NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
30 Sept. 2019: 30 Muharram 1441: Vol: 12, No: 25
INDIA
No review, pay 2002 riots victim Bilkis Bano Rs 50 lakh compensation in 2 weeks, SC tells Gujarat Govt
https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-review-pay-2002-riots-victim-bilkis-bano-compensation-of-rs-50-lakh-in-2-weeks-sc-tells-gujarat-govt-2327807.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Gujarat government to pay a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Gujarat riots victim Bilkis Bano within two weeks, declining to reconsider its decision. A bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi directed the state to also provide her a job and accommodation in the next two weeks. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, submitted before the bench that they sought to seek a review of the April order by the top court.Responding to a contempt plea filed by Bano, Mehta said the order has not been complied with since the Gujarat government wanted the court to reconsider its directive in terms of the precedent it might set.At this, CJI clarified that the order to pay compensation along with a job and accommodation was in view of specific facts and circumstances in the particular case."We make it clear that our order was in view of the particular facts and will not be a precedent. Now you pay her the compensation within two weeks. We are giving you two weeks although you may not even need that much time," said the court.The court had in April directed the state government to pay Bano the compensation, and also assure her a job and accommodation. It had then said: “While the state eventually punished the perpetrators of the crime, the victim was left devastated after seeing human fury at its worst.”The court added: "Not only was she raped 22 times, her daughter aged 3.2 years was smashed to death. Ever since the appellant has been living a nomadic life and surviving at the charity of NGOs. The appellant is now 40 years old and not very well educated. She has lost her entire family.""We don't have to search for elaborate principles of law to decide that the victim must be adequately compensated. Time and again this court has held that quantum of compensation has to be judged according to the loss suffered," held the SC on its April order.news18
Ram Lalla pulls out of mediation on Babri title case
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/ram-lalla-pulls-out-of-mediation-on-ayodhya-title-dispute
The counsel for deity ''Ram Lalla'' told the Supreme Court Monday that he did not want to participate in the mediation proceedings to amicably resolve Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute case. Senior lawyer C S Vaidyantahan, appearing for deity ''Ram Lalla Virajman, referred to some media reports on mediation and said that he did not want to take part in the mediation any further and would like a judicial decision from the bench.A 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, was hearing decades-old sensitive case on 34th day after commencing the day-to-day proceedings on August 6 after an earlier mediation process had failed.On Sept.18, the apex court however said it will continue with the day-to-day hearing in the case and in the meantime, the parties can still go ahead with the mediation proceedings to resolve the dispute. The SC said the hearing in the case was at the fag end and it also wanted the proceedings to be over by Oct.18."The hearing is at an advanced stage," said the bench which also comprised Justices SA Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer.The bench also reiterated its resolve to conclude the hearing by October 18. "We will sit on this Saturday, if required". The top court which is hearing the Ayodhya case till 5 pm, instead of 4 pm, on daily basis, asked the counsel for Hindu body ''Nirmohi Akahara'' that it will allow only one lawyer from its side to argue the case."We will allow one lawyer from your (Akhara''s) side to argue...we do not have the time. Don''t you want us to give the order,"the bench asked the counsel for the Hindu body.The bench then asked senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Muslim parties, to argue on Friday the appeal filed by Sunni Wakf Board seeking title over the entire disputed site.PTI/IANS
Koregaon-Bhima: CJI Gogoi recuses from hearing Gautam Navlakha’s plea
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/koregaon-bhima-cji-ranjan-gogoi-recuses-from-hearing-gautam-navlakhas-plea-6041004/
CJI Ranjan Gogoi today recused himself from hearing a plea filed by civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha challenging Bombay High Court order refusing to quash FIR lodged against him in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case.“List the matter before a bench in which I am not the party”, CJI said.The matter was listed before a bench of CJI and Justices SA Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer. Maharashtra government had filed a caveat in the matter seeking to be heard before any orders are passed.PTI
INX case: Delhi HC denies bail to Chidambaram
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/inx-media-case-p-chidambaram-bail-plea-delhi-high-court-6041389/
New Delhi :The Delhi High Court Monday denied bail to former Union minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case. Chidambaram, who was arrested on August 21 by CBI sleuths from his Jor Bagh residence in New Delhi, is now in judicial custody in Tihar jail till October 3.Justice Suresh Kumar Kait observed that despite the fact that he being former Union minister, and presently a MP with deep roots in society and long-standing in the Bar, the “possibility” of him influencing the witnesses cannot be ruled out.“I am not inclined to grant bail,” the court said.indianexpress
J&K ISSUE
Supreme Court postpones all Kashmir hearings, CJI says no time, need to hear Ayodhya matter
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-kashmir-hearing-postponed-cji-ranjan-gogoi-ayodhya-matter-1604680-2019-09-30?fbclid=IwAR1ZkVFX6-aOqWm8Di88K3AWSWibGzTWx5Q6Wz4ShL2R8fJO6LCUL05N5IA
New Delhi: Supreme Court has postponed the hearings of a bunch of petitions on Kashmir and posted them for hearing on Tuesday by a Constitution bench. While postponing the hearings on Monday, CJI Ranjan Gogoi said the court doesn't have time as it also has to hear the Ayodhya matter on a daily basis."We do not have the time to hear so many matters. We have Constitution bench case (Ayodhya dispute) to hear," said CJI.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi referred the pleas, which also raised issues of alleged restrictions imposed on the movement of journalists in Kashmir as well as petitions claiming illegal detention of minors in the Valley, to its five-judge bench.The court has sent the PIL filed by child rights expert Enakshi Ganguly and Prof Shanta Sinha on the alleged illegal detention of children in Jammu and Kashmir to a Constitution bench. The matter will again be taken up on Tuesday along with the other petitions on Kashmir and abrogation of Article 370. Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad's petition will also be taken up by a five-judge bench on Tuesday.The SC today also refused to further entertain Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko's plea seeking production of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah before it and said MDMK leader can challenge the detention order under Public Safety Act. "He (Abdullah) is under detention under PSA," a bench headed by CJI told Vaiko's counsel. indiatoday
