NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
16 July 2019: 12 Dhul Qadah 1440:Vol: 11, No:246
INDIA
Hunger report: Food security worsens in South Asia, UN flags India’s unemployment as possible cause
https://scroll.in/latest/930703/hunger-report-food-security-worsens-in-south-asia-un-flags-indias-unemployment-as-possible-cause
Higher unemployment in India and an economic slowdown in Pakistan possibly led to an increase in “severe food insecurity” in Southern Asia between 2017 and 2018, UN said in a report. The report defined severe food insecurity as the situation in which people had likely run out of food or even gone for days without eating.The report, titled State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019, said that after nearly a decade of progress, the number of people suffering from hunger had slowly increased in the past 3 years. Around 821.6 million people – or nearly 11% of the world population – were still undernourished in 2018, the report said. Of this, Asia had 513.9 million and Africa had 256.1 million.Global undernourishment, which declined for decades until 2015, has remained nearly unchanged at about 11% since then, the report said. Climate change, conflicts and economic slowdowns have led to food crisis. Prevalence of severe food insecurity in Southern Asia, which had declined from 13.7% in 2014 to 10.6% in 2016, has increased in the last 2 years. The figure was 10.9% in 2017 and 14.4% in 2018. In absolute terms, the number of people living in severe food insecurity in the region grew to 271.7 million in 2018 – highest since 2014. The number was 204.2 million in 2017.The number of undernourished people in India reduced from 253.9 million in 2004-’06 to 194.4 million in 2016-’18, the report said.“We will not achieve zero hunger by 2030,” said David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme, according to AFP. “That’s a bad trend. Without food security we will never have peace and stability.”scroll.in
India,Pak await ICJ verdict tomorrow on Kulbhushan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/india-pakistan-await-icj-verdict-tomorrow-on-kulbhushan-jadhav
All eyes are on International Court of Justice that will deliver on Wednesday its verdict on Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death for alleged espionage by a Pakistani military court. ICJ is expected to pronounce its verdict on Jadhav, 48, a retired Indian naval officer, at around 6.30pm Indian time.A 13-member delegation from Pakistan, led by its Attorney General Anwar Mansoor, is at The Hague. Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Muhammad Faisal is also part of the Pakistani delegation that arrived at The Hague today.According to a July 4 press release from ICJ, on Wednesday , "A public sitting will take place at 3 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the Court, will read the Court's decision."IANS
After Pak opens airspace for all, India issues revised NOTAM for normal air traffic operations
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/after-pak-opens-airspace-for-all-civilian-traffic-india-issues-revised-notam-initiating-normal-air-traffic-operations20190716092147/
New Delhi: Consequent to Pakistan today issuing a notice to airmen (NOTAM) to lift all airspace restrictions, relevant authorities informed that India has also issued a revised NOTAM immediately thereafter. With this, normal air traffic operations have resumed through all Flight Information Regions between India and Pakistan, authorities added. For the first time since Balakot strike, Pakistan opened its airspace for all civilian traffic, as per Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority."With immediate effect, Pakistan airspace is open for all type of civilian traffic on published ATS routes,"read a notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the authority.The country had earlier claimed that it would not open its airspace for commercial flights until India removed its fighter jets from forwarding Indian airbases.Pakistan had fully shut its airspace on the eastern border with India after Indian Air Force carried out aerial airstrikes in Balakot.ANI
Air India lost rs. 560 crore in 140 days after Pak closed airspace
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rs-560-crore-in-140-days-air-indias-losses-due-to-pak-closing-airspace-2070529
140-day shutdown of Pakistani airspace cost national carrier Air India a staggering Rs.4 crore a day, according to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The total cost to the airline came in at an eye-watering Rs. 560 crore;this comes as the carrier is expected to report a record loss of Rs. 7,600 crore for FY 18/19.Private carriers IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir lost Rs. 25.1 crore, Rs. 30.73 crore and Rs. 2.1 crore respectively, bringing the total loss, due to Pakistan closing its airspace, to Indian airlines to more than Rs. 620 crore in less than five months. The closure of Pakistani airspace had adversely affected airlines because they were forced to re-route international flights travelling to US and Europe, incurring the dual penalty of both monetary losses (increased fuel and cabin crew costs)and delayed services. The re-routing meant an extra 90 minutes of flying time for US-bound flights.NDTV
Karnataka : SC reserves order on rebel MLAs plea, verdict tomorrow
