NEWS DIGEST, EVENING
01 March 2020: 05 Rajjab 1441: Vol: 12, No: 145
*DELHI VIOLENCE*
Situation peaceful in Delhi amidst heavy police deployment: 254 FIRs, 903 held
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-mustafabad-6293445/?#liveblogstart
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-254-firs-registered-903-people-arrested-or-detained/article30957078.ece
A week after violence erupted in northeast Delhi, the situation in violence-hit areas remained peaceful but tense on Sunday. Despite heavy police deployment, there was a movement of people and vehicles on main roads. “The situation is under control now. There is adequate force deployed in all areas of northeast district. We are holding talks with locals and trying to rebuild confidence,” a senior police official told PTI. No untoward incident has been reported from the northeast district over the past 3 days, he said, adding police are urging residents to not pay attention to rumours and report them to authorities.So far Delhi Police has registered 254 FIRs and arrested or detained 903 persons in connection with the northeast Delhi violence, a senior officer said on Sunday. Forty-one of the cases were registered under the Arms Act, they said. According to police, they did not receive any PCR calls of rioting in the last four days.PTI
3 More Bodies Found In Violence-Hit Part Of Delhi, Overall Deaths 46
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/three-more-bodies-found-in-violence-hit-part-of-delhi-overall-deaths-46-2188081
New Delhi: 3 more bodies were recovered from the violence-hit northeast Delhi today, taking the number of deaths to 46. One of the bodies was found in a canal in Gokalpuri and two were recovered from the Bhagirathi Vihar canal, officers from the Delhi Police said. Earlier, 38 people were declared dead at the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, and 3 at LNJP Hospital. One of them was a police officer.ndtv
Delhi riots: Toll rises as more bodies recovered from Gokalpuri; situation under control, say police
https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-riots-toll-rises-to-44-as-two-more-bodies-recovered-from-gokalpuri-situation-under-control-say-police-8104521.html
Social Media Posts Fuel Rumours of Violence in Parts of West & Southeast Delhi; Cops Say Situation Now Normal
https://www.news18.com/news/india/social-media-posts-fuel-rumours-of-violence-in-areas-of-delhi-situation-under-control-say-cops-2521387.html
Delhi Police on Sunday night issued multiple alerts saying the situation in the national capital is under control after several users on social media warned of impending violence or a riot-like situation in areas of Delhi.Several localities of Northeast Delhi remain on edge after violence earlier this week. The police said panic calls came in from West Delhi, South East Delhi, Madanpur Khadar, Rajouri Garden, Hari Nagar and Khayala."A rumour has been noticed that there is some tension in Khyala-Raghubir Nagar area of West District. There is no truth behind it. All are requested to keep calm as the situation is absolutely normal and peaceful," said the West Delhi DCP on Twitter."It has been observed that some anti-social elements are spreading rumours to disturb peace. People are advised to neither spread nor trust the rumours," it said. "Law and order situation of the whole city is under control."The entry and exit gates of the metro stations in Nangloi, Surajmal Stadium, Badarpur, Tughlakabad, Uttam Nagar west and Nawada were temporarily closed. While shopkeepers in Uttam Nagar and Tagore garden shut their shops, gyms and malls in other areas were also shut down temporarily.Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa said the situation is normal throughout the city and senior officers are monitoring it. "Some panic calls are coming, I would like to tell people of Delhi to not pay heed to them," he said. news18
Delhi violence: Situation normal in West Delhi, refrain from rumours, says police
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-mustafabad-6293445/?#liveblogstart
Reveal Details of All Those Arrested, Detained: Civil Rights Activists to Delhi Police
https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-police-arrests-civil-rights-activists
New Delhi: After the Delhi Police registered 254 FIRs and arrested 903 persons in connection with the violence that rocked North East Delhi, several civil rights activists have urged the police to proactively display the details of all those in its custody.A letter to the Commissioner of Delhi Police, signed by Anjali Bhardwaj of Satark Nagrik Sangathan on behalf of nine other activists besides her, stated that the police should display information about those arrested or in its custody. She said this was mandated under Section 41-C of the Criminal Procedure Code. Others who have joined this request are Annie Raja, Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Rahul Rou, Saba Dewan, Pamela Philipose, Amrita Johri, Navsharan Singh and Indira Unninayar.Pointing out that lawyers and journalists, who have visited the violence-affected areas, have reported that the exact number of those held by the police was not known, Bhardwaj wrote that information on this issue would “provide clarity to affected families and stop rumours”.The appeal comes as many people have been reported missing in the area ever since it was gripped by violence on February 24. Family members and friends of people have been searching for their missing ones in hospitals and mortuaries and doing rounds of police stations to learn about them. Bhardwaj said despite the law being clear on this aspect, information on those arrested was not being displayed at the police control room in the districts of North East and Shahdara and in the police stations falling within their jurisdiction.thewire
In northeast Delhi riots, 87 people shot, 20 lost lives
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/87-people-were-shot-during-north-east-delhi-riots-20-of-them-died/story-d6MnmLHVd7N8kLWyFgO4GO.html
New Delhi:At least 87 people suffered gunshot wounds in the communal riots that tore through north-east Delhi this week. Of these, at least 20 — including a policeman — succumbed to bullet injuries, investigators said.Of the 203 cases, 24 were of murder, and 36 others were under various sections of Arms Act. The remaining cases were of rioting, attacking police personnel, arson and damaging properties, the police said.Meanwhile, the police said they had registered separate cases against 13 social media account holders on various platforms — Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram — for posting provocative contents having potential to trigger communal violence. Police said many such accounts and web links involved in circulation of unlawful and offensive contents were either suspended or their “objectionable” contents were removed.HT
Board exams to resume in northeast Delhi; affected students can still get postponement: CBSE
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/board-exams-to-resume-in-northeast-delhi-affected-students-can-still-get-postponement-cbse/article30957352.ece?homepage=true
Board examinations in northeast Delhi are set to resume their normal schedule from Monday, but the CBSE has offered a lifeline for those students who have been affected by the violence there, promising to conduct the examinations again for them on a different date. They have been told to contact their own school principals to avail such relief. This relief is available for examinations scheduled until March 7. The examinations are due to continue until March 30. thehindu
'BSF' on Jawan Anees's Nameplate Could Not Save His House From Being Burnt
https://thewire.in/communalism/delhi-riots-bsf-jawan-khajuri
New Delhi: Among the 35 houses set on fire by rioters on two lanes of Khajuri Khas in north east Delhi was a house that belonged to a soldier serving in BSF. Mohammad Anees, BSF jawan, had also put up a nameplate in front of his house announcing that he serves the paramilitary force. On Feb.29, The Hindu reported that BSF will be rebuilding jawan’s destroyed house. A Home ministry spokesperson said senior officers of BSF spoke to the constable and a DIG-rank officer visited his family on Saturday.On the afternoon of Feb.25, he and his family were huddled inside the house while the mob outside burnt vehicles stationery in front of it. The mob shouted out lines like, “Idhar aa Pakistani, tujhe naagrikta dete hai (‘Come here Pakistani, we will you citizenship’) and pelted stones at the house.Anees, his father Mohammad Musi, uncle Mohammad Ahmed and a cousin, Neha Parveen, who were trapped inside it, were desperately hoping that they would see the nameplate and move away. Anees, who joined the forces in 2013, had served three years in J&K along tension-ridden India-Pakistan border. But the nameplate proved to be ineffective.The rioters soon threw a gas cylinder into the house to burn it. Anees and 3 others managed to escape with help from the paramilitary forces.“Charred remains of the house now stand where the house was till three days ago. In the two lanes of Kharuji Khas near Anees’s house, 35 houses were set on fire. Only one house belonging to a Muslim family was spared,” said a News18.com report. The report said, “The loss suffered by BSF soldier’s family was perhaps greater as they had kept all their life’s savings inside: two weddings in the family were to take place in the next three months.” thewire
