*24 DEC. 2019: 26 Rabius Sani 1441: Vol: 12, No: 91
*india:anti-citizenship act stir*
Population list NPR to be held between April-Sept.2020, no document or biometrics needed: Modi Govt approves Rs 8,500 crore for exercise
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-may-take-a-call-today-on-updating-national-population-register-2153508?pfrom=home-topscroll
New Delhi: Union Cabinet today approved a proposal to update National Population Register (NPR), which is linked to the Census. The exercise will cost Rs 8,500 crore, the government said. The Census Commission has said the objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every "usual resident" of the country. The database will have demographic details.A "usual resident", for NPR, is a person who has lived in an area for at least 6 months or more, or a person who intends to live in an area for the next 6 months or more. It is mandatory for every "usual resident" of India to register in NPR."Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to update NPR. No one needs to give any proof. Everyone who lives in India will be included," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters today. NPR, since it is linked to the Census, is seen as the first step towards a nationwide exercise to implement NRC. Though an NPR doesn't necessarily mean it's guaranteed there will be an NRC, it clears the path for a nationwide citizens' list. This is seen as one of the reasons why some states like West Bengal and Kerala, which are opposed to NRC, have stopped work on NPR. NPR exercise will be held between April and Sept.2020 in all states and Union Territories except Assam, where NRC exercise to identify illegal migrants has already been conducted. The data for NPR was first collected in 2010 during the second term of UPA government, along with the house-listing phase of Census 2011. NPR data was first updated in 2015 with door-to-door surveys; digitisation of the updated data is complete now, officials said. Today, the government cleared the decks for the next round of updating NPR, along with the house-listing phase of Census 2021 in 2020. West Bengal and Kerala have stopped NPR exercise, over a week after the controversial bill to amend the Citizenship Act was passed by both houses of parliament. NDTV
NPR is a population register, not citizen register, reiterates Javadekar, says every person living in India will be included in NPR
https://www.firstpost.com/india/citizenship-amendment-act-protests-live-updates-caa-nrc-npr-latest-news-today-delhi-uttar-pradesh-assam-pan-india-what-is-national-population-register-7819861.html
NPR: All you need to know about NPR that could pave way for pan-India NRC
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/all-you-need-to-know-about-national-population-register-that-could-pave-way-for-pan-india-nrc/articleshow/72952448.cms
UP: police admit youth died in firing by them, cop acted in self-defence after DGP's denial
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/police-admit-youth-died-in-firing-by-them-cop-acted-in-selfdefence/1693224
Bijnor: The district police here said a youth died when they fired in self defence last week, contradicting an earlier claim by Uttar Pradesh DGP that no one died in police firing during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.SP (Rural) Vishwajeet Srivastava today said a 22-year-old man was killed when a policeman opened fire while facing a violent mob in Nahtaur area."After Friday prayers, a violent mob attacked a police station and snatched the pistol of sub-inspector Ashish Tomar,” he said. A constable was fired at when he tried to get it back"When the constable opened fire in self-defence, it hit ''upadravi'' (troublemaker) Suleiman and he died," SP added.Suleiman''s family said he had been preparing for the civil services entrance exam and had nothing to do with the protests.Another man, Anis, died in firing from the mob in the district, SP said. 32 FIRs were registered and 215 people arrested in the district, where the situation is now normal, Bijnor SP Sanjiv Tyagi said.This is for the first time that the state police have accepted that they have opened fire during the violent protests in the state. At least 17 people have been reported killed.DGP OP Singh has said no one was killed in police firing and blamed the deaths mostly on “cross-firing”.Earlier, a video surfaced showing a police sub-inspector purportedly loading his pistol, amid the sound of gunfire. The video appeared to be from Yateemkhana area in Kanpur. Another video, purportedly related to the violence earlier at AMU, shows students pushing at the campus gate. The protesters are apparently trying to get out as the police try to confine them to campus. PTI
Deaths caused by arms of protesters: UP DGP
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/deaths-caused-by-arms-of-protesters-up-dgp/article30374293.ece
UP Police Arrests State Head of PFI, 16 Others for Violence During Lucknow Protests
https://www.news18.com/news/india/up-police-arrests-state-head-of-islamic-outfit-pfi-16-others-for-violence-during-lucknow-protests-2434189.html
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police has said they have arrested the state head of Popular Front of India (PFI) and 16 other workers of the Islamist outfit in connection with the violence in the state capital during the protests against the amended Citizenship Act last week. Wasim, the state head of the outfit, was arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence, the police said.In Shamli district in western UP, 28 people, including 14 members of PFI, have been arrested since Dec.19 for allegedly attempting to incite mass gatherings during anti-CAA protests."Total 14 PFI members including Mohammad Shadab, a prominent member of PFI, have been arrested. 2 PFI members are wanted. Another 14 people were also arrested in the district," Shamli SP Vineet Jaiswal told PTI.On Dec.19, the situation was tense in Shamli and its Kairana town and around 150 people were taken into preventive custody and released later in view of violent protests unfolding in other parts of the state, he said."Wasim, Nadeem and Ashfaq of PFI have been arrested by police. While Wasim is the state head, Ashfaq is the treasurer and Nadeem is a member of PFI," SSP, Lucknow, Kalanidhi Naithani told reporters here.Police have seized placards, flags, pamphlets and papers, literature, newspaper cuttings and banners and posters of NRC/CAA protest from them, SSP said.The official said 33 FIRs have been filed in the state capital and 150 people arrested so far.PTI
