointing out that Beijing continues to block New Delhi’s attempts to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), economic wing of RSS, urged PM Narendra Modi to ban Chinese companies in the country to prevent “economic gain of any nation or individual that directly or tacitly supports such terrorists”. SJM specifically called for banning Chinese telecom companies, 5G equipment, and social media apps such as TikTok and Helo, as alleged child pornography and “anti-national activities” are carried on on these platforms. indian express
OTHERS
Murders of religious minorities go unpunished: HRW
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/world/asia/india-cow-religious-attacks.html
New Delhi:Indian authorities have delayed investigating a wave of vigilante-style murders of religious minorities, with many instead working to justify the attacks or file charges against some of the victims’ families, according to a report released today by Human Rights Watch.104-page report said that since PM Narendra Modi’s governing BJP was elected in 2014, attacks led by so-called cow protection groups have jumped sharply. Between May 2015 and Dec. 2018, at least 44 people have been killed, HRW found.Most of the victims were Muslims accused of storing beef or transporting cows for slaughter, a crime in most Indian states. Many Hindus, who form about 80% of India’s population, consider cows sacred. Data cited in the report from FactChecker.in, that tracks reports of violence, found that as many as 90 % of religion-based hate crimes in the last decade occurred after Modi took office. Mobs hung victims from trees, frequently mutilated victims and burned bodies.In almost all of these attacks, victims’ families faced significant pushback when they pressed for justice.Police “initially stalled investigations, ignored procedures, or even played a complicit role in the killings and cover-up of crimes,” the report said.“Indian police investigations into mob attacks are almost as likely to accuse the minority victims of a crime as they are to pursue vigilantes with Govt connections,” said Meenakshi Ganguly,South Asia director of HRW. Released ahead of national elections this April and May, the report, called “Violent Cow Protection in India: Vigilante Groups Attack Minorities,”also looks at the govt’s response to 11 recent attacks that killed 14 people. According to a survey from NDTV cited by HRW, “communally divisive language” in speeches by elected officials shot up nearly 500 % between 2014 and 2018, compared with the 5 years before BJP came to power. 90 % of those speeches were from the BJP, which has ties to far-right Hindu nationalist groups. The report said this sort of rhetoric, paired with the profusion of stricter cow protection laws, had emboldened mob attacks. They included assaults of Muslim men and women in trains; the stripping and beating of lower-caste Dalits in western India; force-feeding of cow dung and urine to two men in northern India; rape of 2 women and the killing of two men in the state of Haryana for allegedly eating beef at home. Some of the attacks were filmed, suggesting that the mobs did not fear retribution for their actions, said Harsh Mander, an Indian social worker and writer. NY times
Vigilante ‘cow protection’ groups attack minorities:HRW
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/18/india-vigilante-cow-protection-groups-attack-minorities
Cow-related violence has scuttled India’s beef, leather exports and eroded incomes:new report
https://scroll.in/article/913794/cow-related-violence-has-scuttled-indias-beef-leather-exports-and-eroded-incomes-says-new-report
Centre empowers states to prohibit use of funds, spaces by SIMI
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-empowers-states-to-prohibit-use-of-funds-spaces-by-banned-simi/articleshow/68063206.cms
New Delhi: Centre has empowered state govts to prohibit the use of funds and spaces for holding activities by the banned SIMI. In a notification,the home ministry said the ban imposed on SIMI was extended for five more years under the UAPA on Jan.31."Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of UAPA, the central Govt hereby directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the said Act shall be exercised also by state Govts and UT administrations in relation to the above said unlawful association," it said. Section 7 of UAPA is related to powers to prohibit the use of funds of an unlawful association and section 8 specifies the powers to ban the use of locations by an unlawful organisations.PTI
Police arrest AMU student for vandalism, thousands assemble to demand release
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/feb/18/aligarh-police-arrest-aligarh-muslim-university-student-for-vandalism-thousands-assemble-to-demand-1940461.html
Lucknow:There was a huge assembly of thousands of students protesting at the main gate of AMU on Monday evening to oppose the arrest of Mohd Talib, a student, who was allegedly indulged in vandalism and damaging 2 wheelers on Feb.12 unrest on campus when two factions of students had clashed over opposition to propose visit of AIMIM MP Asasiddin Owaisi.Talib was also accused of promoting enmity between 2 between different groups on Feb.12.However, thousands of AMU students protesting at Bab-e-Sayyad gate were ready to court arrest demanding immediate release of Talib who was picked up by the district police early in the day and was sent to 14-day judicial custody.SSP had claimed that the police had proof against two more students who had fired at BJYM members on Feb.12. They would also be arrested soon,he added. According to students union secretary,Huzaifa Amir Rashadi, the students had decided to court arrest in support of their demand of release of Talib and a final decision would be taken after Students Union's general body meeting. However, in the wake of students' protest, Aligarh DM Chandra Bhushan Singh claimed that the arrest was made only after going through the available evidences. All identified students involved in a brawl would be arrested soon. He said that he expected Amu administration's cooperation in the issue and made it clear that no innocent would be humiliated.new indian express