SC tags petitions challenging J&K lockdown
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-tags-petitions-relating-to-kashmir-lockdown-constitution-bench-to-begin-hearing-from-oct-1/article29555148.ece?homepage=true
Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan govt invites Manmohan Singh, not PM Modi for opening ceremony
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kartarpur-corridor-pakistan-manmohan-singh-pm-modi-1604793-2019-09-30?fbclid=IwAR2Lj-iF1i8bzyMt8KnWgeolSk0AH2b5mve3GDdxUkItKWKJe6kvn5osZj4
Imran Khan-led Pakistan government has decided to invite Manmohan Singh, instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the inauguration of Kartarpur corridor.Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has announced that Imran Khan government has decided to invite Manmohan Singh to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor opening ceremony.Opening of the Kartarpur Corridor holds great importance and value for Pakistan. And after detailed discussion and consultation, we have decided to invite former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh as a guest to the opening ceremony, Qureshi said.Manmohan Singh has the religious faith and is highly respected in Pakistan. That is why we are going to invite him, Qureshi added.The Corridor is scheduled to be opened on Nov. 9, as work continues at fast pace at the zero point.indiatoday
On his return from US, Imran Khan says 'it's jihad'; tells Pakistanis not to lose heart over Kashmir issue
https://www.news18.com/news/world/on-his-return-from-us-imran-khan-says-its-jihad-tells-pakistanis-not-to-lose-heart-over-kashmir-issue-2327339.html
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan on his return from the US on Sunday said that those standing by Kashmiris were doing "jihad" and Pakistan will support Kashmiris even if the world does not.Khan, who focused on the Kashmir issue in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, told his party workers at the airport here that whether the world is with the Kashmiris or not, we are standing with them.It (standing by Kashmiris) is jihad. We are doing it because we want Allah to be happy with us, he said. It is a struggle and do not lose heart when the time is not good. Do not be disappointed as the Kashmiris are looking towards you, he said.He said "Kashmiris would win if the Pakistani people stood by their side". Khan on Friday raised the Kashmir issue in his address to the UNGA and demanded that India must lift the "inhuman curfew" in Kashmir and release all "political prisoners".In his speech that went on for about 50 minutes,far exceeding 15-minute limit for UN speeches during General Debate, Khan devoted half of his address to the Kashmir issue, warning that if there's face-off between two nuclear-armed neighbours, the consequences would be far beyond their borders.PTI
India 'invaded and occupied' Kashmir, Malaysian PM says at UN General Assembly
https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/india-invaded-occupied-kashmir-malaysian-pm-unga_in_5d916850e4b0e9e7604ed933?utm_hp_ref=in-news
UN: Raising the Kashmir issue at the UN, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that India has “invaded and occupied” Jammu and Kashmir and asked New Delhi to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue. The Malaysian prime minister in his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday said that there may be reasons for India’s action in Jammu and Kashmir “but it is still wrong.“He said despite UN resolutions, Jammu and Kashmir has been “invaded and occupied.” He said, “ignoring UN would lead to others forms of disregard for UN and the rule of law.”Later, addressing a press conference in UN HQRS, Mahathir said he had suggested to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to resolve issues over Kashmir through “negotiations” rather than by “invasion” when Modi told him why his government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status during their meeting in Russia.The Malaysian leader was asked by a reporter on Friday if he has tried to talk to India and Pakistan to calm down and restrain themselves. Mahathir said he had a long session with Prime Minister Modi in Vladivostok during which Modi explained why he took action to revoke Article 370 in Kashmir. He (Modi) also agreed with me that even India has solved problems through negotiations, with Bangladesh and others, the Malaysian prime minister said. Mahathir said he suggested to him that since India has experience with negotiating to reduce conflict or to eliminate conflicts why not use negotiations to do so rather than to invade Kashmir.Mahathir said to this, Modi didn’t commit to anything but I did tell him that it is up to him whether he would resort to negotiations to settle the problem of terrorism in the area.PTI
Malaysian PM shocks India at UN, says Kashmir 'invaded, occupied'
https://www.ibtimes.co.in/malaysian-pm-shocks-india-un-says-kashmir-invaded-occupied-806339
After Turkey sides with Pakistan, India assures support for Cyprus' territorial integrity
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/09/29/after-turkey-sides-with-pakistan-india-assures-support-cyprus-territorial-integrity.html
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades met on the sidelines of the UNGA, India reiterated India's consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. Anastasiades speaking from UNGA said, according to WION, "Turkey threatens Cyprus that there will be severe consequences if we proceed ahead with our energy programme...it threatens neighbouring states and energy companies, with which we are cooperating and have established conventional obligations". Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the UN, saying it is imperative to solve the problem through "dialogue on the basis of justice, equity, and not through collision". theweek
14 US Congressmen urge PM Modi to restore communication in Kashmir
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/14-us-congressmen-urge-pm-modi-to-restore-communication-in-kashmir/story-FUiyLe5EXX9B5ywDpOYACK.html?fbclid=IwAR1XjPnz-pVmiMvtKhwL9Nm9VamaSetmW_rXhr2rQuW_k5r90yxjEm2WU3E