Who will compensate damage to private property by cops during Muzaffarnagar violence?: Ex MP Saiduzzaman
https://www.firstpost.com/india/who-will-compensate-damage-to-private-property-by-cops-during-muzaffarnagar-violence-s-saiduzzaman-7821101.html
Calling the police action against protesters in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar on 20 December a lapse on the government’s part, former Congress MP S Saiduzzaman said that the cops harassed innocents under the guise of a crackdown against rioters after protests against the amended Citizenship Act took a violent turn.In a press note dated 23 Dec, Saiduzzaman said that police barged into homes, destroyed personal property and sealed the shops of those not involved in protests in the name of raids.Muzaffarnagar Police sealed over 50 commercial establishments in Meenakshi Chowk since 21 Dec. District Administration has announced that some of these properties will be sold to compensate the losses caused to public property during the protests.Taking a swipe at the “seize and auction” route to compensate the damages caused to public property, Saiduzzaman asked who will compensate those whose private property was damaged by the police.While condemning police action following protests, Saiduzzaman wrote that Hindus and Muslims all across the country are standing united against the law. He also claimed that the police also rounded up innocent bystanders or those who incidentally came out of mosques while some extremist elements continued to protest violently.firstpost
Bijnor Ground Report: Muslim families flee as UP Police vandalise homes, harass women after clashes over CAA
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bijnor-ground-report-muslim-families-flee-as-up-police-vandalise-homes-harass-women-after-clashes-over-caa-1631046-2019-12-24
Bijnor:Amid police crackdown across Uttar Pradesh over Citizenship Amendment Act protests, families in Bijnor's Nehtaur allege that vandalism by the state police has forced them to flee their homes. Nehtaur is in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district.Over 10 people have been arrested by the police, 60 have been named as accused and over 3000 unknown persons have been mentioned in FIRs after clashes erupted between police and protesters in Bijnor.The locals allege that after clashes over the CAA, UP Police has been vandalising their homes, harassing women and threatening their children to disclose the location of the male members of their families.India Today TV visited two such homes. In one of the houses, the washbasin, bathroom, bed, furniture, fridge, utensils and other items were broken and strewn all over. When we asked a neighbour what had happened, he said, "We are being targeted because we are Muslims. 8-10 policemen come to our homes asking about the men in our family. If we tell them that we are not aware, they abuse us, harass the women and threaten the children."The neighbour, on condition of anonymity, also said, "The police have told us that FIRs have been filed against more than 3,000 unnamed people in connection with the violence on Friday. If they come to know that I have spoken, my family members will be picked, beaten up and framed by them."5 other houses in the same area were locked and if neighbours are to be believed, families have abandoned their homes over the fear that the police will come back and harass them.Just a few meters away, in another house, TV set, bathroom, utensils, furniture and other items were allegedly broken by the police.At least 8 other families, who live in the same area, have also left their homes over fear of police brutality. "The people are scared after the recent conduct of the police -- the way the policemen have treated the women, children and vandalised homes. The police has mentioned thousands unknown in FIRs and families fear that if they speak against police they will be named and arrested," said a local resident Hamid Salmani.indiatoday
Citizenship Act Protests: Police Book over 16000 in UP’s Kanpur
https://caravandaily.com/citizenship-act-protests-police-book-over-16000-in-ups-kanpur/
NEW DELHI – Amid a mass crackdown across the state to thwart anti-CAA protests, the Uttar Pradesh police has booked as high as 16,500 individuals in Kanpur district alone. They have been charged with disruption of public order and unleashing of violence, the New Delhi-based online news portal, The Print, has reported.Citing the information given by police officer Devendra Mishra, a deputy superintendent at Kanpur Nagar, the report said 16 cases have been filed across different police stations in the district over the last few days.caravandaily
Rahul, Priyanka stopped by police from entering Meerut to meet kin of deceased protesters
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-priyanka-stopped-by-police-from-entering-meerut-to-meet-kin-of-deceased-protesters/article30387557.ece?homepage=trueCongress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Dec.24 were stopped by police from entering Meerut on their way to meet the families of those who died during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, party sources said.The two had requested that they, along with another Congress leader, be allowed to meet the families, but were denied entry, sources said.Sources said that at least five protesters died in Meerut alone.PTI
Cong CMs condemn UP govt for stopping Rahul-Priyanka
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/cong-cms-condemn-up-govt-for-stopping-rahulpriyanka/1693207
Centre should allay Muslims'' apprehensions on CAA-NRC: Mayawati
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/centre-should-allay-muslims-apprehensions-on-caanrc-mayawati/1693124
