NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
17 OCT. 2019: 17 Safar 1441: Vol: 12, No: 39
INDIA: NRC
Preparing in advance for nationwide NRC, says Amit Shah as detention centres come up in Maha, K’taka
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/nationwide-nrc-soon-preparing-in-advance-says-amit-shah-as-detention-centres-come-up-in-maha-karnataka-2349081.html
New Delhi: In an indication that ruling BJP has started work behind the scenes for the nationwide rollout of National Register of Citizens, union home minister Amit Shah said the detention centres being constructed all over the country is the government "preparing in advance"."Process (of detention) will be managed by Foreigners Tribunals (FT). The government has its own preparations to make. There is a legal process where FTs are concerned. That process has just started," he told News18 Network Group Editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi in an interview.The statement comes amid reports that one detention centre for illegal immigrants has already been built in Karnataka, around 40 km from Bengaluru, while land for another has been identified in Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra as well. Both are BJP-ruled states. FTs are quasi-judicial bodies that determine the citizenship of a person in India. Shah has repeatedly claimed that Modi government would implement NRC all over the country and “throw out infiltrators” from every inch of India, and he reiterated it during the interview, saying that it will be done before the 2024 general election.When asked what will happen to those who are identified as illegal immigrants, he said: "A legal process will be followed. A UN Convention is set up, rules are there and those laws will be followed".Although BJP has insisted that the illegal immigrants will be deported, neighbouring Bangladesh will definitely not accede to such a request, leaving a big question mark over what would happen to those declared stateless.There are also human rights concerns over the detention centres and fears of minorities being targeted after Shah recently said a law will be introduced to give citizenship to non-Muslim refugees.Until recently, Assam was the only state with detention centres housed inside existing jails. The construction of the first and largest official detention centre in Goalpara began in Sept.The camp, built at a cost of Rs 45 crore, will be able to hold 3,000 detainees. There are plans to be 11 such detention centres to house the lakhs excluded by the NRC and declared non-citizens by the FTs.In Sept, Maharashtra state government identified a 3-acre plot to build a detention centre to house illegal immigrants. In Karnataka, a detention centers has been built in Sondekoppa in Nelamangala, around 40 km from Bengaluru. Authorities managing the centre claim that it is not a jail, but rather a "movement restriction centre".news18
TMC thunders after Amit Shah’s Bengal NRC claim, says no sc decision unlike assam
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/tmc-thunders-after-amit-shahs-bengal-nrc-claim-says-no-sc-decision-unlike-assam-2349099.html
Rejecting Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assertion that NRC will play a decisive role in West Bengal assembly polls, Trinamool Congress said NRC will not be implemented in Bengal as there has been no Supreme Court decision in the matter."NRC won't happen in Bengal. There will be tremendous resistance. There is no SC decision or accord with the Centre for implementation of NRC in Bengal unlike in Assam. We don't know how Shah is saying this for Bengal.""We will oppose tooth and nail any effort to pass a law in Parliament on NRC or against any attempt at a constitutional amendment,"TMC said.Trinamool's statement comes in response to Shah’s affirmation that NRC will be an election matter in West Bengal.
Govt Focusing on NRC to Divert Attention from Economic Slowdown, Loss of Jobs: CPM
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/govt-focusing-on-nrc-to-divert-attention-from-economic-slowdown-loss-of-jobs-cpm-2349305.html
CPI(M) today said the government was focusing on NRC and the issue of "foreigners" to divert attention of people from the state of the economy.In latest editorial on its mouthpiece People's Democracy, party called the govt "hindutva rulers" and said it was trying to create a communal division."At a time when the economy is plunging into a recession with growing loss of jobs, lack of purchasing power among the people and mass deprivation, Hindutva rulers need to find enemies within and without the country continuously," CPI(M) said. PTI
BJP using NRC, CAB to unleash a reign of fear and distrust : Sitaram Yechury
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-using-nrc-cab-to-unleash-a-reign-of-fear-and-distrust-sitaram-yechury/articleshow/71634029.cms
Kolkata: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury today accused BJP and RSS of trying to destroy the country's secular fabric and letting loose a "reign of fear and distrust" across the country by implementing contentious NRC and CAB.Yechury said BJP is trying to propagate its ideology of Hindu nationalism by replacing principles of Indian nationalism, which had its roots in the Independence movement."The communal forces have increased their activities by leaps and bounds and they are trying to flare communal passions across the country. Now BJP is taking about NRC and CAB. It will now decide who are citizens and who are not,"he said.