In charred Delhi locality, mangled clocks tell a tale, BSF DIG visits a constable’s home
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-bsf-constable-khajuri-khas-6293349/
Hardest journey Babu Khan ever made, carrying bodies of his two sons killed in Delhi riots
https://theprint.in/in-pictures/hardest-journey-babu-khan-ever-made-bearing-bodies-of-his-two-sons-killed-in-delhi-riots/373448/?fbclid=IwAR1x58ItqrVXjQ_2Mx0omWYpgLIQTq6pituAQa778XTEOM7ITfbW58Ghl7o
New Delhi: Babu Khan, a father in Northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad, made the most gruelling journey of his life on foot Saturday evening, bearing the dead bodies of his two young sons.It was around 5 pm when the bodies of the two brothers — Amir Khan (30) and Hashim Ali (19), who were allegedly stripped and then killed during the riots in Northeast Delhi — were released by Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, after a postmortem.Devastated, Babu Khan first took the bodies to their home in Mustafabad, where Amir’s two daughters aged 4 and 2 years, awaited their father’s return.theprint
#WorldAgainstDelhiViolence protests take place across Europe
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2020/02/29/worldagainstdelhiviolence-protests-take-place-across-europe.html?fbclid=IwAR1VbrswGS6QtUpUSLqgBXvVNAkIlgiyXbqNZT3Vwagnb7dx7Ncz8eBhY48
Protests against the Delhi violence, NRC and CAA took place across Europe on Saturday, as gatherings were held in multiple cities against the incidents of violence that took place on February 23-28. Images were shared on social media from protests in Geneva, Munich, Hamburg, The Hague, London, Helsinki and Dublin was ell as in New York. In London, protests were held in front of India House.Earlier, the Shaheen Bagh official Twitter handle shared a graphic showing scheduled protests in Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Brussels, Helsinki, Stockholm, Dublin, Koln, Frankfurt, Krakow, Surrey, Geneva, London, Tampere, Hague and Munich. Unverifiable social media posts also showed protests taking place in Paris.Many social media handles quoted Aamir Aziz poem ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’, which had earlier been referenced by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters at a London event, in particular the line, “You write ‘injustice’ on the earth; we will write revolution in the sky”.With many of these countries within the European Union, a draft resolution pending in the European Union parliament is expected to be voted upon by the end of March after it was postponed to the next session of the European parliament beginning March 2. India had reached out diplomatically to several EU countries in a bid to persuade them against the resolution.theweek
Students, activists, Indian diaspora protest against CAA, Delhi riots in London; demand Amit Shah’s resignation
https://www.firstpost.com/world/students-activists-indian-diaspora-protest-against-caa-delhi-riots-in-london-demand-amit-shahs-resignation-8103241.html
London: A large group of students, human rights activists and diaspora group representatives gathered outside the Indian High Commission on Saturday for an “emergency protest” against the CAA and the associated violence in Delhi.India Society at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), South Asian Students Against Fascism and South Asia Solidarity Group were among the groups behind the protest.The London protest was called alongside similar demonstrations in around 17 cities across Europe, including Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Geneva, with the central message of: “We stand in solidarity with the victims of communal violence in Delhi”. “If the world does not take note and react urgently, the consequences will be disastrous,” SOAS India Society said in a statement.The protesters chanted slogans and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, for alleged “gross failure” to maintain peace, and the arrest of BJP politicians accused of instigating violence in Delhi. PTI
Hundreds rally in US cities against anti-Muslim violence in Delhi:Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/hundreds-rally-cities-anti-muslim-violence-delhi-200229223719285.html?fbclid=IwAR1nple13A7ZJOiXk7T8nN94i2WaMEGk4zrmrDIgt_ZYaz9jhspqkesst8M
Hundreds of Indian Americans of different faiths rallied outside Indian consulates in major American cities on Friday evening to protest against the recent violence in Delhi .Outside the Indian consulate in New York on Friday evening, protesters gathered chanting "Shame!" at officials as they tried to exit or enter the building."We are exhausted," Sana Qutubuddin, an activist with Alliance for Justice and Accountability - a coalition of South Asian groups that organised Friday's rally alongside Indian American Muslim Council, South Asia Solidarity Initiative, and Equality Labs - said during her speech at the rally.Other civil society organisations such as the Alliance for South Asians Taking Action, Chicago Against Hindu Fascism and Bay Area Against Hindu Fascism also protested against the worst violence in Delhi since 1984, when more than 3,000 Sikh minority were killed following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi."I was there to have an opportunity to grieve with a community that understands how egregious the genocidal violence that occurred in Delhi was," Qutubuddin told Al Jazeera, "and to be in a space that recognises what this moment means in modern Indian history."Organisers estimated nearly 300 people turned up at the New York rally where they chanted slogans to repeal CAA, and highlight the current BJP govt's "fascist" ideologies that target lower-caste Hindus and other religious minorities."I grew up in an idyllic idea of a secular India and I'm completely devastated to see everything that I thought would happen in India is happening under Modi government," Ishita Srivastava, who has been living in New York for 12 years, told Al Jazeera.The protests - from San Francisco to Chicago and Atlanta - were brought together by organisers who identify as multi-faith and/or inter-faith and inter-caste collectives.Al Jazeera
Thousands of Muslims protest agaunst India violence in Bangladesh
https://apnews.com/06ac59a9d26b0aa73f03d9a10dec1e8a?fbclid=IwAR3geoLchBBlQf3-PJRJSVgznityBtDsJBBYwYMeHs1BGOsyOvs2RtqoouE
Dhaka:Several thousand Muslims marched from the main mosque in Bangladesh’s capital on Friday to denounce India’s government for allegedly inflaming tensions between Hindus and Muslims, leading to clashes that left at least 40 dead and hundreds injured.After Friday prayers, thousands of Muslims left the Baitul Mokarram Mosque in Dhaka and joined the rally, chanting slogans against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.They threw shows at posters of Modi and burned a portrait of him. Many of the protesters carried banners saying, “Stop killing Muslims” and “Save Indian Muslims.” Protesters also demanded that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cancel a plan to invite Modi to a commemoration next month of 100th anniversary of the birth of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.“I ask the prime minister to immediately cancel Narendra Modi’s invitation,” Nur Hossain Kasemi of the influential Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam told the protesters. “If she fails to do so, the people of the country will be forced to take action and surround the airport. They will build resistance.”But he asked Bangladeshi Muslims not to harm Hindus.AP
Pakistan Hindu Council condemns violence against Indian Muslims:APP
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2167102/1-pakistan-hindu-council-condemns-violence-indian-muslims/
Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) Patron-in-Chief and MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar has condemned the “inhuman treatment” of Muslim minority in India, under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“Narendra Modi is the Hitler of recent times,” he said while addressing a PHC meeting on Saturday.During the meeting, PHC members expressed grief and dismay over state-backed violence against Muslims in different parts of India, particularly Delhi. They also discussed videos featuring atrocities meted out to Indian Muslims, many of which had gone viral and according to Dr Kumar, were “heartbreaking.” He said he was deeply saddened by the helplessness of Indian Muslims and appealed to the international community to take notice of the turmoil in India, while other PHC members strongly condemned the use of religious slogans by mobs involved in violent activities.In this regard, Dr Kumar said the rioters perpetrating violence while shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ better read Ramayana first. “When did Ramayana called for subjecting innocent human beings to such horrific atrocities?” he asked. He said, in fact, every religion in the world taught humanity and called for respecting other religions.Holding Modi responsible for the turmoil in India and slamming him, Dr Kumar maintained that it is the state’s responsibility to protect minorities but “Modi shed Muslims’ blood as the chief minister of Gujarat and he has bloodied the entire country after becoming the prime minister.”