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karanataka-crisis-supreme-court-congress-jds-rebel-mlas-live-updates-5831458/
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has reserved its order for tomorrow on the plea moved by Karnataka rebel MLAs.The verdict will be pronounced at 10.30 tomorrow. Speaker K R Ramesh – at the centre of the political crisis – also sought time till tomorrow to decide on the disqualification and resignation of the rebel MLAs.A bench headed by CJI Gogoi is first dealing with the pleas of 10 MLAs against the Karnataka Speaker for not accepting their resignations. It also heard arguments of 5 more MLAs who alleged that they “are being forced to support Govt on the threat of disqualification”. CM’s counsel told the court that the dissident “MLAs were hunting in pack to destabilise the govt.” 10 rebel Karnataka MLAs told the SC that the Speaker was coercing them to vote for the Kumaraswamy Govt by not accepting their resignations. The counsel for the rebel MLAs also asked the bench that if the House assembles for business 15 rebel MLAs be exempted from appearing on the basis of the whip of the ruling coalition which, he said, has been reduced to a minority Govt.Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of the trust vote. Congress MLAs shifted to Windflower Prakruthi Resort, Devanahalli from Taj Yeshwantpur hotel today. The CM confidence motion through which he will seek to prove his majority will be taken up on July 18.indianexpress
IMA Jewels scam: SIT releases suspended Congress legislator Roshan Baig after questioning
https://scroll.in/latest/930755/ima-jewels-scam-sit-releases-suspended-congress-legislator-roshan-baig-after-questioning
A SIT in Bengaluru today released suspended Congress MLA Roshan Baig after several hours of questioning in connection with the IMA Jewels scam, PTI reported.Baig was detained on Monday when he was about to board a flight from Bengaluru airport. M. Mansoor Khan, the main accused, has claimed that Baig was involved in the scam and had taken Rs 400 crore from him but not returned it.Baig, who called the allegation baseless, was supposed to appear before the investigation team on Monday. When he did not, the team detained the suspended Congress leader. An unidentified police officer said Baig was questioned the entire night and released from SIT custody around 12.30 pm today. Baig said he was detained due to “some confusion in SIT”. “I wanted to fly from here to Pune last night but they were under some confusion that I am running away,” MLA told reporters outside SIT office. “It was deliberate. Some people played mischief but I will not blame anybody.” Baig claimed the SIT had allowed him to travel anywhere in the country.Baig, who was suspended from Congress party for “anti-party activities” in June, is among 16 MLAs of ruling coalition in Karnataka who have tendered their resignations from the Assembly. CM HD Kumaraswamy tweeted that a personal assistant of BJP state chief Yeddyurappa was present with Baig when he was boarding the chartered flight. scroll.in
Mukul Wasnik likely to be Congress interim chief, Kharge, Shinde lag behind
https://www.newsx.com/national/mukul-wasnik-congress-chief-rahul-gandhi-mallikarjun-kharge-sushil-kumar
Mukul Wasnik likely to become Congress interim chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sushil Kumar Shinde lag behind: Mukul Wasnik likely to become Congress interim chief, reports said.Congress Working Committee (CWC), which is likely to meet this week to discuss the situation following Rahul Gandhi’s resignation and select a new non-Gandhi chief to lead the party, may select Mukul Wasnik’s name as the interim president of the party, sources said.59-year-old Wasnik leads the race as Rahul Gandhi’s replacement for the post of Congress president, sources said. Shinde, Kharge and youngsters Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot are lagging behind as the scale of popularity tilts in favour of the dynamic Maratha politician. Gandhi family loyalist has emerged as the front runner for the post as he is liked by both the young and old leaders alike and has a fan following among the youth in Maharashtra. NewsX
1.17 lakh people declared as foreigners by tribunals in Assam
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1-17-lakh-people-declared-as-foreigners-by-tribunals-in-assam/articleshow/70242965.cms
New Delhi:A total of 1.17 lakh people have been declared foreigners by tribunals set up in Assam till March this year, Union minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy said today. At present, 100 Foreigners' Tribunals (FTs) are functional in different districts in Assam, Reddy said. "Up to March 31, a total of 1,17,164 people have been declared foreigners by tribunals," he said in his reply to a written question of Congress MP Abdul Khaleque.Reddy said marking of 'D' voters is not done by FTs and the number of cases disposed of by them varies from month to month and tribunal to tribunal. He said the tribunals function as per the procedure laid down in the Foreigners' Tribunals (Order) 1964. PTI
NRC: SC seeks Centre's response to plea against order on dealing with appeals of those left out of list