‘Centre must come clear on real purpose of NRC’
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/centre-must-come-clear-on-real-purpose-of-nrc-experts/article29719953.ece
Visakhapatnam:Alleging that there appears to be a hidden agenda behind the implementation of NRC, experts at a seminar organised at Andhra University here said that the Centre must come clear on the ‘real purpose’ of the move.The seminar titled ‘NRC: awareness and concerns’ was organised by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of AU, in association with the Muslim Thinkers’ Forum.Advocate Jaha Aara said over19 lakh people have been excluded from the list, of which around 7 lakh are said to be illegal Bangladeshi Muslims while the rest are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh comprising Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists, she said.“There seems to be a hidden agenda as the government is trying to link 12 lakh non-Muslims to the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill. The government has termed them as the people who have fled their native country due to religious, political and social persecution and is planning to give them citizenship or long-term visa for 15 to 20 years. If that is the case then even Sri Lankans and Rohingyas should also fall under this category,” said Aara. Quoting Dr. Ambedkar, for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy Director P.D. Satyapal said communal majority without a strong opposition in a democracy would lead to a fascist regime.thehindu
Babri Masjid land case
Ayodhya hearing — Let Govt acquire land, allow prayers in ASI mosques: Deal on table
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-hearing-let-govt-acquire-land-allow-prayers-in-asi-mosques-deal-on-table-6072641/
New Delhi :On the day the Supreme Court concluded the Ayodhya hearings, the court-appointed mediation team presented a proposal to the Constitution Bench, detailing contours of a “settlement” agreed upon by “some parties” to Babri Masjid dispute.Indian Express has learnt that VHP-controlled Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, the deity Ramlalla and six other Muslim parties which have filed appeals are not party to the proposed “settlement”, making it a partial, if not a weak deal.The parties which are part of this proposed “settlement” are Hindu Mahasabha, Akhil Bhartiya Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Punaruddhar Samiti, and Shri Mahant Rajendradas of Nirmohi Akhara. Proposed “settlement” essentially centres around one of the Muslim parties, Lucknow-based UP Central Waqf Board, which has agreed to a “no-objection” if the land on which the Babri Masjid once stood — at the centre of the row — is acquired by the central govt.In return for NOC by the Sunni Central Waqf Board chairman, proposed “settlement” offers an institution for social harmony, ASI mosques being re-opened for namaz, repair of other Ayodhya mosques by Centre and an alternate mosque of the Sunni Waqf Board.It took about a month and “2or 3 meetings, both in Delhi and Chennai” to reach the proposed “settlement”,sources said. Advocates for the Sunni Waqf Board, however, said that “there has been no intimation, direction, email or any kind of message and no appeal or NOC has been filed by us”.MR Shamshad, advocate-on-record for Iqbal Ansari, son of late Hashim Ansari (original litigant), said:“I have received many calls from the press seeking confirmation about the stand of ‘UP Sunni Waqf Board’, about rumour of their withdrawal of the title suit in the case… at this stage, when today is the last day of hearing in the case… it is an unverified report as the Board has not made any such statement. But the action of Chairman UP Waqf Board in the last 2 months has undergone a sea change.”He said “this case is contested by 6 other Muslim parties in which UP Sunni Board is one party and it has no more locus than any other individual Muslim party. Every Muslim party is contesting the suit in representative capacity of Muslims at large. This is a representative suit in terms of CPC. To withdraw such cases by whims and fancies of one individual party, may be Board, is not possible at this stage without sending publication notice at large to the community members. Even otherwise, other 6 parties are there to contest and present the case of Muslim community in their representative capacity, as permitted by the court. Hence, stand of UP Board will have no consequence.” Maulana Arshad Madani, chief of Jamiat Ulama, too said that the status of the Babri Masjid cannot be changed at any cost and no institution or individual has any authority to surrender or gift the mosque. He said:“In the light of Sharia laws, Muslims have no right to change the status of the mosque as it always remains place of worship till the day of judgment. Therefore, Muslims cannot surrender their claim on mosque or transport it to another place.”indianexpress
Hearing: Key arguments and SC’s observations
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-hearing-land-dispute-case-now-bench-will-write-its-ruling-6072551/
Rajeev Dhavan Had CJI's Go Ahead to Tear Map But Mahasabha Complains Anyway
https://thewire.in/communalism/ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-ayodhya-case-rajeev-dhavan-map
New Delhi: A day after Rajeev Dhavan, senior Supreme Court advocate and counsel for Muslim parties in the Babri Masjid case, tore a pictorial map purportedly showing the birthplace of Ram at the disputed site in Ayodhya, All India Hindu Mahasabha (AIHM) has lodged a complaint with the Bar Council seeking action against him.In the written complaint, AIHM spokesperson Pramod Pandit Joshi sought action against 73-year-old Dhavan alleging that it was a “clear case” of contempt of court and “action must be initiated against him”. Joshi reportedly said that the senior advocate committed “a highly unethical act by tearing into pieces a copy of the map submitted before the Supreme Court…This act of Dhavan scandals and brings disrepute to the Supreme Court Bar. It is therefore requested to take cognisance and take appropriate action against the senior advocate in accordance with law.” Interestingly, from the sequence of courtroom proceedings reported in media, Dhavan tore the map, presented by the AIHM counsel Vikas Singh to substantiate the latter party’s claim over the disputed site, in response to a comment made by CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Dhavan severely objected to reliance on evidence such as the pictorial map and “such documents” to put forward the janmabhoomi claim. He said that this cannot be done any more since the issue of the exact location of Ram’s birthplace was being deliberated upon by the Allahabad high court, based on other documents.Dhavan also asked the five-judge constitution bench headed by CJI Gogoi what he should do with the map in that case.CJI then told Dhavan, “Since the Hindu party is not relying on the map, and if you find it irrelevant, then you can tear it off.” The map was created by ex IPS officer Kishore Kunal who also included it in his book Ayodhya Revisited. thewire