Would have arrested BJP leaders if I was in charge, says ex-police chief
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-violence-police-kapil-mishra-6293254/
New Delhi:Former Commissioner of Police in Delhi and former DG of BSF Ajay Raj Sharma has slammed the Delhi Police for their role in the violence that rocked Northeast Delhi last week.In an interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Sharma, who served as Delhi CP from 1999-2002, said that “he would have arrested BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra” for inflammatory speeches they made.Sharma said, “I would have arrested Thakur after informing the Home Ministry… For Mishra (who is not an MLA), there was no obstruction in arresting him.”When Thapar asked him about DCP (Northeast) Ved Prakash Surya standing next to Mishra as he gave an “ultimatum to police” at a rally in Northeast Delhi, Sharma said, “I would have called for his explanation immediately… Why did he not take action or tell him to stop… If the explanation wasn’t satisfactory, he would have been removed from his post.”Sharma said that the first mistake police made was “allowing Shaheen Bagh to take place… If Shaheen Bagh had not taken place, this riot would not have taken place. Shaheen Bagh was leading to communal tension because of the slogans being raised there.”He said anything that obstructs traffic on the roads is a cognizable crime and “when a cognizable crime takes place, you have to act as a policeman”.indianexpress
'Today, Police Does Exactly What Its Political Masters Want,' :Former IPS Officer Julio Ribeiro
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/today-the-police-does-exactly-what-its-political-masters-want-says-former-ips-officer-julio-ribeiro/22648275?utm_source=newsletter&fbclid=IwAR1H6mdTOkr4OkpaRtnL3eopA7aM0kfHDKuuRCJnI4YpOAwaHIM66yqhqe4
Padma Bhushan awardee and former Indian Police officer, Julio Ribeiro, 90, on the urgent need to separate the police force from the political parties that cling on to power.Ribeiro said, "Whatever is happening in Delhi is a shame. It only shows the urgent need for police reforms. The hold on the police should be loosened, to allow them to function effectively and impartially. I'm not saying that the police shouldn't be accountable to anyone, they should be. For example, in the US, there are congressional and senate committees which oversee the police and bring them to task if need be. We can adopt a similar model, even though this is beyond the SC's order. Even if we implement the SC's directions in both letter and spirit, that will be a good place to start."mid-day
‘The only reason we escaped the mob was because we had not circumcised our son’
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/the-only-reason-we-escaped-the-mob-was-because-we-had-not-circumcised-our-son
“The only reason we escaped from the mob was because we had not circumcised our son. We thought we will wait till he is bigger. That saved our family,” said an anguished Farheen, whose brother was dragged out of their house and killed by an armed Hindutva mob and her husband beaten up.Farheen was at home in Bhagirathi Vihar near Gokulpuri along with her extended family when they heard a mob of around 50 men rushing upstairs. They immediately locked themselves up in several rooms to stay alive. But, the crazed mob broken open the doors, vandalised the house and thrashed her husband and brother. The mob dragged her brother out and left him to die at a drain nearby. They had thrashed her husband unconscious.nationalheraldindia
Delhi riots: Bodies continue to arrive west up, toll at 9
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/delhi-riots-bodies-continue-to-delhi-riots-continue-to-arrive/articleshow/74420593.cms
Bijnor: Bodies of North East Delhi’s horrific riots continue to arrive in Uttar Pradesh. In addition to the seven reported deaths of UP residents, two more deceased have been identified. They belonged to Bijnor district. The bodies of the 2 youngsters are expected to arrive by Sunday.Native of Bijnor’s Sahaspur, Salman, a 22-year-old youth, who was a tailor by profession, was killed in the violence. Another deceased was identified as 35-year-old Ayyub, a rickshaw puller. The bodies of both the men are being brought to their native place in Bijnor. Heavy police and paramilitary have been deployed in these areas as a precautionary measure.Ayyub was a resident of Khari village – around 10 km away from the district headquarters. He was staying in Delhi for some time now. His wife and four children lived with him. His brother, Riyajuddin, lived at his native village in Bijnor.Ayyub’s brother Riyajuddin said, “My brother Ayyub was residing at a place near Mustafabad in Delhi. He was there for the past 15 years. He was a rickshaw puller.”TOI
Delhi witnessed 'targeted structural violence':Owaisi
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-mustafabad-6293445/?#liveblogstart
Calling Delhi violence as 'targeted structural violence,' AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday said the responsibility lies at the doorstep of BJP government and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the affected areas. Addressing a public meeting on AIMIM's 62nd foundation day here, Hyderabad MP reiterated his charge that the violence happened due to the speeches made by BJP leaders.'This communal riot happened with full planning and preparation. An atmosphere of hatred was created. It cannot be called a communal riot but it is pogrom,' he alleged. 'We were hopeful that you (PM) might have taken some lesson from 2002 (Gujarat riots) and ensure such thing would not recur...,' Owaisi said.Referring to slogans raised by some youths in Metro stations in Delhi, he said, '.. who are these people telling 'goli maaro desh ke gaddaron ko' (shoot the traitors). Prime Minister this riot happened with planning. This is targetted structural violence and its responsibility is on you.' The responsibility of Delhi riots lies at the doorstep of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, he said. PTI
Manoj Tiwari says police failed to assess situation, seeks to setup independent panel to probe hate speeches of all leaders including of BJP
https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2020/mar/01/manoj-tiwari-says-police-failed-to-assess-situation-seeks-investigation-into-lapses-in-delhi-riots-2110410.html
Delhi BJP president and MP from northeast Delhi Manoj Tiwari on Saturday said Delhi Police had failed to assess the situation, which escalated into a full-blown communal riot in his Lok Sabha seat. Seeking a proper investigation to look into the lapses and circumstances resulting in death of 42, Tiwari said though there were 73 companies of additional force were deployed on the very first day, the violence had engulfed the region in a flash.“Police couldn’t analyse the situation. They (police) must have thought that people (protesting against CAA) are sitting here (Jaffrabad). But, the violence erupted and soon spread to other parts of northeast Delhi. I was also called by residents from several areas (in northwest Delhi) conveying the need for deployment of police force,” he said. On BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s provocative statement, Tiwari said that an independent committee should be set up to look into and define hate speeches given by leaders of all political parties including BJP. He said leaders giving hate speeches should be barred from contesting polls. newindianexpress
Goons In Delhi's Riot-Hit Areas Are Snatching Relief Material, Threatening Those Trying To Help
https://www.indiatimes.com/amp/news/india/delhi-riots-snatch-relief-material-threaten-to-kill-those-who-help-507459.html?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR0nZgUrwigkeLFRO9ETXKy1sMOax_d9qzDrqQoX6M2_WEutmdUBlSbxZ70
As Delhi gets back on its feet after days of deadly violence that left close to 50 dead and more than 250 injured earlier this week, those providing relief are facing a rather grave challenge.In northeast Delhi's Karawal Nagar - one of the areas worst-hit by communal riots - goons are snatching away relief material and threatening those who are trying to help the ones affected by riots.In a distress call, a journalist on Twitter, requested Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, and Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, to deploy their volunteers. The relief convoy was encountered by a mob who threatened to kill those providing relief material and burn them alive. On Twitter, journalist, Vineeta Pandaey, shared that all of this happened while Delhi Police was deployed there.The relief material convoy has refused to go in the area due to death threats, despite heavy police and paramilitary presence.indiatimes
In Delhi, neighbour’s home burning, 29-year-old rushed in to save 6
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-shiv-vihar-violence-6293270/
New Delhi:When a mob set fire to his neighbour’s home, Premkant Baghel (29) didn’t think twice before rushing into the burning structure and pulling to safety all six of its inhabitants.A resident of Shiv Vihar, Baghel, an autorickshaw driver, suffered 70% burn injuries during the rescue and is admitted to the burn ward at GTB Hospital. Doctors said he is stable and showing signs of recovery.Recalling the incident on Tuesday, his brother Sumit Baghel said Premkant leapt into the flames without caring for his life and saved the neighbours, known in the locality as ‘lalaji ki’ family.“While we were sitting at our home, we suddenly saw flames in the neighbouring house. While some of us went to the terrace to see what exactly had happened, Premkant had already reached their house. He managed to pull five of them out safely but an elderly woman was stuck and her rescue took time. He suffered burns in the process,” said Sumit.According to doctors, he suffered partial burns on his face and severely burnt both his hands. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal met Premkant at the hospital on Friday.