Lucknow:BSP supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said the Centre should allay concerns of Muslims over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed countrywide NRC."...it will be better if the Centre allays all apprehensions of Muslims on CAA/NRC to their satisfaction," she said in a tweet in Hindi.In another tweet, she said, "At the same time, the Muslim community should remain alert that they are not politically exploited on the pretext of (protest against) this issue."PTI
West Bengal Governor prevented from presiding over Jadavpur University convocation over CAA,NRC
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/west-bengal-governor-prevented-from-presiding-over-jadavpur-university-convocation/article30387200.ece?homepage=true
KOLKATA:West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar was on Tuesday forced to leave Jadavpur University campus without presiding over the convocation of the State-run university. Dhankar, who arrived at university, was prevented from reaching the venue by members of the staff association of the university. The staff association union is backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress.Holding black flags and posters against Dhankar, the protesters remained defiant even as university officials urged them to make way for the Governor, who is also Chancellor of the University. Representatives of the employees union said that the Governor, who is supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) had no business inside the university campus and he should return to Raj Bhavan. After waiting for almost 90 minutes, the Governor left for Raj Bhavan.The convocation started in absence of the Chancellor. While the students wore badges against CAA, NRC they did not block the Governor’s convoy. Some students said that they would not have accepted degrees had the Governor presided over the function.thehindu
'Had no plan to protest till they sent me out': Pondy Uni gold medallist Rabeeha
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/had-no-plan-protest-till-they-sent-me-out-pondy-uni-gold-medallist-tells-tnm-114701
27-year-old Rabeeha Ahdurehim, a student of the Puducherry University, was seated in the row G3 in the college auditorium, waiting in anticipation for her convocation ceremony to begin on Monday afternoon. The mass communication student was among those who would be receiving a gold medal for excellence in academic performance and she was looking forward to being addressed by President Ram Nath Kovind who was invited to be the Chief Guest.But around 12.30pm, a female police officer came up to Rabeeha and claimed she wanted to have a word with her."She led me out of the auditorium, asked me to wait there and then went back in, locking the door behind her," Rabeeha tells TNM. "I didn't understand what was happening. As I was waiting, I heard the President come into the auditorium and the convocation begin. I asked the police officials around me why I was made to wait, but no explanation was offered," she says.Meanwhile, inside the hall, the President was addressing students and giving medals to a select few."So many thoughts were running in my mind. The entire episode was so insulting," says Rabeeha. "I kept wondering why I was singled out. If it was because of my protests against the government while inside the campus, then others too should have been called out from the hall. There were people seated next to me, who took part in the protests as well. I can't tell whether it was because of my hijab or religion because the police never explicitly gave me a reason at all," she adds.thenewsminute
Muslim Student Refuses Medal in PU to Protest against CAA, Thrown Out of Convocation
https://caravandaily.com/muslim-student-refuses-medal-in-pu-to-protest-against-caa-thrown-out-of-convocation/
Told to exit India for protesting against CAA: German student at IIT Madras
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/citizenship-law-protests-india-german-student-iit-madras-6181941/lite/?__twitter_impression=true
Chennai:A German student in Master’s course in Department of Physics at IIT Madras, part of a one-year exchange programme, has said that he was asked to leave the country “immediately” days after he attended protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed NRC in the campus.Speaking from the Chennai airport shortly before his scheduled flight home Monday night, Jakob Lindenthal said he received “oral directions” to leave India from Foreigners Regional Registration Office in (FRRO) in Chennai around noon.Lindenthal was in Bangalore for the past few days participating in a “sports tournament” when, he says, he received the first email from FRRO. During a protest in Chennai against the CAA and NRC, he had carried a poster that said: “1933 to 1945; We Have Been There” (a reference to Nazi regime in Germany).“After I reached Chennai this morning, my course coordinator advised me to meet immigration officials immediately. When I reached there, they cited some administrative issues related to my residential permit in India. After I resolved their queries and it was clear that there were no issues regarding my residential permit, they started asking me about my politics and hobbies. It was an extensive casual conversation. They asked about CAA and my participation in anti-CAA protests.We discussed the demonstration culture. There were 3 officers including one who asked me all questions. All of them were unnamed. Towards the end of the conversation, they said I may have to leave the country immediately for violating my student visa rules. When I asked for a written letter, they returned my passport and said that I may leave. They said I will get the written letter but I did not receive one. Soon, I rushed back to IIT campus, booked my ticket, packed everything and left for the airport,” he said.“I received a call from an official in the Dean’s office. She suggested that I may leave tomorrow. Since it is going to be Christmas eve tomorrow, I chose to leave immediately,” said Lindenthal, adding that he was yet to inform his parents.“I do love IIT-M campus, I love India but I am concerned about illiberal extremes in the country…In Germany, nobody is ever evicted for participating in a legal demonstration,” Lindenthal said.indianexpress