SC refuses to intervene in appointment of Rao as interim CBI Director
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-refuses-to-intervene-in-appointment-of-nageshwar-rao-as-interim-cbi-director/article26310124.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today refused to intervene in the process of re-appointment of M. Nageshwar Rao as the interim CBI Director in Jan.A Bench led by Justice Arun Mishra said a regular CBI Director has already been appointed in Rao's stead. The SC also refused to delve into the issues of more transparency raised by NGO and petitioner, Common Cause. Petitioner, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, said Govt had “completely bypassed” statutory requirement to consult the high-powered selection committee of PM, Opposition Leader and CJI before appointing Rao. NGO and activist Anjali Bhardwaj had termed the Jan.10 order of the Govt handing over the charge and work of CBI Director to Rao as “illegal”.“Govt has attempted to stifle the independence of the institution of CBI by appointing Director of CBI in an arbitrary and illegal manner,” petition had contended.the hindu
What’s happening in CBI, Mamata Govt retorts to SC judge’s query on W.Bengal
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/whats-happening-in-cbi-mamata-banerjee-Govt -retorts-to-supreme-court-judges-query-on-west-bengal/article26311909.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:To a question today by Supreme Court Judge Justice A.K. Sikri as to “what’s happening in West Bengal Govt ”, State Govt did not blink a moment to retort “what’s happening in CBI?”The impromptu query from the number two judge in the Supreme Court came immediately after advocate and BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia detailed the alleged killing of three BJP workers in Purulia district. Bhatia said the “brutal killings”, the body of one of the workers was found hanging from a high-tension electric post, was an example of the violence meted out by the ruling Trinamool to its political rivals. Bhatia wanted a CBI investigation into the deaths. “This is not being political, but what is happening in West Bengal?” Justice Sikri expressed his apprehension with a rider.But advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the state Govt , took on the question from the judge head-long, replying with a counter-question of his own.“So what is happening in the CBI also... And all of this [Bhatia’s petition] is indeed politics,” he countered. Sibal said the Supreme Court should not enter the realm of facts in criminal cases like this. Factual evidence should be best left to be argued before the magistrate court concerned.the hindu
Anuj Sharma to replace Kumar as Kolkata Police chief
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-police-commissioner-anuj-sharma-rajeev-kumar-5591086/
ADG of West Bengal Police (law and order) Anuj Sharma was on Tuesday appointed as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner after his predecessor Rajeev Kumar was transferred as ADG & IGP of CID.indianexpress
Yashwant , Shourie, Bhushan seek perjury action against officials in Rafale case
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/yashwant-sinha-arun-shourie-prashant-bhushan-seek-perjury-action-against-officials-in-rafale-case/articleshow/68057639.cms
New Delhi: Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie as also activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking initiation of perjury proceedings against central Govt officials for allegedly giving "false or misleading" information in a sealed cover in the high-profile Rafale case.The SC on Dec.14 last year dismissed a clutch of PILs, including the one filed by Sinha, Shourie and Bhushan, saying that there was "no occasion to doubt" the decision-making process of Centre in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France.The trio, which has filed the plea seeking review of the verdict, filed a fresh application under section 340 of CrPC seeking perjury prosecution against the officials responsible for providing "false" and "misleading" information to the apex court in a sealed cover.The plea, which has been filed in the disposed of PIL, said that the note on pricing was not shared with the petitioners.The plea also gave the details of "misleading facts", as per their opinion, to the court. Plea also referred to recent media reports and alleged suppression of "unauthorised parallel negotiations" by the by PMO and bypassing of the Ministry of Defence and INT. PTI
On plea seeking use of ‘Dalit’, SC says over to govt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-plea-seeking-use-of-dalit-supreme-court-says-over-to-govt-5590201/
New Delhi:The Supreme Court has asked a petitioner, who approached it against a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting circular advising the media to not use the term “Dalit” for the members of Scheduled Castes, to first approach the “concerned authority of the govt” before seeking legal remedies.“At this stage, we are not inclined to entertain the present writ petition, as the petitioners have the liberty to approach the concerned authority of Govt against the circular dated 7.8.2018. Once the said representation is disposed of by means of a reasoned order, it will be open for the petitioner to avail of such remedies as are available in law” a bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said dismissing the petition.Questioning the circular, advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared for the petitioner asked “how can Govt issue such a circular questioning my identity?”indian express
938 persons detained in 6 detention centres in Assam, 823 declared as foreigners, Centre tells SC
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/938-persons-detained-in-6-detention-centres-in-assam-823-declared-as-foreigners-centre-tells-sc/articleshow/68062160.cms