https://www.firstpost.com/india/assam-nrc-sc-seeks-centres-response-to-plea-against-order-on-dealing-with-appeals-of-those-left-out-of-list-6998111.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to reply to a plea which has alleged that the Foreigners (Tribunals) Amendment Order 2019 procedures, dealing with the appeals of those who would be left out in Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC), are violative of the fundamental rights.A bench of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for All Assam Minorities Students Union (AAMSU), that the 2019 order was unfair to those who would be forced to challenge the non-inclusion in the Assam NRC.The SC is monitoring the exercise of finalisation of Assam NRC and has fixed the deadline of 31 July for it.The right to appeal would be affected as the appeal of those left out in NRC could be heard in their absence by the foreigners' tribunal, Sibal said, adding that a person can be arrested during hearing of the appeal."Amendment Order, 2019 while providing for a procedure of appeal makes the same so unreasonable that it may virtual lead to denial of justice. The newly inserted Paragraph 3A... lays out the procedure for appeals," AAMSU said."While the tribunals have been entrusted with a very crucial task of being the final adjudicatory authority with respect to appeals arising out of rejection of claims by the NRC authorities, the purpose of setting up such tribunals for identification of foreigners and determination of Indian citizenship will stand frustrated if unfairness, unreasonableness and arbitrariness is allowed to creep into the procedure and to thwart the entire gigantic exercise," the plea said.PTI
Toll Free Helpline No. 1800-3133-60000 Launched to Curb Mob Lynching, Hate Crimes
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/toll-free-helpline-no-1800-3133-60000-launched-to-curb-mob-lynching-hate-crimes?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:In the wake of an unending chain of incidents of mob lynching, prominent human rights group United Against Hate launched a Toll Free Helpline No. 1800-3133-60000 here on Monday. The initiative is aimed at getting fast and full justice for the victims through the court of law so that it could become deterrent for the menace of hate crimes and mob lynching.Introducing the helpline service, Nadeem Khan of United Against Hate said:“We are launching a toll free helpline in view of rising cases of mob attacks and hate crimes in the country. We will try to help the victims of such assaults to get justice in the courts.”The aim of National Helpline Centre Against Hate Crimes is to help the victims of mob lynching in getting speedy justice -- by reporting the incidents right away in media, providing victims with judicial help, and documenting the incidents, he said. It has 4-point program: Rapid Response, Documentation, Legal Help and Advocacy. The launch event featured Supreme Court lawyers, social activists, academicians and senior journalists. Speaking at the press conference, Michael Williams, former president of United Christian Forum recalled the success of a similar helpline created a few years ago for Christians.Prof Apoorvanad of Delhi University said: We get such news of violence from one or the other corner of the country and police always tries to hide the fact that it was a hate crime. Muslims and Christians and Dalits are being attacked only because of their identity.” Dr. Kafeel Ahmed from Gorakhpur Medical College and Hospital, in his speech, said: “Today a mob kills and celebrates. In my IMA WhatsApp group, even doctors and neurologists share pictures of a maulvi proudly keeping his hands on the severed head of a cow despite knowing that it is fake.Speaking on the occasion, Malik Motasim Khan, National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said: It is a sad and shameful that we have to launch such a helpline. Law to curb mob lynching is already there but the problem is of mindset. I can say that we have missed building a strong and humble society. But I believe that our conscience as citizens is still alive. We can stop atrocities through the constitution. We should also talk to culprits of mob lynching and ask them why they are doing it.India Tomorrow
Helpline launched for hate crimes victims: aljazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/indian-activists-launch-helpline-hate-crimes-victims-190715190744157.html?fbclid=IwAR2cPU-CqZMrqv5utaizUGbRoh0RI2TwIaggKkW19RykFF3_Fz3nUT4CiTs
Hindi daily Jagran’s attempt to vilify Muslims foiled
http://twocircles.net/2019jul15/432039.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
“Muslims involved in mob lynching of a juvenile thief and attack the police station, beating up the police officials” reported Dainik Jagran in Jharkhand. Jagran is a Hindi daily that has its head office in Delhi, and has a large reader base among Hindi readers of North India. However their attempt to spread fake news and malign the image of Muslims and incite violence has been thwarted on time by the Muslims of Jharkhand who not only boycotted the newspaper but also burnt several copies of the newspaper.TCN spoke to Kashif Raza Siddiqui, leader of Bahujan Kranti Morcha in Jharkhand and also a resident of Zakrinagar who was present at the police station when the crowd gathered and disbursed, to learn the facts. And this is what we learnt:A kidnapper was caught red handed in Zakirnagar area, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 2-3 days ago as he was taking away Talha, a seven and a half year old boy on the pretext of meeting his father. The boy’s uncle happened to cross the path of the kidnapper by good fortune and upon enquiring learnt that the boy was being kidnapped. Kidnapper Ramesh was handed over to the police station at Azadnagar by the uncle without even scolding him. But when the local people, Muslims of Zakirnagar area learnt about the incident they gathered at the Police station and began shouting demanding to punish the culprit.TCN