NCM delegation visits riot-affected areas for re-establishing amity, brotherhood
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/ncm-delegation-visits-riotaffected-areas-for-reestablishing-amity-brotherhood/1748187
New Delhi: A delegation of the National Commission for Minorities led by its chief Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi on Saturday visited the riot-affected areas in Delhi as part of efforts to re-establish amity between communities and provide assistance to the victims of the violence."Today, I visited the riot-affected areas of Delhi along with the National Commission for Minorities Delegation and met the injured victims of both the communities at the hospital and wished them speedy recovery," Rizvi said in a statement."The purpose of this visit was to re-establish mutual goodwill, love and brotherhood among all communities and to know the condition of victims of all communities and ensure immediate help to them," he said.PTI
Humanity Above Religion: Khalsa Aid Stands By Delhi Arson Victims
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/northeast-delhi-violence-good-news-story-khalsa-aid-relief-materials-rescue-team
“Khalsa Aid does not see the world with the clothes they wear.”The International NGO has once again come to the rescue of those who fell victim to a tragedy that shook India’s national capital on 24-25 February.Puneet Singh, one of the twenty volunteers who were distributing relief materials in northeast Delhi told The Quint, “We have come here to serve humanity. We don't care if someone is a Hindu or a Muslim. Nobody probably would have committed the violence by looking at someone's religion. And even if they have done that, it doesn't matter to us. Wherever we see someone is in need, we try to serve them.”thequint
JNUSU defies registrar's warning, says JNU will remain open and give shelter to Delhi riot victims
https://www.firstpost.com/india/jnusu-defies-registrars-warning-says-jnu-will-remain-open-and-give-shelter-to-delhi-riot-victims-8103641.html
New Delhi: Warned by JNU registrar against providing shelter to Delhi violence victims on the varsity campus, the JNUSU remained defiant on Saturday, saying humanity supercedes "administrative threats".JNUSU also said the varsity will always remain open for sheltering the "victims of state oppression".In a notice issued on Friday, JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar had warned of disciplinary action against students found involved in efforts to provide shelter to the victims of the violence, which claimed at least 42 lives and left over 200 injured."JNU was open for shelter in 1984, it shall remain open for shelter today. It shall always remain open for sheltering the victims of state oppression," JNUSU said in a tweet. "JNU administration has threatened us with disciplinary action if we provide shelter to those who have lost everything in the Delhi Genocide 2020. Nevertheless, we reiterate, JNU is a safe shelter for the victims of this pogrom. Humanity supercedes administrative threats," it said.PTI
Delhi violence: Looted, burnt out homes offer little welcome to Shiv Vihar’s riot victims
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-violence-looted-burnt-out-homes-offer-little-welcome-to-shiv-vihars-riot-victims/article30952285.ece?homepage=true
As the fires ebbed, and roads to one of areas worst affected by the riots, Shiv Vihar Phase 7, opened up, 25-year-old Arshi picked her way out of the rubble of what was once her home in an area that is now a ghost town. When her family fled a few days ago, she says, their only thought was to save their lives as mobs tore down doors, set gas cylinders alight and destroyed their belongings.My home is all right, says Arshi; but when she asked what she could salvage, she looks at her bare hands, and says, nothing at all. No clothes, no prized possessions, and no memories of the years her family has lived here.Aslam, a scrap dealer salvaged two bags worth of belongings from his home where he lived with his wife and three small children. He breaks down as he realises the mobs left nothing of the used refrigerators and air conditioner he had recently acquired with all his savings of ₹55,000.“I really have nothing to get back on my feet with,” he adds, picking through the remains of computer parts and auto parts that lined his store, looking for his tools.According to resident welfare association officials, when the violence subsided and the fires burnt out, gangs of men began looting every building that was deserted. thehindu
*anti-CAA,NRC-NPR stir*
Heavy police deployment in Shaheen Bagh as precautionary measure
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/heavy-police-deployment-in-shaheen-bagh-as-precautionary-measure/1748788
Delhi Police on Sunday made a heavy deployment of security personnel in southeast Delhi''s Shaheen Bagh area, where several women have been leading a protest on the road against the new citizenship law for more than two months, as a precautionary measure, officials said.Section 144 too was imposed in the area, they said.The police deployment has come after a fringe right-wing group, Hindu Sena, gave a call to clear the Shaheen Bagh road on March 1.However on Saturday, following police intervention, the group called off their proposed protest against the anti-CAA agitation in Shaheen Bagh."The proposed protest call was cancelled with timely intervention. But as a precautionary measure, we have made heavy police deployment here," DCP (Southeast) RP Meena said.12 companies, including two of female forces, have been deployed in Shaheen Bagh, 100 men each from four police districts have also been deployed along with the local police, the official said.Hindu Sena said in a statement that police pressured them to call off their protest on Sunday against the Shaheen Bagh agitation.The official twitter handle of Shaheen Bagh stated: "Today’s Peace March has been postponed in view of section 144 applied at Shaheen Bagh Jasola Vihar. Our peaceful protest continues. come join us!"The
अभी एक झूटी ख़बर आ रही थी ये खालिस अफवाह थी झूटी अफ़वाह से बचें आप लोग: अमानतुल्लाह
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgCPayTHXzo&fbclid=IwAR1GRD1u2gEbASgKYbyjINL_thSZAOuiRCp3iBjR-5mQOncIXTizHijWvtw
CAA protests: 22 Kashmiri students of AMU booked
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/caa-protests-22-kashmiri-students-of-amu-booked/story-hSL1vENUrP1FYJGcYvkuWO.html
Aligarh police have booked 22 students of AMU who belong to J&K for instigating and participating in anti-CAA protests and blocking an important link road in the district, a police officer said on Saturday.The protest started on February 24, a day after clashes between protesters and the police, in the Jeevangarh area of Aligarh. FIR was lodged on Friday night.A senior police officer said, “FIR was lodged on the complaint of the local police outpost in-charge against one Mohd. Athar, who is a former students’ union member of AMU and 21 others. They have been booked for inciting violence, obstructing work of government officials and other sections of IPC. The students are known to be residents of Jammu and Kashmir.”Registrar of AMU Abdul Hamid said, “The university administration will take suitable action against the students after reviewing evidence and information provided against them by the police.”The sit-in has forced the district administration to block approach roads to the link road to ensure law and order.HT
Meghalaya clashes: Death toll rises to 3, at least 10 injured
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/meghalaya-clashes-death-toll-rises-3-at-least-7-injured-1651308-2020-03-01?fbclid=IwAR398Apn2Q_7Da5Qh1UY0gi86GxijqXYSyizlz1HY-Pf5WFBcuYpAZPg4ac
Shillong:The death toll in Meghalaya climbed to 3 on Sunday after ethnic clashes erupted between Khasi Students Union (KSU) members and non-tribals during a rally on the contentious CAA and inner line permit (ILP) in state's East Khasi Hills district.The third victim was identified as Uphas Uddin, 37, who hailed from Assam, said sources Uddin was attacked by three miscreants at Paikan village in Shillong at around 2-45 am on Sunday, added sources.Meanwhile, at least ten other persons were also injured in the clashes that took place on Friday.So far eight people have been arrested in the connection with the clashes and a magisterial inquiry has been instituted to further probe the incident.After a four-hour relaxation, curfew was re-imposed on Saturday in areas in the capital city Shillong. Internet services were also suspended in six of the eleven districts of Meghalaya.indiatoday
Amid CAA-NRC Fears, Delimitation Exercise to Begin Soon in Four Northeast States; Assam First
https://www.india.com/news/india/amid-caa-nrc-apprehensions-delimitation-exercise-to-begin-soon-in-assam-3958411/
