NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
24 OCT. 2019: 24 Safar 1441: Vol: 12, No: 45
Maha, Haryana polls AND BY-POLL RESULTS
Maharashtra Election : Party Summary
|
PARTY
|
CONTESTING SEATS
|
WON
|
IN 2014
|
CHANGE
|
|
BJP+SS
|
288
|
159
|
185
|
-26
|
|
BJP
|
164
|
103
|
122
|
-19
|
|
SS
|
126
|
56
|
63
|
-7
|
|
Cong+NCP
|
272
|
102
|
85
|
17
|
|
NCP
|
121
|
54
|
41
|
+13
|
|
Cong
|
147
|
44
|
42
|
+2
|
|
SP
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
+1
|
|
SWP
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
+1
|
|
CPM
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
|
VBA
|
235
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
|
AIMIM
|
44
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
Haryana polls Party Summary:
|
PARTY
|
CONTESTING SEATS
|
won
|
IN 2014
|
CHANGE
|
|
BJP
|
90
|
40
|
47
|
-7
|
|
Cong
|
89
|
31
|
15
|
16
|
|
INLD+Akali
|
84
|
1
|
20
|
-19
|
|
INLD
|
81
|
1
|
19
|
-18
|
|
Akali
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
-1
|
|
JJP
|
87
|
10
|
0
|
10
|
|
Others
|
0
|
8
|
6
|
2
|
FROM: NDTV
Haryana:BJP wins 40 seats but almost all ministers lose
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/haryana-bjp-wins-40-seats-but-almost-all-ministers-lose-2nd-lead/1648125
Chandigarh:The ruling BJP in Haryana led by CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday won 40 seats but failed to cross the halfway mark in 90-member Assembly.Also all the party''s state ministers, except 2, lost the polls, including Anil Vij and party chief Subhash Barala.However, rival Congress won 31 seats, while the less than 12-month-old JJP, which broke away from the state''s once major regional INLD owing to family disputes, won 10 seats. While Khattar retained his Karnal seat with a comfortable margin, 2-time CM and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda too managed to win in his bastion of Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak district.BJP''s outgoing ministers Captain Abhimanyu, O.P. Dhankar, Ram Bilas Sharma, Kavita Jain, Krishan Lal Panwar, Manish Grover, and Krishan Kumar Bedi, all ended up with humiliating defeats.But BJP candidate and Public Health and Engineering Minister Banwari Lal won the Bawal seat. Also Health Minister Anil Vij retained his seat from Ambala Cantonment.Two sitting ministers, Rao Narbir Singh and Vipul Goel, were denied tickets and fresh faces were brought in.Sitting Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, whose hotel worth Rs 150 crore in a prime location of Gurugram has been attached by Income Tax department, retained his stronghold of Adampur by defeating his nearest rival and TikTok celebrity Sonali Phogat of BJP by over 29,000 votes.JJP chief Dushyant Chautala and his mother Naina Chautala won Uchana Kalan and Badhra seats, respectively. Outgoing Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu, who lost to JJP candidate and BJP rebel Ram Kumar Gautam in the Narnaud constituency in Hisar district by a margin of 12,029 votes, admitted his defeat during counting.With it becoming clear that BJP would not form the Govt on its own, its state unit chief Subhash Barala also lost the Tohana Assembly seat in Fatehabad district by more than 20,000 votes to JJP''s Devender Singh Babli.Barala has quashed rumours of his resignation from his post after his defeat. BJP candidate and international wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt faced defeat, another of its candidates, wrestler Babita Phogat, emerged third in the Dadri constituency in Bhiwani. Another prominent defeat for BJP is its sitting legislator Prem Lata, 59, wife of ex Union minister Birender Singh, who was defeated by JJP chief Dushyant Chautala, great grandson of former Deputy PM Devi Lal.Congress candidate from Ferozepur Jhirka in Mewat, Mamman Khan, defeated BJP''s Naseem Ahmed, an INLD defector. BJP''s Zakir Hussain, who was the sitting MLA in Nuh constituency, lost his seat to Congress'' Aftab Ahmed as the latter won by a margin of 4,038 votes.IANS
Dushyant: US educated Jat kingmaker of Haryana
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/dushyant-chautala-the-us-educated-jat-kingmaker-of-haryana
Politics is a game of numbers but for a young politician who had been ‘denied his rights’ and whose great grandfather had occupied the second most powerful seat in the country, politics indeed is a matter of legacy also.And that is exactly what 31-year-old Dushyant Chautala, the youngest-ever Lok Sabha MP, played upon during the Haryana assembly elections held on October 21, whose results are about to be declared. Following a bitter fallout from his uncle Abhay Chautala in a legacy-war, Dushyant Chautala formed his own party, JJP merely 319 days ago, and proving all predictions right, has now emerged as the ‘kingmaker’ of Haryana in less than a year.No matter who – BJP or Congress - forms the Govt in Haryana, Dushyant’s support is inevitable.Having won 10 seats, Dushyant holds key to power in the 90 member Haryana Assembly. His victory proves that he is heir apparent of Chaudhary Devi Lal’s political legacy and the face of the new Jat aspirations.nationalheraldindia
Maharashtra; 7 Ministers, Deputy Speaker lose seats
https://www.thehindu.com/elections/maharashtra-assembly/maharashtra-results-2019-live-updates-bjp-buoyed-by-exit-poll-predictions/article29778680.ece?homepage=true
At least 7 ministers in BJP-Shiv Sena Govt in Maharashtra have lost Assembly elections. As the results came in today, BJP-Sena alliance had won or was leading on 160 seats.Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Speaker in the Legislative Assembly Vijay Auti lost to Nilesh Lanke of NCP from Parner.The most significant upset was witnessed in Parli, where Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde of the BJP, locked in a bitter fight with her estranged cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, lost. PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had addressed rallies in Parli during the campaign.Water Conservation Minister Ram Shinde lost to NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew Rohit Pawar in Karjat- Jamkhed. Minister of State for Dairy Development Arjun Khotkar, a Shiv Sena leader, lost from Jalna.Another Shiv Sena leader, Minister of State for Water Conservation Vijay Shivtare, lost from Purandar seat to Sanjay Jagtap of the Congress.Sanjay alias Bala Bhegade of the BJP, Minister of State for Labour, lost from Maval to NCP’s Sunil Shelke.Jaydutt Kshirsagar of the Shiv Sena -- a former NCP leader -- lost to his nephew Sandeep Kshirsagar of the NCP in Beed.Agriculture minister Anil Bonde was defeated by Devendra Bhuyar of the Swabhimani Paksh from Morshi.Minister of state for energy and BJP leader Madan Yerawar was trailing in Yavatmal, but the result was yet to be declared.The Hindu
Maharashtra's Dhule: AIMIM's Farukh Anwar wins
https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/maharashtra-assembly-polls-2019-dhule-city-constituency-results-live-558654
In Dhule City assembly constituency, AIMIM's Farukh Anwar has registered a surprise victory over sitting MLA Anil Gote. Gote could not even finish at second position. Independent candidate Rajwardhan Kadambande was able to finish second. Difference between votes of Anwar and Kadambande was 3307 votes.indiatvnews
Bihar by-polls: NDA performs badly, RJD shines, AIMIM announces its arrival
https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/bihar-by-polls-nda-rjd-aimim-1612517-2019-10-24