Power of Attorney: Zafaryab Jilani, who spet 45 Yrs fighting Babri Masjid Case
https://www.news18.com/news/india/power-of-attorney-zafaryab-jilani-has-no-regrets-on-spending-45-years-fighting-ayodhya-case-2348891.html
Zafaryab Jilani is now a man at peace. The very thought that the hearing in the decades-old Babri Masjid land dispute case is finally over, with the verdict to be delivered next month, makes him relieved and nostalgic. With the Supreme Court conducting daily hearings in the matter since August 6, the senior advocate had mostly been in Delhi.During the Dussehra vacations, News18 caught up with the man who spent 45 years of his life relentlessly pursuing the case for Babri Masjid. “The judgment at this stage of life is not just a matter of my personal satisfaction,”said Jilani,who was representing Muslim parties in the case. “I am more relieved because not many are so aware of voluminous information, legalities and minutest of details involving the case. For anyone else to pick up the threads of the proceedings in the case spanning over decades will be a mammoth challenge after me.”Barely 200 metres from UP CMO, in Lucknow, is located Jilani’s legal chambers that for years has been sought after by journalists willing to understand and catch up with the developments in the legal battle of the Ayodhya title suit. For advocate Jilani, it all started in 1975, when certain petitions related to receivership of the disputed site were filed with Allahabad high court. After completing his studies from AMU, Jilani had by then started practice in his home town of Lucknow. “Some senior members of Awadh Bar Association at the Lucknow bench of the high court felt that jurisdiction of cases from Faizabad were with the bench at Lucknow and not the main bench in Allahabad,”he recalled.News18
‘Sants’ to speed up their campaign for Kashi, Mathura after Ayodhya: ABAP
https://caravandaily.com/sants-to-speed-up-their-campaign-for-kashi-mathura-after-ayodhya-abap/
Babri Masjid title case verdict is yet to come, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), apex body of ‘sants’, has started talking about the shrines in Kashi and Mathura.Based their confidence on “Hindu govts,” ABAP announced on Thursday that after the Ayodhya issue is resolved, the sants will speed up campaigns for the “liberation” of shrines in Kashi and Mathura.“Temples were demolished in Kashi and Mathura to build mosques. We will take up the issue and ensure that grand temples are built at these places. Hindu govts are in place at the centre and the state and there could not be a better time for this,” ABAP head Mahant Narendra Giri said today.On Babri Masjid title case Mahant had to say: “We are confident that the court verdict in Ayodhya will favour Ram temple and the desperation was clearly seen in the behaviour of lawyers representing the Muslim side,” he said.caravandaily/IANS
BJP govt will soon build Ram Mandir: Gujarat CM
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-govt-will-soon-build-ram-mandir-start-work-to-take-back-pok-rupani-6073115/
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has expressed confidence that the work on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would begin soon, following the decision of the Supreme Court to conclude the hearing in Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. He also said the Modi government would soon work towards taking over PoK. indianexpress
ECONOMY
HDFC Bank declaration on Rs 1 lakh deposit insurance scares customers; Where will we keep our money if banks are not safe, ask depositors
https://www.newsx.com/national/hdfc-bank-declaration-rbi-pmc-swindle-pnb-scam-icic-bank-videocon-scam.html
The dust is yet to settle in the unfortunate collapse of PMC Bank in Mumbai with 3 deaths, 2 suicides and a heart attack, making the headlines. With the government flatfooted in its reaction and their lack of anticipation of this crisis despite being the overlord of banking functions, the rot looks like worrying depositors of HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank depositors are a worried lot now with a new viral message that showed a stamped message on a passbook that deposits above Rs 1 lakh are not guaranteed under the law. This message has spread panic. Many users took to Twitter to slam the Bank for the sudden fear. Depositors who have parked the money in the second-largest private bank have had a frightful day. In its clarification, HDFC Bank said it had followed RBI circular dated June 22, 2017. On that date, RBI asked all scheduled commercial banks, small finance banks and payment banks to mention about the deposit insurance cover along with the limit of coverage upfront in the passbook of the account holder. In the wake of PMC Bank swindle, ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case, the deposit insurance stamp on HDFC Bank passbooks has scared account holders. HDFC Bank account holders are living in constant fear of losing the hard-earned money that they have deposited in the bank.newsx
Don't think any hope of reaching $5 trillion target by 2024: Dr. Manmohan Singh
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-says-dont-think-any-hope-of-reaching-5-trillion-target-by-2024-2118419?pfrom=home-topstories
Ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he didn't see the economy reaching the 5 trillion dollar target by 2024, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with growth declining year after year. He also said the economy is in a "vicious slowdown" which can be salvaged only if the growth rate shoots up."Economy is in a vicious slowdown now. With the way it is going, right now what is feasible is 5.5 to 6 per cent in the short term. But our economy needs a growth rate of 8 to 10 per cent for employment generation," Manmohan Singh said in Mumbai.He referred to IMF predicting that India's growth rate during the current fiscal year would be only 6.1% as against 7.3% mentioned some months ago. "With growth rate declining year after year, I don't think there's any hope of economy reaching the target of $5 Trillion by 2024,"Singh said. He also responded to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's caustic assessment in US that the banking sector had passed through its worst phase during under Manmohan Singh-Raghuram Rajan combination."I have just seen the statements by Finance Minister. I won't like to comment on that statement, but before one can fix the economy, one needs a correct diagnosis of its ailments and their causes. The government is obsessed with trying to fix blame on its opponent, thus it is unable to find a solution that will ensure revival of economy,"said he."When I was in office, what happened did happen. There were some weaknesses. But you can't claim that the fault lies with UPA always. You have been in office for 5 years. Mainly passing buck to UPA is not enough,"said Singh.ndtv