New Delhi: Expressing hope that the delimitation work in Assam would ensure the political rights of the indigenous communities of Assam, Assam home minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam should be governed by indigenous people. “We want to see that we don’t lose any seats when the delimitation report is published,” Himanta said two days after the Centre issued an order clearing the delimitations of Assam, Arunachal, Manipur and Nagaland. Now, the delimitation of constituencies in Assam will begin.In an order, the Ministry of Law and Justice said, “Whereas under the provisions of Article 82 and Clause (3) of Article 170 of the Constitution, as amended by the Constitution (Eight-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001, Parliament has enacted Delimitation Act, 2002 and a Delimitation Commission was set up to readjust the division of each State and Union territory into territorial constituencies for the purpose of elections to the House of the People and to the state legislative assemblies…. Delimitation Commission completed the delimitation exercise and Delimitation Order, 2008 in respect of all states, except Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland…”india.com/
‘Nobody will touch you’: Amit Shah defends CAA at Kolkata rally, but skips over Delhi riots
https://theprint.in/politics/nobody-will-touch-you-amit-shah-defends-caa-at-kolkata-rally-but-skips-over-delhi-riots/373668/
Kolkata: Home Minister Amit Shah defended CAA but made no mention of last week’s Delhi riots as he addressed a public rally in Kolkata Sunday. This was his first rally in the West Bengal capital since the passage of the controversial law last December.The thrust of his Kolkata speech was the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls, with Shah telling his audience at the Shaheed Minar ground that BJP would form its first government in the eastern state next year. “For the people of Bengal, Modi ji got absolute majority in 2019. We promise that we will form the government here in 2021 with at least a 2/3rd majority,” Shah said. theprint
Shah Addresses BJP Rally in Kolkata As Workers Chant ‘Goli Maaro’
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/amit-shah-kolkata-caa-rally-clear-confusion-protests-opposition
UP doctor Kafeel Khan’s wife writes to HC, says his life could be in danger in Mathura jail
https://theprint.in/india/up-doctor-kafeel-khans-wife-writes-to-hc-says-his-life-could-be-in-danger-in-mathura-jail/373695/
Gorakhpur: Shabista Khan, wife of Dr Kafeel Khan who was detained under National Security Act for alleged inflammatory statements during an anti CAA protest, has written a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court requesting security to her husband, claiming his life might be in “danger”.Shabista said that she met her husband in the Mathura jail where he is currently lodged and felt he could be in danger. “We went to meet him in Mathura jail. He told me that when he was brought to the jail after being arrested, he was not given food for five days straight. The barrack he is staying in is very small and around 100-150 people have been lodged there. His life might be in danger there,” Shabista told ANI.ANI
Hyderabad: EFLU students claim cops locked campus to stop them from attending anti-CAA event
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-eflu-students-claim-cops-locked-campus-to-stop-them-from-attending-anti-caa-event-6294305/
Hyderabad :Students at Hyderabad’s English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Sunday claimed police “locked up their campus” to prevent them from taking part in an anti-CAA protest.“The Hyderabad police blocked gate no.2 and gate no.3 to stop students from going (to) anti-caa discussion,” the EFLU students’ Instagram page said.Some students, who claimed to have interacted with the policemen on campus, said the personnel told them the gates were locked as they “had inputs that some groups from outside had plans to barge into the university and create trouble”.“The police left by left by 4.45pm. Some of us had plans to take part in an anti-CAA protest outside the college campus. The police locked the gate to prevent us from coming out,” an EFLU student said.indianexpress
*OTHERS*
Parliament Budget session from tomorrow: Opposition to corner govt over Delhi violence
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-violence-parliament-budget-session-amit-shah-congress-trinamool-cpim-6294294/
New Delhi :The second part of Parliament Budget session, scheduled to start on Monday, is expected to see Opposition parties question the government on the recent violence in Northeast Delhi.Demanding a debate over the communal tension in the national capital that has claimed 45 lives so far, Congress is expected to submit adjournment motion notices in both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.indianexpress
Cong to strongly raise Delhi riots in Parliament, demand Shah's resignation
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-northeast-violence-maujpur-babarpur-jaffrabad-mustafabad-6293445/?#liveblogstart
Congress will strongly raise the issue of communal riots in Delhi during the second part of the Budget Session in Parliament starting on Monday and demand Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over alleged police lapses. Party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the party will strongly raise the issue of riot-torn Delhi and ask why the violence happened. "The government has miserably failed to maintain law and order. I think there must be some sort of a nexus between the rioters and a section of police officials which resulted in gruesome killings and arson that has tarnished our image across the globe. This is a matter of serious concern for us," he told PTI. "We will continue to raise the demand of Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation on the floor of the House," Chowdhury added. PTI
Grateful for Sikhs’ Help, Muslims End Saharanpur Land Dispute
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/saharanpur-muslim-sikh-mosque-gurdwara-delhi-violence-caa-protest
Muslims and Sikhs in Western Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur have brought an end to a 10-year-old land dispute.The dispute involved a plot of land adjoining a Gurdwara not far from Saharanpur railway station. Gurdwara committee had purchased the land for expanding the Gurdwara complex. But the old structures on the plot were demolished and this is said to have included an old mosque.The dispute had reached the Supreme Court. But the Muslim party gave up its claim. In return, Sikhs decided to give Muslims an alternate plot of land.But now the Muslims have decided to forgo this as well, out of gratitude for the help given by Sikhs to the people affected by the communal violence in Northeast Delhi, as well as the solidarity extended by the community to protests against CAA."In view of the great service and support rendered by the Sikhs to Muslims in Delhi throughout the protests and most recently during the riots in Delhi, Masjid committee in Saharanpur decided to give up its claim over the land as a token of gratitude and thanksgiving," said Nizam Pasha, who represented the Muslim side in the Supreme Court. "Sikhs stand for humanity. They help people in need. The helped people affected by the communal violence in Delhi. This is God's work," Muslim petitioner Muharram Ali told The Quint. “We are extremely happy that Muslims came for the Karsewa of the Gurdwara. Even though the dispute was going on since 2010, we didn’t want it to harm relations between the two communities,” said Sunny, representative from the Sikh side.thequint
Christianity crackdown:9 pastors beaten by police in India for spreading message of God
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1248934/India-news-Christians-religious-freedom-Christian-Solidarity-Worldwide-Sathankulam?fbclid=IwAR2T62vbGW_F-o4Xl9DsVjTeN8Tfus_nfFqNBLFBJkrjh8_pNWE4v-FqBtI
Religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported nine pastors, including one man with disabilities, were violently assaulted on February 21. The incident happened in the town of Sathankulam in Tamil Nadu State. The pastors were there on a mission trip as part of their involvement in Devasabai Church.Across four days they were scheduled to distribute Christian literature and spread the message of the Bible.It has been alleged the men were stopped by a member of the Hindu nationalist BJP, Ponniah, who seized the texts and accused the men of converting people by force.He then alerted local authorities to the presence of the men.Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported the men were then severely beaten by police.Officers apparently took a bamboo baton to one member of the group, Pastor Barnabas, who sustained injuries to his back and legs.express.co.uk
‘What kind of Hindus are you?’ Mob asks arrested Assam lecturer’s family on not having idols at home