https://scroll.in/latest/941574/bihar-assembly-elections-bjp-jd-u-alliance-loses-four-out-of-five-seats
BJP and alliance partner JDU today lost 4 out of 5 Assembly seats in Bihar bye-elections. Voting took place in the Assembly constituencies of Kishanganj, Nathnagar, Belhar, Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Daraunda on Monday as the sitting MLAs became moved to Lok Sabha in May. The ruling JDU fielded candidates on four of these seats, while BJP contested the Kishanganj seat. AIMIM, won a seat for the first time in the Bihar Assembly after its candidate in Kishanganj, Qamrul Hoda, defeated Sweety Singh of BJP by 10,204 votes. RJD’s Zafar Alam defeated JD(U) candidate Arun Kumar by a margin of 15,505 votes in Simri Bakhtiyarpur seat. In Belhar, Ramdeo Yadav of RJD defeated JDU candidate Laldhari Yadav by 19,231 votes, and in Daraundha seat, independent candidate Karnjeet Singh defeated JDU candidate Ajay Kumar Singh by a margin of 27,279 votes. JD(U) candidate Lakshmikant Mandal was leading in Nathnagar.PTI/Scroll
Bypolls for 51 assembly, 2 Lok Sabha seats: More setback for BJP as voters reject turncoats
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/bypolls-for-51-assembly-and-2-lok-sabha-seats-setback-for-bjp-as-voters-reject-turncoats/270450/
Punjab by-polls: Congress shows dominance, wins 3 out of 4 seats
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/punjab-by-polls-congress-shows-dominance-wins-3-out-of-4-seats
Congress won 3 Assembly seats, while SAD could won one in the Punjab byelections, the results of which were announced today. While Congress candidates registered their win in Jalalabad,Phagwara and Mukerian seats, SAD candidate captured Dakha seat.In Jalalabad Congress’s Raminder Awla defeated SAD’s Raj Singh Dibipura by a margin of 16,633 votes. Jalalabad was considered to be SAD’s stronghold as party had represented seat in the Assembly since 2007.The seat fell vacant after sitting MLA, Sukhbir Singh Badal, was elected to Lok Sabha from the Ferozepur parliamentary segment in general poll 2019.Congress candidate and ex IAS Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal defeated BJP Rajesh Bagha by a margin of 26,116 votes in Phagwara.The Phagwara seat fell vacant after BJP’s Som Parkash, who had won it in the 2017 Assembly polls, was elected to Lok Sabha this year.nationalheraldindia
UP Bypoll results: BJP wins Gangoh with slight margin, Congress accuses BJP of malpractice
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/bjp-putting-pressure-on-dm-to-reduce-lead-of-cong-candidate-in-gangoh-bypoll-priyanka-gandhi
Congress is up in arms over its candidate Noman Masood being declared defeated in the last round in the bypoll to Gangoh Assembly constituency.UP Congress leaders sat on dharna at the office of CEO in Lucknow to protest against this 'malpractice'. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused BJP of trying to subvert the people's verdict by putting pressure on the district magistrate to reduce the lead of her party's candidate in the Gangoh bypoll in UP.nationalheraldindia
Kerala bye-election: It is still a UDF-Left fight, BJP nowhere in sight: Congress-led UDF wins 3 out of 5 bypolls but it's advantage Left
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/oct/24/congress-led-udf-wins-3-out-of-5-bypolls-in-kerala-but-its-advantage-left-2052288.html
Congress-led UDF won 3 of 5 Assembly by-elections, but the ruling Left’s LDF, which won the remaining two seats, could be doing the celebrating. The reason - they have wrested one additional seat from UDF in the Kerala Assembly, taking their tally to 93.UDF’s seats have come down from 47 before the Pala bypoll to 45 now. While LDF wrested two sitting Congress seats – Vattiyoorkavu and Konni, Congress candidate won the Aroor constituency, a seat held by CPM in 2016 Assembly polls, and Manjeshwaram in Kasargode. For CPM, this is the party’s first win in Vattiyoorkavu since the constituency was formed in 2011. In Konni, party is winning seat after more than 2 decades.newindianexpress
Rampur stays in Azam’s fold as wife wins seat
https://caravandaily.com/rampur-stays-in-azam-khans-fold-as-wife-tazeen-fatima-wins-seat/?fbclid=IwAR2a5PSjuP9nTOnnvbCgF0YeEQ-k4Z8XGSMnWRE-TP138zXnTgvN5JUI2So
UP’s Rampur assembly seat, which has been represented nine times by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, has once again come in his fold as his wife and Rajya Sabha member Tazeen Fatima won by the margin of 7,716 votes.The seat was vacated since Azam Khan was elected to Lok Sabha in May.This gain came at a time when Khan was implicated in over 80 cases, including 28 of land grabbing, theft, dacoity, among other charges. Khan had addressed several public gatherings in favour of his wife, and also in the past broke down on the stage multiple times while asking for votes.He also continuously accused the state Govt of political vendetta in the cases lodged against him. Congress and BSP gave a ticket to Muslim candidates, giving rise to speculation that it may divide votes, but Fatima comfortably won the seat as she led throughout the day.caravandaily
Time to remind BJP of ’50-50 formula’ for power-sharing: Uddhav Thackeray
https://indianexpress.com/elections/maharashtra-election-results-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-amit-shah-bjp-6086445/
Reminding BJP of “50-50” formula for power-sharing in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said “he has to allow his party to grow”. BJP, however, is suffering a loss of over 20 seats against its tally in 2014. In the state poll, Sena had agreed to contest on fewer seats than BJP. “We agreed to contest fewer seats (than BJP), but I cannot accommodate BJP every time,”Thackeray said.indianexpress
MP: Congress wins Jhabua bye-poll, now just one seat short of majority mark
https://scroll.in/latest/941585/madhya-pradesh-congress-wins-jhabua-bye-poll-now-just-one-seat-short-of-majority-mark
Ruling Congress moved one seat closer to the majority mark in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly after winning the bye-election in Jhabua constituency. Holding the bye-poll became necessary after GS Damor, the sitting BJP MLA , was elected to Parliament in May.scroll.in
J&K ISSUE
Supreme Court seeks ‘clear-cut picture’ from govt. on how long J&K restrictions will continue
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/restrictions-have-to-be-reviewed-from-time-to-time-supreme-court-tells-jk-administration/article29784046.ece
The Supreme Court today demanded a “clear-cut picture” from authorities on how long they planned to continue with restrictions in J&K.“You have to give us a clear-cut picture of how long you are going to continue with these restrictions... Already two months have passed,” Justice N.V. Ramana addressed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for J&K Govt.Mehta claimed “99% of J&K has no restrictions on movement”. He said telephone lines were fully restored. Justice R. Subhash Reddy, on the Bench, asked whether the Govt had so far made any effort to review its restrictions in place since August 4 to avoid violent repercussions. A Constitution Bench led by Justice Ramana is hearing a flurry of petitions challenging both the abrogation of Article 370 and the parliamentary law.“What we are asking is not whether you can impose restrictions or not, but whether you have reviewed your decision?” Justice Reddy asked Mehta.The law officer said the restrictions were reviewed daily.The Bench, also comprising Justice B.R. Gavai, asked whether there were other alternatives to ensure peace in J&K.Justice Ramana asked about the lack of Internet connectivity in J&K.“On the Internet issue, public has to have some mode of communication,” Justice Ramana observed orally.thehindu