New Delhi:Centre today told the Supreme Court that 938 persons are at present detained in 6 detention centres in Assam out of which 823 have been declared as foreigners by tribunals. The Centre was responding to Jan.28 queries of the SC which had asked the Centre and the state to provide the details of the functional detention centres in Assam and the foreigners detained there during the last 10 years.A bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi was told by solicitor general Tushar Mehta that both the Centre and the state have filed their affidavits giving in details the information sought by the apex Centre said Over 27,000 foreigners have pushed back at border points while attempting to enter India illegally. TOI
Indane leaked millions of Aadhaar numbers: French security researcher
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indane-leaked-millions-of-aadhaar-numbers-french-security-researcher/articleshow/68058639.cms
A French researcher has claimed that he found a major security lapse that allegedly exposed millions of Aadhaar numbers of dealers and distributors associated with Indane, an LPG brand owned by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCNSE 0.56 %).Baptiste Robert, who goes by the online handle Elliot Alderson and has exposed Aadhaar leaks in the past, wrote in a blog post on Medium late Monday that the Aadhaar data of nearly 6.7 million dealers and distributors of Indane, accessible only with a valid username and password, was left exposed. "Due to a lack of authentication in the local dealers portal, Indane is leaking the names, addresses and Aadhaar numbers of their customers," said Alderson.Using a custom-built script to scrape the database, Alderson found customer data for nearly 11,000 dealers, including names and addresses of customers, before his IP was blocked by Indane. "I wrote the python script. By running this script, it gives us 11062 valid dealer ids. After more than 1 day, my script tested 9,490 dealers and found that a total of 5,826,116 Indane customers are affected by this leak,"he wrote. French researchers found 5.8 million Indane customer records before his script was blocked."Unfortunately, Indane probably blocked my IP, so I didn't test the remaining 1,572 dealers. By doing some basic math we can estimate the final number of affected customers around 6,791,200," Alderson added.IANS
UP police officer, who had booked Adityanath under NSA, suspended
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-police-officer-who-had-booked-yogi-adityanath-under-nsa-suspended/article26311961.ece?homepage=true
Lucknow:An IPS officer in UP has been suspended weeks after he gave an interview to an English website on how he had been sidelined after he had booked CM Yogi Adityanath, then Gorakhpur MP, under NSA in 2002.UP Police spokesperson R.K. Gautam confirmed that 1992-cadre IPS officer Jasvir Singh, who was last posted as ADG Rules and Manual, was placed under suspension. However, Gautam did not reveal the reason for suspension. As per UP Police website, Singh was suspended on Feb.14. “ADG under suspension,” it read under his current post section.Singh was the SP of Maharajganj district in Purvanchal in 2002, when he booked Adityanath under the stringent NSA. In a story published in Huffington Post on Jan.30, Singh is quoted as saying that he had refused to withdraw his case for preventive detention against the then sitting MP despite pressure from politicians of BJP, who were in power at Centre at the time, and the Bahujan Samaj Party, which formed the State Govt . 2 days later, he was transferred to Food Cell of UP Police, said the article.While narrating his ordeal over the years, the article says that under the Yogi Govt which came to power in 2017, Singh had become “a pariah of IPS.”Singh says he paid a price for trying to hold politicians and ministers to account, as per the article, in which he also questions the encounter killings under the Yogi govt.thehindu
With 6-Seat Offer, BJP-AIADMK Beat Congress to Bring PMK on Board Grand Alliance in TN
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/with-6-seat-offer-bjp-aiadmk-beat-congress-to-bring-pmk-on-board-grand-alliance-in-tn-2041041.html
Chennai: BJP-AIADMK combine has beaten the Congress to win the support of PMK for an electoral alliance in Tamil Nadu. PMK will contest on 6 Lok Sabha seats and will be given one Rajya Sabha seat, AIADMK chief and deputy CM O Panneerselvam announced at a press conference with PMK leadership on Tuesday. A formal announcement of the BJP-AIADMK-PMK grand alliance is yet to be made. PMK, led by S Ramadoss, has a support base in northern Tamil Nadu, especially among OBC Vanniyar community. In successive Lok Sabha elections since 1999, the party has polled 5-10% votes in the state.Both DMK and AIADMK had been wooing PMK in the last one month in their efforts to form a rainbow caste coalition for 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry. Sources said a leading industrialist was instrumental in bringing PMK onboard BJP-AIADMK alliance. PMK was also part of NDA in 2014 general polls, but Ambumani Ramadoss, though an MP, was denied a ministership in the Narendra Modi Govt . This had soured relationship between BJP and PMK, which was in talks with Congress over the last one month.PMK’s inclusion in the AIADMK-BJP camp now paves the way for Thirumavalavan’s VCK to ally with the Congress-DMK. news18
Maharashtra seat-sharing pact: BJP to contest on 25, Sena 23 seats in Lok Sabha election
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-seat-sharing-pact-bjp-to-contest-25-sena-23-seats-in-lok-sabha-polls/articleshow/68051670.cms
BJP and Shiv Sena on Monday announced that they will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls together, ending speculation that the bickering allies may go their separate ways.Addressing a press conference, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BJP will fight on 25 while the Shiv Sena will contest on 23 seats in Maharashtra.Maharashtra sends 48 lawmakers to the lower house."Assembly seats will be equally shared between the 2 parties after accommodating other political parties who are allied with us," Fadnavis said.TOI