Indian-American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal along with 13 other US Congressmen have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address concerns over human rights situation in Kashmir and lift communications blackout. A statement, addressed to Prime Minister Modi, was issued jointly by Congressmen Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr, Judy Chu, Pramila Jayapal, Carolyn Maloney, Gerald Connolly, Ilhan Omar, Barbara Lee, Al Green, Zoe Lofgren, Andy Levin, Mike Levin, James P. McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, and Katie Porter.“On behalf of thousands of families across the country who have been unable to contact family in Jammu and Kashmir, we are urging Prime Minister Modi to lift the communications blackout and address ongoing humanitarian concerns,” the lawmakers said in the joint statement.The joint statement, lawmakers said, is in response to imposition of media blackout starting August 5, leaving millions in Jammu and Kashmir without access to mobile phones or the internet while many others have been detained.“As a result, family members in US and elsewhere have had no ability to contact loved ones in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to concerns about their welfare,” said the statement, the lead in which was taken by Congressman Cisneros, who is a Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and an Executive Board Member of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.PTI
'Denounce What India Is Doing To Kashmiris': Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-denounce-what-india-is-doing-to-kashmiris-canadian-mp-jagmeet-singh/339682
Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh has come down heavily on the Indian government over the abrogation of Article 370, which accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Singh "denounced what India was doing to the people of Kashmir." Speaking of communication blockade, Singh said: "They shut down cellphones, they shut down telephone services, they block the media.""Anywhere in the world, if the cellphones are being blocked, telephones are being shut down and if the media is not allowed to go there, I can assure you there are human rights violations happening," Singh said, to a "yes" chant from the small crowd in Canada. outlookindia
Amid lockdown and detentions, J&K announces local council polls October 24
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-kashmir-local-council-polls-october-24-election-commission-6039591/
At a time when most senior leaders of mainstream political parties in Valley are under detention — 250 under J&K Public Safety Act and hundreds under various sections of Ranbir Penal Code —Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commission has announced that Block Development Council (BDC) elections would be held on “party lines” on Oct.24.“The counting of votes will be held the same day,” said J&K Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar.In BDC polls, panchs and sarpanchs will elect a chairman, after which District Development Boards will be constituted.indianexpress
Kashmir living in fear, business in Jammu zero:Azad
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashmir-living-under-fear-business-in-jammu-zero-gulam-nabi-azad-6041997/
New Delhi:Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was worrisome and the economy has suffered since the Centre’s August 5 decision. Addressing a press conference after his week-long visit to the state, Azad said: “The atmosphere of J&K is one of fear, and since it became a union territory, the Centre has been threatening local administration.” Businesses in both Jammu and Kashmir have been shut for close to two months now, which has derailed the economy of the state, he said.“Everything that reaches Kashmir goes from Jammu. So the shopkeepers of Kashmir town and rural areas are completely dependent on Jammu, therefore, due to shut down the business in Jammu is zero,” the senior Congress leader said.Questioning the decision of the Centre to revoke the special status and bifurcate the state, Azad said that Kashmir has been under siege for over 50 days. “Everything is not okay in both Jammu and in Kashmir, several ruling party leaders are also not speaking due to fear of their national leaders,” Azad added.Reacting to the announcement of Block Development Council elections in the state, Azad said that it will be a mockery of democracy if the block and district level elections are conducted when political leaders of mainstream parties in the state have been either detained or under house arrest. He alleged that the dates were announced after the BJP successfully defected most local leaders at Panchayat level. “These elections were not allowed during the Governor’s rule, now that all political leaders have been detained and under house arrest, the government has announced an election,” Azad said. He demanded the release of political leaders and that polls be denotified.indianexpress
Home Ministry set to sanction prosecution of Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi and Masarat Alam under UAPA
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/home-ministry-set-to-sanction-prosecution-of-yasin-malik-asiya-andrabi-and-masarat-alam-under-uapa/articleshow/71373328.cms
Union home ministry is set to sanction the prosecution of JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi and All Party Hurriyat Conference general secretary Masarat Alam under UAPA for allegedly receiving funds from Pakistan to carry out terrorist activities and stone pelting in 2010 and 2016.NIA, which arrested the 3 in April, is expected to file a charge sheet in the first week of October after obtaining the sanction, said officials. TOI
Night the soldiers came: Allegations of abuse surface in Kashmir: Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/the-night-the-soldiers-came-allegations-of-abuse-surface-in-kashmir/2019/09/28/90969472-d40d-11e9-8924-1db7dac797fb_story.html
Parigam, India:It was near midnight when the soldiers came for Yassin Bhat. 25-year-old pulled on some clothes and stepped into the darkness. Nearby, on the main road, he saw dozens of Indian army soldiers, Bhat said. One asked him what he thought about India’s move the day before to revoke Kashmir’s autonomy. Terrified, Bhat replied that it was a good step. The officer told him not to lie, Bhat recalled, and ordered him to take off his clothes in the middle of the road. Then, he said, the abuse began. Several soldiers held him down while others used thick cables to whip his back and legs. The soldiers then placed on his chest and genitals electrical wires connected to a battery. He remembers being immobilized as the current surged through his body.Bhat was one of 19 people interviewed by The Washington Post across 13 villages in southern Kashmir who alleged abuses by the armed forces in the days after India launched a crackdown in the disputed region. Bhat and two other men alleging abuse remain afraid of retribution but spoke on the record because they wanted their accounts to be chronicled. Allegations included beatings with rods, sticks and cables, electric shocks and being hung upside down for prolonged periods. In three cases, including Bhat’s, The Post reviewed photos and hospital records detailing the injuries.