Can’t share shutdown orders with Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin: J&K govt in SC
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/cant-share-shutdown-orders-with-kashmir-times-editor-anuradha-bhasin-jandk-govt-in-sc
J&K Govt has refuted allegations made by Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin regarding restrictions on communications and movement in J&K, and child rights activist Enakshi Ganguly relating to alleged detention of children in the state, through their petitions filed in Supreme Court, which took up the matter on Thursday.Appearing for the Govt, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asserted that 99% of restrictions in J&K have been withdrawn.nationalheraldindia
Govt shuts down J&K Human Rights Commission, Information Commission: thewire
https://thewire.in/Govt/jk-administration-winds-up-seven-state-commissions
J&K administration – which is directly controlled by the Modi Govt in the Centre – has shut down seven Govt commissions, including those dealing with human rights, the right to information, the rights of the disabled, and allegations against public functionaries.An official order issued Wednesday said a total of 7 state commissions would cease to exist with effect from Oct.31. No reason for their dissolution has been given. The commissions are:J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) State Information Commission (SIC), State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights (SCPWCR), State Commission for Persons with Disabilities(SCPwD), State Accountability Commission (SAC).All that the official order, issued by the state’s General Administration Department said was that “consequent upon repeal of the acts related to these commissions by J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, sanction is hereby accorded to winding up of these commissions, with effect from Oct 31”.It is not clear what the status of matters these commissions have taken up or issued orders on will be. However, the term of all officeholders – chairpersons, presidents and members of these commissions – will come to an end the same date.
Army chopper with Northern Army commander on board crash lands in J&K, no casualties
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-chopper-with-northern-army-commander-on-board-crash-lands-in-jk-no-casualties/articleshow/71739853.cms
Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had a narrow escape when a helicopter carrying him and his staff crash-landed in Poonch in Jammu region today, officials said.The Advanced Light Helicopter was on its way from forward area in Jammu to Srinagar when it developed a snag and had to crash land at Bedar area in Poonch district, they said.A civilian is reported to have suffered injuries, they said.Lt Gen Ranbir Singh was part of a seven-member crew, including two pilots.PTI
India, Pakistan ink agreement to operationalise Kartarpur Corridor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-ink-agreement-to-operationalise-kartarpur-corridor-6085810/
India and Pakistan today signed an agreement to operationalise Kartarpur Corridor. The agreement was meant to be originally signed on October 23 but was delayed by a day.Home Ministry officials met their Pakistani counterparts at zero point and inked the agreement ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak on Nov.12.“With the signing of this agreement, a formal framework has been laid down for operationalisation of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor,” Ministry of Home Affairs joint secretary SCL Das said. While India has been urging Pakistan to reconsider it stand to impose a $20 service fee on pilgrims, Islamabad is yet to take a decision on the issue.indianexpress
Day not far off when Tricolour is unfurled in PoK: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-not-far-off-when-tricolour-is-unfurled-in-pok-union-minister-jitendra-singh-6086200/
The day is not far off when the Indian flag will be unfurled in PoK, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said.“I have faith that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, way New India’s caravan is progressing ahead, that day is not far off when it will be possible to unfurl that Tricolour or ‘Nishan’ for which Shyama Prasad Mukherj sacrificed his life in Pok,” Singh said at an event to rename Chenani-Nashri Tunnel in J&K.indianexpress
Punjab traders return, leave stock behind: ‘Apple farmers in Valley want us back, but we can’t risk our lives’
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-traders-return-leave-stock-behind-apple-farmers-in-valley-want-us-back-but-we-cant-risk-our-lives-6085732/
Ludhiana :Apple traders from Punjab’s Fazilka, Muktsar districts and Rajasthan’s Ganganagar claim to have suffered losses of Rs 80 lakh in the aftermath of killing of Abohar-based apple loader Charanjeet Popli on October 15. More than 100 apple traders and their 500 workers returned to Punjab and Rajasthan between October 17-20, while leaving apple stock — that was partly paid for — behind.Inder Sharma, general secretary of Kinnow Mandi Ahrtiya Association of Abohar told The Indian Express: “The crates are lying in the valley. They could not bring any stock back, although every trader had paid advance to the middlemen (through whom apple produce is purchased). They (apple traders and workers) were from Fazilka, Malaut and Ganganagar. They had been going there for the past many years between September-October, ahead of the Diwali season.” Though the firing occurred in Trenz village of Shopian district of Kashmir, the traders and their workers were spread in areas apart from Shopian. They were spread out in villages of Pulwama, Shadimarg, Gulshanabad to procure apples.indianexpress
Kashmir protest banned from taking place outside India's mission building on Diwali
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/kashmir-protest-banned-from-taking-place-outside-indias-mission-building-on-diwali/articleshow/71731639.cms
London: A 'Free Kashmir' protest has been banned from taking place outside India House on Diwali after fears were raised about the safety of the building and ability of the unarmed police to hold back thousands of protestors if it went ahead. London Mayor Sadiq Khan had on Friday called for those organising the march on 27 Oct and those taking part in it to cancel their plans "to prevent a repeat of unacceptable violence, aggression and hostility from some protestors" at the previous protests on 15 August and 3 Sept. This followed letters being sent to him by British Indian individuals and organisations asking for it to be called off. Gujarat-born Labour councillor and London Assembly Member Navin Shah wrote that the timing of the march was “extremely insensitive and provocative”.Groups taking part, according to the notice, include Pakistan Patriotic Front, World Muslim Federation, Muslim Action Forum, Overseas Pakistan Welfare Council, JKNAP, PTI AJK.PoK-born Lord Nazir Ahmed, Pok ‘lawmaker’ and former ‘head’ of Jamaat-e-Islami in PoK Abdul Rashid Turabi, ‘Leader Opposition Assembly’ in PoK and member of PPP Ch M Yasin, leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Altaf Ahmad Bhat and 'Information Minister of PoK' Muhshaq Minhas, are all expected to join in the demonstration.