https://scroll.in/latest/954800/what-kind-of-hindu-are-you-mob-asks-arrested-assam-lecturer-for-not-having-idols-at-home
A mob of nearly 40 men from right-wing outfits gathered outside a college lecturer’s house in Silchar, Assam, who was arrested for posting derogatory remarks about the prime minister, and asked his family “what kind of Hindus” they were after they found no photos of gods, The Wire reported on Saturday.The incident occurred on Friday, shortly after police acted on the complaint to arrest Souradeep Sengupta, a guest lecturer at Gurucharan College, from his residence. Sengupta had written about the violence in Delhi and the role of the Hindutva forces in it on his Facebook page.Sengupta’s family members said the mob had also forced their way into their home while shouting “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. “They were loud and kept on asking what kind of Hindus they were, if there were no photos of gods on their portico,” a relative said. “They refused to leave until he made a Facebook Live video, apologising to everyone for his comments. His mother, who by then was pretty nervous, agreed. Souradeep too had been informed of what was going on, and he rushed back home.”scroll
Elgar Parishad: Prakash Ambedkar expresses concern over ‘hounding’ of academic Anand Teltumbde
https://scroll.in/latest/954807/elgar-parishad-case-prakash-ambedkar-expresses-concern-over-hounding-of-academic-anand-teltumbde
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar on Sunday expressed concern over the “hounding” of academic Anand Teltumbde, accusing the government of wanting to “incarcerate him in jails for years”. Teltumbde is being investigated for his alleged connection with the violence that broke out at Bhima Koregaon near Pune in January 2018.Addressing a press conference at the Maharashtra Sadan in the national Capital on Sunday, Ambedkar said, “We, the members of family of Babasaheb Ambedkar, are concerned about the hounding of Teltumbde, who has been part of us since 1983.”scroll
Time Muslims mingled with fellow countrymen:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/time-muslims-mingled-with-fellow-countrymen/articleshow/74418809.cms
Nagpur:Mohammed Ayub Khan is an English professor at the Women’s College of Arts and Commerce. He has been a teacher in more ways than one. He has dedicated his life towards ‘Mission Education for Slums’. Khan has been working with Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) for past 12 years. As an office bearer of the organization, Khan has been attempting to integrate the larger part of the Muslim community into the mainstream. With the message of the Quran, Khan is also putting in efforts to initiate an interaction with other communities.In an interview with TOI, he talks about the ‘We the Citizens’ concept which is now gaining a lot of ground due to the prevailing situation in the country. He said, "A. We reach out to our fellow countrymen in various ways. We invite them on Eid. We organize Eid Milan programmes even at temples. We share the dais with them and interact with them on a regular basis. We conduct medical camps for our fellow countrymen. We also run coaching centres where socially marginalized students are taught English and Maths. For women, we have a skill-based training programme. JIH has been conducting these activities for almost 50 years. In Nagpur district alone, we have eight units which are backed by a workforce of 110 dedicated members and 1,000 associates. We have a big team at the national level. Our projects like social service, women’s wing, education department and movement for peace and justice are meant for people of all communities." He continued, "A. Women are doing national service with the dignity and grace of Islam. JIH’s women’s wings became operational 70 years ago. The Quran has given the best status to women which makes men lower their gaze and not stare at women or stalk them. A woman is given respect of the highest order. She also has the freedom to pursue education, start a business or go shopping. You can find many examples in the history of India."TOI
*US-TALIBAN PEACE AFGHAN DEAL*
"Support For Peace": India On Landmark US-Taliban Deal
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-reacts-cautiously-to-us-taliban-peace-deal-2187836
New Delhi: In a reaction to the much-awaited peace deal between US and Taliban, India on Saturday said its consistent policy has been to support all opportunities that can bring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and ensure end of terrorism.India's Ambassador to Qatar, P Kumaran, was among a host of diplomats present at the ceremony where the deal was inked."India's consistent policy is to support all opportunities that can bring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan; end violence; cut ties with international terrorism; and lead to a lasting political settlement through an Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled process,"External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said."As a contiguous neighbour, India will continue to extend all support to the Government and people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interest of all sections of Afghan society are protected," Kumar added.PTI
Pakistan welcomes US-Taliban peace deal, says will continue to support Afghanistan
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-welcomes-us-taliban-peace-deal-says-continue-support-afghanistan-1651211-2020-02-29
Pakistan has welcomed the signing of the historic peace deal between US and Taliban in Doha. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who attended the signing ceremony, said that US-Taliban deal carried "immense importance in symbolism and substance" for Afghanistan.Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the peace agreement reflected a significant step put forward by the US and Taliban in advancing the ultimate aim of "peace and reconciliation" in Afghanistan.indiatoday
Taliban-US agreement: How the world reacted
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/taliban-peace-deal-world-reacted-200229165338513.html
President Ghani rejects peace deal's prisoner swap with Taliban
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/president-ghani-rejects-peace-deal-prisoner-swap-taliban-200301082216180.html
A landmark deal between the US and Taliban aimed at ending the US's longest war may already be facing obstacles as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that his government had not agreed to a clause set out in the deal. Ghani objected to arrangements within the deal that would see the Afghan government release 5,000 Taliban prisoners as a condition for direct talks between the armed group and the government. "The government of Afghanistan has made no commitment to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners," President Ghani told reporters in Kabul on Sunday, a day after the accord was signed in Qatar's capital, Doha.The four-part agreement sets March 10 as the date for an intra-Afghan dialogue with Ghani's government as well as a prisoner-swap which would see the government release 5,000 Taliban prisoners and Taliban release 1,000 captives. However, Ghani said: "It is not in the authority of US to decide, they are only a facilitator".aljazeera
Pak Jamaat hails US, Taliban peace agreement
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/621823-ji-hails-us-taliban-peace-agreement
Mardan: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan head Senator Sirajul Haq said on Friday that his party welcomed the signing of the peace deal between the US and the Afghan Taliban.“It is our wish that the talks between the US and Taliban are successful and America pull out its troops from Afghanistan as promised,” said views while addressing the dastarbandi function at Jamia Islamia Tafheemul Quran and later talking to the media here. However, he believed that the talks with the Taliban were America’s failure. thenews
Iran dismisses US-Taliban:Reuters
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/01/iran-dismisses-u-s-taliban-agreement-over-afghanistan/
dubai: This agreement between US and Taliban insurgents has no legal standing, Iran said on Sunday, dismissing the deal as a pretext to legitimize the presence of US troops in Afghanistan.“US has no legal standing to sign a peace agreement or to determine the future of Afghanistan,” Iranian Foreign Ministry said a statement reported by state media.Iran views US move as an attempt to “legitimize its troops’ presence in Afghanistan”, the statement said.While saying it welcomes any initiative that helps to secure stability and peace in Afghanistan, Iran said that will be possible only through domestic talks and consideration of the interests of Afghanistan’s neighbors.Repeating its demand for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, Tehran said it will take all necessary steps to ensure the departure of the US forces.