Day After Seat-sharing Pact with BJP, Sena Cautions Govt Against Any Kind of 'War for Poll Gain' Rhetoric
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/day-after-seat-sharing-pact-with-bjp-sena-cautions-govt-against-any-kind-of-war-for-poll-gain-rhetoric-2041461.html
A day after sealing a seat-sharing pact with the BJP, the Shiv Sena asked NDA Govt not to behave in a way that would fuel allegations that it was trying to wage a war to influence poll results.Riots and terror attacks should not be used for "political gains", the Sena said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. Targeting students from Kashmir over such incidents could spell more trouble for the Govt , it warned.PTI
We will promote your party on social media for cash: Cobrapost expose hits Bollywood
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/entertainment/we-will-promote-your-party-on-social-media-for-cash-cobrapost-expose-hits-bollywood
Cobrapost, a non-profit website, conducted an expose on more than three dozen Bollywood celebrities who were willing to promote any political party on their social media in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections for a price.Among these celebs are directors, actors, singers, stand-up comedians and dancers.: Noted playback singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Kailash Kher, Mika Singh and Baba Sehgal; actors Jackie Shroff, Shakti Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Sonu Sood, Amisha Patel, Mahima Chaudhry, Shreyas Talpade, Puneet Issar, Surendra Pal, Pankaj Dheer and his son Nikitin Dheer, Tisca Chopra, Deepshikha Nagpal, Akhilendra Mishra, Rohit Roy, Rahul Bhat, Salim Zaidi, Rakhi Sawant, Aman Verma, Hiten Tejwani and spouse Gauri Pradhan, Evelyn Sharma, Minissha Lamba, Koena Mitra, Poonam Pandey, Sunny Leone; comedians Raju Srivastava, Sunil Pal, Rajpal Yadav, Upasana Singh, Krushna Abhishek and Vijay Ishwarlal Pawar; and choreographer Ganesh Acharya and dancer Sambhavana Seth.The few exceptions were Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi, Raza Murad and Saumya Tandon. They turned down such propositions and refused to get involved.Cobrapost reporters pretended to be from a fictitious PR agency and approached these celebrities with a proposal to promote a political party discreetly on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.nationalheraldindia
Before polls, centre's move on Triple Talaq
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/Govt -to-re-issue-ordinance-as-triple-talaq-bill-fails-to-clear-parliament-in-last-session-befo-1995857
New Delhi: Govt will re-issue an ordinance as Triple Talaq Bill failed to clear parliament in the last session before the Lok Sabha elections due by May, sources said. The Bill is set to lapse on June 3 when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends, as it could not be passed in Rajya Sabha, which adjourned indefinitely on Feb.13.ndtv
Telling Numbers: Electorate larger, Muslim candidates got fewer votes
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lok-sabha-elections-electorate-larger-muslim-candidates-got-fewer-votes-5590090/
Mumbai:Data from the last 2 parliamentary elections underline a low vote count for Muslim candidates, and a low representation in Lok Sabha. Muslims make up 14.2% of the population; in both elections, just under 10% of the candidates were Muslim. Of the winners in 2014, 22 were Muslim, the lowest ever.The total votes cast rose from 41.71 crore in 2009 to 55.38 crore in 2014, but the votes polled by Muslim candidates fell 3.6%. Muslim candidates of 2009 polled 2.89 crore votes, or 6.9% of the total; those of 2014 polled 2.78 crore, or 5%. Muslim candidates polled an average of 34,948 votes in 2009, compared to an average 51,692 for all candidates; Muslim candidates’ average fell in 2014 when the average for all candidates rose.In Maharashtra in 2009, 114 Muslim candidates had together polled 13.1 lakh votes, or 3.53%; in 2014, 127 nominees polled 6.5 lakh votes, or only 1.34%In Assam, votes for Muslim candidates fell from 24.4 lakh to 19.6 lakh.Of 40 Muslims contesting 14 seats, two won. Muslims account for 34.2% of Assam’s population (2011). In Andhra Pradesh, the number of votes polled by Muslim candidates fell from 22.4 lakh to 15.6 lakh, and in Gujarat, from 4.3 lakh to 4.1 lakh.In UP, Muslim candidates polled 73 lakh votes (13.2%) in 2009, followed by 1 crore (12.4%) in 2014. Muslims make up 18.5% of UP’s population; none of its 80 MPs is a Muslim. In Bihar, Muslim candidates polled 32.44 lakh votes in 2009 (82 candidates, 12.3%) and 43.94 lakh in 2014 (79, 12.2%). West Bengal, with a 25% Muslim population, elected 8 Muslim MPs. In 2009, 57 candidates polled 58.13 lakh (13.6%); in 2014, 88 polled 89.42 lakh votes (17.3%).A Muslim MP said the political climate of 2014 made it very difficult for Muslim candidates to get votes from outside their community. Some sociologists disagree.indian express
MHA backs J&K on not holding state poll with LS poll
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mha-backs-jk-admin-on-not-holding-state-poll-with-lok-sabha-poll-5590154/
Assembly polls in J&K are unlikely to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls as Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is learnt to have backed the state administration’s security concerns in a meeting called by Election Commission (EC). The meeting, which was held days after the Pulwama attack, was attended by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CEC and J&K officials.The state administration had first indicated its security concerns on holding J&K polls jointly with Lok Sabha last month. The Commission, then, had asked J&K Chief Secretary and police chief to come back with concrete data and information to back its view.In meeting, J&K representatives reiterated their position and were backed by MHA. EC is yet to take a final call on the matter. Indian express