Muslims, Dalits to go for arms licence in self-defence against mob lynchings
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/muslims-dalits-to-go-for-arms-licence-in-self-defence-against-mob-lynchings/articleshow/70220775.cms
Lucknow: Reeling under the fear of mob lynchings, Dalits, tribals and Muslims will be applying for arms licences for self-defence - a pan-India movement which will commence in Lucknow on July 26. The brainchild of Supreme Court lawyer Mehmood Pracha, the first camp will be organized in Lucknow on the invitation of Shia cleric and general secretary of Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Hind, Maulana Kalbe Jawad. Pracha said, these camps would be organized in at least 12 cities, including six in UP , where these communities are under threat and need legal help.Pracha said, "SC/ST and minorities have been pushed to the edge by the Govt, which is soft on perpetrators of mob violence. In such a scenario, there is no option left, but self-defence." "Many from these communities face discrimination and they will avail of our legal expertise to fill forms and apply for arms licence," he said. Camp will ensure that applicants with criminal antecedents or those with political or business interest, will be kept out. “Once they get the licence, we will deploy experts for arms training. And we will act against those who misuse their licence,” he said.Jawad said,“Legal experts will be coming to Lucknow for holding the camp. Clerics from others sects will also be included as the movement is not about Shias alone. The brunt of mob lynching is borne by Sunnis and Dalits.”TOI
SC asks for status on all child rape cases, expresses concern on delay in investigations
https://scroll.in/latest/930702/supreme-court-asks-for-status-on-all-child-rape-cases-expresses-concern-on-delay-in-investigations
The Supreme Court has sought data on the status of child rape cases from various states after expressing concern on their increasing numbers and the delay in investigations. The SC had itself initiated a PIL after statistics showed that 24,000 cases had been reported in first half of 2019. The SC noted that it was regrettable that in Delhi, out of the 172 cases listed for trial since January, only two cases had been disposed of till date. “If this is the situation in the national Capital, one can imagine about the overall position in the rest of the country,” Gogoi said.scroll.in/HT
Kathua case: Juvenile Justice Board rejects J&K Police Crime branch plea to adjourn trial
https://scroll.in/latest/930680/kathua-case-juvenile-justice-board-rejects-j-k-police-crime-branch-plea-to-adjourn-trial
J&K Police Crime Branch moved a plea before Juvenile Justice Board seeking that the trial of one of the accused in the gangrape and murder case of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua last year be adjourned. Police said that the J&K High Court was yet to decide if the accused was a minor. The special public prosecutor said that the High Court was yet to pass its verdict on the crime branch’s plea against the decision of a Kathua court which accepted accused’s claim that he is a minor. The crime branch had also annexed a report of the medical board, which said the accused was “not less than 19 and not more than 21” years of age.scroll.in/PTI
‘EVM Bharat Chodho’: Clarion Call on Quit India Movement Day
https://caravandaily.com/evm-bharat-chodho-clarion-call-on-quit-india-movement-day/
New Delhi:Commemorating Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule in 1942, prominent politicians, activists, and civil society groups have decided to launch “EVM Bharat Chodo, Ballot Paper Wapas Lao” on Aug.8 to reject Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and bring back ballot paper in elections. In the backdrop of shocking national election results, prominent politicians, activists and more than 200 civil society groups including National Alliance for People’s Movement (NAPM) and Nation for Farmers (NFF) on Sunday gave a clarion call to the countrymen to say in one voice “EVM Bharat Chodo, Ballot Paper Wapas Lao”.This decision was taken at a Meeting against EVMs – Back to Ballot Paper”,in which representatives of social movements, trade unions, women, and student and youth organizations from 16 States were present.“We will be starting it on the eve of Quit India movement with the slogan “EVM Bharat Chhodo, Ballot Paper Vapis Lao,” Dr.Sunilam, convener of NAPM, said after the meeting.The meeting also urged all the political parties to urgently recognize the threats posed by the manipulations of EVM that compromise a free and fair election.“We urge you to initiate immediate measures for public awareness regarding possible manipulation by EVM. We also request you to move forward to reject EVM and revert back to paper ballot, and if necessary to boycott elections to press forward this demand. We must collectively intervene to safeguard our democracy and for transparency in the electoral process.”Besides Sanjay Singh(AAP), Rajendra Gautam (AAP), Nana Patole (INC), Danish Ali (BSP), Javed Ali (SP), Nilotpal Basu(CPM), Retd. Justice Kolse Patil (JDS) and D. Raja (CPI), also spoke on the occasion and supported the call for a People’s Movement against the EVMs.caravandaily