Qatar FM; Gulf Snub in Afghan Signing Unwise
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/qatar-fm-says-gulf-snub-afghan-signing-unwise
Qatar expressed disappointment Sunday that nearly all of its Gulf neighbors snubbed invitations to attend the weekend peace signing ceremony between the US and the Taliban.Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told AP in an interview that the presence of Saudi, Bahraini and Emirati officials at Saturday's event in Doha could have been an opportunity to signal unity amid a festering, nearly three-year-old crisis among the Gulf Cooperation Council members that have left Qatar isolated."We were hopeful that our GCC brothers and neighbors would join us in yesterday's ceremony," al Thani said. "We invited them for the ceremony, but unfortunately they didn't show up."Instead, he said their absence showed a continuing "absence of wisdom" among Qatar's neighbors at a time when tensions in the Middle East, especially with Iran, are running high.Oman was only GCC member to send its foreign minister.Saudi Arabia, for its part, welcomed the signing of the peace agreement.tolonews
Trump to Meet Taliban Leaders After Peace Deal
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/trump-meet-taliban-leaders-after-peace-deal
Following the peace deal between the US and Taliban on Saturday, President Donald Trump at a press conference said he would be personally meeting leaders of the Taliban in the near future."I'll be meeting personally with Taliban leaders in the not-too-distant future," Trump said.“It’s time after all these years to bring our people back home. We want to bring our people back home. Again, it has been a long journey in Afghanistan,” said Trump.“Want to congratulate President Ghani and the people of Afghanistan. I want to remember all of the people, all of the great, great men and women that have lost their lives in the war,” he said.tolonews
US-Taliban deal: UN welcomes efforts to reach political settlement in Afghanistan
https://indiablooms.com/world-details/F/23278/united-states-taliban-deal-un-welcomes-efforts-to-reach-political-settlement-in-afghanistan.html
United Nations has called for further reductions in violence in Afghanistan, and for the conditions for intra-Afghan peace talks to be met, following the announcement of an agreement between US and the Taliban.Via a statement released by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended efforts to achieve a "lasting political settlement" in Afghanistan. "Today's events in Doha and Kabul mark an important development in this regard", he said.UN chief expressed his gratitude to Qatar for hosting the talks between the United States and the Taliban, and highlighted the importance of further reducing violence at the national level, for the benefit of all Afghans and, said Dujarric, “encourages the continued efforts of all parties to create an environment conducive to intra-Afghan negotiations and a comprehensive peace process”.indiablooms
Taliban starts diplomatic outreach after US deal on Afghanistan
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/taliban-start-diplomatic-outreach-after-us-deal-on-afghanistan/article30955860.ece
Kabul:Taliban's political chief has met with senior diplomats from countries including Russia, Indonesia and Norway, hours after signing a deal with Washington aimed at ending the Afghan war, the group said in a statement on Sunday. Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met Foreign Ministers from Turkey, Uzbekistan and Norway in Doha along with diplomats from Russia, Indonesia and neighbouring nations, the Taliban said, a move that signalled the group's determination to secure international legitimacy.“The dignitaries who met Mullah Baradar expressed their commitments towards Afghanistan's reconstruction and development... US-Taliban agreement is historical,” said Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.“Baradar received congratulatory messages and thanked them (ministers and diplomats) for attending the ceremony,” he said.Reuters
OIC welcomes US-Taliban peace deal
https://nation.com.pk/01-Mar-2020/oic-welcomes-us-taliban-peace-deal
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed on Saturday the landmark deal between the US and Taliban, which seeks to achieve a lasting solution to the Afghan war.In a written statement, Yousef Al-Othaimeen, the OIC secretary general, applauded the "successful implementation of reduction of violence" in Afghanistan, as well as appealed to all parties to continue with the current arrangement and "work diligently" towards achieving "permanent ceasefire".Anadolu
*WORLD*
Turkey shoots down 2 Syrian govt fighter jets over Idlib
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/syria-closes-airspace-idlib-plane-shot-200301094353040.html
Antakya: Turkey's military shot down two Syrian government fighter jets over northwest Idlib, hours after forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad brought down a Turkish drone over the region. In a Twitter post on Sunday, Turkey's defence ministry said its forces struck two SU-24 aircraft in response to the downing of the drone.Syria's SANA news agency confirmed the fighters were hit over Idlib, but said no one was hurt in the attack. The pilots used parachutes and landed safely, it added. Earlier on Sunday, Turkish and Syrian state-run media offered contradicting reports on the downing of the drone. Turkey's Anadolu news agency said an "Assad regime jet" was hit over Idlib, but Syria's SANA denied it promptly, saying a Turkish drone crashed over the town of Saraqeb. The Turkish defence ministry's Twitter post is the first confirmation of the downing of the drone. It also said three Syrian air defence systems were destroyed in the retaliatory attack. Amid the escalating tensions, the Syrian government closed the airspace over Idlib, with one official telling SANA any aircraft "that violates our airspace will be treated as a hostile flight that must be shot down and prevented from achieving its objectives". Forces loyal to al-Assad, backed by Russian airpower, have renewed an offensive to capture Idlib from opposition forces, who are backed by Turkey.Tensions have escalated in recent days after 34 Turkish troops were killed in Syrian government air raids on Idlib. The toll was the biggest military loss the Turkish military has suffered since it intervened in the Syrian conflict in 2016. In response, Ankara said it struck scores of Syrian government targets and "neutralised" 2,212 soldiers.