Maratha quota violates Article 342A: Muslims bodies to HC
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maratha-quota-violates-article-342a-organisations-for-muslims-tell-hc-5590195/
Mumbai:Several muslim organisations have told the Bombay High Court that Maharashtra govt’s decision to provide reservation for members of Maratha community in Govt jobs and educational institutions violates Article 342A of the Constitution.A division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Bharati H Dangre was hearing final arguments in four petitions challenging the state govt’s notification published on Nov.30, 2018, to provide 16 % reservation to members of the Maratha community in govt jobs and educational institutions. Counsel SB Talekar, who was appearing in a petition filed by seven persons from various Muslim organisations, including Raza Academy, told the court that Nov.30 notification violates Article 342A of the Constitution, which states that the state cannot just make the law — the inclusion of reservation has to be by presidential order.3 other petitions were filed.Arguments are likely to continue Wednesday. indian express
7th Pay Commission benefits for Madrassa teachers in Bihar, salary hike for these contractual staff
https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-7th-pay-commission-benefits-for-madrassa-teachers-in-bihar-salary-hike-for-these-contractual-staff-86413
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has said Madrassa teachers of the state will get 7th Pay Commission benefits, while contractual teachers in Madrassas will be given a salary hike. Kumar said this while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Examination Hall at the regional office and district school of the Madrassa Board in Purnia. Along with 7th Pay Commission-related announcement, CM also laid the foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth Rs 720 crore, reported Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar. Kumar said that that opening of a regional office of the Madrassa Board in Purnea will help Madrassa teachers and students of the area. Now, they would not have to go to Patna for Madrassa-related work. From August this year, all elderly people of the state above 60 years of age will be provided Old Age Pension. The entire process for this will be completed by July. Even as the scheme will be rolled out from August, the pension benefits to the eligible state residents will be given w.e.f. from April 2019 onwards. Zee Business News
38 held, 200 booked for clash in Ahmedabad
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/thirty-eight-held-200-booked-for-saturdays-clash-in-ahmedabads-shahpur-area-5590121/
Ahmedabad:Police have arrested 38 persons and booked nearly 200 others for Saturday night’s communal clash in Nagoriwad area of Shahpur in Ahmedabad.The clash broke out during a candle light march in the memory of 40 CRPF men killed in Pulwama terror attack. “Apart from the 38 arrested, we are trying to identify and arrest another 150 to 200 people who have been booked, from our CCTV footage. However, most men are absconding at the moment, fearing arrest,” Inspector RK Amin of Shahpur police station said, adding that those arrested belong to both the communities.According to FIR filed on Sunday, 3 to 4 men were shouting slogans in solidarity with the Pulwama attack victims around 8.15pm on Saturday when they were attacked with stones, leading to communal clashes in the area.“We are trying to find out the culprits who attacked the sloganeering men. It could have been from a passing vehicle or a local resident. Within 15 minutes, the clashes erupted. To control the situation, we lobbed 12 teargas shells when a mob set a CNG car parked outside Ahmadi Masjid on fire. While no civilian was injured, 2 constables sustained minor injuries,” Amin said. Meanwhile, a Muslim resident, who refused to be named, alleged, “A Hindu wedding ceremony was going on right beside the masjid and opposite the police chowki. They switched off their lights suddenly around 8.30pm when all our men were at the masjid offering namaz, and people started pelting stones at the mosque. A Muslim wedding ceremony was also going on in the locality and the groom’s car was set on fire.”indian express
Rajasthan govt tells SC it has asked Google to remove videos uploaded by accused Shambhu Lal Raigar
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-rajsamand-hate-crime-rajasthan-govt-tells-sc-it-has-asked-google-to-remove-videos-uploaded-by-accused-2721464
Rajasthan Govt has told the Supreme Court that it has written to online search engine Google to take down hate videos uploaded by a man accused of hacking and burning alive a Muslim labourer in the state in Dec.2017.In videos, Shambhu Lal Raigar was purportedly seen ranting that he killed Afrajul Khan, the labourer from West Bengal, to stop "Love Jihad", a term used to refer Muslim men marrying Hindu women. Khan's killing was recorded on camera by the minor nephew of Raigar in Rajsamand district.The state Govt told the SC that the hate videos uploaded by Raigar are hosted by multiple websites and it would take them some time to remove the videos.A bench of justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi asked the Govt to file an affidavit about the steps taken by it to remove the videos, including those uploaded byRaigar from inside Jodhpur jail and adjourned the matter for further hearing. Advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for Khan's wife Gulbahar Bibi, said state Govt authorities may have taken action with regard to the video uploaded by Raigar before his arrest, but no action has been taken about the video uploaded from inside prison.PTI
One Pilot Dead as 2 IAF Surya Kiran Hawks Crash During Rehearsals For Aero India Expo in Bengaluru
https://www.news18.com/news/india/one-pilot-dead-as-2-iaf-surya-kiran-hawks-crash-during-rehearsals-for-aero-india-expo-in-bengaluru-2041065.html