OTHERS
Muzaffarnagar riots: Sixth accused in murder case that triggered 2013 UP riots gets bail
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/sixth-accused-in-murder-case-that-triggered-2013-up-riots-gets-bail/articleshow/71364220.cms
Muzaffarnagar: The district court has granted bail to Ravindra Singh, one of the 6 accused in Shahnawaz murder case that triggered communal riots in 2013, claiming over 60 lives and displacing over 50,000 people. The other five accused are already on bail. Ravindra had been absconding after the court, last year, junked the clean chit given to these accused by the SIT formed to probe the case. He, however, surrendered on September 6, 2019, after the court ordered to seize his farming land, other properties and bank account. Ravindra is the father of Gaurav, one of the two cousins killed after Shahnawaz’s murder over an alleged incidence of eve-teasing that triggered the riots. “District judge granted bail to Ravindra and ordered to summit two guarantors of Rs 1.5 lakh each,” his lawyer Hafiz Amir said.Shahnawaz’s family, meanwhile, appealed against SIT’s clean chit to the six accused.Five of them — Prahlad, Bishan Singh, Tendu, Jitender and Devender — had earlier surrendered and were granted bail, but Ravindra was absconding till September 6 this year. The seven accused serving life sentence in Gaurav and Sachin murder case are Muzammil, Muzassim, Nadeem, Jahangir, Furkan, Iqbal and Afzal.TOI
Dhule lynching: ‘Not involved in actual commission of crime’, Bombay HC grants bail to 10 men
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dhule-lynching-not-involved-in-actual-commission-of-crime-hc-grants-bail-to-10-men-6039675/
Mumbai :Over a year after five men were lynched by a mob in Dhule, 10 accused men were granted bail last month by the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench, which observed that it has not been alleged that they were involved in the actual commission of the crime. These men had allegedly obstructed a police team from reaching the spot where the victims were being assaulted.35 men were arrested by the Pimpalner police on charges, including murder, after 5 men from the nomadic community, Nath Panthi Davari Gosavi, were lynched on July 1, 2018 at Rainpada in Dhule district.After suspecting the victims, who were in search of livelihood, to be child-kidnappers based on rumours on the social media, the accused locked the victims in the gram panchayat office and assaulted them with iron rods, chairs, wooden logs and planks.“…The allegations have been made against them (applicants granted bail) to the effect that they have obstructed the police party, which arrived at village Rainpada, while entering the gram panchayat office where those five persons were confined and subjected to continuous beating by co-accused…there are no allegations about their involvement in the actual commission of crime,” Justice V K Jadhav said in the order.Other co-accused, accused of assaulting the victims, had also filed for bail but withdrew their applications.“It appears that several villagers gathered at the spot to protest against the police machinery for their inaction to nab the criminals wandering in the area. These applicants are either farmers or students. They are easily available for the trial,” court said. While 9 accused — Siddharth Gangurde, Kishor Pawar, Ajit Gangurde, Raju Gavali, Sukmal Kambade, Rajaram Raut, Chunnilal Malich, Bandu Sable and Gulab Gaikwad — were granted bail by the HC, a person named Dipak Gangurde was granted bail by the Dhule sessions court on grounds of parity with others.indianexpress
'I chose Islam on my own': Kerala girl refutes 'love jihad' charges after fleeing to UAE
https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/09/30/kerala-girl-refutes-love-jihad-angle-adopts-islam.html
Dubai:A 19-year-old Christian girl, who fled to Abu Dhabi and embraced Islam, has rubbished reports that she has been 'abducted and coerced' into joining a terrorist group and stressed that she left India on her own free will for love. Ciyani Benny's remarks came in the wake of her parents filing a missing report alongside a police complaint in Delhi saying that their daughter has been kidnapped."This is not true. I have found my true calling and have come to Abu Dhabi of my own free will. No one forced me. I am an adult citizen of India and can make my own decision. I embraced Islam on my own,” Ciyani, who now goes by the name Aisha, told media on Sunday.Ciyani attended classes until 11am on Sept.18. However, the same afternoon, she took a 2.45 pm GoAir flight to Abu Dhabi to get married to an Indian man she became friends with on social media about nine months ago.Her parents, originally from Kozhikode in Kerala, said they fear their daughter could have been brainwashed and led astray with very nefarious designs like joining an outfit such as Islamic State (IS) or being used as a slave.Ciyani has strongly refuted these allegations. On Saturday, she issued a statement saying that she embraced Islam in Abu Dhabi Court on September 24 of her own free will. "I have accepted this religion and would ensure that I would live with the same faith, she said in a letter addressed to the Indian home minister,National Commissions of Minorities and Kerala and Delhi chief ministers. I have been called by the Indian Embassy and I have stated my terms that I have come here on my own and would not want to go back," she said, urging gov to take action against those spreading fake news that she has been abducted or is part of a terrorist group."They are paranoid. The other day my family stumbled upon some prayers while rummaging through my belongings back home. Prayers were in the Arabic script so they assumed that I was being indoctrinated. The fact is that I have always had a keen interest in Islam and was studying it long before I met the love of my life, she said.manoramaonline
Death sentence commuted: Terrorists like Rajoana can’t be spared, PM playing with fire, says Beant Singh’s grandson
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/terrorists-like-rajoana-cant-be-spared-pm-playing-with-fire-beant-singhs-grandson-6041062/
Ludhiana :Reacting to reports of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) commuting death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana to life imprisonment, the grandson of former CM Beant Singh and Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu Sunday accused PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of doublespeak on terror, adding that “Rajoana is a dreaded terrorist”. Rajoana is one of the convicted assassins of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. “It would be a black day for Indian democracy and Punjab if reports are true. There won’t be a bigger blot for Modi and Amit Shah. There was a list of Sikh prisoners which was mutually decided by Indian government and Punjab government on the basis of their good conduct and to give relief to those prisoners who are very old now and have none to fight their cases or bail them out. It was a goodwill gesture on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, but as far as Rajoana’s death punishment being commuted to life imprisonment is concerned, my and Captain Amarinder Singh’s stand on it is very clear. He is a dreaded terrorist and should not be spared at any cost. I do not have any issues with release of those prisoners who have shown good conduct but terrorists like Rajoana cannot be spared,” said MP Bittu.Bittu further said that doublespeak of Modi and Shah on terrorism now stood exposed.indianexpress