US Congress hearing: 2 civil society members back India on J&K move, 3 oppose
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-congress-hearing-two-civil-society-members-back-india-on-jk-move-three-oppose-6084836/
A day after US administration said there is a “humanitarian crisis” in J&K, civil society groups testifying before a US Congress committee gave a mixed picture of the ground situation. While 3 speakers criticised Govt on the human rights situation in Kashmir, 2 others defended New Delhi’s moves.These people were heard during the second part of first US Congressional hearing on the Govt’s decision remove J&K’s special status under Article 370.The hearing on “Human Rights in South Asia: Views from the State Department and the Region”, lasting two-and-a-half-hours, was chaired by US Congressman Brad Sherman, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia. Nitasha Kaul, associate professor in Politics and International Relations at University of Westminster, said that denial of democratic rights in Kashmir affects not only the residents but also those living outside – in India and overseas. Angana Chatterji, co-chair, Political Conflict, Gender and People’s Rights Initiative, research anthropologist at University of California, Berkeley, said: “Kashmiris state that following August 5 they are afraid of their forcible incorporation into the Union of India… Many are apprehensive that inhumane conditions, extreme brutality and the negation of human rights by institutions of state could foster an armed uprising within Kashmir…”indianexpress
Time magazine report says despite easing restrictions, Kashmir not limping back to normalcy
https://www.newsx.com/national/time-magazine-report-kashmir-valley-normaly-torture-new-york-times-lockdown-article-370.html
Despite easing restrictions with the lifting of curfew and partial restoration of phone services, Kashmir is not returning to normalcy, said the Time magazine report. It said that markets continue to remain shut for most of the time, educational institutions are closed, unpicked fruit is rotting in the orchards.The report quoting Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin said that the central Govt has pushed eight million Kashmiris behind an iron wall by resorting to unprecedented clampdown following the scrapping of J&K’s special status.Time has also quoted former Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju’s column in the Week published last month, claiming that Kashmir will become India’s Vietnam war. Katju wrote that the Valley will be the same what Vietnam was for French and America, and Afghanistan for Russians and Spain for Napolean. The American weekly said that anger was simmering in Kashmir which could become a great security risk. It said that thousands of Kashmir have been put behind bars, adding that the security forces had detained around 13,000 boys during protests and raids. The report also mentioned that the apple trade has been the worst hit due to the lockdown and the communications blackout.newsx
Malaysia: talking to India to buy "our palm oil" amid boycott call
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-row-over-kashmir-remark-malaysia-says-in-talks-with-india-on-palm-oil-sales-2121769
Malaysia is in talks with India and other countries to urge them to continue buying Malaysian palm oil, its trade minister said today, after calls for a boycott of the commodity by Indian traders."We are continuously engaging not only with India but all countries to purchase our palm oil," minister Darell Leiking said.A top vegetable oil trade body in Mumbai asked its members to stop buying Malaysian palm oil, after criticism on India by Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad at UN General Assembly over J&K.Reuters
Modi to visit Saudi next week, meeting with MBS on cards
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-narendra-modi-to-visit-saudi-next-week-meeting-with-mbs-on-cards-6084768/
Against backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s cautious response to J&K situation, PM Narendra Modi will visit the Arab country next week. This will be his second visit to Riyadh, almost 3-and-a-half years after his visit in April 2016.Sources said the PM will visit Riyadh on October 29, where he will address Future Investment Initiative, to be held from Oct.29 to 31. An official announcement is expected soon, sources said.Modi will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the visit and is likely to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of global importance.indianexpress
OTHERS
SC allows Hindu litigant to file written note in Babri Masjid land case
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-allows-hindu-litigant-file-written-note-ayodhya-case-ram-janmbhoomi-babri-masjid-land-dispute-6086501/
The Supreme Court today allowed a Hindu litigant in the decades-old Babri Masjid land dispute case to file a written note seeking to declare 2.77 acre site at Ayodhya as Govt land if the court holds that neither the Hindu nor the Muslim side has proved ownership.Umesh Chandra Pandey, who was made a party (defendant) in a lawsuit filed in 1961 by the UP Sunni Central Wakf Board, mentioned the Ayodhya case before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and sought its nod for filing the written note on ‘moulding of reliefs’ or narrowing down of the issues raised.A 5-judge Constitution bench headed by CJI had reserved the verdict on Oct.16 after concluding the 40-day-long hearing in the politically sensitive case and had asked the litigating parties to submit their written note by Oct.9 on “moulding of reliefs” so that the court can narrow down the issues needed to be adjudicated upon in the vexatious issue. When senior advocate V Shekhar, appearing for Pandey, sought the permission to file the written note Thursday, after the expiry of deadline, the bench observed: “We thought the Ayodhya case is over”. However, the bench, also comprising Justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer, allowed the filing of the written note. Pandey, in his note, said the entire territory of Awadh was annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1856 after dethroning of ‘Nawab’ and later a proclamation was issued by Lord Canning confiscating the proprietary right of Awadh land to the British Govt on March 3, 1858. Hence, the disputed land at Ayodhya became ‘nazul’ (Govt) land and the same position remains as on today which has been accepted by Muslim parties also, it said. “While moulding the relief, this court may consider that in the event of plaintiffs (deity through next friend and others) in suit no. 5 and plaintiffs in suit number 4 (Sunni Wakf Board and others) failing to prove the title to the disputed land, the court may declare that the title (ownership) in respect of disputed land belongs to the state and it is for the state to decide what to do with the disputed land…,” it said. Earlier, the apex court on Tuesday had allowed ‘Nirvani Akahara’ to file the written note seeking the “right to manage worship of the deity” as ‘shebait’(devotee) at the site. Both ‘Nirmohi Akahara’ and its rival ‘Nirvani Akahara’ are seeking right to manage and offer ‘puja’ at the birthplace of deity ‘Ram Lalla Virajman’ at site.PTI
Questions raised on police probe into Tiwari Murder
https://caravandaily.com/questions-raised-on-police-investigation-into-kamlesh-tiwari-murder/
New Delhi: 2 persons were arrested by a special squad of Gujarat police on Tuesday from Rajasthan- Gujarat border connection with the murder of Kamlesh Tiwari, a leader of a little known Hindutva group, who was killed by unknown assassins on Friday at his residence in Lucknow, UP.Reportedly the police apprehended the suspects near Shmlaji town when they were traveling from Rajasthan to Gujarat in a commercial vehicle. According to media reports, the police have identified the suspects as 34-year-old Ashfaq Hussain Jakir Hussain Shaikh and 27-year-old alias Moin Khurshid Pathan both residents of the Surat town of Gujrat city.According to IANS, police claims that the duo arrested have allegedly committed the murder “in retribution to purported statements by Tiwari”.Earlier, UP and Gujarat police arrested 5 persons in connection with the case. They were identified as Maulana Mohsin Sheikh, Faizan, Rasheed Ahmad Pathan, Mufti Naeem Qazmi and Imam Maulana Anuwarual Haq.However, rights activists are raising question over police investigations after the family of slain Tiwari accused people associated with right-wing Hindutva groups being involved in the murder of Tiwari.They say there are “glaring loopholes” in the police version. “First police said that the murder is a consequence of personal enmity, then they moved to revenge murder.” Said Rajiv Yadav, secretary of Rihai Manch, a UP based rights body that seeks justice for people wrongly framed in police cases. “The dots from crime spot, hotel, and Surat don’t connect.”Despite the presence of security personnel of UP Police guarding his residence, the assailants were able to carry a pistol inside a box of sweets and also managed to escape without hassles.Earlier a video of Tiwari’s mother went gone viral on the social media in which she held certain Shiv Kumar of BJP responsible for the murder of her son.Moreover, Tiwari’s son also showed dissatisfaction with the investigation so far and has demanded a probe by NIA, into the matter.Caravan Daily