Bengaluru: A pilot was killed and 2 others ejected to safety when 2 aircraft of IAF's aerobatic team Surya Kiran collided mid-air near the Yelahanka airbase and crashed on Tuesday, a day before the opening of the Aero India show.The pilots, flying the Surya Kiran Hawk, were practicing spin manoeuvres when the accident happened, eye witnesses said. "There were three pilots, one has died, 2 are safe with injuries,"DGP Fire Services who rushed to the spot said. A civilian was also injured in the mishap, police said. Surya Kiran aerobatic team has been an eye catcher at multiple aero India shows and had recently upgraded to Hawk from Kiran aircraft. News18
Moradabad :Right-wing activists booked for rioting on college campus
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/right-wing-activists-booked-for-rioting-on-engineering-college-campus-in-moradabad/articleshow/68054463.cms
Moradabad: Unidentified right-wing activists have been booked for rioting and voluntarily causing hurt 2 days after they barged into the campus of Moradabad Institute of Technology (MIT), demanding custody of B Pharma first year student, who had allegedly praised Pakistan on his WhatsApp status following the Pulwama attack. Police have also invoked section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act against the rioters, said SHO. TIU After registration of case, both students were suspended from the college. timesofindia
Rajasthan:13 killed as truck runs into marriage procession
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-13-killed-18-injured-as-truck-runs-into-marriage-procession-5590296/
Jaipur:A speeding truck ran into a marriage procession in Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh district fatally hitting 13 people, four of them children, while leaving 18 others injured, police said Tuesday.The accident happened near Ramdev temple on State Highway-113 Monday night when the truck, going to Banswara from Nimbahera, rammed into the marriage party moving on the roadside, Choti Sadri DSP said.9 of the deceased have been identified as: Daulatram (60), Bharat (30), Shubham (5), Chotu (5), Dilip (11), Arjun (15), Ishu (19), Ramesh (30) and Karan (28), police said.PTI
Old guard of J&K Jama’at Ab Majeed Fazili passes away
https://kashmirlife.net/old-guard-of-jamaat-e-islami-jk-ab-majeed-fazili-passes-away-202146/
Srinagar:Abdul Majeed Fazili, (85) , died of cardiac arrest at Delhi Hospital. Fazili had been admitted a week earlier and was put on a ventilator till date.Fazili was known as an old guard of Jamat-i-Islami in Kashmir for more than 6 decades. His body will be flown from Delhi and Nimaz-i- Jinaza will be offered at 3:30 PM at Ahmad Nagar.Fazili is survived by four sons, Basharat Fazili, Najeeb Fazili, Dr Abdul Hameed Fazili, Dr Khalid Fazili, and Dr Asif Fazili.kashmirlife
WORLD
Jadhav case at ICJ LIVE : Claims for ex-Navy officer’s release outlandish, says Pakistan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-live-updates-ict-india-pakistan-tension-harish-salve-5590806/
Pakistan on Tuesday began its submissions and responded to India at the International Court of Justice in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, former Navy officer who was arrested in Baluchistan in 2016 on charges of espionage and sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court. Asserting that India’s claim for Jadhav’s immediate release was outlandish, Pakistan maintained that the Indian Navy officer was a “spy” and not a businessman. Anwar Mansoor Khan, Attorney General for Pakistan, said Jadhav’s activities were an actual manifestation of Indian policy. “Since 1947, India has pursued a policy of destroying Pakistan. Indian PM Narendra Modi is on record to have said using water as a weapon against Pakistan. Putting forward his arguments, Pakistan lawyer Khawar Qureshi said India failed to explain why Jadhav was allowed to travel for 17 times on fake passport.Earlier in the day, ICJ refused to entertain Pakistan’s request to adjourn the hearing in the case of Jadhav to appoint a new ad-hoc judge.indianexpress
Khashoggi's appeal for unity between Saudi and Iranian people:Middle East Eye report
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/revealed-jamal-khashoggis-appeal-unity-between-saudi-and-iranian-people
Jamal Khashoggi was working to promote reconciliation between the Saudi and Iranian people prior to his murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Oct, Middle East Eye can reveal. In an unfinished opinion article drafted early in 2018 by the exiled Saudi journalist in collaboration with a leading Iranian human rights activist, Khashoggi called for civil society organisations in both countries to be “voices of reason and moderation” even as their Govt s risked open conflict.The article called on leaders in Riyadh and Tehran to “stop meddling in the internal affairs of other countries”, citing the death and devastation caused by both countries’ involvement in wars in Syria and Yemen, and to start respecting human rights. “Our Govt s are stuck digging in their heels in a dangerous staring contest that may soon erupt into something worse,” Khashoggi wrote.“It is up to our people to be the voices of reason and moderation – something both our people’s take pride in… Civil society should spearhead this effort at mutual understanding among our peoples.”MEE is publishing the final draft of the article with the permission of the Iranian rights activist, who ultimately declined to put his name to a joint piece, but gave consent for Khashoggi to publish it under his own byline.It also calls for the Saudi and Iranian Govt s to “start respecting the rights of our people”, noting that both had seen “serious protests against the failed leadership of their countries". But it is most scathing about the impact of the countries’ wider regional meddling. In Syria, the authors wrote, Iran had “sent troops and provided financial support to help a murderous tyrant... responsible for the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of his own citizens”.And in Yemen, Saudi had “carried out a reckless and indiscriminate bombardment campaign, compounded by a cruel siege of the entire country”. The article was seen as a first step towards promoting contact and discussion between Iranian and Saudi exile communities in US,said friend, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Israel worried about possible IS attack from Syria, Egypt