"Govt Obsessed...": Manmohan Singh's Comeback To Finance Minister
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-says-government-obsessed-with-trying-to-fix-blame-after-nirmala-sitharaman-targets-hi-2118297?pfrom=home-topscroll
In India, 8.8 lakh children under 5 yrs – highest in the world – died in 2018:UNICEF
https://scroll.in/latest/940851/in-india-8-8-lakh-children-under-five-years-highest-number-in-world-died-in-2018-says-unicef
India reported the most number of deaths of children below five years in 2018, with 8,82,000 deaths, UNICEF, said in a report released on Wednesday. The report, titled “State of World’s Children 2019”, came a day after the Global Hunger Index placed India at the 102nd rank in the “serious” category.After India, Nigeria reported the highest number of such deaths (8,66,000), followed by Pakistan (4,09,000), DR Congo (2,96,000), and Ethiopia (1,91,000). The median under-5 mortality rate for every 1,000 live births in India is 37, the report pointed out. It is 120 in Nigeria, 69 in Pakistan, in DR Congo it is 88 and 55 in Ethiopia. UNICEF report ranked nations in the order of “highest burden of death among children under five” to “lowest burden of death among children under 5”. Denmark, Ireland, Mauritius, Qatar, and Singapore were among the countries that reported no annual deaths of children under 5.The report said about 38% of Indian children under 5 years suffer from stunting. “In India, for example, almost half of children are stunted in the worst-affected state compared with a fifth in the least-affected state,” it said.It analysed the state of children’s health across the world in terms of malnutrition, anaemia, and obesity, among other health problems. The report pointed out that malnutrition caused 69% of under-five deaths in India, adding that every other child had some form of undernourishment.scroll.in
J&K ISSUE & SOUTH asia
Any attempt by India to divert water flow would be considered ‘act of aggression’: Pakistan
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/any-attempt-by-india-to-divert-water-flow-would-be-considered-act-of-aggression-pakistan-6074546/
Maintaining that it has “exclusive rights” over 3 Western rivers, Pakistan today said that any attempt by India to divert the flow of these rivers would be considered an “act of aggression”.“Any attempt by India to divert the flows of these rivers will be considered an act of aggression and Pakistan has the right to respond,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said during his weekly media briefing in response to a question regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks to stop water flowing to Pakistan. Addressing an election rally in Haryana early this week, PM Modi stated that his government would stop the water flowing to Pakistan. “The water which belongs to India was allowed to flow to Pakistan for 70 years…this will not happen now. We will divert the water which belongs to India, it will be given to the farmers of Haryana, water should be given to the farmers of Rajasthan,” Modi had said.Faisal said that Pakistan had “exclusive rights” over the waters of three Western rivers under the Indus Water Treaty. indianexpress
Fruit Growers Alarmed by Fresh Killings in South Kashmir, Harvest Grinds to a Halt
https://thewire.in/rights/fruit-growers-fresh-killings-south-kashmir
Shopian: Several half-burnt apple trees in an orchard are the only remnant of the attack by unknown gunmen in this village on October 14. Packed apple cartons lie stacked as the villagers talk in whispers about the killing.On Monday evening at around 7.30 pm, the villagers said, two masked gunmen appeared in the orchard, which is about a mile from the main road.The duo asked two non-locals – truck driver Muhammad Shareef Khan and his conductor Akram (both from Rajasthan – to take their vehicle out on the road. The two were taken aback and stopped loading apple boxes.“Following the gunmen’s directions, Shareef Khan took the driver’s seat while Akram ran inside a nearby house seeking help,” a villager told The Wire. “Rest, all of us ran away.”Moments later, gunfire erupted from a distance.“Mustering courage, we came out and found his (Khan’s) body,” the villagers said. “The gunmen had set the truck ablaze and part of Khan’s body had been burnt.”Police blamed militants for the gruesome attack. “The trucker had two bullet wounds in his head,” said a senior police official.The killing has left entire village, nestled among apple orchards, in shock and fear.thewire
Day after, J&K releases Farooq Abdullah’s sister, daughter among 13 women held during protest
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-after-jk-releases-farooq-abdullahs-sister-daughter-among-13-women-held-during-protest-6072600/
A day after they were arrested for trying to stage a silent sit-in in Srinagar to protest against the Centre’s decision to revoke special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K administration on Wednesday released 13 prominent women from the Valley, including the sister and daughter of Lok Sabha MP and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah. After more than 30 hours in Srinagar’s Central Jail, the activists were released after they signed a mandatory bond assuring that they would “not commit breach of peace”.“Yesterday they asked us to sign a bond to apologise (for the protest). We refused,” said Muslim Jan, retired editor of Kashmir University students’ paper who was among those arrested. The arrested people included NC head Farooq Abdullah’s sister Suraya and daughter Safiya Abdullah. Among the others arrested are Delhi-based activist and head of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushoba Bharve, academic Hawa Bashir, who is wife of ex Chief Justice of J&K HC Bashir Ahmad Khan, and activist Qurat-ul-Ain. Hawa Bashir’s son, actor Aamir Bashir, said earlier in day in Mumbai that even though he was proud of his mother and his aunts, who were arrested, he was worried since they are old and frail. indianexpress
J&K HC: Give legal aid if necessary to those detained under PSA
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-high-court-give-legal-aid-if-necessary-to-those-detained-under-the-psa-6072593/
J&K High Court has directed that legal aid should be provided, “wherever necessary”, to those detained under the PSA.A division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar gave the direction while hearing a PIL filed by senior advocate Syed Tasaduque Hussain. Hussain said many detained under PSA are from poor families and don’t have the resources to engage a lawyer. He also said that many families could not travel to meet their relatives detained outside the state. He said the government should provide legal assistance in such cases. Granting his plea, CJ Mittal issued directions that legal aid be provided to those detained “wherever necessary”.Hussain has also challenged the constitutional validity of J&K PSA, and asked the court to scrap it.The case has been listed for Nov.6. indianexpress