CoI report against Armyman for being honeytrapped by suspected ISI agent
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coi-report-against-armyman-for-being-honeytrapped-by-suspected-isi-agent-6084910/
Patna :A court of inquiry was submitted by Bihar and Jharkhand Army sub-centre at Danapur to Central Command, Lucknow against a Punjab Regiment soldier facing allegations of being “honeytrapped” by a Karachi girl who is a suspected ISI agent. The soldier had been posted at Danapur centre on deputation.The girl had befriended the soldier through a fake Facebook account, claiming that she was Indian with an Army background.Danapur sub-centre sources said Surjit Singh, who was posted as runner, had been under watch of Army intelligence after he was mostly found on social media, chatting with the girl under the fake identity of Anushka. After he was caught sharing a photograph with background of the Army office, he had to face a court of inquiry this July. The soldier had been chatting with the girl for about four months.indianexpress
NGT orders closure of Bhopal’s only slaughterhouse
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ngt-orders-closure-of-bhopals-only-slaughterhouse-6084737/
Bhopal:The central bench of NGT has ordered the immediate closure of Bhopal’s only slaughterhouse saying it was the only way to ensure compliance of its previous orders to shift the facility outside Bhopal Municipal Corporation limits.Municipal Commissioner Vijay Dutta said the order was received on Wednesday and he has written to the district collector and the state Govt for compliance. Another senior officer said the Govt is likely to challenge NGT order in the high court because “it’s not possible to comply with the order of immediate closure.”A Bhopal resident had moved the tribunal in 2014 seeking relocation of slaughterhouse, in Jinsi locality, arguing that it was polluting a nearby water body. NGT had ordered the shifting of the slaughterhouse in 2015. Since then, the matter has been stuck due to administrative and political reasons. The latest objection came from former CM Digvijaya Singh who objected to the site of the new slaughterhouse – Aadampur Chhawani – on the grounds that it would hurt religious sentiments of devotees who visit a famous temple nearby.In its latest order, the tribunal noted that it had given sufficient time to the state for searching an alternate site and extended the date of closure first to June 2016. It then extended the deadline to March 31, 2018 in another hearing and had also ordered the state Govt to deposit a penalty of one crore. In a subsequent hearing, the tribunal passed another order seeking Rs two crore in performance guarantee and a penalty of Rs 10,000 for each day’s delay in shifting the facility. By June 2019, the recurring penalty reached Rs 45.70 lakh.Issuing the closure orders, the tribunal noted, “On every date of hearing, submissions with different reasons are being made and the fact remains that since 2015, the slaughterhouse is operating at the same place in Bhopal. The respondents are not bothered to expedite work of the new slaughterhouse,” It added that in its opinion, immediately closure was the only option to ensure compliance of its previous orders. Congress councillor Mohammed Sagar, who had led an agitation against proposed closure, said thousands of people will suffer by the move because slaughterhouse is a source of livelihood for meat traders as well as those who sell goats and buffaloes. He claimed that authorities locked the slaughterhouse on Wednesday itself but police denied doing so.indianexpress
National anthem was never sung in Pilibhit school: inquiry
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/national-anthem-was-never-sung-in-pilibhit-school-finds-inquiry-6084902/
Lucknow :Days after Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Pilibhit district temporarily revoked the suspension of Bisalpur primary school headmaster Furqan Ali on “humanitarian grounds”, a probe conducted by the district administration has found that the national anthem was never sung in the assembly session at the school.On directions from DM Vaibhav Srivastava, a probe was conducted by a 3-member team, comprising city magistrate Ritu Punia, ADM (Nagar) Vandana Trivedi and BSA Devendra Swarup, on Oct.21. An inquiry by Bisalpur’s Block Education Officer (BEO), Upendra Kumar, had found that Ali made students recite the poem ‘lab pe aati hai dua’, written in 1902 by the poet Muhammad Iqbal, who also wrote ‘sare jahan se accha’.According to a statement issued by district administration, report stated that during conversations with children, it was found that the national anthem and the prescribed prayer “woh shakti humein do dayanidhi” was never sung at the school. It said that on the day the probe was conducted, 53 out of total 267 students were present.The statement said the quality of education was found to be “unsatisfactory”. indianexpress
Standoff between students, Jamia university admin resolved
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/standoff-between-students-jamia-university-admin-resolved
The standoff between students and Jamia Millia Islamia administration ended on Wednesday after the university agreed to not allow Israeli delegates in its programmes. The varsity had issued show-cause notices to 5 students for protesting against allowing an Israeli participant in an event on the campus, but the notices were withdrawn after the students submitted their response."We assure that if any Isareli delegate participates in any programme, we will not allow," varsity said.The students had been on an indefinite strike. On Tuesday, the ninth day of the strike, students gheraoed the vice-chancellor's office, following which a scuffle apparently broke out between two groups of students. On Wednesday, students had called for a university strike against the violence.Police said they have received a complaint from a group of students alleging they were assaulted. "We are looking into the matter," a police officer said. Standoff between the administration and the students was resolved through talks. The administration assured it won't take any disciplinary, legal or academic action against the students.PTI
Former DU Professor SAR Geelani Who Was Acquitted In Parliament Attack Case Dies
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-du-professor-sar-geelani-who-was-acquitted-in-parliament-attack-case-dies-2122303
NEW DELHI: Former Delhi University professor SAR Geelani, who was arrested and later acquitted by the Supreme Court in connection with the Parliament attack case, died on Thursday following a cardiac arrest, his family said."He passed away on Thursday evening due to cardiac arrest," a family member confirmed.Mr Geelani, who used to teach Arabic language at Delhi University's Zakir Hussain College, is survived by his wife and two daughters.PTI
Centre asks for more time to transfer NRC coordinator out of Assam
https://scroll.in/latest/941546/centre-asks-for-more-time-to-transfer-nrc-coordinator-out-of-assam
Centre has filed a plea before the Supreme Court asking for more time to transfer Assam NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela out of the state and to MP.The counsel for the Centre told the bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, that some formalities have to be completed before Haleja is transferred to his home state. “You file the application,” the bench, which also comprised Justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer, said.The final National Register of Citizens list was published on August 31, and excluded 19 lakh people. The number of people left out comprise around 6% of Assam’s entire population. They will now have to appeal against the decision in foreigners’ tribunals.scroll.in/PTI
CBI seeks permission to arrest lawyers Grover, Jaising
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/cbi-seeks-permission-to-arrest-lawyers-anand-grover-and-indira-jaising