Chinmayanand rape case: 80 Congress workers arrested in UP ahead of rally for law student
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chinmayanand-rape-case-congress-protest-march-uttar-pradesh-6040600/
New Delhi :About 80 Congress workers were arrested and party leaders like Jitin Prasada and Kaushal Mishra were put under house arrest ahead of a rally protest march that the party had planned in support of the law student who accused BJP leader and former union minister Chinmayanad of rape, PTI reported.Called the “Nyay Yatra”, the 5-day 180-km rally was planned from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow. Senior leaders of the party were expected to take part in the march.According to SP (city) Dinesh Tripathi, Congress workers were holding a meeting in front of the party office at a time when prohibitory orders were promulgated in the city and 80 of them have been arrested. “They had not taken any permission from the administration. After arrest, they have been taken to Police Lines,” Tripathi said.Police sources claimed that Prasada, district Congress president Kaushal Mishra, leader of Congress Legislative Party in UP Assembly Ajay Kumar Lallu and senior party leader Dheeraj Gurjar were among those arrested and kept at Police Lines. indianexpress
MHA yet to give funds, CRPF out of ration money for personnel
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mha-yet-to-give-funds-crpf-out-of-ration-money-for-personnel-6039553/
New Delhi :The shortfall is due to a delay in release of nearly Rs 800 crore from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Sources said the force has reminded MHA thrice over the past few months for payment of ration funds, but it is still pending.CRPF headquarters on September 13 wrote to all field units that personnel will not get ration money this month. “As no reserve fund under COR is presently available with this Dte, therefore it is not feasible to draw ration money allowance from the pay of September 2019,” the letter said.CRPF and MHA Sunday said the situation had arisen due to a revision in the allowance and payment of arrears in August. “On account of revision of Ration Money Allowance made by MHA on 12.7.2019, Rs 22,144 per head Ration money (arrears) was paid to around 2 lakh CRPF personnel who are drawing RMA in August. In this way CRPF troops have already received an amount Rs 22,144 as Ration money in July which is equivalent to 6 months RMA…thus they have sufficient funds for messing,” a statement by CRPF and MHA said.indianexpress
Giving total control of Assam Rifles to MHA will adversely impact vigil along China border:Army to Govt
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/giving-total-control-of-assam-rifles-to-mha-will-adversely-impact-vigil-along-china-border-army-to-govt-6039161/
New Delhi:Army has red flagged Home Ministry’s proposal to take operational control of the Assam Rifles, saying it will have serious national security implications including adversely impacting vigil over India’s disputed border with China.Strongly opposing the move, Army has instead sought overall responsibility of guarding entire Sino-India border in Eastern sector to effectively deal with any Chinese transgression, top military sources told PTI. At present, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) patrols several segments of border.The sources said concerned over the proposal by the Home Ministry to take operational control of the nearly 185 years old Assam Rifles, the Army has taken up the issue with Defence Ministry last week seeking its immediate intervention in the matter.PTI
Govt may seek Rs 30,000 crore interim dividend from RBI
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/govt-may-seek-rs-30000-crore-interim-dividend-from-reserve-bank-of-india-6038687/?52355632&fbclid=IwAR2SkFmPz-qA30EQa0K_fG0Wp1vdxX8U7MtUX6VuE3fZ19DlxAD7IVeRDfw
The government may seek an interim dividend of about Rs 30,000 crore from the RBI towards the end of the financial year to meet its fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of GDP for 2019-20, sources said.Government finances have come under pressure due to moderation in revenue collection and a slew of measures taken to lift growth from a six-year low of 5 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal.“If required, the government may request the Reserve Bank of India for interim dividend of Rs 25,000-30,000 crore during the current fiscal,” an official said.The assessment in this regard would be made in early January, official added.Apart from the RBI dividend, there are other means of bridging any shortfall, including mop up from disinvestment and higher utilisation of National Small Saving Fund (NSSF), sources added.In the past, the government has taken the route of seeking interim dividend from RBI to balance its account. Last fiscal, RBI paid Rs 28,000 crore as interim dividend. PTI
Modi-Trump talks ‘fail’ to meet India’s expectations: Cong
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/modi-trump-talks-fail-to-meet-indias-expectations-congress-6038985/
Congress has said it was disappointed over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump that “failed” to meet India’s expectations despite public display of bonhomie and friendship at ‘Howdy Modi’ “extravaganza”. Congress senior spokesperson Anand Sharma hit out at the BJP, saying the “euphoria” over the Prime Minister’s UN visit is misplaced as there is no cause for celebration and asked the government to focus on real issues and not deflect by engaging in “boastful campaign propaganda”. “Congress party notes with disappointment that the much hyped meeting of Prime Minister Modi with US President Trump has failed to meet India’s expectations despite the public display of bonhomie and special friendship at the Houston ‘Howdy Modi’ extravaganza,” he said in a statement. “There were no tangible outcomes of the visit which would justify the BJP celebration. Prime Minister was unsuccessful in persuading Trump to restore Generalized System of Preference for Indian exports to US markets, withdrawal of reduction in number of H1-B visas for Indian professionals and steep hike in fee,”he said.PTI