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190219-israel-worried-about-possible-daesh-attack-from-syria-egypt/
Israeli security services have raised high alert regarding the near defeat of Daesh in Syria, fearing it would turn into an elusive organisation that carries out attacks around the world, Arab48 reported.According to Israeli website Walla, which is close to Israeli security services, Daesh has recently carried out attacks in Iraq, Syria, Philippines, Afghanistan and other countries.middleeastmonitor
Oman FM denies normalisation of relations with Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190219-oman-fm-denies-normalisation-of-relations-with-israel/
Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Bin Alawi said there is no normalisation with Israel, explaining that what is happening is “a peaceful process to find a settlement for the Palestinian cause that guarantees their rights and the interests of all”.Speaking at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, Alawi said that Muscat supports the two-state solution and denied that his country is negotiating with Israel on behalf of any party. The minister added that his country is ready to help everyone who works towards this end.Alawi and Lavrov reviewed the results of two visits by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to Oman.Earlier this week, Alawi said that his country has long considered Israel a Middle Eastern country that cannot be ignored.middleeastmonitor
Israel closes gate to Al-Aqsa Mosque: MEMO
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190219-israel-closes-gate-to-al-aqsa-mosque/
Israeli military police raided Al-Aqsa Mosque, attacked students and evicted them from the area and closed Al-Rahma Gate which leads to the holy site on Monday, witnesses said.At the same time, the Israeli military police arrested 5 Palestinian worshippers, including a woman named Nazmiyeh Bkeerat. Witnesses said Israeli police reopened the gate after several attempts by angry Palestinian worshippers to enter the area through the door.According to the witnesses, hundreds of Palestinian worshippers also performed prayers in front of the closed gate in an attempt to put pressure on the Israeli occupation to reopen it.During the daytime, the Israeli military police facilitated the entry of 70 Israeli Jewish settlers, including 20 students of religious Jewish schools into Al-Aqsa.
1st Israeli spacecraft, Beresheet, to launch moon mission
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/with-beresheet-spacecraft-israel-to-launch-first-moon-mission-this-week-1995556
Israel is to launch its first moon mission this week, sending an unmanned spacecraft to collect data to be shared with NASA, organisers said Monday.585-kilogram Beresheet (Genesis) spacecraft is to lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Friday.Mission control will be in Yehud, near Tel Aviv."We are entering history and are proud to belong to a group that has dreamed and fulfilled the vision shared by many countries in the world but that so far only three of them have accomplished," SpaceIL president Morris Kahn said. AFP
Committee formed to reform Bangla Jamaat: Daily
https://www.weeklyblitz.net/news/jamaat-e-islami-re-branding-as-freedom-and-justice-party/
Inner dispute has flared up within Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami about seeking apology to the nation for its role during the War of Independence of Bangladesh and also about dissolution of the party. After Barrister Abdur Razzak's resignation, several other Jamaat leaders have broken their silence on the issue. Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a committee headed by its Secretary General Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who sent letter to its district committees to ask for reform suggestions from the root level of the party.It has also been mentioned in the letter that General Secretary Shafiqur Rahman is only the right person to speak and receive recommendations for reforming the party's local bodies.Former secretary of the ministry and think tank Shah Abdul Hannan said, Jamaat is working for bringing massive reform to separate politics from Islami Dawati activities and social welfare.He said that Jamaat would actively work to form an organization like Bangladesh Welfare Party or Bangladesh Justice Party sans the word Islam."I believe that Jamaat leaders will form such a party immediately," Shah Abdul Hannan said.thedailynewnation
No party opposing independence survives: ex Bangla Jamaat leader Abdur Razzak
https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/news/191340/No-party-opposing-independence-survives
Egyptian journalist on verge of being released after 5 yrs
middleeasteye.net/news/award-winning-egyptian-journalist-shawkan-verge-being-released-says-lawyer
Photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, left prison on Saturday and is expected to be fully released soon, a local human rights lawyer said.According to lawyer Karim Abdelrady, Shawkan was transferred to the Khalifa police station in Cairo on Sunday in preparation for his release. Shawkan, 31, was arrested on 14 Aug.2013 while taking pictures of the Egyptian military's violent dispersal of a sit-in at Rabaa al-Adawiya square, where supporters of deposed President Morsi were protesting the coup against him that year. Last year, Shawkan received the 2018 Press Freedom Prize awarded by the UNESCO, which calls his detention a human rights abuse. Egypt's Govt , in turn, criticised UNESCO for its decision to honour someone accused of "terrorist and criminal acts".International rights groups have repeatedly denounced Shawkan's arrest and called for his release, including Amnesty International, which said he was imprisoned merely for doing his job as a photojournalist at a demonstration.middleeasteye