CBI has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the protection order that Ms. Jaising and Mr. Grover had received from Bombay High Court, against FIR dated 13th June, registered by CBI economic offences branch, Mumbai. SLP, however, has not been listed yet in the Supreme Court.CBI and ED have been insisting on custodial interrogation in all high profile cases involving critics of the Govt, even when charges are of economic nature and evidence is perforce documentary in nature. CBI has already carried out searches in the offices and homes of the two eminent lawyers in case of FCRA violation levelled against NGO Lawyers Collective.nationalheraldindia
Ex-RSS leader hits out at BJP top brass over Mhadei dispute
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/ex-rss-leader-hits-out-at-bjp-top-brass-over-mhadei-dispute
Blaming an "idiotic" BJP-led coalition dispensation for its "meek surrender" to the diktats of BJP high command on the Mhadei water diversion issue, former Goa RSS chief Subhash Velingkar on Thursday said, that the first signs of the central BJP's interference in the interstate water dispute with Karnataka was evident when ex CM late Manohar Parrikar was CM."Ahead of assembly elections in Karnataka, then CM late Parrikar had written to then state Karnataka BJP president BS Yediyurappa, about the Mhadei issue creating scope for an out of court settlement. This was when the case was still pending before the Tribunal," Velingkar said.He was reacting to Union Ministry of Environment and Forest's decision to grant clearance to the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project on Wednesday.IANS
'Why can't we form a terrorist organisation?': Ex- MP BJP MLA booked for controversial remark
https://www.news18.com/news/india/why-cant-we-form-a-terrorist-organisation-former-mp-bjp-mla-booked-for-controversial-remark-2359701.html
Bhopal: Former BJP MLA from Bhopal Central, Surendra Nath Singh, has been booked for allegedly promoting enmity between 2 groups in view of his "communal rant" over his daughter's association with a man from a different faith, police said on Wednesday.Singh allegedly made the controversial remarks after his daughter Bharti Singh (28), who had been "missing" for some days, was brought to Bhopal from Maharashtra along with her friend Faheem Khan (32), a resident of Bhopal."It is not so that only they (Muslims) can form a terrorist organisation. Why can't we also form the same?" Singh had said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday night while his daughter was being counselled at a govnt centre. Bharti had earlier approached the High Court seeking police protection while claiming she was being given "injections" by her family to force her to marry a MLA''s son."My family wants me to get married to an MLA's son against my wish. I am being drugged with injections," she had claimed. She went on to add that she was "not with a Christian, Muslim" and that she was "safe and happy" after "leaving home on my own wish"."I am mentally sound". --PTI
Man orders food from a Muslim restaurant in Hyderabad, but rejects delivery by Muslim boy
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/man-orders-food-from-a-muslim-restaurant-in-hyderabad-but-rejects-delivery-by-muslim-boy/articleshow/71725928.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Hyderabad: In yet another weird episode, a Swiggy customer in Hyderabad insisted on delivery by a Hindu boy and bluntly refused to receive the order when a Muslim boy attempted delivery.Strangely, the restaurant preferred by the customer is owned and run by a Muslim entrepreneur and the chef too belongs to the same community.This happened in Hyderabad on Monday but came to light on Wednesday. Customer from Shalibanda area in Old City placed order for chicken 65 from Grand Bawarchi situated at Falaknuma area. The preferences he mentioned were, "Very less spicy. And, please select Hindu delivery person. All ratings will be based on this."According to Hyderabad-based Majlis Bachao Tehreek leader Amjed Ullah Khan who brought the issue to light, Swiggy assigned the job to a Muslim boy. "The customer rejected the order and the boy was upset," Khan told Mirror. He asked the Swiggy management to raise a complaint with the police against the customer for creating differences among communities. The delivery boy explained, "The fact is Swiggy does not go by religion of the person. Indeed, you hardly get a Hindu delivery boy in Falaknuma area. System automatically assigned order to me. I reached the location based on GPS.By hearing my name, the customer got angry, rejected the delivery and shouted at me that his preference was not honoured. The customer had a heated argument with the customer care executives and ended the call threatening to delete the App forever. 32-year-old delivery boy, a post-graduate and fluent in English, said, "I believe we are all humans. But, I came across this peculiar experience." bangalore mirror
Telangana: Unicef, Manuu launch health campaign
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/unicef-manuu-launch-health-campaign/articleshow/71728928.cms
Hyderabad:Officials from Unicef on Wednesday addressed religious and social leaders from the Muslim community and launched health awareness project ‘Leadership for Social Change’, a partnership project with Maulana Azad National Urdu University.According to project director prof. Mohammad Fariyad, the venture is a pilot study in select GHMC wards with the potential to be scaled up across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Addressing the gathering, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Telangana head Hamid Mohammad Khan said misconceptions related to health is being spread on social media.He said the problem of sanitation in Hyderabad in Muslim dominated areas suffered due to two reasons: Lack of awareness and bias of administration. He urged religious leaders and imams to use Friday sermons to spread awareness on health and hygiene. TOI
ECONOMY
SC ruling against private telcos on adjusted gross revenue issue leads Vodafone shares tank
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/sc-ruling-against-private-telcos-on-adjusted-gross-revenue-issue-leads-vodafone-shares-tank/article29787740.ece?homepage=true
In a big blow to the private telecom operators Vodafone Idea Limited and Bharti Airtel Limited, the Supreme Court has ruled against private telcos in over ₹90,000 crore adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue, leading Vodafone Idea shares to tank 23.26% as its entire cash balance of about ₹21,000 crore at the end of June may be wiped out as a result of the SC order.The Supreme Court today ruled in favour of the Govt on the AGR issue, as a result the Govt can recover over ₹90,000 crore from the private telcos, enough to fund the revival package of ailing public sector telecom firms, BSNL Ltd and MTNL Ltd.“Vodafone Idea is extremely disappointed by the Supreme Court judgement on AGR case. The matter is 14 years old and pertains to the issue of whether revenue from other non-telecom related activities should be included in AGR definition under the telecom licence conditions. The matter has already been through several rounds of litigation, which have been largely in favour of operators until now,” said a Vodafone Idea statement.Vodafone Idea shares on BSE touched its 52-week low of ₹4.10 before closing down 23.36% at ₹4.33 in a weak Mumbai market on Thursday, valuing the company at ₹12,442.42 crore. Vodafone Idea may file a review petition against the Supreme Court order.“We will study the ruling as soon as it is available, along with our legal advisers, to determine next steps. If there are technical or procedural grounds for doing so, this could include a Review Application.”thehindu
India rises 14 places on 'ease of doing business' rankings
https://thewire.in/economy/india-rises-14-places-on-ease-of-doing-business-rankings-on-back-of-insolvency-boost
India has risen 14 places to 63rd spot in the World Bank’s latest ease-of-doing-business global rankings in 2019, after jumping ahead by 23 and 30 places in the past two years, respectively. World Bank’s ‘Doing Business 2020’ report, released today, showed India’s rank in ease of doing business jump from 77 place among 190 countries. India had broken into the club of 100 nations easiest to conduct business two years ago when it managed to jump 30 spots from the 130th position. World Bank has named India as ‘one of the economies with the most notable improvement’ for the third year in a row, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and neighboring Pakistan and China. “Given the size of India’s economy, these reform efforts are particularly commendable,”report said.However, World Bank noted that the country needed to do more in areas such as enforcing contracts and registering property where India ranks a dismal 163rd and 154th globally. Also, in the most fundamental of them all – ease of starting a business – India’s rank rose by just a single place in the latest report. thewire