BJP Haryana drops 7 sitting MLAs, releases its first list of 78 candidates for Assembly elections
https://www.newsx.com/national/bjp-candidate-list-haryana-assembly-elections-2019-manohar-lal-khattar-amit-shah.html
Haryana unit of the BJP on Monday released its first list of candidates for Haryana Assembly elections. Reports said wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt will contest from Baroda, ex-hockey captain Sandeep Singh from Pehowa, wrestler Babita Phogat from Dadri while Haryana CM ML Khattar will contest from Karnal. As many as 7 sitting MLAs of the party has been denied tickets.CEC of BJP met under the presidentship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. NewsX
Ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur to contest against Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar in Assembly polls
https://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/ex-bsf-trooper-tej-bahadur-yadav-to-contest-against-haryana-cm-manohar-lal-khattar-in-assembly-polls/story-bXSNQLqKHdI6Tjs5Cs0BcK.html
Sacked BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav, who had sought to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 general elections, on Monday said he will contest against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the October 21 Assembly polls.Yadav, who had on Sunday joined regional political outfit Indian National Lok Dal’s breakaway faction, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) led by Dushyant Chautala, said that he would contest against Khattar from Karnal Assembly constituency.He termed unemployment a major issue in the state.Dismissed from service after uploading on social media a video showing allegedly poor quality food served to them, Yadav had sought to contest against Modi in the Varanasi parliamentary constituency as a Samajwadi Party candidate. However, the Election Commission had rejected his nomination papers.HT
Azam Khan's wife to fight from family hub
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/azam-khans-wife-to-fight-from-family-hub/articleshow/71367185.cms
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party on Sunday declared Azam Khan's wife and Rajya Sabha MP Tazeen Fatima as candidate for byelections in crucial Rampur assembly constituency, relying on the family's sway over the pocket borough. The party also announced five other candidates, while extending support to Rashtriya Lok Dal in Iglas assembly constituency in Aligarh. The party's decision to field Fatima followed a series of protests launched by the party against 87 cases lodged against the husband-wife lawmakers and their MLA son. 65-year-old AMU alumna was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2014. The bypoll was necessitated after Azam Khan's election to Lok Sabha.TOI
TN: BJP worker, associate damage SDPI man’s car
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/bjp-worker-associate-damage-sdpi-mans-car/articleshow/71366110.cms
Coimbatore: Thudiyalur police have formed a special team to nab a BJP cadre and his friend for damaging the windshield of a car owned by the member of a Muslim outfit at Thudiyalur on Saturday.W Sulaiman, 46, of Railway Station Road at Thudiyalur, a motorcycle mechanic and the treasurer of SDPI, had parked his car in front of his house on Saturday night. “His wife Rameela and son S Subair, 19, were standing in front of the house. 4 people on 2 scooters arrived there and enquired about Sulaiman. They also abused Subair using dirty words. The gang then picked up a wooden log and damaged the windshield of the car before fleeing from the area,”a police officer said.Preliminary inquiry revealed that 4-member gang and Sulaiman and his party cadres were booked for involving in a clash on Sept. 6 over a Ganesha chaturthi procession. Thudiyalur police had registered two cases against the groups. Based on Subair’s complaint, police registered a case against M Kanagaraj, a BJP member from Anna Colony in Thudiyalur and his friends D Kodirasu, R Ajithkumar and M Anandakumar, also from Anna Colony.TOI
PFI Demands Withdrawal of All Draconian Laws
https://caravandaily.com/popular-front-demands-withdrawal-of-all-draconian-laws-at-a-massive-conference/
New Delhi:In a bid to boost the morale and the confidence of minorities, Dalits and other weaker sections, PFI on Sunday organised a mammoth conference here. The conference on ‘People’s Rights’ made a host of demands including withdrawal of all legislations and measures which violate people’s rights and deny justice to minorities and weaker sections. Terming the NRC as conspiracy to target the minority community, it called upon people to join hands to defeat communal, fascist and sectarian forces in the country. E. Abubacker, chairman, PFI, flagged that the country is heading to a disaster ever since BJP government came to power at the Centre.Mahant Yugal Kishore Shastri from Ayodhya said “Hindutva terrorism is the real danger to the unity and integrity of the country not from Muslims or Pakistan.”Criticising the mob-lynching incidents, Shastri suggested a tit-for-tat tactic to deal with them. The mahant also criticised govt’s action on Kashmir saying it has alienated the people of Kashmir further. Echoing similar views, Sikh community representative Prof.Baljinder Singh slammed the government for the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A. He said Article 370 was a bridge between Jammu and Kashmir and rest of India. Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani, spokesperson, AIMPLB, said the country is passing through a critical phase. We need to take up the issues of the people.Dalit leader Ashok Bharti, said there is a need of unity among minorities, Dalits and weaker sections for fighting Hindutva forces in the country. Caravan Daily
Hundreds turned back as Meghalaya, Mizoram intensify checking post NRC
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hundreds-turned-back-as-meghalaya-mizoram-intensify-checking-post-nrc/story-MeFz7liWTP0N38DfT5JstJ.html