UP: Violence Erupted in Fatehpur district, Madarsa Set Ablaze on Beef Rumours
https://caravandaily.com/violence-erupted-in-uttar-pradesh-village-madarsa-set-ablaze-on-beef-rumours/
Fatehpur:Violence erupted and a madarsa was set on fire in Behta village in Fatehpur district in UP on Tuesday after animal flesh was reportedly found in the village near a pond.As the news spread, after residents claimed that cow slaughter had taken place in the village, people from several villages gathered and vandalised a madarsa and then set it on fire, reports IANS. As the tension gripped the area, senior Police officials rushed to the village and additional police force was called in to control the situation.A case has been registered against Mushtaq and Munnu Shah, both of whom were absconding. The role of the two is not clear from the media reports, or official statement, as to why the case has been registered against them.Tension continues to prevail in the area and more forces have been kept on the standby, an officer said.The official statement on the animal flesh reportedly found in the village, which became the trigger of violence, is also not available to confirm whether it was beef.caravan/IANS
Madrasa boundary wall pulled down following rumours of beef recovery in area: Police
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madrasa-boundary-wall-pulled-down-following-rumours-of-beef-recovery-in-area-police-5832611/
UP: Prime govt land freed from usurpers, but rival ownership claim leads to some communal tension
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/prime-govt-land-worth-rs-4-5-crore-freed-from-usurpers-but-rival-ownership-claim-leads-to-some-communal-tension/articleshow/70235050.cms
Pilibhit:SDM of Pilibhit Sadar circle, Vandana Trivedi, accompanied by a team of revenue officials and heavy police force, evicted 10 land mafiosi who had grabbed Govt land valued at over Rs 4.5 crore around 4 decades ago.They were following orders of DM Vaibhav Shrivastav. The land in question, measuring 0.397 hectare, is located in prime commercial area within Pilibhit city. The land thus freed is to be utilised for some public interest project.SDM also said 2 days ago, encroachers were issued warnings to vacate the plots, but no one complied. However, the action also led to some communal tension, after a group from the minority community claimed it belonged to a graveyard. “We’ve filed many complaints with administration regarding illegal possession of graveyard land, but no action was executed due to political intervention from highest levels, despite the administrative decision to evict usurpers,” said Mohammad Mian, Waqf trustee of Dargah-e-Kallan Khan and head of its graveyard committee.TOI
Ranchi court orders Richa to distribute copies of Quran for bail over making communal remarks
https://www.newsx.com/national/ranchi-court-orders-richa-bharti-accused-of-sharing-communal-content-on-social-media-to-distribute-copies-of-quran-for-bail-social-media-aghast
A Ranchi court today granted bail to Richa Bharti, student and accused of sharing communal content on social media, on a very strange condition that put social media in aghast. The court ordered accused to distribute five copies of Quran to spread harmony instead of communalism.As per the reports, Bharti was held for allegedly sharing communal content on Facebook. Following the court’s orders, Bharti expressed unhappiness and said that she would not distribute the Quran. Bharti was arrested by the Pithoria police after she shared a message on Facebook which allegedly had hatred content. In cognizance to a complaint filed by a community, the police swiftly reacted and took the necessary action.NewsX
Masjid desecrated in Golconda during Bonal festival
https://www.siasat.com/news/masjid-desecrated-golconda-during-bonal-festival-1548358/
Hyderabad: Elaborate arrangements were made by the police on the occasion of taking out of Bonal procession yesterday which started from Golconda Fort.It was reported that the processionists were seen drinking wine and smoking cigarettes at the premises of Qutub Shahi Masjid Located at Golconda Fort.They also entered the Masjid wearing shoes.Police remained silent and did not take any action against them.It is the duty of the organizers of such festivals to watch the activities of the processionists. Police should take congnizance of this incident and take action.siasat
Deported from UAE in terror case, 14 men flown to Chennai by NIA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/deported-from-uae-in-terror-case-14-men-flown-to-chennai-by-nia-5831279/