Students stage protest against CAA, NRC in Osmania University
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/students-stage-protest-against-caa-nrc-in-osmania-university/article30384061.ece
HYDERABAD :A large gathering of students from different parts of the State under the aegis of several student organisations protested against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens on the campus of Osmania University here on Monday.Slogans raised by the students against the two laws rent the air in front of the iconic Arts College building. The students demanded repeal of the two laws during the protest that continued well beyond the sunset, in spite of cold weather. Students from every stream -- including engineering, medicine, sciences, law and humanities turned up in large numbers for the “Maha Garjana’’ organised by CAA-NRC Protest Committee of Student Unions. Speakers at the protest alleged that the CAA is aimed at giving citizenship selectively to illegal immigrants on the basis of religion.People cutting across party lines and social sections demanded that the Centre repeal the CAA stating that it is anti-constitutional and illegal.The meeting saw the presence of “hijabi sheroes” of Jamia Millia Islamia participating as guests.Speaking at the protest, State president of Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) Talha Faiyazuddin termed the amended legislation a slap on the secular and democratic ethos of the Constitution. He observed that the CAA was not just anti-Muslim but anti-constitutional too.thehindu
Assam: 426 Muslim Families Evicted Allegedly for Not Voting for BJP
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/assam-426-muslim-families-evicted-alleged-for-not-voting-for-bjp
GUWAHATI:As many as 426 Muslim families with a total of 1800 members among them have been evicted from their houses in Chotia assembly constituency of district Bishwanath of Assam on Dec.6. Their houses have been demolished by the administration.All these families having their names in NRC, a proof of being genuine Indian citizens in Assam, now no roof over their heads in this chilly winter, nor food. They also don’t have warm clothes to protect themselves from cold weather.A team of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) led by its secretary Mohammed Ahmed visited the affected persons to study the ground situation. They found that the affected Muslim families who are victims of local MLA Padma Hazarika get food once a day only. According to evicted families, they were targeted by MLA because they are not his voters.No social, pollical or human rights group has visited them so far, or extended any kind of monetary or any other help. JIH is the first organisation to reach up to them and inquire about their problems and extend help to them.The media also failed to give any coverage to them because of internet shutdown in Guwahati and other parts of the state owing to anti-CAA agitation all over the state.JIH volunteers consoled the affected people and told them not to lose hope in Allah.Currently, they are living in camps with meagre facilities.According to JIH team, they require food, clothes, rehabilitation at safe places and legal assistance immediately.India Tomorrow
Why not include Muslims in CAA, asks West Bengal BJP leader Chandra Kumar Bose
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/why-not-include-muslims-in-caa-asks-west-bengal-bjp-leader-chandra-kumar-bose/article30387137.ece?homepage=true
West Bengal BJP vice-president Chandra Kumar Bose asked on December 23 as to why Muslims were not included in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Mr. Bose, who is a grand-nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, stated in a tweet, “If #CAA2019 is not related to any religion why are we stating - Hindu, Sikh, Boudha, Christians, Parsis & Jains only! Why not include #Muslims as well? Let’s be transparent.”He further said, “If Muslims are not being persecuted in their home country they would not come, so there’s no harm in including them. However, this is not entirely true — what about Baluch who live in Pakistan & Afghanistan? What about Ahwadiyya in Pakistan?”The Hindu
Detention centre near Bengaluru only for immigrants accused of crimes: Karnataka Home Min
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/detention-centre-near-bengaluru-only-immigrants-accused-crimes-karnataka-home-min-114699
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that the structure constructed in Nelamangala, which is allegedly meant to house illegal immigrants is not a detention centre.Addressing the media on Tuesday regarding the police firing in Mangaluru, Home Minister Bommai said that the center was initially a hostel maintained by the Social Welfare Department and later converted into a facility to lodge "Nigerian nationals and immigrants" accused of crimes in the city."The facility was constructed by the Social Welfare Department. There are so many cases of Nigerian men and women attacking police. If a case is registered against them, they will have to remain here. The facility is to house such people so that they can be deported to their countries. It is not meant to house any person with issues about citizenship. It is not a detention centre," Basavaraj Bommai said.thenewsminute
Stalin, Vaiko, Thiruma, 8,000 others booked for DMK's anti-CAA rally in Chennai
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/stalin-vaiko-thiruma-8000-others-booked-dmks-anti-caa-rally-chennai-114690
A day after a massive rally was held in Chennai by the DMK and its allies condemning the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), DMK chief MK Stalin, MDMK chief Vaiko, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, Congress leader P Chidambaram and 8,000 others have been booked by the city police for defying police orders, denying permission for the protest. Tens of thousands showed up for the rally in Chennai’s Egmore on Monday.