Guwahati:Hundreds have been turned back in Meghalaya and scores of inner line permit violators caught by police in Mizoram on their border with Assam as they strengthened security at checkpoints after the updated NRC list was published on August 31.“From Sept.1 to till Sept.26, 1,241 persons were detected without valid documents. They were directed to bring documents and visit Meghalaya,” Meghalaya’s SP police (anti-infiltration) Sylvester Nongtnger said.Nongtnger said officials manning check gates check for NRC status or other valid documents before allowing people to enter the state.“This is being done to make sure illegal immigrants do not enter the state,” he said. Police in Meghalaya have also apprehended as many as 17 Nigerian nationals between September 13 and September 18 who had come illegally via Tripura and Assam after flying to Dhaka.Among others, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had also expressed apprehensions that the over 1.9 million people out of the NRC in Assam may try to enter Meghalaya.A senior police official in the state said on condition of anonymity that checking was increased amid these apprehensions and taking into account past experiences. After 2018 draft NRC list was published, Khasi Student Union had set up check gates at Assam-Meghalaya border to check NRC status of visitors.“Instead of the students’ body taking over which may lead to a law and order problem, it is better that police shored up checking,” said senior official.In Kolasib, Mizoram district which borders Assam, a two senior official said strict checking is in place after the state government directive earlier this month to not issue temporary inner line permit to those who do not have their names in NRC. Unlike Meghalaya, visitors to Mizoram need an inner line permit.HT
Bihar floods:Death toll reaches 29, Deputy CM Sushil Modi, family rescued after being stuck for 3 days
https://indianexpress.com/article/weather/weather-forecast-today-patna-floods-live-bihar-nitish-kumar-6040060/?#liveblogstart
https://scroll.in/latest/939012/bihar-rain-deputy-cm-sushil-modi-family-rescued-from-patna-home-after-being-stuck-for-three-days
New Delhi : Battered by heavy rainfall for the past 48 hours in 3 districts of Bihar, at least 29 people have died in the state due to mishaps caused by the downpour, according toANI. The state capital Patna continued to be among the worst affected with four-to 6-feet-deep waterlogging in several areas Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, who was stranded at his Patna residence, had to be rescued by NDRF.Officials say the state capital has not witnessed such waterlogging since the 1975 floods. Bihar government has also asked two helicopters from Air Force for lifting and airdropping food packets and medicines. The Patna district administration has ordered the closure of all schools till Tuesday.
WORLD
Oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers: Saudi crown prince warns amid Iran conflict
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/oil-prices-will-jump-to-unimaginably-high-numbers-saudi-crown-prince-warns/story-044r3DuvYdw4ITE6ahD5fJ.html
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to “unimaginably high numbers” if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one.Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, also denied that he ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives nearly a year ago, but said he ultimately bears “full responsibility” as the leader of his country.“If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests,” the crown prince said. “Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.”Reuters
Amid Tourism Push, Saudi to Impose Fines for 'Indecent' Clothes, Public Display of Affection
https://www.news18.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-to-impose-fines-for-violations-of-decency-over-clothing-amid-tourism-push-2326687.html
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has said it would impose fines for violations of "public decency", including immodest clothing and public displays of affection, a day after the austere kingdom opened up to foreign tourists. Interior ministry said it had identified 19 such "offences" but did not specify the penalties, as the country begins issuing tourist visas for the first time as part of a push to diversify its oil-reliant economy."The new regulations require men and women to dress modestly and to refrain from public displays of affection. Women are free to choose modest clothing," a statement said. AFP
Houthis announce release of 350 prisoners
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/houthis-announce-release-350-prisoners-almasirah-tv-190930083854096.html
Houthi rebels have announced the unconditional release of 350 prisoners, including 3 Saudi Arabians, days after the Yemeni group claimed to have captured thousands of Saudi troops following an incursion into Saudi Arabia, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV.A statement by Houthi National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs (NCPA) carried by Al Masirah TV said the individuals were on the list of persons drawn up as part of the prisoner exchange deal agreed in Stockholm in December.United Nations-brokered prisoner swap, one of the three pillars of the breakthrough deal, involving some 7,000 detainees on each side had stalled as the two sides - the Houthis and the Yemeni government - struggled to agree on its implementation."Our initiative proves our credibility in implementing the Sweden agreement and we call on the other party to take a comparable step," said Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the NCPA, in the statement carried by Houthi-run broadcaster."We decided to release 350 prisoners because nothing from Sweden agreement have been achieved. The release is going take place today," NCPA statement read.The detainees were taken in Houthi raids since 2014, when the rebels overran the capital, Sanaa, and much of the north. UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths - who supervised the Stockholm agreement- welcomed the offer to unilaterally release a number of detainees, saying he hoped it would lead to further progress on an agreed prisoner exchange deal.Iran-linked group said the release of the prisoners was a gesture of goodwill to Saudi-UAE coalition, which has carried out bombing in support of the internationally recognised govt of Abd-Rabbu Mansur Hadi since 2015. Houthis recently announced the capture of hundreds of Yemeni loyalist forces in an August offensive near the Saudi border, but they were not among those released on Monday.On Sunday,Yemen's Houthi rebels broadcast footage they said was of a major attack in August near the border with Saudi Arabia, claiming that three "enemy military brigades had fallen". Houthis say the attack killed or wounded 500 soldiers and "thousands" of troops were captured, including Saudi army officers and soldiers, along with hundreds of armoured vehicles. aljazeera
Erdogan vows to continue oil, gas trade with Iran
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/saudi-oil-attacks-latest-updates-190916102800973.html
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed Ankara would continue to purchase oil and natural gas from Iran despite US sanctions."It is impossible for us to cancel relations with Iran with regards to oil and natural gas. We will continue to buy our natural gas from there," Erdogan told Turkish reporters before leaving New York where he was attending the UN General Assembly.Despite this vow, Erdogan admitted Turkey faced difficulty in purchasing oil since the private sector "pulled back because of US threats", NTV reported.aljazeera
Israel’s Mossad chief against sharing intelligence with Saudi