‘Highly incompetent’: Ex-IAS gopinathan slams govt over Kashmir
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/kannan-gopinathan-ias-officer-on-jammu-and-kashmir-article-370?fbclid=IwAR0y7BJ646ZnsbuN97OHt-zKh-QTFWC1pcX2t3fTmJjUQuujbeEL0PntZuI
Ex-IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who had resigned in August as a protest against the denial of "freedom of expression" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, took to Twitter on Tuesday, to slam the government over the situation in the region more than two months after the effective abrogation of Article 370, as he called for fellow citizens to tape their mouths in protest."It has been 70 days since an entire population in our country has been shut. It was only after 69 days that even basic mobile communication was restored partially. If we are to be mute spectators to all this, let's be that in a proper way," Gopinathan wrote on Twitter.Slamming the government, Gopinathan sought to counter the various narratives that have been put forward to justify the stripping away of the state's special status and the putting in place of virtual security and community lockdown."... a govt which can't ensure both life and liberty for its people, and has to ask them to choose one, is highly incompetent and unfit to govern. It is better that they resign and go rather than give us arguments," Gopinathan argued.thequint
Indian ambassador briefs US lawmakers on ground situation in Kashmir
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-ambassador-briefs-us-lawmakers-on-ground-situation-in-kashmir-6072874/
India’s ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday briefed lawmakers on the situation in Kashmir and the steps taken to maintain peace after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was abrogated. The briefing, first such by the top Indian diplomat for members of the House foreign affairs committee, comes as there has been an increasing voice of dissent and uneasiness among lawmakers on the curbs in Kashmir, several of which have been removed. Several Congressmen who were not members of the committee also attended the ambassadorial briefing and a majority of the lawmakers were from the opposition Democratic party. Congressman Ami Bera was the only Indian-American lawmaker present at the briefing. Congressman Brad Sherman, who is holding a hearing on human rights in South Asia, in particular, Kashmir, next week, said lawmakers have been hearing from their constituents and that there have been some alarming reports of restrictions, on movement and communications and lack of access.PTI
Talks on blacklisting: China, Turkey for more time to Pakistan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/talks-on-blacklisting-china-turkey-for-more-time-to-pakistan-6072605/
Hectic negotiations are underway in Paris for the blacklisting of Pakistan at Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary, where China, Turkey and Malaysia are learnt to be resisting India’s efforts and the discussions are headed towards keeping it in greylist. Indian Express has learnt that China and Turkey are pushing for giving Pakistan a “little more time” to fulfill the commitments made. Saudi Arabia has not yet committed to giving support or oppose Indian efforts.A final decision is expected to arrive by Friday—about 4pm.indianexpress
BSF jawan killed, another injured in firing by Bangladesh guards in West Bengal
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsf-jawan-killed-another-injured-in-firing-apparently-by-bangladesh-guards-in-west-bengal-6074271/
Kolkata: A BSF jawan was killed, while another injured today in firing “apparently” by BGB troops of Bangladesh along the international border of the two countries in West Bengal, officials said.They said BSF head constable has been killed along the border in the Murshidabad district after the patrol came under firing. BSF patrol is understood to be stopping some illegal act on the border.Preliminary information suggests that the firing was done by troops of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), officials said.Another trooper of the border guarding force has sustained bullet injury, they said.PTI
OTHERS
NIA falsely implicating me in terror cases, failed to gather evidence: Zakir Naik
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/nia-falsely-implicating-me-in-terror-cases-failed-to-gather-evidence-zakir-naik/1737258/
Zakir Naik has accused NIA of falsely implicating him in terrorism-related cases without having enough evidence to support their charges. Naik added that the probe agency has been investigating the matter for more than 3 years but has failed to gather any evidence against him.In a statement, Naik said, “It is unfortunate that NIA, having spent over 3 years investigating me, has been publicly making claims connecting me to terrorism without having in possession a single shred of evidence to support it,” reports ANI.On Oct.14, addressing a meeting of chiefs of ATS in the national capital, IG of NIA, Alok Mittal had said that about 127 people have been nabbed from across the country for their involvement with the ISIS. Mittal further added that the majority of the arrested people have confessed that they were influenced by the video speeches of Zakir Naik.
In A First, Mexico Deports 311 Illegal Immigrants Back To India
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-a-first-mexico-deports-311-illegal-immigrants-back-to-india-2118350?pfrom=home-topstories
Mexico City: In a first, Mexico's migration authorities deported 311 Indians, including a woman, from various parts of the country amidst its stepped up efforts to check people illegally crossing its borders following pressure from the US.The Indian nationals, who did not have a condition of regular stay in the country, were deported from the Toluca City International Airport on a Boeing 747 aircraft to New Delhi, according to a press release issued by National Migration Institute (INM) on Wednesday.The people were presented to the immigration authority in the states of Oaxaca, Baja California, Veracruz, Chiapas, Sonora, Mexico City, Durango and Tabasco, it said.The move comes after US President Donald Trump in June threatened tariffs on all Mexican imports if the country did not put a check on people entering America through Mexico's borders. Mexico had agreed to boost up security on the border and expand its policy of taking back migrants.PTI
Livestock census: Cattle population down in UP, MP, Maharashtra ; increases in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/20th-livestock-census-cattle-population-down-in-up-increases-in-bengal-6072617/