Declare no NRC in Congress-ruled states, Prashant Kishor tells Rahul Gandhi
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/prashant-kishor-rahul-gandhi-gaurav-gogoi-congress-ruled-states-citizenship-amendment-act-nrc-6182460/
While thanking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for joining the citizens’ movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC, JD(U) vice-president and election strategist Prashant Kishor called upon the Gandhi scion to “impress upon the Congress President to officially announce that there will be No NRC in the Congress-ruled states.”Taking to Twitter, Kishor further said, “Rather than trying to inform me what Congress CMs have said please share OFFICIAL statement of the Congress President announcing that there will no NRC in Congress-ruled states. I am sorry voting against CAB didn’t stop it, states saying NO to NRC will. So don’t get confused.”indianexpress
*OTHERS*
India now in the midst of major economic slowdown, urgent actions needed: IMF
https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/india-now-in-the-midst-of-major-economic-slowdown-urgent-actions-needed-imf-1631115-2019-12-24
At a time when India's economy is suffering from an acute slowdown, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the current downturn can only be reversed through "urgent" policy actions.IMF in its annual review said declining consumption and investment accompanied by falling tax revenue have arrested India's GDP growth, which was one of the fastest in the world just a year ago.IMF Asia and Pacific Department's Ranil Salgado told AFP that India is now in the midst of a significant slowdown and only quick policy actions can reverse the slowdown."Addressing the current downturn and returning India to a high growth path requires urgent policy actions," Salgado said.The government, however, has limited space to boost spending for supporting growth given the current debt situation and interest payments, warned IMF.IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath said last week that India's slowdown had "surprised to the downside" and it is planning to significantly downgrade growth estimates for the Indian economy in the World Economic Outlook report, which it will release next month.The international fund earlier slashed its India 2019 growth forecast by nearly a full point to 6.1 per cent; the outlook for 2020 was also lowered to 7 per cent.Salgado also said that RBI has space to cut policy rates further, especially if the period of slowdown extends further.But the RBI has already cut rates five times this year and brought it to a nine-year low. The central bank did not cut rates in its December review, citing a potential increase in inflation.While it came as a surprise to many economists, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the move was in line with its primary goal of inflation targeting. He, however, said RBI will continue to maintain an accommodative stance, allowing the central bank to cut rates in future.indiatoday
Economic slowdown: Centre staring at Rs 63,200 cr shortfall in GST compensation cess collection, says report
https://www.firstpost.com/business/economic-slowdown-centre-staring-at-rs-63200-cr-shortfall-in-gst-compensation-cess-collection-says-report-7822341.html
Centre is now staring at a huge shortfall of over Rs 60,000 crore in GST compensation cess collection due to slowdown in revenues, according to news reports.As per a presentation made to GST Council, the compensation requirement for states is expected to be about Rs 1.6 lakh crore for the ongoing fiscal, at a growth rate of 5 percent, said a report in Economic Times. However, compensation cess collections are expected to be about Rs 96,800 crore, leading to a huge shortfall of Rs 63,200 crore, the report said.Meanwhile, rating agency ICRA has estimated a shortfall of Rs 2.2 lakh crore for all states.GST revenue collection crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore-mark after a gap of three months in November with the revenue growing by 6 percent to Rs 1.03 lakh crore in the month. GST collection was Rs 95,380 crore in October while it was Rs 97,637 crore November 2018. Of gross Rs 1,03,492 crore in November, CGST is Rs 19,592 crore, SGST is Rs 27,144 crore, IGST is Rs 49,028 crore (including Rs 20,948 crore collected on imports) and Cess is Rs 7,727 crore (including Rs 869 crore collected on imports), an official statement said.firstpost
Gujarat: No Police Convictions in 180 Custodial Deaths Between 2001 and 2016
https://thewire.in/law/gujarat-police-custody-deaths
New Delhi: Between 2001 and 2016, as many as 180 persons died in Gujarat in police custody. However, no police personnel have been convicted for these custodial deaths.According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Gujarat stands third in the list of states where custodial deaths have been reported between 2001 and 2016. While Maharashtra recorded 362 deaths during the period, it was followed by AP with 242 deaths.A total of 1,557 custodial deaths were recorded across the country during this period. Of the 704 cases registered against police personnel for these deaths nationwide, AP topped the list of cases against cops at 188. As many as 43 cases have been registered against policemen in Maharashtra for custodial deaths.Of the 294 nation-wide cases where charge sheets have been filed against policemen, there were only 28 charge sheets so far in Maharashtra, and 13 in AP.However, in Uttar Pradesh, 75 charge sheets have been filed against cops in such cases. NCRB data shows that UP recorded 128 custodial deaths during the period and 122 cases have already been filed against policemen. Of these, 75 cops have been charge-sheeted. UP also tops the list of conviction rates with 17 convictions in the state out of 26 that took place across the country.However, in Gujarat, against 180 cases of custodial deaths, only 26 cases were filed against cops. In the last 16 years, only ten charge sheets have been filed against policemen for their alleged involvement in these cases. No one has been convicted yet.Meanwhile, this past November, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani conferred medals on 168 cops of the state for ‘distinguished and meritorious service’. Among the awardees was PP Pandey, former state DGP and an accused in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case.thewire