New Delhi: 14 persons, deported from UAE and apprehended by NIA for suspected association with men linked to an alleged terror outfit, were flown from New Delhi to Chennai on a special flight Monday.It is learnt that the men were produced before a NIA court which granted their custody to the agency. Sources claimed that the men — they were said to be from Chennai, Tirunelveli, Theni, Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram — were members of Wahdat-e-Islami Hind, a religious organisation in Tamil Nadu.They were deported after intelligence agencies received credible inputs that they had been in touch with individuals in Tamil Nadu who have now been placed under arrest by NIA for suspected links to alleged terror outfit Ansarulla. On Saturday, NIA searched premises linked to 3 individuals in connection with its probe into activities of Ansarulla. One among them was Chennai resident Syed Bukhari, president of the Wahdat-e-Islami Hind. On Sunday, the NIA arrested two of the three individuals — Hassan Ali. Yunusmaricar and Harish Mohammed, both from Nagapattinam — “based on incriminating facts revealed during searches and subsequent investigations”. The Wahdat-e-Islami Hind has maintained it is a religious organisation with no connection to radical Islam. Established in 2009 in Chennai as a religious body, it had earlier denied links to SIMI.indian express
Delhi Police Special Cell arrests JeM suspect
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-police-special-cell-arrests-suspected-jem-terrorist/article28462892.ece
Delhi Police Special Cell said on July 16 that they have arrested a suspect of Jaish-e-Mohammed from Srinagar. A reward of ₹2 lakh was announced for his arrest, they said.DCP (Special Cell) said that the man, identified as Basir Ahamad, was wanted in a case by Special Cell.Police said that 2 of his associates, Faiyyaz and Majeed Baba, were arrested earlier this year.thehindu
Mumbai: Bail after 7 years, man says said yes to LeT charge to avoid long trial
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbai-bail-after-7-years-man-says-said-yes-to-let-charge-to-avoid-long-trial-5831277/
Mumbai: 2 years ago, 5 men arrested on charges of being Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives pleaded guilty before a special court in Mumbai. After 7 years of incarceration, Mohammad Irfan Gaus was the first among them to be granted bail this month. After his release from Taloja prison, he has claimed that he was innocent but pleaded guilty to avoid a prolonged trial and worsening of his family’s situation.Last week, while granting bail to Gaus, Bombay High Court observed:“Prima facie, at this stage, we are of the opinion that perusal of material made available to us does not show that there are reasonable grounds for believing that accusations against the appellant/accused no.4 (Gaus) are true.”ATS filed a chargesheet against 5, including Gaus, for offences punishable under UAPA, IPC and Arms Act. In Oct.2013, the case was transferred to NIA.Gaus (32) said, “NIA told us that a few accused in a similar case have pleaded guilty before a special court in Bengaluru and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. NIA suggested that we consider pleading guilty. We decided to plead guilty and requested NIA to tell the court to grant us 5 years of imprisonment as we had already spent that time in jail,” he said. “We were left with no choice but to plead guilty, not because we were guilty, but we had no idea when our case was going to be concluded. We had families to look after. The situation was getting bad.”NIA did not respond to calls and text messages from the Indian Express seeking comment. indianexpress
4 dead, 40 feared trapped after four-storey building collapses in Mumbai’s Dongri
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/four-storey-building-collapses-in-mumbai-s-dongri-many-feared-trapped/story-5xuUuRb9XRjWvOa1AU3qZI.html
Mumbai:A century-old building collapsed in south Mumbai’s congested Dongri area on Tuesday, killing at least four people as rescuers struggled to reach the 40 others who are trapped under the debris, officials said.A toddler was among the seven people to be pulled alive from Kesarbai building in Tandel Street in Abdul Hamid Durga, an area with narrow by lanes, and rushed to a hospital. Doctors said the condition of the child was stable. CM Devendra Fadnavis said authorities are focussing on rescuing those who are trapped and that an investigation will be launched to find the cause behind the collapse.“It was a 100-year-old building. It was not in the list of dangerous buildings. A developer was appointed for redevelopment. We will probe if there was any lapse on part of the developer,” CM said.There were at least 13 to 14 families living in the building. HT
Gujarat HC grants Shweta Bhatt’s plea, lists petition seeking security on Aug 19
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-hc-grants-shweta-bhatts-plea-lists-petition-seeking-security-on-aug-19-5831408/
Acting on an application moved last week by Shweta Bhatt, wife of former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, seeking an early listing of her main petition seeking armed security for her family from the state at its expense,Gujarat High Court ordered that the main petition be listed on Aug.19.On July 12, Shweta Bhatt submitted that her main petition was heard last on May 8, at which time the state Govt had sought time. Thereafter the matter was listed for May 10 but due to paucity of time, matter was not heard.Justice S H Vora directed the registry to list her main petition for hearing on Aug.19 and disposed of her application. Shweta’s main petition states, “threat perception against Bhatt and particularly against his family members has intensified and there have occurred instances after the arrest of Bhatt that have prompted the wife of Bhatt to approach the HC for providing armed security at the cost of the State.”indianexpress
UP: Brahmin girl seeks protection after marrying Gujjar boy