Greece on defensive as Turkey opens border to refugees
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/greece-defensive-turkey-opens-border-refugees-200229091808379.html
Greece is bracing itself for what could turn into a flood of refugees and migrants after the Turkish government ordered its coastguard and border police not to prevent people from crossing into Europe."No illegal entries into Greece will be tolerated," PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted on Friday after Greek police fired tear gas at about 300 refugees trying to cross the land border at the Evros river.On Saturday, a Greek govt spokesperson claimed to have "averted more than 4,000 attempts of illegal entrance to our borders."Later on Saturday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said 18,000 refugees and migrants had gathered on the Turkish borders with Europe since Friday, adding that the number could reach as many as 30,000 on Saturday.aljazeera
Muhyiddin becomes Malaysia PM, Mahathir vows to fight
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/mahathir-claims-majority-king-prepares-swear-rival-200301010835626.html
Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister on Sunday, an hour after his predecessor and former ally, Mahathir Mohamad, claimed he was the one with enough support to form a government and would prove it with a vote in Parliament."I am telling the public that I have the majority support," Mahathir told journalists in a live-streamed news conference. "I have 114."94-year-old veteran Mahathir said he had proof of the support in the form of statutory declarations and letters, and called for an urgent sitting of Parliament.Mahathir was flanked by politicians from the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which won power in May 2018 but has been dogged by political infighting that came to a head last weekend when a splinter group tried to form an alliance with the opposition.The move led to Mahathir's resignation and days of uncertainty that king, a constitutional monarch, had sought to resolve by meeting each member of Parliament individually.On Saturday, the palace announced that Muhyiddin, 72, had the confidence of Parliament and would be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday.Muhyiddin was driven into the palace in Kuala Lumpur at 9.50am ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, having cobbled together a coalition with the opposition UMNO, and PAS, Malaysia's Islamic party, with support from the main political party in the Borneo territory of Sarawak. Members of his new coalition were also at the palace, sharing pictures of themselves on social media, before Muhyiddin took the oath to become the country's eighth prime minister at 10.30am. Mahathir said he felt betrayed by Muhyiddin, a veteran politician who was home minister under the previous Pakatan Harapan government. "We are going to see a man who does not have majority support become prime minister," he said.Muhyiddin was deputy prime minister under Najib Razak until he was sacked in 2015, amid a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal at state fund 1MDB.aljazeera
Israeli polls: Illegal settlements high on agendas
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/israeli-elections-illegal-settlements-high-election-agendas-200301105512234.html
Israel is preparing to hold its third election in a year on Monday. The vote will be first since the announcement of a US plan for the Middle East which has been roundly rejected by the Palestinians.They say neither of the two main candidates has a Palestinian state on their agenda, and they are competing to take even more of their rights away.
Israel's Palestinian citizens: We'll vote because we're targeted
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/israel-palestinians-citizens-vote-targeted-200229175701128.html
Aysha Khalifa, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, is adamant that she will be voting on Monday, when Israel holds its third election in less than a year.A teacher in the central town of Umm al-Fahm, Khalifa says she will cast her ballot for the Arab Joint List, an electoral alliance of four Palestinian political parties, partly as a response to US President Donald Trump's proposed plan for the Middle East."We are the people of this land," she told Al Jazeera. "Trump's deal is not a peace plan because peace is built on justice. I'll vote to prevent the right wing from gaining power," Khalifa said.Heavily weighted in favour of Israel, Trump unveiled his long-awaited plan in late January alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an event in the White House. One of its proposals lays out the possibility of redrawing Israel's borders, with 10 Palestinian towns including Umm al-Fahm, transferred to a future Palestinian state. Some 260,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel living in these towns, which are located in an area known as the "Triangle" near the Green Line, could potentially find themselves outside Israel's borders. aljazeera
Sri Lankan Parliament likely to be dissolved, paving way for snap polls: Minister
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sri-lankan-parliament-likely-dissolved-paving-way-snap-polls-minister-1651330-2020-03-01
Colombo:Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is likely to dissolve the Parliament later on Sunday, paving the way for snap elections in the country months ahead of the schedule, a top minister said.President Rajapaksa in December named his elder brother and former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the prime minister of the caretaker cabinet until the general election in August 2020. He can now legally dissolve Parliament and call an election.The president could issue the dismissal order on the parliament on Sunday night, the earliest he could force a fresh parliamentary poll. The current parliament was appointed on Sept.1, 2015.PTI
Coronavirus: Iran reports 11 news deaths, overall toll in the country now 54
https://scroll.in/latest/954836/coronavirus-iran-reports-11-news-deaths-overall-toll-in-the-country-now-54
Iran’s health ministry reported 11 new deaths from the novel coronavirus and 385 fresh cases on Sunday, AFP reported. The overall toll in the country is now 54 and total number of infections is 978.“Eleven people lost their lives” in the past 24 hours, said ministry spokesperson Kianoush Jahanpour. The government urged people to stay away from mass gatherings and limit their travel.China, where the outbreak began, on Sunday reported 35 more deaths, and 573 more infected people. Barring China, South Korea has the highest number of cases and Iran the most deaths. South Korea confirmed 376 more coronavirus cases on Sunday. This takes the country’s total to 3,526 infections.Meanwhile, the outbreak has continued to spread in other countries, with the first deaths being reported in US and Australia.scroll
*views, Articles, FEATURES*
Arundhati Roy on Delhi violence: ‘This is our version of the coronavirus. We are sick’
https://scroll.in/article/954805/arundhati-roy-on-delhi-violence-this-is-our-version-of-the-coronavirus-we-are-sick
The targeting of Dr Kafeel Khan: A case of vendetta:DIVYA TRIVEDI, frontline
https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/article30912135.ece
Misplaced anger: How media became punching bag for doing its duty — reporting Delhi riots:SAMIRA SOOD
https://theprint.in/opinion/pov/misplaced-anger-how-media-became-punching-bag-for-doing-its-duty-reporting-delhi-riots/373495/
Bloodthirsty vegetarians! Pushpesh Pant
https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/voices/2020/mar/01/bloodthirsty-vegetarians-2109455.html?fbclid=IwAR0bVZu6Z9T6mwIGVmnYMyjWQps1UeVgWvbVuMRqEdpcAZN_DO0KJwbnBDY
How Muslim and Hindu Neighbours Protected Each Other Through the Long Night at Chand Bagh
https://thewire.in/communalism/chand-bagh-delhi-riots-hindu-muslim
OBCs Haven't Been Counted Since 1931 Census. In Maharashtra, Demand For Separate Column Grows:Sukanya Shantha
https://thewire.in/caste/maharashtra-obcs-census-2021
Narendra Modi and Amit Shah harvest hate in India: The bumper crop is blood:Swati Chaturvedi, Special to Gulf News
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/narendra-modi-and-amit-shah-harvest-hate-in-india-the-bumper-crop-is-blood-1.1583051436365?fbclid=IwAR1fn6NVihrCDysLFGU-v89jTXHeUgop1wKyocxrxfhaChBhuzConbWvElQ
Communal Riots In Delhi: “Bhaiyya, Are All Of You Safe?”Saeed Naqvi
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/communal-riots-in-delhi-bhaiyya-are-all-of-you-safe
Rohingya crisis: Refugees afraid to return home to Myanmar
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/rohingya-crisis-refugees-afraid-return-home-myanmar-200301110038873.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 6:01 PM).
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