Dalits in Mettupalayam, who are part of Tamil Puligal outfit, plan to convert to Islam
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/dalits-in-mettupalayam-who-are-part-of-the-tamil-puligal-outfit-plan-to-convert-to-islam/article30387508.ece?homepage=true
COIMBATORE:Hundreds of Dalits in Mettupalayam, who are part of the Tamil Puligal outfit, have claimed that they will convert to Islam on Jan.5, the organisation’s State spokesperson M. Muthukumar said.The decision to convert was taken at a meeting the outfit held in Mettupalayam on Sunday and the reason cited was the alleged injustice meted out to the Dalit residents of Nadur, where on Dec.2, 17 people were killed in a wall collapse incident. The release on bail of the person whose compound wall fell on the houses of 3 Dalit families, and the continued imprisonment of their leader Nagai Thiruvalluvan were the reasons for the decision to convert, he claimed.“Dalits’ demand to invoke provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the house owner and the police’s failure to do so; and, the assault and arrest on Thiruvalluvan for standing up and speaking for Dalits are the reasons for the conversion.”The problem is not with the law or the way the Coimbatore Rural Police registered the cases; it has to do with the fact that the affected people are Dalits and they being denied their rights and self respect. This will change if they exit Hinduism to embrace Islam, he said.“It is our Muslim brethren and former Tamil Puligal members who have converted to Islam who have stood with Dalits of Nadur right from the day of the tragedy. They are showing solidarity with us and the religion [Islam] preaching equality is what has drawn us towards them.”He further said that by embracing Islam, the Dalits do not mind giving up their reservation of protection under the Act. “When the very Act has failed to protect us, Dalits, in Nadur incident what is the guarantee that it will in the future. Likewise, reservation is fast losing significance as the government is on a privatisation mode.”thehindu
Kashmir PSA detainee Ghulam Mohammed Bhat dies in UP jail: 'They told me you have to just bring him back home,' says 32-year-old son
https://www.firstpost.com/india/kashmir-psa-detainee-ghulam-mohammed-bhat-dies-in-up-jail-they-told-me-you-have-to-just-bring-him-back-home-says-32-year-old-son-7820841.html
32-year-old Mohammed Haneef Ahmad was sitting outside his one-storey house in Kulangam Handwara in North Kashmir with other mourners lamenting his father 65-year-old Ghulam Mohammed Bhat's death. Bhat was a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested on 17 July and booked under the draconian PSA. Bhat died in Naini jail in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.Haneef says some plain clothed officers from Chogul police post in Handwara came to his house on 20 Dec at around 6 pm to inform him that his father was sick in Naini jail and that PSA charges against him had been quashed. The family had challenged the case and it came up for hearing on Friday.Haneef said he hadn't seen his father since his arrest in July since he was shifted to UP jail on 22 Aug. When the plain-clothed officials showed up at his home, Haneef told them it was difficult for the family to arrange for tickets in such short notice to travel all the way to Prayagraj. The officers left, but they came back on Saturday with tickets to Lucknow. "You have to just bring him back home," they told Haneef.Bhat died 16,000 kilometres away from his home in Naini Central Prison. Bhat, who was frail when jailed, was among 20 Kashmiri prisoners brought to Naini prison from Anantnag. They had been detained under the stringent PSA immediately after Centre scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The septuagenarian was already quite ill during the time of his detention and had been suffering from ailments like gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and liver issues, the police said. Bhat was transferred to Naini prison because the government thought that if he were in Anantnag he would disrupt peace. Interestingly, the superintendent of Naini prison HB Singh said that Bhat was paralysed when he was brought to Prayagraj. "He was paralysed at that time and could barely move on his own.""He (Bhat) was very healthy and wouldn't even take as many medicines," told 54-year-old Zareefa Begum, Bhat's wife. The family is not convinced about the reasons cited for Bhat's death. One of Haneef's relatives, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the current situation and said, "Court bhi inki, judge bhi inka," mocking the process in which things were done.Bhat was a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami. Police arrested hundreds of Jamaat-e-Islami members after Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement and alleged that the group was "in close touch with militant outfits"."He was always very religious and was associated with Jamaat since he has young. That's why he was framed in these cases," one of the family members who didn't wish to be named said.firstpost
6 JNU students suspended for participation in hostel fee hike protests; administration engaging in 'mass intimidation stunts’, claims students’ union
https://www.firstpost.com/india/six-jnu-students-suspended-for-participation-in-hostel-fee-hike-protests-administration-engaging-in-mass-intimidation-stunts-claims-students-union-7820021.html
New Delhi: JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) on Monday alleged 6 students have been academically suspended for their participation in the protest over hostel fee hike. JNU administration is formulating a strategy of mass intimidation by sending proctorial inquiries to students en masse and even academically suspending them as well as evicting them from hostels and declaring them out of bounds, JNUSU alleged.However, no immediate reaction was available from the university.The statement has also been endorsed by other student bodies like BAPSA, NSUI.PTI