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190930-israels-mossad-chief-against-sharing-intelligence-with-saudi-arabia/
Head of Israel’s Mossad Yossi Cohen is against supplying developed intelligence hardware and software to Saudi Arabia, close aides told the Jerusalem Post .Cohen previously set the groundwork for former Israeli Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to publicly announce a new level of cooperation between Israeli and Saudi intelligence in Nov. 2017.He views such links as not as much about personal trust, but about overlapping national interests”, especially when it comes to standing together against Iran, the paper explained.Cohen is, however, against sharing sensitive Israeli technologies with the Saudis to combat the threat of drones.Arab48 said it was not clear whether Saudi Arabia has ever requested Israeli intelligence technology and been refused, but said that the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had unveiled Israeli-Saudi partnership in the field of intelligence technology. middleeastmonitor
Abdullah claims victory in Afghanistan election
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/abdullah-abdullah-claims-victory-afghanistan-election-190930105501022.html
Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive and President Ashraf Ghani's top rival, has claimed victory after the first round of voting in the presidential election over the weekend, though official counting is still under way."We have the most votes in this election," Abdullah said at a news conference on Monday."The results will be announced by the IEC [Independent Election Commission], but we have the most votes. The election is not going to go to a second round."Senior IEC official Habib Rahman Nang immediately slammed Abdullah's announcement as premature."No candidate has the right to declare himself the winner," he said. "According to the law, it is the IEC that decides who is the winner."Results are not expected until October 19. Candidates need more than 50 percent of the vote to be declared an outright winner, or else the top two will head for a second round in November.The vote held on Saturday saw a low turnout because of the threat of attacks, a muted campaign and concerns over fraud.aljazeera
Egypt army kills 6-yr-old in ‘revenge’ attack in Sinai
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190930-egypt-army-kills-6-year-old-in-revenge-attack-in-north-sinai/
As anti-government protests erupted across Egypt for the second week in a row on Friday, Egyptian military retaliated to a terror attack in North Sinai by killing a six-year old and his father. Egyptian government has waged a war on the local Daesh affiliate in Sinai for the last seven years that locals say is vastly disproportionate and is actually a war on civilians aimed at forcibly removing them from their land.Locals are regularly disappeared, extrajudicially killed, hit with indiscriminate bullets and live under a severe blackout as journalists and human rights workers are not allowed to enter the peninsula. According to Eid Marzouky, an exiled journalist originally from Bir Al-Abed who works for Al Jazeera, a green pickup truck carrying 4 militants approached Toffaha military checkpoint in Bir Al-Abed on Friday, and opened fire on the soldiers manning the checkpoint. middleeastmonitor
Egyptian activist Fattah rearrested amid crackdown
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/egyptian-activist-alaa-abdel-fattah-arrested-crackdown-190929165204406.html
Prominent pro-democracy activist, Alaa Abdel Fattah, who served 5 years in prison in Egypt, has been rearrested, according to his family and rights groups.The blogger and software engineer was a leading voice among young Egyptians who initially led 2011 uprising against President Hosni Mubarak. Government critics say his arrest is part of a wave of crackdowns, the largest since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took power. Nearly 2,000 people have been arrested, according to rights groups, since anti-government protests began in Cairo and other Egyptian cities earlier this month. The protests were spurred by exiled ex military contractor Mohamed Ali. aljazeera
Algeria’s Movement of Society for Peace decides not to nominate a candidate in presidential election
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190930-algerias-movement-of-society-for-peace-decides-not-to-nominate-a-candidate-in-presidential-election/
Movement of Society for Peace (Algeria’s largest Islamist party) has decided not to nominate its head, Abderrazak Makri, as a candidate in the presidential election scheduled for 12 December.The decision came after a secret vote of the movement’s Shura Council at the end of its meeting from Saturday night to Sunday. According to a leader in the party, who spoke to Anadolu on condition of anonymity for personal reasons, the majority of council members voted for the option of not entering the presidential election with a candidate after hours of debate about the movement’s position on the ballot.According to the same source, the decision does not necessarily mean giving up this right, and the movement’s leadership will later announce how the part would deal with this political deadline. middleeastmonitor
Flash: NEWS,views,Articles
Even If Data Is Legit, Swachh Bharat Will Have Failed Its Open Defecation Goal:Omair Ahmad
https://thewire.in/environment/even-if-data-is-legit-swachh-bharat-will-have-failed-its-open-defecation-goal
The Vacuum of Mainstream Politics in Kashmir:Rekha Chowdhary
https://thewire.in/rights/the-vacuum-of-mainstream-politics-in-kashmir
The Sangh's Ideology Against Federalism Underlies the Centre's Move in J&K:Pritam Singh
https://thewire.in/government/the-sanghs-ideology-against-federalism-underlies-the-centres-move-in-jk
After 'Successful' Panchayat Polls in Kashmir Last Year, 61% of Seats Lie Empty:Mudasir Ahmad
https://thewire.in/government/kashmir-panchayat-elections-participation
Fruit and vegetable trade in Kashmir ruined following clampdown; govt scheme fails to take off:Majid Maqbool
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/communication-clampdown-brings-kashmirs-biggest-fruit-and-vegetable-market-to-brink-of-ruination
No End to Suffering of Muzzafarnagar Riot Victims; Justice Remains Elusive: Aas Mohammad Kaif, TCN
http://twocircles.net/2019sep29/433134.html
Govt must not sacrifice rise in farm incomes at altar of short-term consumer interest or to save RCEP:Harish Damodaran
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indian-farmers-income-indian-agriculture-model-agrarian-crisis-rcep-negotiations-6039350/
Bhopal's Sex-and-Blackmail Racket Has Dealt Kamal Nath a Strong Political Hand:Neeraj Mishra
https://thewire.in/politics/bhopal-racket-entrapment-congress-bjp
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq,(Released at: 8:52 PM)
Posts