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/brahmin-girl-seeks-protection-from-family-after-marrying-a-gujjar-boy/articleshow/70219046.cms
Amroha:After the daughter of Bareilly BJP MLA, another Brahmin girl has taken the video route to seek police protection after marrying a Gujjar boy against the wishes of her family. In the Amroha video which went viral on Saturday night, 21-year-old girl says that she is being threatened by her family. Her father, on the other hand, has alleged that she is missing and police have not been able to trace her. “If they don’t trace my daughter, I would convert to Islam,” he said. Meanwhile, police have formed 2 teams to trace the girl. Working on a tip-off, police teams went to Hapur and Allahabad on Sunday, but the couple couldn’t be found.TOI
Raja Dhale, co-founder of Dalit Panther, dies aged 78
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raja-dhale-co-founder-of-dalit-panther-dies/article28475090.ece?homepage=true
Mumbai:Raja Dhale, one of the founders of the radical outfit Dalit Panther, died at his residence in Mumbai on Tuesday, family sources said. He was 78.His daughter Gatha Dhale is currently a leader of RPI(A).PTI
Gujarat govt may withdraw ‘minor cases’ against Dalits, Thakors, Rajputs
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-govt-may-withdraw-minor-cases-against-dalits-thakors-rajputs-5831351/
Gujarat Govt is actively considering the prospect of withdrawing criminal cases against people of the Dalit, Thakor and Rajput communities registered in the past 3 years during various agitations.These cases include those related in the post-Una Dalit agitation, Rajput community members’ agitation against the film Padmaavat and against Thakor community members during attacks on North Indian migrants. Sources said those of the cases that are minor in nature are the ones under consideration.indianexpress
WORLD
HRW slams Kuwait for deporting Egypt’s ‘dissidents’
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/hrw-slams-kuwait-deporting-egyptian-dissidents-190716104152423.html
HRW has condemned authorities in Kuwait for "unlawfully" returning eight Egyptians to Cairo over claims they were part of a "terrorist cell" linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The rights group said 8 dissidents were handed over to Egypt on Monday despite "serious risk of torture and persecution they face in Egypt". The deportations appeared to violate international law, the group said in a statement on the same day. Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior announced the men's arrest in a statement on Friday. It said the Muslim Brotherhood-linked group had been convicted of "terrorism" in Egypt and had fled to Kuwait."Kuwaiti authorities have put at grave risk 8 men who fled mass oppression in Egypt and thought they had found refuge in Kuwait," said Sara Leah Whitson, HRW's Middle East and North Africa director."It's horrendous that Kuwait is acting at the behest of abusive Egyptian security agencies and returning dissidents to face torture and persecution," she said. HRW said there was no record of any judicial review of the deportation orders or of the risks faced by the men on their return to Egypt. It also urged an end to further deportations. Security sources, said that 300 Egyptians had fled Kuwait "as a precautionary measure" following the arrest of 8 men. aljazeera
Ola Al-Qaradawi’s detention extended for 15 days
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190716-ola-al-qaradawis-detention-extended-for-15-days/
Ola Al-Qaradawi was transferred from Egypt’s Al-Qanater women’s prison yesterday for a pretrial detention hearing which was scheduled to be held today. Ola, 58, was returned to solitary confinement at the beginning of July despite a court ordering her release hours earlier, on new but similar charges, that she had used her relationships in prison to support a terror group. At the court hearing yesterday a prosecutor extended her detention for 15 days.Her lawyer has said that Ola will remain on hunger strike for as long as she is in detention. She has already been in solitary confinement for 740 days and her family fear for her health.MEMO
US approves bill demanding sanctions on Saudi officials responsible for Khashoggi murder
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190716-us-approves-bill-demanding-sanctions-on-saudi-officials-responsible-for-khashoggi-murder/
US legislators overwhelmingly approved 2 anti-Saudi bills targeting individuals in the kingdom responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Riyadh’s human rights record.In the first of the 2 bills, House of Representatives approved Saudi Human Rights and Accountability Act by a vote of 405-7.MEMO
Drug gangs behind Sri Lanka Easter bombings:Prez
http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2019/jul/15/drug-gangs-behind-sri-lanka-easter-bombings-president-claims-2004244.html?fbclid=IwAR35ejFoPGN-o_nKx9QcDgrBi3U4ltna7KbOGtGkEt_ptVYAQNexroLPnsI