Almost half of Conservative voters think Islam is a threat to the British way of life, poll claims
https://in.news.yahoo.com/almost-half-conservative-voters-think-islam-threat-british-way-life-poll-claims-194021815.html
Almost half of Conservative voters think Islam is incompatible to the British way of life, an anti-fascist group has claimed.Hope Not Hate’s ‘State of Hate’ report claims that 49% of of Tory voters don’t believe Islam is compatible with life in Britain, and 22% of Labour voters agree, while 47% of Tory supporters, and 32% of those polled, believe there are ‘no go’ areas in Britain operated under sharia law.Overall 35% of the 10,000 people surveyed said they don’t believe Islam is compatible with life in Britain.Hope Not Hate found young people were far more likely to see the benefits of multiculturalism than their parents and grandparents. Some 76% of 18 to 24 year olds felt that diversity was integral to British culture – less than half of those aged over 65 agreed. The report also claims that 68% of people believe there is no longer a political party that speaks for them, with 55% of people agreeing the political system is “broken”.5 out of 10 far-right activists with the biggest number of social media followers are British, and 55% of public have heard of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson but just 37% have seen his videos and only 6% of those surveyed have a positive impression of ex leader English Defence League.Yahoo News
Third of Britons believe Islam threatens British way of life, says report:theguardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/third-of-britons-believe-islam-threatens-british-way-of-life-says-report
UK report: Facebook behaving like ‘digital gangsters’
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/uk-parliamentary-report-facebook-behaving-like-digital-gangsters
Lashing out at Facebook for behaving like "digital gangsters" in the online world, a UK parliamentary committee concluded that the social networking giant intentionally and knowingly violated both data privacy and anti-competition laws.In its final report on Monday after an 18-month investigation into disinformation and "fake news", DCMS select committee of UK Parliament called for stricter regulation to make Facebook end spread of disinformation on its platform."Democracy is at risk from the malicious and relentless targeting of citizens with disinformation and personalised 'dark adverts' from unidentifiable sources, delivered through the major social media platforms we use everyday,"Damian Collins, Chair of the DCMS Committee, said in a statement.IANS
Erdogan: NATO gives arms to 'terrorists' but not to Turkey
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/erdogan-nato-arms-terrorists-turkey-190218142920831.html
President Tayyip Erdogan has accused NATO allies of supporting "terrorists" with thousands of truckloads of weapons while ignoring Turkey's request to buy their arms."What kind of NATO alliance is this?" Erdogan said."You give terrorists around 23,000 truckloads of weapons and tools through Iraq, but when we asked, you won't even sell them to us," he added. "We have a 911-kms border [with Syria]. We're under threat at any moment."Turkey also expects Syria's Manbij region to be rid of "terrorists" and left to locals as soon as possible, said he. Manbij has been held by US-backed SDF, a militia spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG, since 2016.aljazeera
Twin bombings kill at least 15 people in Syria's Idlib
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/twin-bombings-kill-15-people-syria-idlib-city-190218185052320.html
A double bomb attack in Syria's northwestern city of Idlib killed at least 15 people, including 4 children, a war monitor reported. Dozens of others were wounded.The first blast was caused by an explosive device planted under a car in Qusour neighbourhood during rush hour, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.aljazeera
16 states sue Trump over emergency declaration
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/16-states-sue-donald-trump-over-national-emergency-declaration-to-build-border-wall-1995567
16 US states sued President Donald Trump's administration Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, said the president's order was contrary to Presentment Clause that outlines legislative procedures and the Appropriations Clause, which defines Congress as the final arbiter of public funds. The move had been previously announced by Xavier Becerra the attorney general of California who said his state and others had legal standing because they risked losing moneys intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes.AFP
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Nellie massacre and ‘citizenship’: When 1,800 Muslims were killed in Assam in just 6 hours:Ratnadeep Choudhary
https://theprint.in/governance/nellie-massacre-and-citizenship-when-1800-muslims-were-killed-in-assam-in-just-6-hours/193694/
Pulwama aftermath: Trolls, right-wing groups target Kashmiri students across country over 'anti-India' posts
https://www.firstpost.com/india/pulwama-aftermath-trolls-right-wing-groups-target-kashmiri-students-across-country-over-anti-india-posts-6107181.html
Watch | Ground Report: Attempt to Disturb Peace in AMU Is for Political Reasons:Kabir Agarwal
https://thewire.in/video/amu-sedition-case-video
Nationalism comes to Saudi Arabia: C. Raja Mohan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-visit-nationalism-arabia-5590019/
Is BJP ‘Milking’ Pulwama? Modi, Shah and Sakshi Maharaj Face Flak:ADILA MATRA
https://www.thequint.com/elections/social-dangal/from-modi-to-maharaj-bjp-milking-pulwama-tragedy-says-twitter#gs.GlM5DlEe
Why only Modi and BJP benefit from terror strikes by Jaish:Faraz Ahmad
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/why-only-modi-and-bjp-benefit-from-terror-strikes-by-jaish
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 3:09 PM)
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