Despite a marginal increase in cattle population in the country, number of cattle is down in the Hindi-speaking belt, particularly in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.On the other hand, the number has gone up in West Bengal. 20th Livestock Census report, released by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on Wednesday, shows that the total cattle population in the country is 192.49 million in 2019, marginally up from 190.90 million in 2012, when the last such Census was carried out.In Uttar Pradesh, the number of cattle is down from 19.6 million in 2012 to 18.8 million (down 3.93 per cent). The buffalo population in the state has gone up by 7.81 per cent — from 30.6 million in 2012 to 33 million.The decrease in cattle population in Uttar Pradesh comes at a time when the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government has made cow protection a major political issue and taken several steps to save cattle. The state has also seen a rise in incidents of cow vigilantism by self-styled gaurakshaks.Apart from Uttar Pradesh, the cattle count is down in MP(by 4.42 per cent), Maharashtra (10.07 per cent) and Odisha (15.01 per cent). On the other hand, West Bengal has seen a rise in cattle population by 15.18%, Bihar by 25.18%, and Jharkhand by 28.16 per cent between 2012 and 2019.According to latest livestock census data, number of cattle in West Bengal has gone up to 19 million in 2019 from 16.5 million in 2012. In the same period, number of cattle has gone up from 12.2 million to 15.3 million in adjoining Bihar. Jharkhand has seen a rise in cattle population from 8.7 million to 11.2 million during this period.indianexpress
Without Savarkar, revolt of 1857 wouldn't become historic: Amit Shah
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amit-shah-veer-savarkar-bharat-ratna-revolt-of-1857-1610283-2019-10-17?fbclid=IwAR1AT6fA101Q4nsZ_rxZdrGtkHJLvlkLM4KJbENz-eYts1i0MLfMzcgMdGE
2 days after BJP pledged to confer Bharat Ratna on Veer Savarkar in its election manifesto for Maharashtra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said it was Veer Savarkar who helped make the rebellion of 1857 historic. Speaking at an event in Varanasi, Amit Shah said, "Had it not been for Veer Savarkar, rebellion of 1857 would not have become history, we would have seen it from point of view of Britishers."Amit Shah said, "Savarkar was the one who named 1857 rebellion as the first independence struggle."857 rebellion is known for the heroics of Rani Lakshimibai, Mangal Pandey and others who revolted and fought against British Raj.In its election manifesto for poll-bound Maharashtra, BJP has said it will confer Bharat Ratna on Savarkar. Yesterday, PM Narendra Modi said Hindutva ideologue Savarkar's values are the basis for nation-building.indiatoday/ANI
‘Why BharatRatna to Savarkar,why not to Godse’
https://www.abplive.in/india-news/bharat-ratna-to-veer-savarkar-why-not-to-nathuram-godse-congress-asks-bjp-1092233
Congress today slammed BJP for demanding a Bharat Ratna for its ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in its manifesto for the Maharashtra Assembly polls. "Why does NDA/BJP government want to confer Bharat Ratna on Savarkar, why not Godse? The former was only chargesheeted and later acquitted for assassination of Gandhi, while the latter was convicted and hanged. On his 150th anniversary, if you want to defile his memory, then go the whole nine yards?" Congress leader Manish Tewari wrote on Twitter.abplive
Savarkar was involved in Mahatma's murder conspiracy, BJP should't forget that: Digvijay
https://www.freepressjournal.in/politics/savarkar-was-involved-in-mahatma-gandhis-murder-conspiracy-bjp-shouldt-forget-that-digvijay-singh
Hitting out at BJP for proposing Veer Savarkar's name for Bharat Ratna, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that Centre shall not forget that Savarkar's name was registered in a conspiracy behind Mahatma Gandhi's murder. Ex- CM said, "Savarkar's life had 2 aspects. First his participation in the independence struggle and when he came back after seeking an apology (to British). BJP shall not forget that his name was registered in a conspiracy behind Mahatma Gandhi's murder."ANI
Gujarat Government Cancels Sale Of Properties To Muslims, High Court Stays Orders
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/gujarat-government-cancels-sale-of-properties-to-muslims-high-court-stays-orders?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:Gujarat High Court 2 days ago stayed the orders of the Gujarat government that cancelled the registration of sale deeds of 15 properties because the buyers in all the cases happened to be Muslims. The stay order was given by Justice B D Karia. While the two cases pertain to buying of properties in Tandalja area on the outskirts of Vadodara, the other thirteen properties are flats in multi-storied Varsha Flats in upmarket Paldi area of Ahmedabad. The state government took the action on complaints of two Hindu neighbours in case of the Vadodara properties while in case of Ahmedabad, the complainants happened to be members of the Hindu Jagran Manch. In both the cases, the complainants opposed the sale of properties to Muslims. Surprisingly, the owners of all the properties in the two cases happen to be Hindu themselves. In both the incidents, the state government took the decision without issuing notices either to the buyers or sellers. The Principal Secretary (Revenue) of the state government based its action on provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provisions for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which is short called as Disturbed Areas (DA) Act.India Tomorrow
Chidambaram, Now In ED Custody, Leaves Tihar Jail
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/p-chidambaram-to-be-in-enforcement-directorate-custody-in-inx-media-case-2118484?pfrom=home-livetv
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram left Delhi's Tihar jail today, more than a month after he was taken there, as a court sent Congress leader to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate in INX Media money laundering case till Oct.24.Allowing the probe agency to question Chidambaram in custody, the court also granted him permission to have home cooked food, a separate cell, a western toilet and medicines. The ED opposed his request for air-conditioning."We will take care of his security. Home food, western toilet and family visits will be taken care of," the agency told the court.ndtv
No Exemptions For Delhi CM, Cabinet Ministers in Odd-Even Scheme: Kejriwal
https://thewire.in/urban/no-exemptions-for-delhi-cm-cabinet-ministers-in-odd-even-scheme-says-kejriwal
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today said private vehicles ferrying schoolchildren in uniform will be exempted from the odd-even road-rationing scheme that will be effective from November 4-15. He, however, said he himself and his ministers and officers will not be exempted.The scheme is being implemented in view of high air pollution in the national capital.“The private vehicles ferrying schoolchilldren in uniform will be exempted from the odd-even scheme,” Kejriwal told reporters. Such vehicles, however, will be allowed only during school timings.thewire
Mob Lynchings: What kind of WhatsApp users, groups spread fake news in India?