International drug syndicates orchestrated Sri Lanka's deadly Easter Sunday bombings, the country's leader said, despite earlier blaming the attacks on Islamists.The statement comes amid a nationwide narcotics crackdown, with President Maithripala Sirisena aiming to reintroduce capital punishment for drug offences. Authorities have said local group National Thowheeth Jamaath were responsible for the suicide bombings in churches and hotels that killed at least 258 people in April. Sirisena's office said the day after the bombings that local terrorists and international terror groups were responsible for the attacks.But in a statement issued by his office Monday, Sirisena said the attacks "were the work of international drug dealers"."Drug barons carried out this attack to discredit me and discourage my anti-narcotics drive. I will not be deterred," he said.Sirisena is waging a battle against efforts by his governing coalition in parliament to abolish capital punishment, which has been subject to a moratorium since 1976. A spokesman for PM Ranil Wickremesinghe discounted the president's claims.Police officials said investigations into April 21 suicide bombings were still ongoing, and all the more than 100 people in custody were Sri Lankans.PTI
US to Hezbollah: Blockade will ease if you do not join Iran in future attacks
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190716-us-to-hezbollah-blockade-will-ease-if-you-do-not-join-iran-in-future-attacks/
US has asked Iranian ally Hezbollah not to intervene in the event of a future confrontation with Tehran in the Gulf, Israel’s Maariv paper reported.The paper pointed out that the Americans delivered their message via a German mediator, pledging in return to ease the financial blockade imposed on Hezbollah.Hezbollah has been struggling as a result of the US sanctions against a number of its members and those imposed on Iran, the paper explained.Meanwhile, Iran said on Sunday it had no contacts with US.middleeastmonitor
Hezbollah withdraws troops from Syria to the Lebanon border
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190716-hezbollah-withdraws-troops-from-syria-to-the-lebanon-border/
Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been withdrawing its fighters from much of the Syrian territories moving them to areas near the Lebanese border, sources within Syria said. The group, which is backed by Iran, redeployed its troops to new areas within the Qalamoun district in the countryside around Damascus in south-western Syria, as the majority of its forces withdrew from other areas in the country.middleeastmonitor
Iran hits back at US demands on ballistic missiles
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2019/07/iran-hits-demands-ballistic-missiles-proxies-190716052354566.html
Iran has hit back at US President Donald Trump's call for new nuclear negotiations that encompass its ballistic missiles programme, accusing Washington of bringing the Middle East to the brink of "explosion" by selling arms to allies in the Gulf. Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, made the comment on Monday.He said Iran would only sit down with the US if it lifted punishing economic sanctions it has imposed on Tehran and rejoined 2015 nuclear deal it abandoned last year.Zarif, who is in New York on a visit to the UN, told NBC it was US and its allies - Saudia and UAE- who were to blame for turmoil in the Middle East."If you want to discuss ballistic missiles, then we need to discuss the amount of weapons sold to our region," he said. aljazeera
OIC’s extraordinary meeting to be held in Jeddah
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/oic-s-extraordinary-meeting-to-be-held-in-jeddah/1533347
An open-ended extraordinary meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation executive committee will be held on Wednesday in Jeddah, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said. The meeting will be held at the level of foreign ministers, upon the call made by the State of Palestine to discuss Israel’s violations in the occupied city of East Jerusalem.
Regime airstrikes kill 9 in Syria’s de-escalation zone
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/regime-airstrikes-kill-9-in-syria-s-de-escalation-zone/1533029
At least 9 civilians were killed and 14 others injured in fresh regime airstrikes in de-escalation zones in northwestern Syria today. The attacks targeted the residential areas in towns of Idlib province.Anadolu
EU sanctions Turkey over drilling dispute
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190716-eu-sanctions-turkey-over-mediterranean-drilling-dispute/
European Union has unanimously decided to impose sanctions on Turkey over its drilling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. MEMO
Flash: views & NEWS
‘Article 15’ does not shy away from depicting the realities of caste society: Harish Wankhede
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/an-upper-caste-gaze-article-15-dalits-bollywood5831109/
NRC process addresses a century-long demographic crisis in Assam: Divyansh Dev
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/assam-nrc-rohingya-healing-old-wounds-5831131/
India Needs More Like Adi Godrej to Rise Above Capitalist Self-Interest:Badri Raina
https://thewire.in/rights/india-needs-more-like-adi-godrej-to-rise-above-capitalist-self-interest
You May Think You Are an Indian Citizen, but Can You Convince the State?Sidharth Bhatia
https://thewire.in/rights/india-nrc-united-state-illegal-immigrants-ice
Ahead of polls, BJP appoints new chiefs in Mumbai, Maharashtra; OBC leader to take over reins in UP
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ahead-of-polls-bjp-appoints-new-party-chiefs-in-mumbai-maharashtra-obc-leader-to-take-over-reins-in-up/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq
(Released at: 8:53 PM)
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