Cabinet Committee Approves Setting Up Dept of Military Affairs Headed by Chief of Defence Staff
https://www.news18.com/news/india/cabinet-committee-on-security-approves-creation-of-chief-of-defence-staff-2434927.html
New Delhi;Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday approved the creation of a chief of defence staff (CDS) who will be the single-point military adviser to the government as suggested by Kargil Review Committee in 1999, official sources said.I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said a Department of Military Affairs headed by CDS will be created under the defence ministry. CDS will be a four-star general and his salary will be equivalent to that of service chiefs, he added.The CCS also approved the report of a high-level committee, headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which finalised responsibilities and the enabling framework for the CDS, they said.In a landmark military reform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 had announced that India will have a CDS as head of the tri-services. Days after his announcement, an Implementation Committee headed by Doval was appointed to finalise an enabling framework and determine the exact responsibilities for the CDS.news18
India-Pakistan Enmity Main Reason Why SAARC is Not Prospering: Bangladesh FM
https://www.news18.com/news/india/india-pakistan-enmity-main-reason-why-saarc-is-not-prospering-says-bangladesh-fm-2434965.html
Dhaka: Enmity between India and Pakistan is one of the main reasons why SAARC is not prospering, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen has said, while expressing optimism about other regional initiatives such as the BIMSTEC and BBIN.His remarks comes following India and Pakistan blaming each other over the lack of cooperation and coordination among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states earlier this month.PTI
Jharkhand: Hemant Soren clinches victory in Barhait, Dumka; Raghubar Das loses Jamshedpur East seat by over 15,000 votes
https://indianexpress.com/elections/jharkhand-election-results-2019-live-updates-raghubar-das-hemant-soren-bjp-congress-jmm-6179856/
New Delhi:Raghubar Das, who filed his resignation as the Jharkhand chief minister on Monday, lost his Jamshedpur East seat to Independent candidate by over 15,000 seats. Sounding hopeful, Das earlier said that his party would accept people’s mandate. “I am hopeful that result will be in our favour. I am waiting for the final results. BJP will accept the people’s mandate,” he told ANI.As the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance comfortably pegged itself above the majority mark by leading in 47 seats in the 81-member assembly, Chief Ministerial candidate Hemant Soren said that time has finally come to fulfill people’s wishes. “I want to thank people of Jharkhand for the mandate in favour of JMM. It is a joyous day for the people of the state and finally, the time has come to fulfil all your demands,” Soren said in his address to the media.JMM has won 30 seats, Congress emerged in 16 seats and RJD won one seat whereas BJP which could clinch only 25 seats. The magic number to form the assembly is 41.indianexpress
Ajit Pawar to be deputy chief minister in Uddhav government, Ashok Chavan also to get Cabinet post
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajit-pawar-to-be-deputy-chief-minister-maharashtra-in-uddhav-government-ashok-chavan-also-to-get-cabinet-post-6182664/
New Delhi :Former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan, NCP’s Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena’s Sunil Prabhu are among the two dozen people who are likely to be inducted into the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, headed by Uddhav Thackeray. The expansion of the ministry is scheduled for 1 pm on December 30. Ajit Pawar will be the deputy chief minister. The post, allocated to the NCP, had been kept vacant by party president Sharad Pawar.The names of the other future ministers from the NCP quota are: Dilip Walse Patil, Aditi Tatkare, Rajendra Shingne, Rajesh Tope and Manik Kokate.indianexpress
Ex-Maruti Top Executive Jagdish Khattar Charged For Alleged Bank Fraud
https://www.ndtv.com/business/former-maruti-top-executive-jagdish-khattar-charged-by-cbi-in-alleged-rs-110-crore-bank-fraud-2153663?pfrom=home-topstories
Former Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki Jagdish Khattar has been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a Rs 110 crore alleged bank loan fraud case involving his new company Carnation Auto India Pvt Ltd.In its FIR filed recently, the CBI has named Mr Khattar and his company Carnation Auto India Limited for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 110 crore to Punjab National Bank, CBI officials said.Mr Khattar has denied any wrong doing and said a detailed audit found nothing amiss.ndtv
With Karnataka Wakf Board in Limbo, Property Encroachment Troubles Kick In
https://thewire.in/rights/karnataka-wakf-board-encroachment-property
New Delhi: Karnataka government is yet to fully reconstitute the state board of wakfs even though the tenure of the previous one expired over three years ago.Set up under the Wakf Act, 1995, the board looks after the Muslim religious properties in the state, such as the idgahs, the mosques, dargahs, burial grounds, etc.The term of the previous board ended in 2016. After over three years elapsed, elections were finally held under the H.D. Kumaraswamy government this past February to fill in the elected posts. But the state government didn’t nominate five members to the 11-member board.According to a news report in Deccan Herald, it had virtually left the board “not fully functional” leading to encroachments of its properties. “While the board at present has a chief executive officer (CEO) taking care of day-to-day administration, board needs an 11-member team along with a chairman to be fully functional,” the report said.