https://thewire.in/communalism/mob-lynchings-whatsapp-fake-news
New research suggests that the spread of fake news in India that sparks mob lynchings is largely done out of “reasons of prejudice and ideology”, rather than “ignorance or digital literacy”.“It can be seen…that assuming most misinformation spreads through rural and/or illiterate users and targeting functional digital and information literacy interventions primarily at these groups would be both inaccurate and ineffective,” a new qualitative study put out by researchers at London School of Economics (LSE) notes.This goes against, in part, conventional wisdom that all WhatsApp needs to do is conduct a series of workshops across the country as a method of imparting digital literacy and teaching users how to spot fake news.Furthermore, a “typology” of users constructed by the study also suggests that if a WhatsApp user is “male, urban or rural, young or middle-aged, technologically literate, Hindu, upper or middle class”, they are more likely to share (certain types of) fake news or hate-speech.“Some user narratives in our fieldwork go as far as to suggest that this type of tech-literate, male,Hindu user is also more likely to create and administer the groups responsible for ideologically charged misinformation, disinformation and hate-speech on WhatsApp in the first place,” the study notes.thewire
tURKEY SYRIA OPERATION
Mike Pence, Pompeo Arrive in Turkey to Push for Syria Ceasefire, But Erdogan Defiant
https://www.news18.com/news/world/us-vice-president-mike-pence-arrives-in-turkey-to-push-for-syria-ceasefire-but-erdogan-defiant-2349645.html
Ankara: US Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Turkey today to push President Tayyip Erdogan for a ceasefire in Syria after Ankara rebuffed international pressure to halt its deadly offensive against Kurdish forces.But Erdogan vowed that Turkey's operation, which has been facilitated by the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, would continue. That came as an extraordinary letter from Trump emerged in which he warned Erdogan: "Don't be a fool". Sent the day Turkey launched its incursion into northeastern Syria, Trump said history risked branding him a "devil".Pence is accompanied by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials.Turkish forces and mostly Arab and Turkmen former rebels they use as a ground force had "taken about half of the town" by today morning, Rami Abdel Rahman, head of Britain-based war monitor, said.AFP
Turkey says Russia promised to keep Kurdish militia away from border
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/turkey-military-operation-syria-latest-updates-191017051518215.html
Trump says Kurds 'not angels', dubs PKK 'worse than ISIL'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/trump-kurds-angels-dubs-pkk-worse-isil-191017081803445.html
US President Donald Trump has hailed his surprise decision to withdraw US troops from Syria as "strategically brilliant", declaring that the Kurds were "not angels". Trump said Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK), which has waged a decades-long armed campaign against Ankara, were "probably" a bigger "terrorist threat" than ISIL, armed group."Now PKK, which is part of the Kurds, as you know, is probably worse at terror, and more of a terrorist threat in many ways than ISIS," he said referring to the group which has been designated a terrorist group by US, EU and Turkey."I'm not going to get involved in a war between Turkey and Syria, especially when, if you look at the Kurds, and again I say this with great respect, they're no angels," he added.Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by Kurdish YPG, was founded in 2015 and has helped US in its fight against ISIL.Ankara says its military operation is against YPG, which it considers a "terrorist" group. The president's remarks contradicted his own statements made last week as well as the official assessment of his administration that criticised the Turkish military offensive.In a bizarrely worded letter, Trump told Tayyip Erdogan "don't be a fool", saying that he risked being branded a "devil" due to Turkish-led offensive into northeast Syria.aljazeera
Kurdish-led SDF commander says Trump did not object to deal with Syrian gov't
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/sdf-commander-trump-object-deal-syrian-gov-191016191835086.html
Donald Trump did not object to an agreement between Kurdish-led forces and the Syrian government to stave off Turkey's cross-border offensive in northeast Syria, according to a senior Kurdish official.Mazloum Abdi, the commander of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made the comment in an interview broadcast on Kurdish-language Ronahi TV.Abdi, who said he had a phone call with US president, said Russia would guarantee SDF's agreement with Damascus. aljazeera
Turkey's Syria offensive: UNSC meets again
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/turkeys-syria-offensive-security-council-meets-191017082528741.html
UNSC has held its second closed-door meeting to discuss the latest developments on Turkey's offensive into Syria. Members agreed on a brief, joint statement but stopped short of making a collective call for an all-out ceasefire.aljazeera
Israel demands that US should maintain strategic base in Syria
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-israel-demands-that-us-should-maintain-strategic-base-in-syria/
Israel has called on US to maintain a military base in south-eastern Syria for strategic and geopolitical reasons, Israeli TV channel Kan reported.Al-Tanf base, set up and controlled by the US military in 2016 during the ongoing Syrian conflict, lies in a strategically important area near Syria’s borders with Jordan and Iraq. It serves as a base for a group known as the Revolutionary Commando Army which opposes both the Syrian regime and Daesh and has received training from the US in Jordan.Israel stressed that US military presence in Al-Tanf is of paramount importance due to its location near the Syria-Iraq border in particular, making it an obstacle to the creation of a land corridor by Iran. Such a corridor, which Israel has long warned about, will reportedly help Iran to transport arms, fighters and supplies via the Shia militias that it controls in Iraq all the way through Syria to Lebanon where Tehran’s powerful proxy Hezbollah is based.middleeastmonitor
WORLD
Israel arrests Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-israel-arrests-al-aqsa-mosque-preacher/
Israeli forces have arrested Sheikh Ismail Nawahda, a preacher at Al-Aqsa Mosque, at the Qalandia checkpoint in the occupied West Bank, Wafa reported.Another 22 Palestinians were also detained yesterday from across the occupied West Bank. Sheikh Nawahda was taken in for investigation at one of the Israeli police stations in West Jerusalem.Palestinian lawyer Khaldoun Nijm said he was accused by the Israeli occupation for inciting violence during the sermons he gives on Fridays.“The Sheikh denied the Israeli allegations,” the lawyer said, stressing that freedom of expression “is a right guaranteed by all statutes and conventions.”MEMO
Israel report: ‘Hamas will win legislative elections’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-israel-report-hamas-will-win-legislative-elections/
Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian estimates suggest that Hamas will win legislative elections if they are held, a report by the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom stated.An Israeli security official, as well as other Palestinian and Jordanian officials, told the paper that despite the lack of political cooperation and severe differences between Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian authorities, the security cooperation between these three parties “is just similar to a Swiss-made watch.” According to PIC, the report added: “There is a consensus between Jordan, Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel that the legislative elections, if held, according to Abbas’ announcement, will lead to the victory of Hamas against Fatah, which will lead to strengthening Hamas’ rule.”middleeastmonitor
King Salman renews Saudi support for Palestinians
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-king-salman-renews-saudi-support-for-palestinians/
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz renewed on Wednesday his country’s support for the Palestinian people, Al-Watan Voice has reported. The Saudi monarch affirmed the Kingdom’s backing for the people of Palestine to establish a state on the 1967 borders during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.Abbas thanked Salman for maintaining the stand taken originally by the founder of the Kingdom, the late King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. The PA president said that he and the Palestinian people are standing alongside Saudi Arabia in its war against terror. Although more than 60 Palestinians are being held prisoner by the Saudi government, Abbas did not mention the issue during his 2-day visit to the Kingdom.middleeastmonitor
Saudi troops arrive in Yemen’s Aden as deal with separatists stalls
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-saudi-troops-arrive-in-yemens-aden-as-deal-with-separatists-stalls/
Local sources have said Saudi and Sudanese troops have arrived in Yemen’s southern province of Aden in spite of a Reuters report indicating that an agreement between Yemen’s Saudi-backed govt and southern separatists was due to be signed today.Yemeni govt hopes to retake the city as its interim capital, having lost Sanaa to the Houthis, but was ousted from Aden in Aug. UAE-backed separatists who – until recently – were in control of the city, hope it declare it the capital of a future state of South Yemen.So far no date has been confirmed for the signing of the agreement, according to state news agency SABA. Earlier this week, following months of talks in Jeddah, UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) leader Aidrous Al-Zubaidi headed to Riyadh for further negotiations with Yemeni government headed by Hadi.MEMO
Nobel Peace laureate: Yemenis will end Saudi Arabia, UAE ‘occupations’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191017-nobel-peace-laureate-yemenis-will-end-saudi-arabia-uae-occupations/
Saudi bus crash: 35 foreigners killed near Medina
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/saudi-bus-crash-35-killed-injured-medina-191017054024233.html
35 people have been killed and 4 injured after a passenger bus collided with a truck in the Saudi province of Medina, a police spokesman said."Private chartered bus", carrying 39 pilgrims from Asian and Arab countries, collided with a "heavy vehicle" in the town of al-Akhal on Wednesday, spokesman said.The official SPA agency said the crash happened around 7pm on the road linking Mecca to the city of Medina.aljazeera
European Union announces new Brexit deal with UK
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/eu-juncker-brexit-deal-agreed-191017094418680.html
Britain and the European Union have finally struck a new Brexit deal after days of intense back-and-forth negotiations, setting the stage for another major parliamentary showdown over UK's bid to leave the bloc after months of political chaos.Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, announced the agreement on Thursday just hours before EU leaders were due to meet in Brussels, whom he called on to back the deal."Where there is a will, there is a deal - we have one! It's a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions," Juncker said in a post on Twitter.aljazeera
Northern Irish rejection threatens Brexit deal as EU leaders meet
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/northern-irish-rejection-threatens-brexit-deal-as-eu-leaders-meet
EU and UK negotiators had worked overnight on a compromise withdrawal deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to present to his counterparts.But, as dawn broke over Brussels, Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party dramatically rejected the accord, which would see British-ruled province remain under EU customs and VAT rules.It was not immediately clear if this meant that Johnson would have to back away from the draft text, as his government is propped up by DUP support. But it greatly complicates his chances of getting it though the British parliament.PTI
Flash: NEWS, views, Articles
When Gandhi Argued in Favour of Kashmir's Right to Self-Determination:The Wire
https://thewire.in/history/when-gandhi-argued-in-favour-of-kashmirs-right-to-self-determination
Interview | India's Babus Exceeded Their Brief While Negotiating RCEP, Says RSS Economic Wing
https://thewire.in/economy/interview-ashwini-mahajan-swadeshi-jagran-manch-rcep-rss
Among the urban poor, 2 strands of Hindutva mobilisation are emerging:Badri Narayan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/saffron-in-the-slums-hindutva-politics-in-up-6072430/
Lack of clarity about the role of Chief of Defence Staff and bellicose talk by politicians are not reassuring:Arun Prakash
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/light-on-national-security-6072397/
The real Savarkar: A British stooge, Hitler’s admirer or a Bharat Ratna?Sandipan Sharma
https://thefederal.com/the-eighth-column/2019/10/17/revisiting-veer-savarkar-in-the-times-of-gandhi/?fbclid=IwAR3_XtlsQij6TVs6WqMXv2TO3p4bA7rZtAJJC0_MgdfMbeDQRnMQTXkee2M
Saudi Arabia and Iran may finally be ready for rapprochement:Imad K Harb
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/saudi-arabia-iran-finally-ready-rapprochement-191015103242982.html?fbclid=IwAR27NpH2N9VZ_IWVCtQupaK5v2k1TLOLNnatzFk9QCcDq5dQ2uNADbI6ixc
Article 370 Move Will Score 100/100 in Any Legal Test: Amit Shah Talks Kashmir, NRC, Power Struggle With Allies
https://www.news18.com/news/india/article-370-move-will-score-100100-in-any-legal-test-amit-shah-talks-kashmir-nrc-power-struggle-with-allies-2349253.html
PM Modi’s empty and ill-informed threat to stop flow of water to Pakistan:Mohan Guruswamy
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/pm-modis-empty-and-ill-informed-threat-to-stop-flow-of-water-to-pakistan
Hindi news channel Aaj Tak under fire for spreading communal hatred over Ayodhya coverage:Zaheeb Ajmal
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/hindi-news-channel-aaj-tak-under-fire-for-spreading-communal-hatred-over-ayodhya-coverage
Primer: Key Documents Needed If Nation-wide NRC is Conducted
https://caravandaily.com/primer-key-documents-needed-if-nation-wide-nrc-is-conducted/
Before the phones came back to life, Kashmiri families could not even mourn their dead:Safwat Zargar & Ipsita Chakravarty
https://scroll.in/article/940713/before-the-phones-came-back-to-life-kashmiri-families-could-not-even-mourn-their-dead
Environmental groups warn banks over Saudi Aramco: Report
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/environmental-groups-warn-banks-saudi-aramco-report-191017081922669.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:09 PM)
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