At 5.5%, Fitch Ratings Gives India its Bleakest FY'20 GDP Forecast Yet
https://thewire.in/economy/at-5-5-fitch-ratings-gives-india-its-bleakest-fy20-gdp-forecast-yet
New Delhi: Fitch Ratings today slashed India’s GDP growth forecast in the current fiscal to 5.5%, saying a large credit squeeze emanating from shadow banks has pushed economic growth to a six year low.Fitch, which had in June 2019 put India’s GDP growth at 6.6% for the fiscal year that began in April 2019, said the recent Govt measures to boost economy including a cut in corporate tax rates will gradually nudge growth.The projection is lower than 6.1% that RBI had forecast in early Oct. It is also lowest that any major financial institution has given India so far.GDP expansion will pick up to 6.2% in the next financial year (2020-21) and to 6.7% in the year after, Fitch said.PTI
Income tax relief likely;slabs, exemptions may change
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/personal-income-tax-relief-likely-slabs-exemptions-may-change-11571912339945.html
India is considering tax relief for individuals as it looks at measures to accelerate consumer demand and boost economic growth, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.PM Narendra Modi’s Govt is mulling a proposal to hike the taxable income limits, especially the ₹10 lakh slab, which attracts a 30% rate at present, the people said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private. Move will be accompanied by scrapping some tax breaks, including the one offered on house rent payments and interest earned on some bank deposits. The measures may form part of the federal budget to be unveiled in February, the people said. A spokesman for the finance ministry couldn’t be immediately reached for a comment.livemint.com
PMO’s centralization has created a decision-making paralysis, says Raghuram Rajan
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/pmo-centralization-has-created-a-decision-making-paralysis-says-raghuram-rajan
Dr Raghuram Rajan, the much admired former Governor of RBI and now back as Professor of Finance at Chicago Booth University in US once again has rejected authoritarianism and favoured democracy as a model for India.“Authoritarianism is the worst possible direction,” he said. His remarks were significant in the context of the alleged conduct of the Modi Govt in India for the past 5 and a half years.Rajan was speaking at King’s College London to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, organised by NISAU. He reminded a packed auditorium that the vision of India espoused by Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru was of being “vibrant, varied and of many colours”.Referring to Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew’s prescription for India, the eminent economist posed the question:“Is India better off becoming authoritarian?” And replied: “It’s a pipe dream to think we can go back on our democracy.” He perceived that an authoritarian India would evolve somewhat like “LatinAmerican populist authoritarianism”. Admitting that some Asian countries had initially adopted an authoritarian course, he pointed out these nations had switched to democracy after reaching a middle income category.He argued India was approaching middle income status and would get there in a decade. In the interim, he recommended India should have “vibrant universities and culture”, citing the case of JNU producing a Nobel Laureate like Abhijit Banerjee. “We should invent a new model for ourselves,” he suggested.nationalheraldindia
WORLD
Russia military police deploy in north Syria under truce deal
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/russia-military-police-deploy-north-syria-truce-deal-191024071233905.html
Russian military police deployed on the streets of Syria's northeast border town of Kobane today under a deal with Turkey to drive out Kurdish fighters.Moscow will send a further 276 military policemen and 33 units of military hardware to Syria in a week, Russia's RIA news agency cited a defence ministry source as saying.Their arrival marked the start of a mission by Russian and Syrian security forces to push Kurdish fighters 30km into Syria under an accord reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan. Russia-Turkey deal on Tuesday sealed return of Russia's ally President Bashar al-Assad's forces along the northeastern border for the first time in years. It also marked Moscow's deepening influence in the region two weeks after US started to pull out forces from Syria.A complete pullout of the YPG from the area would mark a victory for Erdogan who has said he is seeking to create a "safe zone" for the return of millions of Syrian refugees. Next Tuesday, Russian and Turkish forces will jointly start to patrol a 10km (strip of land in northeast Syria where US troops had long been deployed along with their former Kurdish allies.aljazeera
Trump lifts US sanctions on Turkey, says ceasefire permanent
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/trump-announces-turkey-sanctions-lifted-191023150745100.html
US President Donald Trump announced that Turkey said it is stopping combat operations and making a ceasefire in northern Syria permanent, prompting US to lift recent sanctions it imposed on Turkish imports in response to the campaign."The sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we are not happy with," Trump said in a special address from White House, where he also spoke sceptically about the meaning of "permanent" in "that part of the world". aljazeera
Sri Lanka spy chief, president blamed for Easter attack lapses
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/sri-lanka-spy-chief-president-blamed-easter-attack-lapses-191024055009001.html
A Sri Lankan parliamentary committee that investigated last April's Easter suicide bombings has concluded the country's spy chief was primarily responsible for the intelligence failure that led to the death of 259 people in the attacks. In a report released on Wednesday, committee said Nilantha Jayawardena, chief of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), received information on possible attacks as early as April 4, 17 days before the suicide bombings took place, but there were delays on his part in sharing the intelligence with other agencies. According to 272-page document, Jayawardena's responsibility was compounded by the fact that he had asked higher-level officials nearly a year earlier to bring investigations into the ringleader of the bombings, Mohamed Zahran, under his sole purview.Sri Lanka's National Security Council met on April 9, with the defence secretary asking Jayawardena for a briefing on Zahran, to which he responded that he would send a note later, the report said."If the matter was discussed, steps may have been taken to prevent Easter Sunday attacks," the report noted. "This failure by SIS has resulted in hundreds of deaths, many more injured and immeasurable devastation to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans and that must not be treated lightly," it added. aljazeera
Dubai loosens liquor laws as UAE alcohol sales slump
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/dubai-loosens-liquor-laws-uae-alcohol-sales-slump-191024071701973.html
Dubai has loosened liquor laws to allow tourists to buy alcohol in state-controlled stores, previously only accessible to licence-holding residents, as UAE saw the first drop in alcohol sales by volume in a decade.The new laws, which also let visitors to skyscraper-studded Dubai obtain liquor permits themselves for the first time, come amid a widening economic downturn affecting the oil-rich nation on Arabian Peninsula.However, the laws also close a long-standing legal conundrum facing imbibing tourists who travel there.Throwing back shots, sipping a beer or indulging in a Champagne-soaked brunch in this city-state technically remains illegal without a drinker holding a permit, though no bartender ever asks to see one before pouring a drink.aljazeera
16 sentenced to death in Bangladesh for burning 19-year-old woman alive
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nusrat-jahan-rafi-murder-16-sentenced-to-death-in-bangladesh-for-burning-19-year-old-woman-alive-2121865