*WORLD*
Trump impeachment: With fresh evidence in hand, Chuck Schumer demands more emails and documents
https://www.firstpost.com/world/donald-trump-impeachment-with-fresh-evidence-in-hand-chuck-schumer-demands-more-emails-and-documents-7820091.html
Senator Chuck Schumer said on Monday that newly-released emails showing that military aid to Ukraine was suspended 90 minutes after President Donald Trump demanded "a favour" from Ukraine's president were "explosive". They strengthened, he said, Democratic demands for far more internal administration documents before Trump's impeachment trial.The emails, made public over the weekend, included one from a White House budget office aide, Michael Duffey, telling Pentagon officials to keep quiet "given the sensitive nature of the request".The timing of the email — just an hour-and-a-half after Trump raised investigations of his Democratic rivals with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine — added an element to Democrats' contentions that they say become clearer with every new release of evidence: Trump abused the power of his office to solicit Ukraine to help him win reelection in 2020."What happened over the weekend has only bolstered the case that documents should be produced and witnesses testify," Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, said at a news conference, referring to the emails released to the Center for Public Integrity.The New York Times
At least seven Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/afghan-troops-killed-taliban-attack-191224081126863.html
Taliban have attacked an army checkpoint in northern Afghanistan, killing at least seven Afghan soldiers, according to the defence ministry and the armed group.The ministry said the fighters attacked a joint military base on Tuesday morning in the Dawlat Abad district of Balkh province near the border with Uzbekistan.The base was shared between the army and the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's intelligence agency.Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, said 20 soldiers had been killed in the attack, including a commander."Six soldiers were wounded and four arrested. The base was captured," Mujahid wrote on Twitter.The attack comes one day after the Taliban claimed responsibility for the death of a US soldier in Kunduz province, which is also in the north.aljazeera
Prominent Palestinian writer among dozens arrested by Israel
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/prominent-palestinian-writer-dozens-arrested-israel-191224092623188.html
Israeli forces detained a prominent Palestinian writer during a raid on his home in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to residents.Soldiers raided Ahmad Qatamesh's house in the city of al-Bireh and took him into custody, the residents said.The reason for his arrest remains unclear. Israeli army has for years accused Qatamesh of being a member of the left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) group.The 69-year-old is no stranger to Israeli arrests. His first was in the 1970s when he was jailed for four years.aljazeera
'Antithesis of justice': Khashoggi verdict roundly condemned
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/turkey-rights-groups-decry-saudi-verdict-khashoggi-murder-191223171239748.html
United Nations extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard, Turkey and international rights groups have roundly condemned a Saudi court verdict over the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying it failed to deliver justice.But despite global condemnation, a US State Department official hailed the verdict as "an important step" in holding the perpetrators accountable.Five people were sentenced to death on Monday over the brutal killing of the writer by a team of Saudi agents inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul last October, but two top aides to powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) - the de facto Saudi leader - were exonerated.The Saudi prosecutor's office said a total of 31 people were investigated in connection with the killing, and that 11 people were charged. Three were handed jail terms totalling 24 years and the rest were acquitted. None of the defendants' names was immediately released."The investigation showed that the killing was not premeditated ... The decision was taken at the spur of the moment," Saudi Deputy Public Prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan said, a position contradicting the findings of a United Nations-led investigation.aljazeera
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
India needs to remove growing negative perceptions of its domestic policies in the Muslim world:C. Raja Mohan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/islamic-summit-kuala-lumour-malayasia-turkey-qatar-6181755/
CAA protests : Modi approves Rs 8,500 crore for NPR, exercise to be held between April-Sept.2020
https://www.firstpost.com/india/citizenship-amendment-act-protests-live-updates-caa-nrc-latest-news-today-violence-in-delhi-uttar-pradesh-assam-pan-india-7819861.html
Fact Check: Anti-CAA protests in Hyderabad passed off as police crackdown post NRC in Assam
https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-anti-caa-protests-in-hyderabad-passed-off-as-police-crackdown-post-nrc-in-assam-1630999-2019-12-23
Jharkhand: Modi, Shah and Adityanath's Aggressive Campaigning Did Not Help BJP:Mahtab Alam
https://thewire.in/politics/jharkhand-results-narendra-modi-amit-shah-yogi-adityanath
BJP loses another state, but continues to make its opponents become more like BJP to fight it;Suhas Palshikar
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jharkhand-assembly-elections-results-bjp-6181709/
Minority shareholders must be protected but not at the cost of the majority:Janmejaya Sinha
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ceo-boradroom-corporate-governance-6181716/
Delhi needs to remove growing negative perceptions of its domestic policies in the Muslim world:C. Raja Mohan
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/islamic-summit-kuala-lumour-malayasia-turkey-qatar-6181755/
Apex court has not acted with urgency to protect citizens from executive excesses:Dushyant Dave
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/caa-citizenship-amendment-act-supreme-court-constitution-of-india-6181772/
'Pakistan Chale Jao Na': A First-Person Account of the Horror at Jamia:Samreen
https://thewire.in/rights/jamia-millia-islamia-caa-protest-police
Section 144 Is Not a Cover for Unchecked Police Action:Sarim Naved
https://thewire.in/law/section-144-police-protests
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:55 PM).*
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