A court in Bangladesh sentenced 16 people to death on Thursday over the murder of a 19-year-old female student burnt alive in April that provoked outrage across the country.Nusrat Jahan Rafi was doused in kerosene and set on fire after refusing to withdraw a sexual harassment complaint against the head teacher of the seminary she attended. "The verdict proves that nobody will get away with murder in Bangladesh. We have the rule of law," prosecutor Hafez Ahmed told reporters after the verdict in a crowded courtroom.Rafi was lured to the rooftop of the seminary where her attackers pressed her to withdraw the complaint she had filed with police.When she refused, she was tied up, doused in kerosene and set on fire.She suffered burns to 80 % of her body and died in hospital five days later on April 10.AFP
British police identify 39 people found dead in refrigerated container as Chinese nationals
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/british-police-identify-39-people-found-dead-in-refrigerated-container-as-chinese-nationals-1612563-2019-10-24
London:39 people found dead in a refrigerated container in UK were Chinese nationals, British police announced on Thursday as they continued to question Northern Irish truck driver on suspicion of murdering the eight women and 31 men.Officers in Northern Ireland have also raided three properties and the National Crime Agency said it was working to identify "organised crime groups who may have played a part".Police are continuing to question lorry driver Mo Robinson, 25, on suspicion of murdering the eight women and 31 men, BBC said.PTI
14,000 tortured to death in Syria war
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-14000-tortured-to-death-in-syria-war/
Over 14,000 people have been tortured to death in the Syria war using 72 different methods of torture, according to a new report by Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).The figure is likely to be much higher given that these figures reflect only what organisation has been able to record.Over 8 years SNHR interviewed thousands of former detainees who survived prison and torture mainly in the Air Intelligence, Military Intelligence, General Directorate of State Security and Political Security branches.Among the methods used were slicing off body parts and allowing junior doctors to practice surgical training on the prisoners. The doctors are encouraged to make medical errors.middleeastmonitor
UN expert: Israeli occupation ‘longest’ in modern world
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191023-un-expert-israeli-occupation-longest-in-modern-world/
A UN human rights investigator on Wednesday called the Israeli occupation in Palestine “longest occupation” in the world, Anadolu reports.“Israel has occupied the Palestinian territory for more than 52 years, longest belligerent occupation in the modern world,” Michael Lynk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, told the General Assembly.MEMO
Israeli leaks disrupt setting up naval force in Gulf
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-israeli-leaks-disrupt-setting-up-naval-force-in-gulf/
US administration has criticised leaks by Israeli officials about Tel Aviv’s partnership in a naval force being set up to protect vessels in Gulf waters, Ma’an reported. Monitors said leaks caused problems because many Gulf states do not want to disclose their relations with Israel.Israeli radio reported unnamed American sources saying that Iran benefitted from the leaks and used them to obstruct the establishment of naval force. According to Maan, unnamed American sources told the radio station that many of the Gulf states, which do not have relations with Israel, refused to take part in the naval force as a result of Tel Aviv’s involvement in it. middleeastmonitor
Israel: Questions about mysterious flight between Tel Aviv and Riyadh
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-israel-questions-about-mysterious-flight-between-tel-aviv-and-riyadh/
A Challenger 604 private jet left Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening for an airport in the Jordanian capital of Amman, where it stopped for two minutes before taking off to an airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.After a 55-minute stopover at Saudi airport, the plane took off, this time back to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.Haaretz reporter Avi Scharf twitted on Wednesday that he monitored the movement of this mysterious flight through a particular application that can be downloaded on smartphones. middleeastmonitor
New Tunisia Prz:Palestine is ‘engraved’ in our hearts
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-new-tunisia-president-palestine-is-engraved-in-our-hearts/
Tunisia’s newly-elected President Kais Saied has said that Palestine is engraved in the hearts of Tunisians and the time has come to end its occupation by Israel. Saied made his comments during his inauguration ceremony. “Palestine is not a lot of land which is registered as real estate,” he explained after being sworn in as President. “It is registered in the sentiment of Tunisians.” Palestinian rights, he added. middleeastmonitor
Israel demolishes settler structures in West Bank
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-israel-demolishes-settler-structures-in-west-bank/
Israeli security forces demolished two wooden structures belonging to Jewish settlers built illegally near the occupied Palestinian town of Nablus in West Bank. The structures, within Area B of the occupied West Bank, were erected in the Yitzhar Hills ahead of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.The settlers opposed the demolition, saying that the “community has expressed its firm stance against harming soldiers, and precisely because of this stance the decision to demolish structures as an act of punishment is wrong and destructive.” MEMO
Israel issues 140 demolition orders for Arabs
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191024-israel-issues-140-demolition-orders-for-arabs-in-negev/
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India’s crackdown in Kashmir has paralyzed and silenced entire communities:Rana Ayyub,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/23/indias-crackdown-kashmir-has-paralyzed-silenced-entire-communities/?fbclid=IwAR1s6kqTqN9n-qqKIgmmqZkePHG8GdUB8Ouq0y_PzM29IVT542nZoXJiHZs
“Are We Waiting For Muslims In Assam To Be Put In Camps?”: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
https://thecognate.com/are-we-waiting-for-muslims-in-assam-to-be-put-in-camps-congresswoman-ilhan-omar-slams-us-silence-on-assam-kashmir/?fbclid=IwAR0vFifMrh8modjC1vjuwJlbzu0n1kbfC_1vqCl13wOruzikkd4wwI2728I
‘What is going to happen to us?’ Inside ISIS prison, children ask their fate:New York Times
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/what-is-going-to-happen-to-us-inside-isis-prison-children-ask-their-fate-6084450/
How Narsinghanand, a Russian-educated, London-returned engineer, became ‘hate-spewing’ sadhu:Ananya Bhardwaj
Https://Theprint.In/India/How-Narsinghanand-A-Russian-Educated-London-Returned-Engineer-Became-Hate-Spewing-Sadhu/310092/
Those who shielded the defenceless are now being targeted by powers-that-be:Apoorvanand
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/defenders-need-defending-supreme-court-lawyers-6084671/
As Freedoms Continue to Be Curbed in JNU, It Cannot Be Business as Usual:Apoorvanand
https://thewire.in/education/as-freedoms-continue-to-be-curbed-in-jnu-it-cannot-be-business-as-usual
Legislation against mob lynching must be accompanied by effective policing:M.P. Nathanael
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-law-isnt-enough-ncrb-data-mob-lynching-6084672/
Ayodhya dispute: Matters must end decisively with graceful acceptance of court’s verdict: Dr Taradatt
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ayodhya-dispute-babri-masjid-demollition-riots-ram-temple-supreme-court-6086122/
Political prisoners in Kashmir narrate tales of insult and humiliation:Gulzar Bhat
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/political-prisoners-in-kashmir-narrate-tales-of-insult-and-humiliation
Key lesson from Haryana and Maharashtra: All’s not over yet for the Opposition:Zafar Agha
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/key-lesson-from-haryana-and-maharashtra-alls-not-over-yet-for-the-opposition
88 fell victim to communal riots in Gujarat in 2017: SCRB official
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/88-fell-victim-to-communal-riots-in-gujarat-in-2017-scrb-official-6084942/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:49 PM)
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